KING OF BEASTS (Hiatus)

“If some of us do not join, what will you do?” It’to eventually asked as he sipped on the meat stew.

 

Ares was chewing on some dragon meat, which did not particular taste great. It wasn’t that it tasted bad, it just wasn’t great.

 

“Well when Rivea eventually comes to claim this land, they need to leave.”

 

“If they do not?”

 

“Then it’s to war,” Ares said as casually as one could speak about slaughtering some people in front of their faces. “That is the way it goes, right?”

 

It’to nodded his head as he continued to sip on his soup. Ares and the others were enjoying their food, though Orndu would often glance about, and Jiaga kept an eye on a few of those with spears that were ahead of him.

 

Heria had been given a bowl too, though she had almost finished it, and her wolf was licking it’s own bowl clean already before it then went back to relaxing.

 

They ate in silence for a long while.

 

“Who will join then?” It’to asked.

 

A few others began to speak with one another.

 

“I do not know,” one said.

 

“I want to become a warrior, like my father’s father had done so against the humans.”

 

“I do not want to run any longer.”

 

“He speaks of not wishing to oppress us, and then he will come and kill us if we do not join?”

 

Ares’ forehead twitched slightly. That was a rather over simplification, but that was politics. He hated politics.

 

Ares remained silent though, letting the rhinofolk speak. Some were rather rude, others were much calmer, and some even defended him.

 

Then all grew silent. A few voiced called out.

 

“I’ll join.”

 

“Me too.”

 

“It is best to do so.”

 

Many others joined the calls, though some were hesitant. Ares did not say anything, he just continued to eat. Then eventually Ares was done with his food, taking a little while longer than the others, though Ezak was only half done. Ares watched him sprinkle some chili flakes into his bowl.

 

‘Crafty bastard,’ Ares thought.

 

“Many of us will join you,” the rhinofolk said. “What is it you wish for us to do?”

 

Ares hadn’t actually thought that far ahead. They were about a day or so away from Rivea, fairly close, and yet… he really didn’t want to go back so soon.

 

“Will you be able to travel back by yourselves towards Rivea? The path hadn’t seemed so dangerous when we traversed it.”

 

“What will we do if we are attacked by yours?” It’to asked.

 

“They won’t attack you, or rather they shouldn’t. They should come up to you and speak with you, and you should tell them that Ares sent you to take the trial. The Consul will then deal with you.”

 

“If they do not believe us?”

 

Ares thought about that for a moment. That should be enough, but his people might be on edge. Ares didn’t really have anything to hand them other than the medal he still had, but he didn’t want to give that.

 

What could he give that Rori would understand the significance and the intent behind it?

 

There were about five hundred rhinofolk here that wished to join and…

 

Five hundred.

 

A thought came to him and then ares summoned a block of wood before concentrating on shaping it, before it turned out to be a rather peculiarly shaped cube.

 

It was a superblock, the same he had shown to Rori when he spoke about creating a place for a hundred or so people to be able to live within, what with the buildings each hundred required, which would be built next to other blocks and such.

 

“Here, take this. Tell whoever speaks with you that this should be given to the Consul and that he will know what to do. Rori and I have spoken about a matter which relates to it, but they must know that you intend to take the trial, otherwise they may not believe you.”

 

It’to nodded his head. “What if those that join you wish to leave Rivea?”

 

“If one intends to leave Rivea, then it is similar to wishing to join. You will be given various tasks and then you will lose whatever rights were afforded you to.”

 

“They will be able to leave in peace?”

 

“They will be expelled. If we find them loitering on our land, we will tell them to leave. If they refuse they will be killed.”

 

It’to nodded once more. “We have taken your words to heart.”

 

“I hope so,” Ares said.

 

“Then we will leave to Rivea.”

 

“Do you know the way to the Dragon’s Spine? At the base will be a fort, which is where you will be given accommodation whilst whoever is in charge will be taken to Rivea to speak with Rori, no doubt.”

 

“Very well. I will take that role, as I have.” It’to bowed his head.

 

Ares raised a hand and then dropped down a large number of spears that he held within his ring. “Please arm yourselves as best as you can.” Then, after a thought, he summoned a few shields as well. “Take these as well. They will help in verifying your words, and my people should know that you need to be talked with rather than slain.”

 

“We shall give you this trust,” It’to said.

 

“I am honoured to have it.”

 

With that he said goodbye to the rhinofolk, ignoring the glare from Mitta as he then left with his own crew. He sighed.

 

“That was… more stressful than I imagined.” Ares rubbed the side of his head.

 

“You did well,” Torak said.

 

“Sorry for not asking you all your opinions,” Ares said, realising that he had done all that essentially by himself.

 

The Terrific Ten was meant to be a group of equals as well as a group with the most cringe inducing name.

 

“Such matters are more within Rori and your range,” Torak said with a shrug.

 

“Such talk was boring, I had hope I could have loosened an arrow.”

 

Ares looked to Heria. “Well I’m glad you didn’t need to.”

 

“That makes one of us,” Heria frowned.

 

Ares rolled his eyes. “Let’s go.”

 

With that the Terrific Ten made their way, following Beor who had shared a similar enough sentiment to Heria, muttering about how he wanted a good fight.