It took some time but we eventually reached the entrance of the village, it was exactly as described. Minimal defences yet a lot more housing than initially seen. Turns out the ground housing was not the main area of residency. This area could be akin to a refugee camp or perhaps even a decoy. The actual village was located further in the forest and amongst the trees in a massive, widespread tree-top community. We could only peer at this community from afar but it seems to be extensive, yet before I could observe this area. Several figures emerged from the small ground village, each brandishing spears and wearing some form of fur clothing.

They surrounded us, immediately a few aimed their spears threateningly, and others simply shivered in fear protecting their children, concealed behind them. The entire group seem to be mismatched group. Various shades of greenish skin tones, with darker and lighter hues along with varying styles of clothing. Some of them have taken to wearing very little in the way of clothing, simply a lower loin cloth and light fur armour. Others of course had full sets of armour covering most of their bodies. Some sort of hard-shell-like material strapped to their chests and back.

I had already suspected these denizens as a mismatched group of refugees that arrived and set up a small village within this territory. Luckily before conflict could ensue, Jenateri stepped forward, speaking a few words in their dialect. Oddly enough it worked easily and the villagers lowered their weapons before returning to their homes. Pok gave me a nod before moving away with Jenateri leaving me and the group of soldiers to wait awkwardly. Pok had already agreed to represent us. A good-faith gesture for the chief that controls this land.

But for now, we must wait for their response to our arrival, our group is situated to the side, out of the way. The refugee camp is laid out before me, with its entire inhabitants all watching us nervously. Their reactions are quite different to other Garudan we have seen, perhaps the culture is different. This is of course a different region, I realised that the sight of fully armed and armoured soldiers is quite intimidating to them. I gave out a silent command. Shortly after it was acknowledged, the Garudan members of my soldiers each remove their helmets revealing their green skin.

A collective gasp is heard from the refugees as several of my Garudan soldiers unveil friendly gestures, presenting their hands forward, palms faced up. I'm not sure if that was effective but I could clearly see some of the younger Garudan children smiling before attempting to approach us, they were firmly held back by the adults.

Time shuffled by as the two sides kept their distance until I ruckus could be seen approaching. Many refugees have started to gather around a certain location near the forest entrance. Emerging is a group, each of them is wearing some sort of blue fur armour. Similar to the tree bark I had once encountered. The group seems to be an entourage following a male and female, both wearing similar garb with sabres sheathed at their sides and wooden crowns on their heads.

The entourage arrives before us with the two Garudan's at the head of the group. They are both tall of stature with odd markings on their faces, perhaps tribal tattoos. To their side are Pok and Jenateri both standing side by side each with a concerned look. Pok steps forward to speak, I met the gaze of what is likely the two leaders. Pok's approach was stopped by the female Garudan's gaze who then directed it to me and spoke in that unfamiliar dialect.

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Her words were calm and her eyes scanned me and the weapons my soldiers held with interest. She spoke a few sentences before Pok nodded and turned to me to translate. "This is Leskia, Komari of the Oghalan mother clan. She requests the leader identify themselves," Pok spoke with a degree of nervousness as if he feared this female. She seems to be a leader in the tribe, yet he stated she was the Komari of the mother clan.

I nodded a few times before stepping forward and greeting the two leaders, speaking to Pok who translated my words. "Greetings, I am Commander Navarkos, I come on behalf of the Wokan-Garudan union. We mean no harm and seek to establish a peaceful dialogue." I am not sure if identifying ourselves as a union is a correct term, yet we are a union of sorts, so I suppose it's apt.

With my words conveyed, the dialogue began in earnest. Our party moved to a large refugee hut as apparently the location of the Oghalan tribe is a secret from outsiders. Within a room surrounding a circular wooden table, the meeting commenced. To the left is a seated Pok and Zatrophos to my right, on the other side, are the two leaders of Oghala.

The Daomori is a male leader, named Uhorde and the Komari, the female leader is Leskia. Seated next to each other is Jenateri to the right of them. Both sides have four soldiers behind them, guards eyeing each other. Apparently, such a meeting is typical amongst Oghalans as refugees had been flooding in for a while now. Leading to the refugee camp populated with several former tribes.

We began our conversation, I decided to represent myself as a sort of Wokan-Garudan union between two parties of southern Garudan tribes and a rebel faction that opposed the rival Wokan forces. It took some convincing but the sceptical Uhorde was convinced mainly by his Komari who gave us the benefit of the doubt. Finally, the talks developed into a request for aid, apparently, the Oghalans were very forthright and had a belief in never handling conflicts alone.

Of course, I offered my aid explaining we would assist the refugee camp to defend against the coming invasion force. In exchange for an alliance between our two tribes. The two leaders debated for a time before Uhorde came back with a counter offer. He requested weapons and manpower to defend the refugee land in case of future invaders. Specifically, he desired some of our laser rifles to be supplied to elite Oghalan warriors and trained in their use.

Honestly, I was hesitant, but given the dire situation, I agreed with a few concessions of my own, such as turning the refugee camp into a base camp for some of my soldiers to be stationed for future interactions between our two sides. The two leaders discussed and agreed, and both I and both two rose from our seats under Pok's direction. We gestured in the Oghalan manner, hands out and palms up.

We all sat down before Uhorde brought up the major topic, the invasion force was not too far off and he admitted being fearful for the residents of the refugee camp. I attempted to put the Daomori at ease. Rising from my seat and speaking in the Garudan language. "I have a plan; I will need your assistance if we are to defeat these invaders." I gestured to Pok who quickly translated my words, prompting both to reply with an affirmation. I smiled slightly before leaning forward to explain my strategy. The strategy to defeat an enemy that had us outnumbered and outgunned.