With all of the excitement in Operation Cupid being a magnificent success overflowing in Panara and me, we got back to work. Considering our population issue we won't be able to get things done and waiting for people to grow when we only have about 30 tribespeople is tedious.

Thankfully the Gornag tribe has settled down and people have started working for us, bringing in the resources that would build our empire from the ground and begin a long-term trade relationship with the Boirans.

We needed information on other tribes. I do recall that Zarhan, when we met, called out one name. Burma?

Burna?

Burna. Yes.

I have called upon all of my closest people in the upper echelons of the Honor hierarchy. Zarhan, Panara, Stalra, and Meena. Granted that Panara's parents were also eligible to come but Panara was representing them. In addition, the two older ladies came along, they were quite prominent in our tribe and they are also old. They would probably have information on other tribes around their old home.

Delka and Shetlka are their names. They are also sisters. I had a thought that they had similar features but with their names having a common ending probably meant they are twins, so naturally sisters.

"So now begins the fourth annual meeting of the Gornag tribe, I would like you all to keep what is said here under wraps and yadda yadda yadda. You all know the drill." This would be our fourth meeting which we like to continue to do often. This entrusts that the Chieftan's don't have overwhelming power and that the honorable people can influence the direction of the tribe.

"What is it now kin Gherman? You called us so suddenly, is there a problem from the outside?" Zarhan begins.

I pull up and place a stone sheet on the Steery Wood table and bring out small makeshift figurines. "We have established ourselves in this area and everything is fine regarding any dangers from the outside. What I brought you all here today was to pool your ideas and get information on other tribes."

I carve out using a small Emmeraude knife the general geography that our village had then placed the biggest figurine roughly where we were. "Everything is going good, great even, however, we have one issue. Our kind is scattered, we need to unite some tribes under our rule in order to make Halamar grow." I get straight to the point.

I toss some figurines to each one of the attendees of the meeting. I continue. " I need all of you to show me on this map, where roughly was your previous home and any locations of other tribes relative to it."

Delka, the older twin asks. "Are we going to war for more territory? If so I won't say!"

"Naturally I will be diplomatic with negotiations, I don't need corpses but living Mrentoni to bolster our people at Halamar, I need manpower, something that time gives but it's too slow." I shut down the idea of war. Naturally, if they come armed we shall strike back but mutual genocide is pointless.

This eases the tension in the room. They start discussing roughly where their previous home was. After a short while, they put down another figurine. That figurine is honestly incredibly far away from our home. Probably take a few days of swimming to reach its ruins if there are any.

The discussion escalates as they put down three more figurines. One further than their home, too much out of the way. Another of to the right of their home, closer to us but still a trek away. Finally, Panara sets down the final figurine. One that was closer to us but still most likely a day away.

But why, if they knew where it was they surely went past it before I arrived on the scene?

"Why didn't you all go to this tribe for safety?" I point towards the final figurine.

Zarhan steps up and explains. "Kin Gherman, we did try to gain their sympathy and wanted to join them initially, however they didn't trust us when we told them of the attack on us by the Zekriken. They told us that we are not welcome and sent us away unharmed."

Healthy skepticism? Doubtful. Must be some kind of conflict that caused some lacking amount of trust between these tribes.

"What was your relationship with this tribe before the calamity?" I inquire.

Meena steps up this time. "As far as I remember, we had a trusting relationship and didn't bother one another, them sending us away was unfortunate but understandable since they were a smaller tribe, under threat by others."

"What do you think their reaction would be to us coming to them and asking them to relocate?"

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"Kin Gherman, many of the tribes hate to relocate, we had to go by circumstance but generally they almost never leave home. Unless they are forced it's very unlikely they will be willing to come." Zarhan adds.

I mutter to myself. "Then we need to convince them that it is no longer safe there..."

Panara picked up on my muttering and proposed. "What if we explain to them that the Zekriken could come and destroy their home. It's also possible to convince them that they would be under threat from their neighbors."

"Then it is decided, we shall form a small expedition to the..." Shetlka chimes in. "Opperen."

"The Opperen tribe, I shall lead this expedition since this needs to be done effectively. Who is willing to f follow me? Except for Zarhan and Meena, I need you both here to govern why I am away." We need to keep these lovebirds together, besides the people will listen to them.

"I'll come, nothing to do here anyway!" Says Panara.

The two sisters also agree. "We will come as well! Our bones may be creaking but a good exercise will be good for us."

Stalra shakes his head. "Not me, I still need to teach the younger kids." Simple and short.

"Fine, it will be us four journeying to the Opperen tribe come next sunrise. I declare this meeting finished, please keep in mind to not spread the information."

