Winds of Change [nephero] [M]

[GoblinFae]

TW: Eventual mentions of child death.

Key: ++Cortlan Dialect++
**Taluvan Dialect**

The autumn sun hung high in the midday sky over a small parliament of masked and feather cloaked, stone-faced warriors. The wind blew cold this time of year though none of the twelve figures seem moved by it. They stood silent and still, expressions imperceptible beneath their carved owl-like masks, waiting ever patiently at their Western border for their "guests" to arrive.

It had taken months of careful, painstaking communication to reach this point and everyone was rather tense in anticipation, none more so than the most elaborately masked figure in the center. Chief Atsida the Great Horned Owl could feel his heart beating a heavy drum within his breast as his council of four elders and some of his strongest warriors stood with him. There was so much at stake here and so much that could go wrong. But, he truly believed now more than ever that if the Taluvan way of life was to continue then there would need to be more than a forced, tense peace between Talu and its cowardly neighbor, Cortla. It was time for change and with the newly elected leader of Cortla in charge, it might just be possible at last.

Behind him, a taller man placed a heavy hand upon the center of his back in wordless comfort and warning. Squinting into the distance he caught the approach of others in the distance. At his wordless nod, his people rolled out a large bison blanket stitched together of many hides and more than large enough to seat many of those gathered. Atsida and his council stood on the edge of the far side awaiting the group sent to speak with them. A soft breath escapes his lips as the hand pressed warmly into his back as if lending strength before falling away. The Taluvans came seeking peace but if it came to it they would not die without a fight. Every Night Flier stood strong and tall in anticipation but they would not move without orders. So long as Atsida remained ever calm and confident, so too would his people.

[nephero]

   The council had warned, of course, against acting with so much haste so soon. Their eastern border had always been a place of considerable tension, long before Aike Jadon had ever been born. That there was a sudden request from the Taluvan chief to meet, so quickly after the Proving, was suspicious at best. At the council meeting, around candles burned down so low they barely provided light enough to illuminate the faces of the nine gathered there, there had been talk of patience. Patience, patience. It was the wiser choice, of course. Cortla had not survived as well as it had without Grandmother's first lesson.

   However, that didn't make it the correct choice. After all, Cortla and Talu had been skirting each other for so long that no one living remembered otherwise.

   "++Perhaps," Aike had said, voice rough from lack of sleep and hours of speaking, "Talu has been patient quite long enough.++"

   In the end, it wasn't the council's decision. Newly Governor, it was Aike's duty and responsibility to make decisions on their own. They had completed the trials, had proven themself capable, and if that was no longer good enough to decide Cortla's leadership, well... That was an entirely separate problem, Aike supposed. But not a problem they had to contend with. They had heard the council's advice, and the council in turn trusted their choice.

   "++The thread is steady,++" the Webwalkers had said in their cryptic way. All the blessing Aike would ever have needed.

   If they were to be completely honest, the chance to step out of the city was a welcome one. They had been inside the cliffs for several months now, ever since they had put their name in to be considered for the position of Governor. For a trapdoor, a few months had felt like an eternity, with longer months still ahead of them. They certainly did not complain about the opportunity to stretch their legs and feel the sun on their skin from morning to night again.

   With the whole of their former squadron beside them, it was as if they had never been inside Skythread City at all. It was easy to fall back into the habits that had kept them alive so well for the last fourteen years. Stepping lightly, following the hidden trails, catching their food from traps sprung on unsuspecting beasts. Moving in the calm of twilight and preserving their energy at midnight and midday. Each one of their guard was fully armored from neck to toe, their hair pulled back into tight buns. Only Aike still wore their hair loose. They had insisted against paint, as well. A very small but pointed gesture that Cortla was not there to start a fight.

   It was high noon by the time they arrived at the designated meeting place. They had seen the Taluvans from a distance, of course, standing stock still as if they were made of the mountains themselves. There was at least a dozen, as far as Aike could see, but there was Talu's own small pointed gesture:

   Aike could see them.

