Mimi

Richard and Di'Rex were still in Whe'Di. I was more than a few days ahead of them, potentially even a week at my current rate. It was far easier to just hoist the wagon over my head, and carry it through any briars or twisting roots. My scouts were spread out, and nodes were being made as effective as possible. My rations were consistently topped off, but the main issue was the two-week period that larvae had to go through before they could change.

My Hive was working, but the numbers weren't quite where I needed them to be for covering so much ground. Only a few days had passed, and going back to ensure the nodes were successful was a waste of time. It was more efficient to give each node more bugs than linger and judge the correct number needed. That wasn't even counting all the bugs left in the vampire cave, and the storehouse at Whe'Di. My wagon that had been sitting in the hundreds of thousands, could now be counted in the tens of thousands.

Still, according to the map Richard had been looking at, there was another village not too far away from here. I would likely reach it tomorrow, even if I took a break here. I set the wagon down and stretched to get the soreness out of my shoulders. The journey had been rough on my body, but I would allow it to rest after a quick hunt. I started to move towards where the scouts had found prey, when the node nearby the clearing let me know the Raven was there with Kobe.

It had been a week since our last 'spar, 'hadn't it? I was less concerned about the time between such, and more worried about the meeting with the king in the next four days. My escort went into the shadow of my wings, and I teleported close to the clearing. Kobe bellowed out his challenge, and I used the shadows to arrive before them similar to last time. The two paused, while scouts fanned out in search of the werewolf.

Kobe stroked his goatee, "Are you feeling okay?"

I waved a hand dismissively, "I'm fine, this body is just tired. It's been carrying half its weight for three days straight. I was going to let it rest after some light hunting, but here we are."

The Raven whistled, "three days straight? What made you need to move that fast?"

"I just wanted to test the limits, there were periods of hunting and I had workers feed me flesh while I moved. It helps to know how fast I can move if I need to."

Kobe shrugged, "I'm more surprised you came, you must really want to spar then." He joked.

My body yawned a little, "I'm more interested in how things in the Underground have been going. Though I'll find out some of the finer details. I doubt the others have been telling me everything, Where is the wolf?" I tilted my head, unable to even smell Charlie's scent.

Jack shrugged, "She's tending to some private matters. The Golden Circle church has moved into the Underground, and the archbishop is trying to stir shit up. He keeps going on about the great crusade this, and how the mother of death walks among us."

"Will you be able to handle it, or do you need some help? How did it go with Argus by the way?"

Jack smirked, "Went well, she listened after I told her the phrases you told me. She is a lot like Edna in a way, so thanks for twisting that knife a little more. Let's just say my men are fairly happy with our arrangement, and I got my reparations."

"That doesn't answer my first question." I looked down at him, pressing the issue.

Jack rolled his eyes, making it a point to look offended. "I can handle some dickhead of an archbishop trying for my territory. There's a reason the pope in Eclipse didn't try this shit before. If it becomes a problem, then I'll have Kobe back me up, but don't you dare question what I can and cannot do. I don't answer to you, and I ain't going to start. Got it?"

Kobe crossed his arms, "It'd have been better if you spit on him, I trust Jack more than I trust you. You might think you got the upper hand since you won the little spar we had last time, but we can change that."

I looked at the two, pinching my brow. "My apologies, I'm not familiar with the customs between gang leaders." Their aid was more beneficial than killing them. "I was trying to ask if you needed help, but I realize I went about it in the wrong way." I looked at them both, "How do I soothe tensions between us? How do I earn your trust?"

Jack tilted his head towards the forest, "You can go do your hunting while we get some wood for a campfire. I don't feel like fighting anymore." I took note of the dismissive tone but decided to not press it.

Kobe rolled his shoulders, "I'll probably spar with you after we eat. Well, after we're done talking."

"Very well." I turned, sending my escort out while some of my bugs hid in the grass. The hunting began, while the two spoke to each other.