"Yes, Chieftan!" We part ways after this.

Panara bounces over and hugs my arm. "Should I go prepare some food for our journey?"

"Please do, don’t forget to cook some, raw fish just doesn't do it for me anymore."

She skips away to get some food prepared for the journey. Now, this would be a turning point for Halamar. If I am able to convince them to join us, good for us, we could make the population boom and manpower would be available for boosting our technology and economy.

I sit in the Chieftan's house in contemplation.

Then an idea comes to mind. I could visit the Boirans and get their view on this issue.

I jump out and speed towards the Boirans wooden fortress. It's not long till sundown and I would rather catch them to improve my chances. Swimming towards the rivers surface, I jump out and land on the ground.

Morren on the walls of the wooden fortress notices me and dives down to meet me.

"Hmm, what brings you here Gherman, have our trade not been to your liking?"

"No, that is fine, what I need is to have a chat with you. I am planning to convince another tribe to join me in Halamar but they do not trust others very well. What would be the most optimal move?"

"Hmm, wouldn't a show of strength be enough? Or maybe a gift of something precious would make them more trusting of you."

"Strength is out of the question, they are already spooked by invasions from other tribes and a gift would be weird considering I'm trying to recruit them, I would just get the things back."

"Hmm." Morren ponders. I can’t think of anything else that can possibly convince them other than the danger from everything possible.

"Say, some of our people noticed you are using some interesting techniques to woo the females into love, use that!"

"What? Morren, you know I'm occupied already, that would get me killed!" This guy, I'm not forming a harem like an Arabian Sultan. One marriage is enough for me.

This, however, gives me an idea. What if I bring technological and cultural improvements to them, ease them into our way of thinking and bring common topics together thus gaining trust and cooperation.

"You know what Morren, I just had an idea from that, thanks a lot!" I turn around and wade back into deeper waters.

"Hmm, no problem, take care on your journey!" He waves me off.

I swim back towards Halamar, into the Chieftan's house where I found Panara in a seat and tossing Emmeraude again.

"Panara, what if we bring the concepts of courting and cooking along with this Emmeraude, do you think that we can convince them to join us?"

"It's entirely possible Gherman but that doesn't matter, when will you accept me as a wife!" She protests.

"This isn't the time for marriage Panara!"

"Then when is it? When should I expect you to come over and take me? I waited for two weeks and you didn't even bother courting me like you said!"

"We basically act like a couple already, what's the point of that!"

"I want to feel wanted by you too! I share my thoughts with Meena, although I hooked you in, you are way too passive in this relationship! Court me!" She declares. Bollocks.

Women are a ticking time bomb. Honestly, maybe I wasn't as proactive as I should've been, leading a tribe is tough and needs my full attention. You know what, let's just get this out of the way.

"Panara, you, me and a bed after we get back from this mission, you will regret ever angering me!"

She beams at me finally growing a pair. "Watch yourself, I won't give you any leeway anywhere and you angered me! Facing my wrath would not be justice!" She has time for jokes! Bomb has been diffused!

"Oh, yea! I brought the food, by the way, we are all set to go for tomorrow."

"Fine, let's go to bed, we will be waking up early in the morning. Bloody loon you are."

She ignores my casual insult and tackles me onto the bed, we fall asleep soon after.

The next morning Panara, the two sisters Delka and Shetlka and I converge at the entrance of the Grand Hall holding our things in wooden bags.

"Alright listen up, I have figured out something that we can use other than the looming threat of the ocean. We can bring the concepts we have developed to them, I have packed a small Inferno Stalk, some Emmeraude and Panara will help me as well. If we show how much more advanced we are, they may seek protection from us."

Delka asks. "Other than cooking and our resources, what else would we bring?"

"I can show off courting, Panara and I would act and show everyone courting and make them consider us more advanced with our less tribal ways of building relationships," I reply.

"You two can also try to court some of the men there if you want, they probably would be enthralled," I add on subconsciously.

"Fine then! Let's head out!" Says Shetlka. We take some time to move over to the edge of the clearing.

"Remember everyone, this is a diplomatic mission to convince them to move in with us. No violence unless necessary and try to not spook anyone Panara. You need to keep yourself controlled." I give a reminder to everyone.

"Oi Gherman, I'm well behaved! I will never be violent!" She declares.

"Panara, we all know that you can potentially kill someone by accident with a handshake, just try to control it alright?"

"Fine!" She pouts and jumps to begin swimming to our destination.

We all chuckle and jump off as well. Our first diplomatic mission to another tribe now begins.