   "++It seems," they commented quietly as they and their eight companions grew ever closer to the figures waiting on the horizon, "I will not be feeding Grandmother today.++"

   "++It's only noon,++" Sikke quipped from their left side, and Aike had to smile in amusement.

   "++It's only noon.++" They echoed in agreement, before the whole group fell silent for the remaining distance between them and Talu. Upon reaching the hide blanket, they fanned out, four trapdoor soldiers on either side of Aike, who took a step forward and clasped their hands behind their back. They stared across the blanket at those gathered on Talu's side: masked, silent, still. Aike had dealt with the owl warriors before, of course, but this fact did not make the moment any less tense. They were just men, after all, underneath the masks, not demons.

   Men sometimes were worse.

   "Greetings." They spoke loud and steady, careful to be heard well enough over the wind, and also to prove they were not shaking in their boots. "I am Aike Jadon, Governor of Cortla. I am here to speak with Chief Atsida the Great Horned Owl. I and my companions have food and water to share, and certainly will not complain about a chance to rest our legs."

[GoblinFae]

All twelve stood in watchful silence, as the Cortlans approached and made neither movement nor sound at being greeted. At the center of the Taluvans, Atsida finally moved, bobbing his head in greeting and motioning with an open palmed hand for Aike and their company to sit. As he too settled to sit cross-legged, two elders at each elbow six of the Night Fliers settled on their knees behind them, alternating in the directions they faced so some faced the gathered Adelans and other faced away back towards to Talu to watch for any outward threats or ambush. It was the seventh of the Night Fliers who remained standing and directly at the the Great Horned Owl's back. While his companions all had hair loose and waving in the dancing winds, his was as short as a Serenian's, although it made him no less fierce in appearance. This one's stance was grounded and strong with piercing eyes that seemed to also have a bit of mirth in them as he eyed the Cortlans before him. Beneath the mask that hid all but these eyes, there was certainly a devilish grin to match.

The Chieftain turned his head to the side then nodding to one of the elders at the same time revealing his own extremely shorn head of dark hair, so different than the majority of Taluvans with him. It was then that the elder with the intricate carving on the forehead of his mask spoke.

"Before we begin, Chief Great Horned Owl asks if you would honor us by participating in the cleansing and blessing of this space around us against the restless spirits that would claim our faces as their own and steal untruths from our peaceful tongues."

[nephero]

   Aike stepped forward, crossed one foot over the other, and sank down into a sitting position in one fluid movement, hands settled on their knees in a relaxed posture. Once the other Taluvans were seated, the rest of the trapdoors followed suit, sitting just behind and to either side of Aike in the middle.

   "++Cheerful bunch,++" Rakal quietly commented to their left, and Aike only inclined their head in her direction. She didn't speak again.

   Aike looked between the gathered Taluvans, fixing on the man still standing for a long moment before finally dropping their gaze down to Atsida himself. They didn't look to the other speaking, simply holding their gaze to him and trusting their guard to mind the rest.

   "We would be glad to assist. Lies and deceit have no place in Cortla - we would not want to have any here."

[GoblinFae]

Atsida gazed back at the reply only turning to face the Strigi elder as he translated before looking to Aike again with a quiet, respectful nod. He offered a steadying arm as Eyota rose to his feet, slowly chanting and circling the whole party as his feet shuffled to dig a small trench into the earth around them four times over. A hum seemed to fill the air around them then as if charged with electricity that tingled across skin and made tiny hairs stand on end. The lone standing Night Flier let his head fall back and breathed deeply as the chanting elder fell silent before moving his head ear to shoulder first left then right and rolling his shoulders as of to shake the tension away. A soft collective sigh seemed to go through all the Taluvans then as the charge softened and their net of safety passed over them.

It was then that Atsida at last spoke with deep orange eyes focused solely on Aike, his voice deep and strong but also gentle and soft. It was the voice of a warrior but a weathered one who had learned the value of quiet, thoughtful patience. His words though were not in the same Ketran dialect that Aike had chosen to greet him with but instead Atsida's native Taluvan one. The now reseated Strigi translated effortlessly.