Jack was the first to break the silence, "Think she's far enough? Elves have impressive hearing."

Kobe shrugged, "We could talk about how we raided the Blind Eye, and find out."

Jack let out a small laugh, "You mean how we passed Argus between our men? All because she thought she was serving her queen?"

They were lucky I had received reports from Argus. So very lucky, that no such thing happened. They were trying to prove I was listening to them, and it would backfire. The two laughed, saying more vulgar things. Kobe let out a small sigh, "If she has any pride, I think she would have come by now."

Jack shrugged, "That, or she stopped listening. Kind of got lucky our free time lined up."

Kobe stroked his goatee, "Luck had nothing to do with it. You just trust Charlie to do what you need her to do. You put a bun in that oven yet?"

Jack stretched, "Been trying, but you know how it goes. Either it's a thing with the monster you're getting it on with, or it will probably never happen."

Kobe smirked, "I'd offer to try, but last time I did you damn near slit my throat."

Jack laughed, "That was your one and only warning, good thing you aren't making that offer right now."

Kobe shrugged, "Could try with an elf, damn it's nowhere near as fun without your shadow here to get mad at this."

Jack rolled his eyes, "You're telling me, she makes everything less shitty. Now I have to deal with an overbearing bug bitch. I'm telling you, Kobe. I'll be damned and dead, before I even let her think for a minute, she can control my gang."

Kobe snorted, "I think the monster got the message, don't worry. Just remember why we're here alone, again."

Jack let out an irritated sigh, "We're trying to figure out what she's doing outside the walls, at least on my end. I need to know where the bitch is going, and if that poses a problem to my town. What about you, Kobe?"

Kobe hefted his ax, "I'm knocking off some rust. You couldn't ask me before we called it here?"

Jack crossed his arms, "I know you're smarter than that, besides it slipped my mind. I was sitting on my ass for an hour before you finally crawled out of the tunnel. What's the real reason?"

Kobe smirked, "She's got ties to the tribes, and her brat is sparring with one of my champions. Pipsqueak is growing fast, and Jordan likes her."

Jack raised a brow, "The Crusher? That bastard that uses null magic?"

Kobe nodded, "Yeah, it's in my interests to keep her on my good side. You'll never guess who her brat is with."

Jack tilted his head, "Wait... does the kid look like a maid?"

Kobe slapped his forehead, "That's right, you had to meet the Cheshire. How'd that go, by the way?"

Jack rubbed his temples, "Got it, you want the bug bitch on your side in case Azera ends up siding with her. Kind of fucking me here, Kobe."

Kobe chuckled, "Didn't answer my question, little man."

Jack laughed, "Hey, fuck you!" He walked towards the trees, "I'll tell you how it went if you tell me the goons Cheshire has under him these days."

Kobe followed, picking up a few branches and idly tossing them towards the center of the clearing. "You remember Jacky, yeah?"

Jack nodded, "Fox guy? Come on, I know he has more than that. If the brat is putting up a good fight against Jordan, you have to tell me something."

Kobe shrugged, "Not sure if her magic is there yet. The little brat's name is Pandora. She talks to her bugs, and controls creatures just like Scix. I'm fairly confident if you fuck with her, she'll just get all the others involved. Guess how old she is."

Jack stared at Kobe, "Fuck, I don't know. Monsters are always weird, they're either stuck looking the same way until they die, age in reverse, or grow up really fast. How old is the bug bitch?"

Kobe snorted, "I have no idea, but I won't tell you anymore until you guess."

Jack tossed a few sticks towards the center as well. "Thirty?"

Kobe bellowed out a laugh, "Not even!" He wiped away a tear, "The brat was born in the middle of summer. She's not even half a year!"

