KING OF BEASTS (Hiatus)

“We mean you no harm,” Ares said as a small group of rhinofolk approached, spears in hand. “I have come bringing you some of your injured,” Ares said as he motioned a hand to those near him.

 

The rhinofolk stopped a ways away and whispered between one another.

 

“Is he the one?”

 

“I think so.”

 

“Look he has a human with him.”

 

“They say he isn’t human.”

 

“No, the other one, with the dark skin.”

 

“He’s a human?”

 

Ares waited for them to finish their conversation before one finally stepped forward. It was an older woman clutching her spear tightly, as though it would help her against Ares.

 

It wouldn’t.

 

“S-state your name and business, stranger!”

 

Ares stared at her for a long moment before then nodding his head. “I am King Ares, Master of Waters, Kin of all Riveans.” It had been quite some time since he last said such a thing, he wondered if maybe it was Master of Water instead. “As I said, I mean you to harm and I have brought you some of your injured.”

 

“Some of them? What happened to the others?”

 

“They died.”

 

She clutched her spear tighter and her shoulders raised, tense as she shuddered.

 

“Not by my hand, I assure you,” Ares said, raising his hand slowly before motioning to the others. “I have come to speak with you, at the very least Sippka can confirm that I have treated your people amiably.”

 

Sippka nodded her head as she crept away from Ares along with the few others that were with them. Ares allowed them to leave, though Orndu kept a keen eye on the rhinofolk. When they were a distance away, the rhinofolk sped up passed those that were currently threatening them.

 

With the injured rhinofolk now in their bubble of safety, or rather that’s what they probably thought, the others that had confronted Ares returned their attention completely to the ten strangers.

 

“You have finished with your business then,” the woman said.

 

“How rude,” Ares chuckled. “I have yet to be rewarded for my efforts, is this how you treat your saviour?”

 

The rhinofolk did not reply, though the woman then planted her spear down.

 

“You speak the truth, Ares,” she said. She stared long and hard at Ares before nodding her head. “What reward do you seek?”

 

“A chat, if it would please you.”

 

“A chat?”

 

“Just a talk about a few matters. You can ask Sippka for what I have told her, but my intentions may not have gone through. I am Master of Waters, not Master of Words.” Ares laughed and glanced back at Torak, as if for approval for his terrible joke.

 

Torak raised a brow and Ares cleared his throat, looking back towards the other rhinofolk, who were in the process of relaxing their spears.

 

“Our people are tired and worn out from the day,” the rhinofolk woman said, “we would wish to speak with clearer minds on the morning.”

 

“If it pleases you,” Ares said with a bow of his head. “We will make camp some ways away then, we will leave you in peace for the night.”

 

“We thank you, King Ares.”

 

Ares bowed his head and then motioned with a hand to leave with the others. He created a similar wall as he had previously done during the last night, and similar accommodation.

 

“We will take watch, two at a time. Heria and her wolf will start, and I and Ezak will take the last watch. The rest of you choose amongst yourselves the watches you wish to take.”

 

The rest nodded and they went to it, speaking amongst themselves. Ares went right to his tent to sleep, sighing as the cold hard floor kept him company.

 

The morning had come quickly enough, with Orndu waking him up. He and Saykkera had taken watch together. Ares threw a glance towards the rhinofolk to see that they were still nearby and were in the process of waking.

 

Ares worked out lightly, trying to remain as quiet as he could be. He could work out and take watch at the same time due to his great senses. At the end of his watch he created a bath as the others began to awaken, and seeing that the rhinofolk were seemingly all awake too, he took a quick warm bath to wash up, drying off his new set of clothes to wear before then heading towards the rhinofolk. He needed to be fresh and eager in order to speak with the rhinofolk, put his best foot forward and all that.

 

A few rhinofolk stepped forward to meet with Ares, throwing glances over his shoulder as he approached.

 

“Good morning, did you all sleep well?” Ares asked.

 

A rhinofolk man nodded his head towards Ares. “We slept well enough…”

 

Ares returned the nod. “I was hoping perhaps my group could join you for breakfast. I have some meat to offer for you all.”

 

The rhinofolk man narrowed his eyes and then slowly nodded his head. “Very well, you may come and eat with us this morning.”

 

Ares flashed the sweetest smile he could muster. “I give you my thanks,” he said before he turned and then left to gather his allies.

 

“Let me do the talking,” Ares said.

 

Torak stared at Ares with a sparkle in his eyes. “Even though you are not the Master of Words?”

 

Torak and Heria laughed and Ares smirked.

 

“Yes, yes…” Ares rolled his eyes and then motioned with his head as the others joined him in heading towards the rhinofolk.

 

“They’ve been through a lot, so don’t scare them too much.” Ares threw a look towards Zika and then Saykkera.

 

Zika blinked at him, Saykkera said nothing, as per usual.

 

The rhinofolk had gathered in a circle that spread out with three or so layers, each expanding and growing bigger. Ares was invited through the path in the center where the large pot was. Someone they had taken this pot with them during the fray, Ares was impressed at such ingenuity and preparedness.

 

“Good morning,” Ares said to the rhinofolk, looking about himself to see many of them truly were those that could not defend themselves, not to any large extent. “Where can I place the meat?”

 

“You may put it into the pot, and it shall be cooked with the rest,” the cook said.

 

Ares nodded his head and then raised a hand, imagining the meat being cubed as they showered into the pot. The rhinofolk jumped back, bringing their arms up to defend themselves. Ares tilted his head slightly and raised a brow before he finished with dropping the meat down.

 

The rhinofolk cook stared at Ares with a curious yet suspicious look, eyes narrowed and their lips taut.

 

None really spoke about it, though the cook did motion a hand for Ares to sit on an empty log, as well as his various companions.

 

Heria and her wolf did not join however, lazing around on the outside. Ares raised a brow at her, but she just shrugged at him. He left it at that.

 

“Good morning to you, King Ares,” the cook said. “We welcome you to our humble tribe.”

 

“I am most thankful,” Ares replied as he bowed his head. “I feel most welcome.”

 

“The food will need some time to cook, do you wish to speak before or after the meal?” the cook asked as he stirred the pot.

 

Ares thought for a moment. “Let us begin now, in case you want us to leave before the food is done.” Ares laughed.

 

The rhinofolk nodded. “I am It’to, son of Ip’ko.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, these are my companion,” Ares said as he motioned to them all and then began to introduce each member.

 

“We all welcome you to our humble tribe,” it’to said. “What is it that you wished to speak to us about?”

 

“I have come to speak to you about the battle and it’s aftermath,” Ares said.