The Tibur camp was a strangely happy place despite the nature of their culling ritual. Xiozian children were running about in casual play, some helping craft lanterns and other decorations while others hefted heaps of foraged fruits and vegetables for the adults to cook.
It was only now that Dreiki realized at least one of the Tibur in this camp might recognize him. He never had the opportunity to thank the red haired girl who had saved him back in Yvian. Unfortunately, Dreiki did not think it would be wise to connect himself to that event. He was just a Noxa passing through, nothing more and nothing less. Still, if Dreiki could figure out who it was, he wanted to find a way to repay them. He pulled the hood of his cloak down over his eyes, sitting in the back of the cart with Luna and Gornax as Ezo pulled them through the shin-deep snow.
The bat drake wouldn’t stop biting at the fluffy white snow. Dreiki could tell how much Ezo wanted to play in it. He made a silent promise to set him free the moment they got settled in camp.
One of the hunters guarding the perimeter stopped them. She was a towering dark skinned xia with long black dreads over her shoulders and mismatched eyes of silver and emerald, “Ho there young travelers! What brings you out here?” She asked, studying their group with a cold calculating gaze, “These lands are dangerous this time of year, and our tribe will not be traveling until the snow melts.”
Rixam bowed his head, “We heard that we could seek refuge with the Tibur for the winter, good huntress. We offer potions and herbal ingredients in exchange for warm tents and food.”
“And what are travelers so young doing with such goods?”
“We were told to bring something of value before seeking refuge. We also wish to partake in the Siren Ceremony.”
The huntress paused, looking over the four of them, “And you are familiar with the risks of our ceremony? Do you seek to become Tibur yourselves?”
“Yes, we have been made familiar with the risks. We do not seek to become Tibur, but as you can see, we are Noxa. This ceremony offers outsiders like us a chance to prove our worth.”
Those hard eyes softened a bit, “If that is the case, then you are granted refuge. Be warned, however, that you are fed last when food is offered, Outsider.
“I assure you that I am no stranger to skipping meals, good huntress.”
She nodded, “You may pass, I will alert the others that we are taking on four new refugees and their drake. You do not need to trade for food, we will offer it to you freely. However, we will send one of our herbalists to appraise the quality of your stock.”
“Thank you my lady, which tent may we take?”
The huntress pointed, “That tent is where you can find other Noxa and refugees. Mind your manners. Theft or any other sort of trouble is dealt with strictly.”
“We will let you know if someone ends up stealing from us. You have our word that we will not cause trouble for your people.”
“I will take you at your word then, be safe.”
Rixam nodded to the rest of them and guided Ezo to follow, “May we host our bat drake in your stables?”
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“I will lead you into camp, you may store your belongings in the tent. We can take care of your drake while you stay.”
“He likes to play in the snow,” Dreiki spoke up out of habit, “I mean- you won’t keep them tied up in the stables for too long right?”
The huntress smiled at him, “Of course not. We only offer food, it is up to you to take care of him during your stay, young one.”
As they walked through camp, Dreiki noticed people looking at them. He recognized the look on their faces all too well by this point. Curiosity, confusion, disgust. Made to feel like they weren’t meant to be there even after being accepted in.
The huntress might have allowed them to stay, but it was under some distrustful terms. He did not think the huntress was a bad person, but he had to wonder if they would still be allowed to stay if they had not offered to risk their lives.
The inside of their tent looked packed to the brim with sleeping bags. Dreiki spotted a few refugees. Some were missing tails, but not in the way that Dreiki was. Victims of war who had lost limbs, young children who were rail-thin and sickly, and a few reclusive Noxa who kept to themselves.
It was not common for xiozians to come down with illness, but Dreiki would see the close proximity of their lodgings had spread some sort of bug around.
“These people need our potions more than the Tibur,” Dreiki muttered under his breath.
“Did you say something, Argo?” Rixam said, looking back at him.
Dreiki shook his head, swiping a few vials of medicine under his cloak, “It’s nothing.”
“I can show you where you can stow your goods. Feel free to take out any of your personal belongings.” The huntress said.
“Thank you, and what was your name?”
“L’maya Tibur.”
“A beautiful name for a beautiful huntress, my name is Rixam.”
The hardened huntress struggled to resist a smile, “Rixam huh? You’re about twenty years too early to be flirting with me, youngling.”
Rixam laughed, “Flirting is all it is then. Would it be alright if me and my companions utilized your training grounds from time to time?”
Dreiki noticed how L’maya’s manner of speech started to relax, “Child, you can do whatever you want s’long as you’re not causing trouble. We got enough flirts ‘round camp with all the nobles. Mind your manners, they don’t take kindly to common folk chattin’ people up like you are.”
“Yes ma’am,” Rixam said in a playful tone, “We’ll mind our own, but we know chrometails don’t mind theirs.”
“Alright, child, these rich kids give you trouble let me know I’ll get some people to handle it for you, alright?”
“Appreciated ma’am.”
Dreiki looked back and forth between the two of them. It was his turn to feel like they were speaking a different language. It wasn’t Rixam’s words that were out of the ordinary, but the way he said them. He had an inflection and charm about his manner of speaking which put anyone he talked to at ease. Dreiki didn’t know how, but he had made friends with the huntress in an instant.
Even as everyone else unpacked their things, Rixam kept her talking like they were long lost friends catching up. It made him wonder why he hadn’t been so personable with the children in Kul Creek.
“That’s the silvered tongue of a devil for you,” Luna muttered.
“Weilded with a heart of gold, at least,” Dreiki added with a smile that made Luna look away.
L’maya gave them a brief tour of their camp, showing them to a tent where they could stow their valuables safely. Once everyone had settled in, L’maya invited them to dinner in an hour.
“Ya’ll should sit with me and mine this evenin’. I got a kid your age. I think she’d like you,” She said.
“Oh yeah? I thought you told me I shouldn’t be flirtin’ around causing trouble.” Rixam laughed.
“Child, only trouble you get in is the one you earn from her. I tell you that. Hope you can fly fast with those wings cuz I aint savin’ you from her.”
“What’s her name then? Lemme be respectful.”
“Arika.”