Jack blinked, just staring at Kobe. It was the same time my ghosts stung a few flufftails. I needed to have a talk with Pandora when I got my hour. She shouldn't be telling others how old she is, especially those that might use it against her. It was nice to hear that everything was going well, and she was making friends. Flesh carvers started cleaning the bodies while I idly ate a few to make a silk basket to carry everything.

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I thought about it and decided on making a second basket for pelts. To make the apology seem more sincere. The Raven cracked his neck, "Never would have guessed, now about the others."

Kobe shrugged, "Got a shadow claw with a talent, and an electromancer that survived the Count's army. Ron died, but necromancers have a bad habit of not staying down. I'm almost certain the Bo'Sun left, but Azera is keeping things close to his chest. You never know who or what will pop out of the tribes whenever they feel threatened. It just pisses me off that it was a damn human that united them."

Jack nodded, "Yeah, that's rough buddy. Anyway, my meeting went well. Cheshire came and made sure nothing was wrong with our teleporter. Told me a few things that happened while I was gone. Most of it was what you had already told me, though he didn't even mention the tribes uniting. Not that I blame him, but he probably has something big planned."

The Minotaur grinned, "He got a talent that allows him to teleport inside Eclipse."

Jack's eyes went wide, "What? Who?" He squinted at Kobe, "How, and why?"

Kobe picked at his ears, "It was a lesser talent, only meant to stop null magic. Though I guess all the space magic used in Eclipse kind of nullifies teleports. I'd put coin on Azera doing something in a couple of days."

Jack scowled, "I'm really far behind then, the king doing the founding of Eclipse parade this year?"

Kobe shrugged, "Who knows? If he is, then he'll be out of the castle and it would be the best time for a certain thief to make his move."

Jack let out a small laugh, "Guess we'll just have to wait."

The two continued with their banter, making crude comments about how slow I was being with my hunt. I chose to ignore them before bringing the baskets over. I made a pointed comment about ignoring what they started saying about Argus, and how I'd prefer them not to use such methods to test my patience. They needed to believe I wasn't listening in on them, and that I tuned them out halfway. Thus, I pretended all I ever heard was what they said about Argus and myself.

I did manage to make them come clean about how the others were truly doing and got an update on Gray. Gray was rather busy from the sounds of it, but that much was to be expected. I willingly gave them the information on Luf'Ard, and some of my plans for Whe'Di. A village that cultivated a crop was very interesting to the Raven. Especially when I let him know I could teleport goods during the night. It was enough to make him stay after Kobe and I was finished sparring.

We said our goodbyes to the Minotaur, while the Raven stayed behind. He forced a smile, before looking at me. "What do you want for the wheat?"

I raised a brow at his sudden boldness, "What are you willing to give?"

Jack fidgeted a little, "Look, I know you're smart enough to pick up on these kinds of cues. You know I need it, so let's cut the bew shit and go straight to it. What do you want?"

I was a little taken aback by his directness. "Why do you need it? You don't even know how much I have to offer."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Any farming village will have at least one storehouse filled to the brim with their goods, that's enough to last them all year, do they have a storehouse worth of goods they are willing to sell?"

"That's impressive, why do you know so much about such villages?" I got on my knees so I wasn't looking down at the man.

Jack pursed his lips before he sighed, "Tam'Ven, that's the town I made. A town founded for the purpose of taming, and not one of those shitty little towns that only harvest wood or make bricks. Problem is; I underestimated how much food my town would need. I'll be fine for a couple more months, but even with access to the Underground, I'll be struggling to get even another month after Spring hits."

"When spring hits, the berries won't be ready for harvesting, and humans have an aversion to slime. Surely you could move back into the Underground?" I struck a nerve as the Raven balled his fists.

"My gang followed me because they believed in me. Going back into the Underground will shatter everything I stand for, sure I could buy out food from Eclipse, but Kobe would notice. I trust him, but he'd twist my arm to the point I would owe him. I'm not asking you this as a gang leader, I'm asking you as someone that knows how difficult it can be to run a place full of idiots." He was too prideful to beg, but he didn't have to.

