The Kaiva growled, a menacing sound that filled the air with dread.

“Treachery!” Larissen spat, while Kissen demanded, “Kitten, why?!”

I raised my hands in a futile attempt to stop them from launching an attack. There was no time to explain my actions so I had to hope they could see reason and not rush into battle. If only I could make them understand me and trust me...

“-Who goes there?” Ken bellowed

“-Ha!” Kate shouted, “I knew I heard something!”

“-Pull back,” Muleater commanded. “Alchemist Charson, join them on point, I'll cover the rear!”

But Charson stubbornly refused. “Do not presume to order me into doing what you refuse to do yourself!” he snarled.

“-This one will never wear a collar!” Larissen howled in defiance, his fur standing on end and every muscle tensed for battle. He seemed ready to throw himself at danger without hesitation.

“I think I heard the kunny tongue!” Sir Kate remarked as she listened in on us with her human ears, or perhaps it was a Mark that granted her additional perception that allowed her to hear our conversation from across the cavern entrance.

“They must be with the wyrkwik?” A voice came from further back, where the civies hid. It might have been the Caravan Master, Manny Stillson.

“No,” Lieutenant Muleater answered coolly. “Most likely these are our cargo–the ones we presumed missing.”

“Probably infested,” Charson sneered. “They tampered with my–” he cut off as Stillson elbowed him in the side and shot a meaningful glare.

“How would you know?” Ken asked Muleater skeptically. “They could be another group–maybe even bandits that the purple kunny mentioned.”

Sir Kate had a quick solution: she shouted into the cavern, “Hey! Who are you and are we gonna fight?!”

Kissen glanced at her brother who was clearly ready for a fight and snapped her claws in warning. “Brother… wait.”

“But–” Larissen started, but was immediately silenced by Kissen.

“It is too late to stop. Let Kitten show her play - and hope it works." She gave me a suspicious stare, sensing something was off. I had to break the tension so we could get out of this alive.

"Before I answer that," I said, my voice ringing outside the walls, “may we have your guarantee that we will not be harmed or otherwise restrained?"

Charson scoffed. “Why should I–we–trust you? Especially, if you are who I think you are–an infested beast!”

“We have one surprise for you then,” I threatened, still attempting to defuse the situation with the oldest negotiable and bargainable tool in any peacekeeper’s skillset: the threat of applied violence.

“What are you even doing here?” Sir Kate asked rapidly, but was quickly reprimanded by Muleater.

“-Stay on point, we still don't know if they're friendly or not,” Muleater said.

“-Or infested…” Stillson muttered.

“We could be - all we need is that guarantee," I replied as I stepped closer towards the exit. “Otherwise you'll regret crossing paths with us.”

I was able to see them, but I was unsure if they could see me. I was still within the shadows of the cavern, and it was night out on top of that. Given the lowlight conditions, I doubted a traditional human could see me. However, with so many Marks and Seals and just general magical mothersworn-things in general, I had been learning to doubt those assumptions.

Even so, I counted them off: if this was all of them, then their survival rate had been abysmal. All five of them stood at the mouth of the cave and looked down the path leading away from our camp. Ken Guardson tapped Leutenent Muleater’s shoulder with his greatsword.

“Janet,” he said, “You cannot possibly be considering allying ourselves with these things? They are nothing more than fodder; you will not gain any appreciable knowledge by joining them. And they may be… with the wyrkwik. They all come from the same place.”

Kate winced, as did I.

“I agree–” Charson butted in. “The most they are useful for is entertainment or parts, or perhaps if in surplus, the pits. Besides, they are undoubtedly infested by now. Else why would the wyrkwik allow their escape?”

Meanwhile, I tried to soothe the Kaiva to allow me the chance to continue bartering. Thankfully, despite her reservations, Kissen seemed at least sympathetic to my plight.

"Kitten's plan is not simply to… say hello?" Kissen mouthed silently next to me. “Gain a more favorable position for these ones?”

It seemed that despite Kissen’s sympathies, she still did not understand the act of coexistence and cooperation. But I could work with this. Larissen thought otherwise.

"This ends poorly," Larissen huffed just slightly louder than Kissen.

"Lieutenant?" Sir Kate asked, prompting the Lieutenant who had been lost in thought.

“Ken, switch me. I'll take point," Muleater said as she pushed past the others and headed up towards the cavern entrance where I and the Kaiva hid.

Ken made a scoffing sound at the thought of fighting us—no doubt we were less prepared--before falling back towards the civies; apparently rearguard meant babysitting.

As she passed Charson, who stood to the rear of Sir Kate, Charson reached out to tap Muleater's shoulder.

