238 Worth (1/2)
Tia sensed the energy and leaped up from her bed of leaves, smiling as she eagerly expected a fight.
Iona remained calm, in tune with Li, and because she was connected with him, she knew there was nothing to worry about.
”Stay your hand, Ivo,” said Li. His senses had picked up the footsteps approaching. They were not much to be alarmed about. ”This will be nothing that requires our strength.” He raised his voice. ”Come on out! And explain yourselves.”
The bushes around the clearing of the shrine rustled, and several somewhat familiar faces popped out. First, there were a trio of beastwomen. All three of them, Li had seen before. The Serpi that he had initially rescued was there, holding a tablet of solidified sand under her thin arm as she slithered forwards rather nervously.
Behind her came the Feli that Li had rescued and a Lupi that had been the biggest of them all in the Sumerfell festival, routing all wrestling challengers aside from Jeanne. They had a more confident gait to them, striding forwards with purpose.
”And the other two?” said Li.
Finally, another rustle, and another series of faces. New faces, though certainly, Li had seen them before. They were two men from the farming community. Of the newer generation, perhaps among the youngest. They were in their late teenage years when the creases of hard labor had yet to imprint themselves on their hands and on their faces, though, on closer observation, their faces did serve as home to plenty of small scars here and there.
They looked quite similar to each other. Similar height, similar athletic build, and the same shade of light brown hair and dark green eyes. Brothers.
”Mason? Mercer?” said Ivo. ”Gods, what are you two young fools doing here. Get back to your fields as the Seer has commanded.”
”Back to Belmont? That old grump? There is not a hell that can drive us back there,” said the taller of the two brothers. ”Besides, the grump's got five other orphans to be apprenticing. He won't miss us.”
”I daresay we are doing him a favor getting us off his hands,” said the younger with a cheery smile.
”I remember you two,” said Li as he traveled through his stored memories of meeting his followers, observing their daily routines, and getting status updates from them through Old Thane and Ivo over the past few months. ”Mason and Mercer. The troublemakers. Were you not the ones that stole a cask of wine from a merchant who had stationed his carriage by the guild?”
”Goods that are not easily guarded may as well be advertised to the whole wide world, and we are opportunists,” said the younger.
”You rascals have no idea what that little episode cost us. Ven'thur sought to establish good relations with that merchant, and he left that meeting believing us grimy, dirt-working thieves,” sighed Ivo.
”Ah yes, what trouble that did cost us,” said Li as he reminisced, though he found it more amusing than annoying, for in the end, he fully knew Ven'thur was more than capable of turning the merchants to the guild's side given time regardless of minor setbacks like that.
Li noticed that the brothers had grown quiet, standing still and pale as they awaited some form of divine scolding from Li.
”At ease, farmers. Or thieves, I suppose,” he said amusedly. ”The past is written. What I am curious about now is why you stand before me now.” He nodded to the beastwomen as well. ”And you three also.”
The Serpi was quick to speak. ”Mine purpose is to record. When it is that the tides of history swell, ready to crash in momentous surge, it is the writ of sand that meeteth its furor. Thus, I stand before you in proposition. I shall follow you and record thine deeds as is customary for mine people and for the prosperity of the future.”
The blonde maned Feli spoke. ”We know you told us to stay. But we cannot. We are fighters. But we respect your words. So, we choose one among us to go. That is me.”
”That is me also,” said the massive Lupi beastwoman, puffing up her brawny chest in pride that she was the one to represent the entirety of her pack.
”I see. That is reasonable,” said Li, nodding to the beastwomen. He turned to the two brothers. ”And you two? What is your case? Are you the premium warriors of our guild?”
”Well, er,” said the older as he fidgeted in his boots.
It was evident to Li that both men wanted to follow the expedition west. They were weighed down by sizable packs full of supplies, and they were armed to boot, daggers and swords at their sides.
”This foolery must end,” said Ivo. ”Mason, take your little brother back to Belmont's field, and stay there. I will tell him not to punish you two.”
”Foolery?” protested Mercer, his spirit much stronger than his older brother's. ”We have just as much right to defend our seer and our community as they do!”
Mercer pointed to the beastwomen.
”Prove it then,” said Ivo. ”Face either of them in combat. Then tell me if you are worthy.”
The brothers looked at the Feli. She smiled at them, razor sharp teeth bared and blade like claws extended form her fingers. The Lupi loosed a low, non-threatening growl, a sound meant to assess, not to threaten, but considering one of her arms was about as thick as one of the brother's torsos, any growl sounded like a threat.