A part of me wanted to let this man's hubris destroy him. I closed my eyes, lowering my head in thought. When I opened them, I saw that his arms were crossed. He wouldn't do 'anything' for what I could offer, but he would consider my terms. "Your town, you seek to tame? Not a lot of people would buy, but taming is a common magic to have. I have a few terms, and we may negotiate."

"Just know I'll tell you to fuck off if I find a better deal." He glared at me.

I smiled, "I doubt you'll find a better deal. I want seeds, fertilizer, anything to make it appear your town is attempting its own cultivation efforts. Kobe won't bat an eye, and it will make you look more independent."

Jack raised a brow, "Why would you want that?"

"Whe'Di only grows wheat and a few Fall crops. They used to sell to the city of Fis'Ton, but I do not need the coin as much as I need Whe'Di to be self-sufficient. If you can't get me the seeds to grow crops, then it proves your town was doomed to fail from the start. I have no interest in helping a place that will not return any time I invest in it." I kept my face schooled, as I saw the embers start to burn in the man's eyes.

Jack grinned, "You'll have your seeds, but I'll want to be compensated. How does grain equal to the weight of the seeds, and fertilizer work for you?"

"Half the weight, and I'll even give you the option to choose between grain or flour. Whe'Di has a mill, and flour is much more useful."

Jack stroked his chin, "I'm not sure if that's a good deal."

"Gram for gram, flour is worth more than the grain. My bugs can eat the husks and residue. Coin wise, you are giving me copper while I am trading you silver." I explained as Jack nodded in understanding.

"Why are you agreeing, when you know I'm profiting more from it?" He was genuinely confused.

"Because taking a loss on the raw goods makes choosing me more enticing. Not to mention you are making a town that revolves around taming. This means you will have livestock that can lay eggs, be sheered for wool, and other goods. Livestock that will happily shit more, to keep Whe'Di's fields fertile. Establishing a loop between villages and towns is how they become successful. Villages need towns for the goods they cannot produce on their own, while towns need different villages to supply their needs."

The Raven nodded, "Doesn't change the fact that I have to give you seeds first, and I'm taking the risk of getting nothing back."

I nodded back, "True, but you revealed you can't trust Kobe to not fuck you. I'm going to use that information to my advantage, you have to take a risk, just like you did in establishing your town. Which is why my next condition is this; you must allow me the first pick of any beast or monster that is tamed."

Jack tilted his head, "What are you saying? I'm not going to let you pick and choose whatever monster or beast and take them from anyone."

I shook my head, "That's not what I meant, you planned on selling some of them, correct? I want the first choice of what your town offers. If you have a Bew that's too old to do work, I want to know before it even goes to the market. The rarer the monster or beast, the better, but I'll likely find a use for most your people are willing to sell. Such is your job as the town leader, to negotiate such deals. Now you don't have to trust me, because you know what I want from you."

Jack's eyes went wide before he laughed. "You just want to eat whatever we find."

I gave a curt nod, "Exactly, the idea behind your town is very appealing towards what I want and desire. Even if you don't want to sell any of the beasts or monsters, and your town becomes a sanctuary for such creatures, I am allowed to recover the costs by having access to fertilizer and seeds. You will have something I want, and as long as I believe you can get it, then I am willing to help you succeed."

Jack scratched his temple, "That makes a lot of sense, actually. That means I'm the risk as far as you're concerned." I just nodded, not wanting to tell him we were both risks in each other's eyes. "You're just providing me food for the 'promise' that I'll let you have the first pick."

"That is correct, and if you break that promise, then you will break my 'trust.' I doubt you'll find a better price, but you are free to search." I smiled at him, while he thought it over. I didn't need to tell him that his town would become dependant on my village, since the more mouths he fed the more he'd need me. When I gained control over the fields of Eclipse, I will have control over all the food. Which meant the prices and who got what would also be mine to control.

