After a few long minutes, Baromir returned, accompanied by four imposing figures. The first was a majestic lion, wearing ornate leather armor that shone in the light of the hall. His golden mane was a clear sign of his status and strength. Beside him, a black bear, as impressive as the lion in size and presence, entered with heavy steps. Close behind, a fox, with shrewd and quick eyes, entered the hall, followed by a deer that moved with a natural grace.
Miguel watched as everyone settled at the large table in front of them. The lion and the bear, with their imposing three meters in height, dominated the space, while the fox seemed less at ease. She kept a suspicious look, her eyes sparking with a combination of curiosity and apprehension. The deer, in contrast, seemed more serene, though clearly attentive.
The contrast between council members and humans could not be more evident. The soldiers next to Miguel seemed smaller and less secure, but they kept their postures firm, ready for any eventuality. Ricardo, always protective, kept the girl close to him, offering her a sense of security in the midst of the strangeness of the situation.
Looking at these beast men, Miguel realized that the prejudice against these beings on the part of humans may be unfounded...
The silence in the hall was almost palpable, broken only by the sound of the bear's heavy breathing and the occasional movement of the lion's armor. Baromir sat up, and all eyes turned to him, waiting for his words.
"This is the elected council of our city," Baromir announced, his deep voice echoing through the walls of the hall. "Each one here represents a facet of our society, and we are here to hear their reasons for coming to our territory."
Miguel, observing the reactions of the council members, noticed the fox still suspicious, moving restlessly in his chair. His companions, however, seemed more receptive, although they maintained a posture of caution. The lion, with an air of indisputable authority, leaned forward, his eyes fixed on all humans.
"Who is the leader of this retinue of humans?" asked the lion, his voice firm and demanding.
The question hung in the air, loaded with meaning. Miguel felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as he prepared to respond, knowing that his words could determine the course of events to follow.
With a slight movement, Miguel stood up, keeping his composure. "I am Miguel, leader of this group. We came in peace, seeking to negotiate with your city."
The council members watched intently, their expressions ranging from curiosity to distrust. The fox, still restless, glanced sideways at his colleagues, while the bear and the deer seemed more interested in hearing what Miguel had to say.
The lion nodded slowly, without looking away. "Very well, Miguel, my name is Ruidahr. Let's hear what you have to say. Sit down, and let's discuss."
With those words, the air in the hall seemed to ease some of the tension, but Miguel knew that the real challenge was just beginning.
***
Miguel stood up again, feeling all eyes fixed on him. He took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain his presence and the needs of his people. "I'm going to get straight to the point, we came here because our barony is facing a severe food crisis. We urgently need supplies to stave off starvation among our inhabitants. In return, we offer gold coins to buy the necessary food. We want to establish a fair trade relationship that is beneficial to both sides."
The silence that followed was brief. Before any of the council members could speak, the fox, with a piercing and suspicious look, spoke. "Why should we let humans into our city? Humans are not to be trusted." Her eyes were fixed on Miguel, full of suspicion and something darker. "What makes you different from all other humans? Why should we trust you?"
She continued, her voice charged with emotion. "I have witnessed thousands of wild men being killed or enslaved by human kingdoms. Our lands were invaded, our families destroyed. Why should we believe that you won't betray us in the same way?"
Miguel felt the weight of the fox's words and the tension in the air increase. He was about to answer when Ruidahr raised his hand, interrupting it. "Enough, Lysandra," said the lion firmly. "While their concerns are valid, we need to listen to what this human has to say."
Turning to Miguel, Ruidahr continued. "Lysandra is right to raise these issues. We need to know what you have to offer in return for our help and, more importantly, why we should trust you."
Miguel felt all the eyes of the council fixed on him, waiting for an answer. He realized the gravity of the situation and the depth of skepticism he faced. The task of convincing the council of wild men would not be easy. He needed to find an answer that would not only address his concerns but also demonstrate his sincerity and the desperate need of his people.
Miguel took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He knew that his next words could determine the future of his barony and the survival of his people. With all these considerations in mind, he began to formulate an answer, trying to find a way to build a little trust among everyone there.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Miguel took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the expectations and mistrust of the council members on his shoulders. He knew that his next words would be crucial.
"I understand the distrust you feel," Miguel began, looking directly at Lysandra, the fox. "And I must say that I don't blame them. History among our peoples is marked by betrayals and violence. I don't ask you to trust me easily. Nor do I trust many humans as much as I should. Several of them have tried to murder me, betray me, for political and personal reasons."
He paused, noting the expressions of the board members. They watched him intently, and he knew he had to keep going.
"But I'm here because I believe we need to do it differently," Miguel continued, his voice gaining strength and conviction. "I'm here because I want a future where we can coexist, where we can exchange and learn from each other. I want to make the world a fair place for everyone, whether noble or commoner, beast man or human. My barony is facing a crisis that we cannot solve alone, and so I come to ask for your help, not as a conqueror, but as an ally."
Miguel took another deep breath, feeling a twinge of hope mixed with the tension. "I know that words may not be enough to erase the hurts of the past, but I hope we can take a first step together. I am willing to do whatever it takes to earn their trust and build a relationship of mutual respect."
The hall fell silent. The members of the council continued to observe him with mixed expressions of curiosity, distrust, and consideration. The lion, the bear, the deer, and even the fox, Lysandra, who looked at him with piercing eyes, seemed to ponder his words.