"Janet," he said "You cannot possibly be considering allying ourselves with these things? The most they're useful for is entertainment or parts."

I shuddered at his words, and both the Kaiva tensed.

“As you said already,” Muleater said without pausing, striding past him. He tried blocking her, grabbing at her shoulder.

I knew who the siblings would attack first if things came to blows. Muleater’s lips tightened as she pivoted around Charson’s hand, and she continued towards the front.

“If it improves our chances?” Muleater said all the while, “Then yes, I will. And it’s Lieutenant Muleater. Do not take liberties.”

“Hardly the time for a correction,” Charson replied with an edge in his voice. “Need I remind you who saved us from the attack?”

“Saved?” Sir Kate scoffed, jumping to Muleater’s side. “We all bled and fought, and it was the Jungleborn that retreated.”

“The proper term is wyrkwik,” Charson corrected. “Only the uneducated baseborn call them ‘Jungleborn.’ Your station demands better.”

Lieutenant Muleater continued her approach, only halting when she heard the deep growl rumbling from Kissen's throat.

We all tensed at that. And I had thought it would be Larissen that ruined our chances of a team-up, not Kissen. Unless she meant to delay Larissen’s reaction by separating the two? It seemed I still had much to learn about the Kaiva and how they thought, at least if I were to appropriately model their behavior.

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Kissen’s whiskers quivered and her mouth opened partially, revealing her sharp fangs. She took another step forward, glaring at Sir Kate with unrestrained hatred in her eyes while Muleater reached for her sword.

"Enough!" Muleater snapped, turning her attention towards the cave entrance where we were hidden in shadows.

The tension thickened until I could have cut it with a knife; even though Muleater couldn't see me clearly, I felt like she could discern me nonetheless.

"I'm inclined to give that guarantee," she said thoughtfully before turning back to face us, "But Alchemist Charson and Ken have a point."

Muleater paused, letting her bait hang in the air as she waited for us to respond. Was it a trap? Was she just stringing us along to move us out of position? Apparently, the Kaiva siblings thought so.

A nervous energy rolled off my companions and I had to think quickly before they gave in to their instincts. We were so close to avoiding violence that would likely be unwinnable without casualties or wounds.

“We could benefit from each other if we join forces,” I murmured. “I can offer our speed and scouting abilities–and Marks which provide assurance to my claims. We have a great deal to gain by working together.”

Muleater hesitated, her gaze flicking towards Sir Kate and Charson. I had to come up with more incentives for her to say yes.

“It would help if you showed your face instead of hiding. It's hard to trust someone who won't commit that much," Muleater said.

"Would showing ourselves make it easier?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.

"It'll be a start," Muleater replied dryly.

I took a deep breath before I continued.

“A start? Then you’ll want more… ?”

Muleater nodded, and I scrambled to think of any other incentives I could provide that would establish goodwill and cooperation. There was one thing I could think of, but I was hesitant to commit. However, what other choice did I have?

“Or maybe revealing a bit about what my Marks do?” My words caught in my throat as I spoke them—it was a dangerous move but one that might convince Muleater to cooperate with me.

“That would be expected among allies,” she said, her tone suddenly more certain.

Kate hissed, “Really?”

“-At least somewhat.” Muleater hurried to add.

Footsteps echoed in the room as my mind raced with possibilities; either way, I still had one card left in the deck. If only I could find a way to sweeten the pot…

"Of course, with the guarantee of cooperation, we will work together for mutual benefit," I finally said, steeling myself for her reply. The two siblings sensed the tension between us as I anxiously awaited Muleater's decision.

“Kitten?” Kissen asked, with a hint of anxiety in his voice.

“Lost our chance of ambush, for this?” Larissen said sternly, although their words were still barely audible. “For nothing?!”

Mind: 71 (+1)

That gave me an idea, another tactic I could use.

I waited impatiently for Muleater to respond. I didn't want to continue the discussion any further, as I was afraid it might weaken my standing. The quietness was overwhelming and soon Sir Kate spoke up.

“So… ?” Sir Kate broke the awkward silence.

“This is nonsense,” Charson remarked grumpily as he pulled out a vial from his bandolier, which shimmered an orange hue. “I can clear them out in seconds. They are entirely in our power. Why do we play games? Unless it doesn't matter if we set camp tonight; unless leaving potential beasts and enemies at our back does not bother us. Unless erecting strong fortifications against the Jungleborn is not a priority. This is foolishness! Why is a lowborn leading–”

“-enough!” Muleater shouted, his voice reverberating through the room making me flinch and causing the siblings to jump in surprise while hatred shone through on Charson's face.