Jack looked behind him, before focusing on me again. "It's too little, what's your real goal here?"

I tilted my head, "Complex things are just made out of a lot of simple things. More than the food and coin I could make, I realize that I need your trust to keep those I care for safe. I'm hoping that you will realize that I am helping you because I realize I might need your help in return. You are the most accomplished tamer I know, and I have been trying to get closer to the one I have bonded with. It has been over a month and we haven't deepened our bond. I am good at management, but not deepening relationships."

"Huh..." He held his chin in thought, "You do realize these things take time, right?"

I rolled my eyes, "I do, but a soothsayer's misunderstand was all it took for my bond-mate to try and sever it. I do not like the feeling of regression, but it shows a glaring issue in our trust. It makes me question what our relationship is built upon, and I want answers. I want to give him all the power he needs to feel like my equal, but he can't see himself as such."

Jack tsked, shaking his head slowly. "Wow, okay, this is going to take a lot of work." He pointed at me, "Are you certain that's all you want out of this?"

I gave him a nod, "I want to understand why my attempts haven't been working, where the issues truly lay." Absolutely no ulterior motives at all, because this is just about my relationship with a human. How could a gang leader be so foolish? No, it was likely because he bonded with so many monsters that he wanted to believe that's what this was all about. Jack's willing alliance only meant I could afford him a chance at my trust.

He let out a small sigh, "I don't have a lot of free time, but I'll help you. How are we going to get your food to my town though? I can't just cart all the food you give me into the Underground and use my portal to take it home."

"We have options; the best one I have is you sending a few of your men to this clearing with a wagon at night. I will drop off bugs, and they can make a network that allows me to teleport close to your town, or wherever you'd prefer the dropoff to be."

Jack narrowed his eyes, "I'm not letting you set up anything that would let you teleport your people near my town. What other options do we have?"

I shrugged, "I did say wherever you wanted it dropped off. It could be a cave, a teleporter that only works for those that have the key, anything you want really. My other options are to make a system involving Argus and Scix. Where the former retrieves the goods from outside a tunnel, and the latter runs them to your people through the dead-zones. There is a risk that some of the food won't make the journey, and others might find out. Though who would try to stop a pack of beasts running food through such a place?"

Jack gritted his teeth, "The vampires."

"The others options aren't much better, since it would involve the tribes. Though I feel the point is making sure Kobe isn't aware of our agreement. Which is why I said the wagon would be our best bet. I'll eventually find your town anyway, but I suppose all you have is my word, that I won't teleport an army next to your town." I watched him, trying to keep a smile from my lips.

Jack shook his head, "I want collateral, something more than the promise you'll refrain from doing that. What can you give me, to make me feel 'safe?'"

I almost wanted to laugh but decided to play along. "Telling you a secret that could ruin my plans wouldn't work, since I would just need to kill you and your town anyway. Which leaves us with goods, or people. Most of the people I give you could potentially teleport away. I have already shown that goods mean less to me than favors. It is sad that this entire conversation was pointless." I shrugged dismissively.

The Raven rubbed the back of his head, "Fine, I get your point. How about a service instead? Some of my guys have found a pack of fiends that are hibernating. You take them out for free, and I'll trust you enough to have your network, or whatever, near my town. Sound good?"

Slaying a pack of fiends would likely exhaust him, and leave him vulnerable to anyone trying to claim leadership over his dead body. There weren't any other alternatives, and I was curious to see how I might fair against a pack of the monsters now. I nodded, "Very well, I'll have bugs in the area for when the wagon comes. Before I leave to sleep, please tell me what you can about relationships. The rest will fall in place as quickly as possible."

We spent half an hour talking after that. I finally made it back to my wagon and slept while my workers cleaned my body. Just a few more days until I reach another village. There was plenty to do, but I knew I'd find a way to achieve my goals. All I needed to do, was wait.