Chương 10: Negotiations

Butchering and preparing the meat from the two deer the scouts shot this morning is a lonely task in the army. Nobody wants to be around the smells and sounds so the work is done away from camp. That also keeps larger predators like bears and wolf packs from lurking too close. Knowing the task and the implications of being the camp cook, Terran tackles it with a confident smile. Nobody suspects the cook right?

Being a head shorter than most and an untrained conscript on top of that means nobody feels threatened when he enters a room. Because of that he can walk the camp freely and sit just about anywhere. Everyone knows you don't pick on the cook. Terran smiles knowing he has the best and safest job available, and that's the goal. Serve his sentence for getting caught with that nobles necklace and go find a new city to live in as a "veteran".

Who would assume he was the cook the whole time when he gets to walk with his letter of military service after all. Better than prison. Aside from the stink and long marches this job is really not too bad. Overhearing the scouts when they dropped off the deer this morning has Terran really thinking. They said a village? Way out here? Is this a distraction or do the leaders really believe some native tribe holds the key to some valuable resources for cultivation?

There couldn't be very many people living out here with how few large animals are around and no clear ground for fields. As a cook he ponders the seasoning choices they may have in a forest like this. Maybe I'll get the chance to learn a new dish or spice, he thinks to himself. With a positive mindset he finishes cleaning the deer and starts moving the fresh meat to the cook tent with his wagon. The cook gets his own wagon, another perk of the job everyone looks down on.

With a smirk he watches everyone else hard at work breaking down camp while he plans to hang the meat and sit atop his wagon ready for everyone else to walk. Reaching the perimeter of the village is a scene to behold. About 20 tan skinned men with spears, bows, and hide coverings block their path. From the cook wagon Terran can see more than most. Because of that he has a great view of the village beyond. Maybe a hundred small huts made of logs and topped with branches and sticks.

Some of the few larger ones have hides on top of their cone shaped rooftops. Probably helps with rainfall even with how rare it is. At least the kids have a safe shelter annual mana storm. That mana infused rain is so potent it can actually harm young kids without a core. From one of the better looking huts comes a group of five older individuals. Most hold spears as well even tho they seem ancient with their saggy skin and slow movements.

Terran shrugs just being impressed with people surviving to such old age out here. Watching the elders meet with captain Rictor is boring as most of these things are. With wondering eyes Terran scans for the rising smoke coming from what must be a food prep area. What seems like hours later. Probably only taking a few minutes honestly. The company begins to move and set up camp right where they are standing as the captain, lieutenant, and a handful of veterans follow the elders and their guards.

Watching them all disappear into what looks like the largest and nicest hut Terran decides to scout out the village cooks. Nobody said I couldn't prep dinner right? Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Walking through the village was weird. Even conscripts get a full uniform with leather armor and a short sword. Seeing all these bare foot people staring at his boots and matching dark grey armor was making his steps a little more pompous.

Reaching the hut with a clearly mud chimney, Terran clears his throat. Not really sure if there is a custom for entering a dwelling he just calls out.

"Uh, excuse me, is this where the meals are prepared?" He can hear shuffling and clanks before the hide door is shoved aside and he comes face to face with a… kid?

"Who are you! And what are you wearing? What am I missing! Are there outsiders!" The kid nearly screams in one rambling sentence so fast he almost can't make out individual words. While Terran is still processing all the words, the kid notices the army at the edge of their village and runs off toward some random hut. With a shrug and a look over both shoulders he enters the hut he was definitely not invited into.

Making the most polite face he can, Captain Rictor repeats his statement for what seems like the third time.

"We are only here to find rare cultivation resources. If you cannot help us locate a source of crystals or a large assortment of mana beast then this meeting is pointless and we should continue on our way."

"And as I said, why should I send my people off on some adventure with you?" Not willing to risk his competent hunters on a risky trip across the mountain pass without some promise of not only their safe return but also some benefit to the village. Rictor and the elder both stare at each other, neither willing to abandon the potential of this negotiation. Pride was definitely getting in the way, but when Lieutenant Jones tried to make a suggestion he was ignored by the elder.

Pride meant the leaders were talking and nobody else mattered. Rictor was not known for his patience.

"For your kingdoms prosperity!" He replied, with hands out and palms to the roof. Grimace fully plastered on his face in a clear attempt to hold back his irritation.

"We are part of no kingdom. Our village hasn't seen another soul in over 50 years. Even then it was the rare cluster of troops moving to some war front far away from us." The elder tosses a hand up and flicks his fingers at Rictor in a gesture that looks an awful lot like "stop bothering me and go away".

"While you may be correct, we could send word and …. What's going on out there?"Turning to his subordinates, Rictor asks while tilting his head listening.

Terran was sneaking around the cooks hut, and the leadership was distracted by negotiations. Who was occupying the nearly 100 half trained conscripts. Those riff raff who get forced into military service for crimes instead of being imprisoned and wasting the kingdoms funds. Left unattended most just milled about talking and complaining like most young men do when bored. About five of the worst among them had decided to sneak away and "mingle" with the locals.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, these men had no intentions of asking permission. Assuming they would be in and out before the leadership was aware anything was wrong they walked around the back of the village and helped themselves inside various huts. In every world, among every race, among every single demographic you can devise… there is evil. There are monsters among us and we must be prepared for them to act.