"Chief Great Horned Owl thanks you for meeting with him, Governor Jadon. He says that it is good to see you in good health and good humor and he hopes that this meeting will be the first of many on such peaceful terms. He also congratulated you again on your recent successful overtaking of leadership for Cortla."

[nephero]

   Aike kept their eyes on Atsida, though they could feel their trapdoor guard tense behind them. It was always risky, letting magic be done. For all the Cortlans really knew, it was a way to trap them in place, where crossing the barrier would steal their very heartbeats away. It could have been something to pacify them while the warriors stood and cut them all down.

   It could have been many things. But the way the air was, the way the Taluvans sat rigid -- well, mostly sat except for the one behind Atsida, that one gave them pause -- the way the ground itself felt beneath all of them gathered...

   There was tension, but none of the jittery kind that preluded an ambush. It was the kind of tension you saw when two predators used the same river to drink from: wary, on guard... but ultimately not on the hunt. Aike breathed deeply, fought the urge to shiver against the charge in the air, and waited for the ceremony to finish. Took another breath when the charge faded and all nine of them were still alive.

   "Overtake is a strong word. A Governor simply guides, and there is no force on the Earth that will guide a man towards something he doesn't want." Aike tilted their head and offered a short smile, as if to shrug the matter off entirely and assure there had been no insult taken. "Thank you for reaching out to me. I, too, hope for continued efforts towards peace between our territories."

   Aike turned slightly in their sitting position to open their satchel, pulling out four larger wrapped bundles and a fifth, much smaller one. The smaller they opened immediately, and from another pocket they produced a small stone pipe, the contents of the former packed expertly into the latter with the tip of their thumb.

   "++Rakal, if you would be so kind.++" They said, holding the pipe out to their left. Rakal, without taking her eyes from the Taluvans, focused the heat of the day down to a pinpoint and lit the pipe with a simple gesture of her hand. Aike took a long breath from it before passing the pipe to their left to share with their guards. Aike wrapped the smaller bundle back up and tucked it away, and turned their attention on the four larger ones.

   "As I said, I have food to share, if you and yours are feeling adventurous." Aike smiled again, and unrapped the bundles one by one to reveal several different and distinctly Cortlan dishes. The skewered locusts looked particularly appetizing after their long march from the city, seared and sticky with peppery sauce. The other choices were a bit more accessible: fried dough stuffed with goat cheese and pepper jelly, shards of brightly colored candies, and some jerkied meat.

   To prove they were safe, Aike selected one of each for themself, while the trapdoors behind them took out their own rations in between taking in smoke.

[GoblinFae]

It was the Elder Wingmaster that inhaled sharply and tensed, her head snapping to the right to look at Atsida and Eyota both as Aike lit and shared their pipe around. Atsida moved his hand ever so slightly in a staying motion and shook his head almost imperceptibly. He reached then for his own side pouch to pluck out some tobacco and holding the dried leaves out for the wind to grab and dance away with. "**We always offer to our ancestors first to remind them they are as unforgotten to us as we are to them,**" he explained allowing Eyota to translate for him while he worked to light his pipe, carefully slipping the specifically curved end under his mask to take a couple puffs before leaning across the blanket some and offering it with two hands to Aike. Behind him the tall warrior shifted his stance and raised his chin, watching like a bird of prey to ensure his Chief was kept safe.

"**Do they bring us bugs too because they think we are truly birds that cannot hunt? I would have expected mice if they truly wanted to drive the insult home!**" One Night Flier whispered behind the others.

"**They bring us what they themselves value and eat out of respect for our Chief. You would do wise not to embarrass him further speaking behind his back,**" the tall one replied offering a withering look to the younger, female Night Flier who straightened and pointedly returned to watching the horizon. He then tapped the chief on the shoulder motioning with his chin at the skewers wordlessly.