At that moment, Sir Kate took a step away from Charson, subtly readying herself to pounce him if necessary. I made sure to take mental note of the situation.

“If the Apprentice Alchemist wants to do things on his own, he’s more than welcome to leave,” Muleater continued. “But for the guards and the rest who were put under my charge, we go about this my way! And I believe joining forces with the kun will improve our chances of survival if an accord is reached. So what will it be, Apprentice Alchemist Charson? Will you stay and follow my orders or will you depart? Whatever you decide, decide now.”

Charson snarled, his eyes ablaze with fury. “Leave. You and your charges will surely die out here. I’ll report word to Master Silverborn when I return to civilization.”

He started storming off, but he paused at Ken, eyeing his backpack with greed. But Muleater quickly intervened, brandishing her weapon.

“Don’t even think about it!” Muleater said through gritted teeth.

“Ken Guardson! Permission to defend yourself and your supplies against Charson is granted, and lethal force is authorized!”

Charson cursed under his breath before striding off into the night, following the gully. As we watched him leave, tension hung heavily in the air between us and the guards. Muleater's gaze was cold and calculating as she turned her attention back to me.

“Now, as for you…” she began.

I met Kissen's worried gaze, feeling a knot form in my stomach. We had been caught in dangerous territory, and tensions were high between our groups. I knew we needed to tread carefully.

“It was you!” Sir Kate exclaimed excitedly. “I thought I recognized your voice, How’d you–”

Spirit: 47 (+1)

“-please, Kate,” I interrupted sharply. “We don't have time for this. Let me handle this.”

Kate looked hurt by my dismissive tone, but I couldn't worry about that now. My priority was diffusing the situation before it escalated any further.

Larissen eyed me suspiciously from the corner of her eye, clearly still harboring doubts about our alliance. But I pressed on regardless.

“We're not here to cause trouble,” I said calmly yet firmly. “We just need to pass through these lands safely.”

Muleater's expression softened slightly at my words, but her grip on her weapon never faltered. The tension remained palpable as we waited for her response.

“I had missed you, kit,” Sir Kate said to me, using a new pet name that was similar to ‘Kitten,’ but infinitely worse, coming with a healthy dose of condescension and something else that I could not put my finger upon.

Through sheer willpower, I managed to keep the revulsion off my face at the pet name.

Muleater paid no attention to her though, instead fixing me with a piercing gaze that seemed to be searching for something within me. Her sword was kept in a seemingly careless position, but I could feel the energy radiating from her body- the readiness that came from a fight and a journey- and I wasn't sure what special capabilities she might possess. Regardless, with Charson’s departure, I believed that I had won. It was just a matter of securing the spoils now.

"My name is Jackie," I said with an awkward wave. "And these are my companions Kissen and Larissen". Kissen had stepped out from behind me and was standing next to me while Larissen stayed further back, radiating his hatred silently.

"You don't have your Seals," Muleater remarked, referring to our collars. "And you are wearing...that."

"My gear," I said without missing a beat, not wanting the conversation to veer towards this point. "We had to take the collars off; they were holding us back." And causing pain and humiliation and showing how twisted our society is… but again, voicing those points would do nothing positive for my current situation.

"I see..." she replied slowly before asking. "Will you help us get through Southbridge without your collars? I assume yes, but I must verify."

I paused for a few moments before finally answering in the affirmative, albeit hesitantly. "Yes… for now at least."

Kissen poked me discreetly, but even so I couldn't get myself to say anything more than that.

“Huh. Wasn’t expecting that,” Muleater said. “If we do part ways before that, can I trust you won't double cross us?”

My chest tightened as I realized how easily this woman could call my bluff and see right through the deceit I was so desperately trying to sell.

I swallowed hard and said, “Of course not,” with as much sincerity as I could muster. She tapped the device on her belt, and nodded in satisfaction. She sheathed her weapon and released her grip, extending her right hand for a shake.

I resisted the urge to flinch back, however the two Kaiva did.

Muleater almost smirked at me and said, “You’re much more socialized for your kind. Now, do you have a camp setup in there? We’ve got some tired feet, and a long day tomorrow.”

Blessings: Rank (1/9)

* Body: 59

* Mind: 71 (+1)

* Spirit: 47 (+1)

Talents:

* Athleticism (3/9):

* Climbing I (1/9)

* Featherlight (1/9)

* Stealth (8/9)

* Trackless Tracks (5/9)

* Eschiver (1/9)

* Evasion (3/9)

Spells:

* Illusion I (2/9)

* Touch (5/9)

* Closed

* Closed

Gifts:

* Obsession (3/9)

* Closed (0/9)

* Closed (0/9)