Miguel knew that the future of his people and the possibility of a new alliance were hanging in the balance at that time. He had done his best to convey his sincerity and the urgent need for his mission. Now, everything depended on the response of the beastmen.
The silence was almost deafening as the council members exchanged glances with each other, considering their next words. Miguel waited with apprehension, aware that their verdict could change the course of history for both peoples.
Miguel took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts and the tension in his body. The hall was silent, every member of the council of beast men watching him intently. Finally, the lion, Ruidahr, broke his silence.
"Each time, with few exceptions, humans were hostile. They killed and enslaved hundreds of thousands of my species. Every village destroyed, every family shattered, is etched in our collective memory," Ruidahr said, his voice resonating with a gravity that made the hairs on the back of Miguel's neck stand on end. "However, I am willing to help. But that won't come without a price."
Miguel felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. The lion was willing to consider his proposal, but what would be the cost? Before he could ask, Ruidahr turned to the black bear sitting at the table. "Grimnir, please take some samples of soft stone."
The humans present exchanged confused looks. Soft stone? What could that be? Ricardo frowned, trying to understand what the lion was insinuating. Even the soldiers, who had remained silent, seemed puzzled.
Miguel couldn't hide his curiosity. "Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a soft stone?" he asked, trying to maintain a respectful tone.
Ruidahr looked at him, his golden eyes shining in the light of the hall. "Soft stone is a staple food in our lands. It has nutritious properties and is easy to grow. It's not common outside our borders and it's something we guard very carefully."
Grimnir, the black bear, got up quietly and headed out of the hall. Miguel sensed the bear's strength and grace, his heavy strides echoing off the stone floor as he walked away. Silence settled again in the hall, and Miguel could feel the anticipation in the air.
While they waited, Miguel watched the other members of the council. The fox looked even more restless, its ears moving nervously. The deer, by contrast, seemed calm and observant, its large brown eyes fixed on Miguel, as if trying to read his intentions.
Ricardo approached Miguel and whispered, "What do you think this soft stone is, Miguel?"
"I have no idea," replied Miguel, keeping his voice low. "But it seems to be something important to them. We need to figure out how it can help us."
The rescued girl, who was next to Ricardo, held his hand firmly. Miguel noticed her startled look and tried to offer a comforting smile, although he himself was nervous. It was a pivotal moment, and everyone's safety depended on how this negotiation would unfold.
Ruidahr, noticing the tension, spoke again. "While Grimnir is away, we can discuss more about the situation of his barony, Miguel. What are the problems you are facing besides food shortages?"
Miguel took the opportunity to quickly explain the difficulties they encountered: poverty, lack of resources, and the urgent need to establish trade relations to ensure the survival of his people. He pointed out that the help of the beastmen could be the first step towards a better future, not only for the humans of his barony, but also to strengthen the relationship between the two species.
The eyes of the council members lit up with interest as Miguel spoke. The fox, though still suspicious, seemed more inclined to listen. The deer nodded approvingly, as if he understood the sincerity in Miguel's words.
Finally, after a few minutes that seemed like an eternity, Grimnir returned. On its large paws, it carried some familiar-looking tubers. He placed them on the table with surprising care for someone of his size. "These are the soft stones," Grimnir said, his deep voice filling the hall.
Miguel, Ricardo, and the soldiers looked at the tubers with curiosity and admiration. Miguel was thoughtful for a moment and then, suddenly, everything made sense. "Potatoes," he muttered to himself, remembering his home world where potatoes were a common and extremely nutritious food.
Ruidahr continued, "We will discuss how soft stone can be utilized for mutual benefit. But first, we need to know if we can trust you and your men. Prove that your intentions are pure, and then we can talk business."
The tension in the air was palpable as everyone waited for Miguel's next speech. He knew this was a turning point. With a deep sigh, he braced himself to respond, aware that his words could determine the fate of his barony and the lives in his charge.
Miguel looked at the "soft stones" that Grimnir had placed on the table. The potatoes, he recognized immediately. In their original world, they were a staple food, known for their nutritious properties and versatility in the kitchen. It was surprising and strange to him that most humans in this world didn't know what potatoes were.
As he watched the tubers, his mind began to spin with possibilities. If beastmen grew potatoes, what other vegetables and foods could they be growing? The efficiency and diversity of the crops he had seen in the fields as they approached the city showed that this society had advanced agricultural knowledge. Perhaps there were other foods that were equally nutritious and unknown to the humans of their barony.
He wondered if this lack of knowledge about the potato among the Ardia humans was a cultural or historical issue. Why hadn't something so simple and useful become widespread? That could be an opportunity, he thought. If he could introduce the potato and other vegetables grown by the beast men into his barony, it could solve the food crisis and significantly improve the diet and health of his people.
Miguel also considered the possibility of learning cultivation techniques from the beastmen. The diversity and quality of the crops he had seen suggested advanced farming methods. If it could establish a relationship of exchange of knowledge and resources, it could bring enormous benefits to both societies.
Miguel's thoughts revolved around these ideas as he awaited the council's response. He knew that the key to the future of his barony might lie in cooperation and mutual learning with beastmen. He needed to convince the council of this and show that this alliance could be beneficial to all.