Atsida in turn sighed softly, letting the Elder continue to translate for him alone. "**Thank you for your generosity. My people are not used to seeing such fare and are curious what the red is. We hope you will also accept drink. We have brought skins of tea good for after long journeys and longer talks,**" he said, the last bit coming out softer as if with a bit of knowing amusement that was not translated with the same emotion all inflection by the Elder.

[nephero]

   "++Someone struck a nerve.++" Rakal commented idly even as she took in a long breath of smoke and passed the stone pipe along. "++What was it you said about not being able to guide a man where he doesn't want to go?++"

   "++We will see.++" Was all Aike gave her in reply. They watched, carefully, as Atsida took out his own pouch, listening to the explanation and mouth quirking to the side in amusement. They leaned forward as well, taking Atsida's offered pipe and breathing in before passing it back to him.

   Aike held their breath for a moment, before letting the smoke billow out in a small cloud. It gave them another moment to feel out beneath them, along the tense and plucked threads woven together tightly between the seated Taluvans. More tenseness. But again, a lack of anticipation. Mostly. Aike squinted a bit as trying to feel deeper into the standing man came back confusingly... Aike did not have the words for it.

   Instead, they chose to focus on the task at hand.

   "For us, we burn our offerings. Admittedly, a very convenient practice." One or two trapdoors behind them laughed quietly as the small pipe continued back around to where Aike could refill it again. "But our offerings are rarely just tobacco."

   They pointed at the food, going slowly to allow for easier translation as they gestured one after the other.

   "The red is made from peppers. It's a slow heat, it very much likes to sneak up on you than arrive all at once, but the flavor has with it a kind of smokiness. I thought, perhaps, you might enjoy that a bit better than ones that burn immediately. If not, please try the candy or jerky. Those are not nearly as spicy.

   "As for tea... I would be very glad for a cup, thank you."

[GoblinFae]

After accepting the pipe back, Atsida reached forward to take a skewer. He passed the pipe along to his right allowing it to be sent around to the others while he carefully pulled a grasshopper off it and lifted his mask just so with his hand hiding his face to take a bite. Only then did he lower said mask again and  offer the skewer above him for the warrior to take. This one was far less delicate but equally protective of keep his face covered and hidden. He ate the other three quickly, smacking his lips as the aforementioned heat began to build and burn his mouth until he was trying to hide the need that fan his mouth. Below him Atsida shook with silently laughter knowing well what the issue was as he too felt the warmth less intensely and worked on filling a few wooden cups with sun-warmed tea.

"**Eat and drink your fill. I hope to recognise us as all among friends here. After you can perhaps tell me of your opinion of our shared border.**"

[nephero]

   Aike was having the hardest time resisting their grin. They knew the dance all too well of someone who was not accustomed to peppers eating an abundance of them. It was too hard to resist a chuckle, and they could only hope it wasn't taken as mocking. They polished off their own skewer quite quickly, utterly unaffected by the heat as they took their cup of tea with a little nod upwards to the standing warrior.

   "If it is too much, have some of the bread. There are more peppers, but the cheese will help."

   Aike took the opportunity to sip at their tea, enjoying it for a moment as they considered Atsida's words. It was, after all, the reason for this little picnic in the first place, and couldn't be avoided forever. The other gathered Taluvans certainly seemed on edge in more ways than one, and Aike was reminded of how much their own council had cautioned them against venturing out to the border at all.

   Old hatreds. Not that Aike wasn't guilty of it, too. For the past fourteen years they had travelled across Cortla, along every road and path and all the spaces in between. They had been personally involved in border skirmishes before. Under the previous Governor, it hadn't escalated into all-out war, but neither were there any attempts to ease the tensions back to fully prevent one, either. There had been plenty of times in their youth that Aike had been sure they'd be painting their face and marching to the east. Luckily, their excitement for such a thing quickly burned away with each subsequent brush with the Taluvans' own border patrols.

