Returning to the village that was more like a giant fort by how well the people have worked hard in developing to such a state. Beia and her son took a path that would help them to avoid the monster's creatures roaming about at times along with it being the quickest way to come back.

Once back and already inside the were-tiger people, men and women greet their leader who returns in a manner of respect and admiration being the person to take on the role when needed.

Gonten always sees this and secretly wishes for such a reaction will happen the same way for him, when older, and has brought victory to his people who look up to him as their hero.

As the two were walking, Beia came to notice two figures that looked to be waiting for her as they could mean nothing more than serious business.

One to be seen is a middle-aged-looking were-tiger male with a full-on orange beard and long hair with one good right eye as the left eye was lost during the war on their kingdom.

The other one was wearing a cloak whose hood was already down to reveal a much younger adult-looking were-tiger with long orange hair with a serious expression.

“Gonten go along to find your friends to play with it,” Beia tells the boy knowing the one with the cloak had important information that must be discussed in private.

“Sure, Mom sees you later.”

Gonten leaves his mother's side to find his friends to play with while Beia and these two males head to a much larger hut that is her place of living.

When inside the women already head for her to sit on the ground floor of this hut facing the other two who have done the same.

“All right start talking Cletus you're not supposed to be back until the end of the month, so this sudden return means you have something important.” Beia gets right to the point with the one wearing the cloak.

“Yes, my lady Beia forgive me, I knew it was not the time and day for the monthly report, but serious news that must be delivered right away with no delay.”

“And what is this news that must be brought to my ears.”

“Inside the kingdom of Guido, me and your two other spies have been working carefully in keeping our ears to the ground in its city. To listen for anything that might be a threat to our people and the lands we live on, well that day has come when the king of Guido has given the title of lord, wealth, soldier, and lands to a soldier known as Gale Tobias Hartman. Land that I must be clear is the location of the open grass field near the forest we are currently living in.”

Listening to all this from Cletus' mouth Beia holds a look of one yet decided on how to act on this piece. Leaving room for others there to give their opinion as well on the subject matter.

“What do you think Gabriel is? This is something we should pay a close eye on.” Beia throws it to the older were-tiger man to hear what he has to say.

“It may seem a matter of fact, but we cannot ignore the impression this person is unknown to us on whether this someone is to be a threat or not. Still, a human will always be a threat to my eyes then it is just me and my feelings towards them. Cletus, you got anything we can know about the man while in the kingdom.”

“The man Gale is someone who has shown to be a great soldier on the battlefield with might and strength with high loyalty to the king and the kingdom along with being a cold short of person. I don’t have any idea if this human male is someone going to open with demi-humans like us in the next few coming days.”

“If that is so then what we should worry about is him coming to these lands with other humans and beginning the expansion which would touch everything in their sight.”

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That is what Beia doesn’t like how fast humans grow destroying and taking whatever for themselves affecting any of the other races' homes or way of living.

“If that were to happen, we would no longer be able to hide ourselves when they aim to cut down the trees for their use of the building.

“We may have no choice, Lady Beia, our people might have to pick up and leave while the timing is fresh to do so,” Cletus suggested as he thought it to be the best smart move to make at the time.

“Are you serious Cletus you can’t mean that after all the work we have done to build this new home. The lives we even lost traveling this far to find a place to settle down when there finally was one.”

“But Gabriel staying any longer will place the people in mortal danger as the possibility of this human showing kindness with us. Should we not think about saving our lives then this new home.”

Beia hears the two argue with each other as she blocks them out for the moment to think for the next seconds then speaks to answer how she feels.

“No we won’t run away, I have to agree with Gabriel we can’t abandon this home everyone put their will into building it. Besides this would not be my answer alone, the rest of the people must have a word on this.” Beia says with a determined tone.

“That word is going to be a yes, you know the people will stand behind you defending their new home with their lives. We are the proud were-tiger people of the tiger god, children running away was never style in the first place.”

“If this is how you wish then, I will follow as well, but I must leave quickly back to the other two since they are at the kingdom as I informed them to stay behind while I came over here to bring the news.”

“Then could you continue with what all three of you are doing for a little longer if there are any new developments? If not then come back home.”

Cletus nods his head then gets up and leaves the hut not before doing a bow to Beia out of respect. Now it was just her and Gabriel sitting in silence until it wasn’t any longer that way when he spoke.

“So guess we are to go into a fight with this Gale person. Been a while since these old bones had a good fight.” Gabriel laughs just thinking about it.

“don't think that far ahead Gabriel the outcome isn't sealed without the people's voice.

“Of course apologies, I'm just excited with the thought of a great battle we will win.”

Beia becomes quiet again, not keeping the expression of having a look at something bothering her.

“Is something the matter lady Beia you face not looking pleasant at the moment.” Gabriel pointed out.

“My guts and senses are telling me a storm is coming that would not do well for us. Cletus when here telling all that is known from that human kingdom, yet I could not help with this feeling is something there he would not tell us or at least warn about.”

“You think he is hiding something from us if then I should go to get him back…”

“No, even if you were to catch him there won’t be a change to the storm which is set upon us. I also believe that Cletus may no longer be someone we could see as one of us anymore.”

Saying this had the older veteran soldier worried greatly that he would listen further to what she had to say.

“Gabriel swears to me now before the name of the tiger God as we are his children that if our new home comes under attack. Take my son Gonten away along with others to escape from the fighting as the lives of many that can be untouched must be led by someone like you.” Beia sees the shocked expression on his face.

“Come on Beia you can’t place such a high responsibility on me, I am more of someone who would rather die on the battlefield than watch over people, especially a child.”

“No, you are someone who I can highly trust and to see that my and the late Gonten child is alive to grow into a full adult with your guidance to take the lead to show the people their way back home. So, the rebirth of Waxulia is to happen in the future.”

Gabriel now goes to be quiet thinking this over for the moment taking the time to give his response to her.

“All right by the tiger god will, I will take upon this task you have trusted to me and with my life will keep upholding to the very last breath.”

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

/At the grass field/

Cletus has already come out of the forest walking on the grass while looking back at the forest thinking about the village and his people there going about their lives during the still young day.

“So did they pick the right choice, Cletus.” A random young human wearing armor says to the demi-human with a smile on his face and eyes closed.

There was another beside him, a much taller figure wearing heavier armor requiring a much more muscular build, a V-shaped helmet with short-long iron horns pointing at the sides with a bite of a bend.

Cletus sighs slowly, turning around to look at these two with this unpleasant feeling of having to speak with them.

“No lady Beia has given an answer of her in not living, but she would speak with the people, and hearing what they say would change the woman's mind and they will leave, so there isn't any bloodshed,” Cletus says, having hope for it.

“Oh, I can see that, but the new lord here to these lands, he is not going to wait for that to happen.”

“Wait! If time allows then surely my people will …”

“That wasn’t part of the agreement when we spared your life, wild beast, it was to give a chance for them to pick up and leave now not give them the time to do so.” the tall one says in a cold and harsh tone cutting him off.

It is clear who his person is Gale and at the time Cletus's eyes widen in shock when reality shows that he has made a mistake when seeking to save his own life.

Betrayal was done by his hands as he fell to his knees just the same as begging them to let him live when those of his comrades were not. As they die with the heart of a were-tiger instead.

He did not want to be a coward wanting to live by saving his skin having given them his will to aid these two and information.

“You start to see there was never any intention we were caring about saving their life. Killing them was a much better choice and we have thanks to you for the help. That same help will have to keep on going when tonight's attack happens.”