   And now they had a chance to do something about it. It hadn't been on their top list of priorities from the beginning, certainly. But the arrival of Atsida's letter after they took office was... almost perfect. The hatreds were old, very, very old. And it was high time a broom was taken to that corner and all the dust and empty cobwebs swept away.

   Aike took a few bites of their stuffed bread, before setting that down and idly smoking.

   "I hope you will allow me to tell a story. Out in the wilds, water is precious. Far away from the mountains where the snow can melt, you must take every chance you can get before noon." They gestured vaguely upwards to where the sun was shining down directly above them. "Our cousins, those of Grandmother, they learned a long time ago that early each morning, water will collect on their webs, before the morning mists are burned away in the daylight. Now, these webs might also be damaged from prey, from other, larger animals, or something else.  After a fashion... the web is beyond use.

   "So our cousins, they learned to eat their webs. To take down what no longer serves them, drink the water, and start anew. Every month, when the moon goes dark, we do the same. We look to the spaces in our homes and ourselves, and we clear away what no longer serves us. We drink deep, and we start anew. I think... and I suspect you do as well, that how we view the borders is in need of sweeping."

[GoblinFae]

"**Oh no,**" Atsida breathed in quiet amusement as the standing warrior stubbornly took another skewer instead and munched away while doing nothing to abate the heat. The Chieftain knew just how much he would be paying for that himself once nightfall came and Enoka was free to make his displeasures known. He did nothing to stop him though instead assisting in distributing food and drink among both parties as well as partaking minimally himself. Food for him still tasted as ash to his mouth for many months now and he had lost considerable weight because of it. He wished to offer no insult to Aike and Cortla but food was merely a chore these days and Atsida did not wish to waste offerings he himself could not enjoy.

Instead he listened intently, nodding his head before the full translation was even finished in understanding. He too as a young man remembered the days of walking the circle ahead of the rest to beat back invaders or those that drew too close or threatened their hunting parties for food. He and Enoka as boys had made the daylight owl cries as loudly and enthusiastically as the rest. But age and responsibility had taught Atsida there was more to life and sustaining a nation than the hunt and the play and the scuffle. One wrong move and everything could be lost.

And he had lost...

He had lost one of his greatest treasures and joys in life. It was this very loss that had allowed him to write the letter, each painstaking stroke of ink to paper made by his own unpracticed hand. Even among his people and the Parliament of Elders his choice had caused division. Taluvans were fiercely protective of their culture and did not embrace change easily if it threatened tradition. Atsida himself had always strived to find the balance between the two. To survive meant to go forward into the future but tradition was not to be forsaken in its entirety. So with the newly appointed Governor in place and the recent loss, Atsida had remained firm in seeking this newfound opportunity. He remembered what it was to be young and full of hope. He hoped the young man sitting across from him was filled with the same aspirations and dreams. The fact that Aike had come was a good omen, he hoped.

"**I think it is time we refocused our efforts as in the days before our father's fathers to who the true enemy here is and that the problem our territories face goes beyond either Cortla or Talu. We have spent more time triggering traps and notching arrows than we have perhaps guarding our borders beyond each other. It is my opinion that Cortla, while a formidable territory made of fierce and innovative warriors,**" he continued with a respectful tilt of his head to those seated across from him, "**is not at all who Talu should be working against or focusing on anymore than perhaps Cortla should be concerned of Talu. Both our territories have enough land and resources to support our people and to live peacefully. I think that it is time we did so before these childish skirmishes between our lands becomes far more serious or worse, our growing problem blindsides us both while we are too busy quibbling over invisible lines in the grass.**"

[nephero]

   In a flash, something cold ran underground, along those knotted threads and down into nothingness. Aike's breath hitched for the sheer depth of it, as if they had run headlong into the deepest winter snows while wearing absolutely nothing. Just as quickly, however, the feeling passed, leaving them staring somewhat as they recovered from the sharp emotion.

   "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," they intoned softly, taking a deep breath of smoke and sighing it out again. "I agree, in that Cortla is not interested in taking land. Our cliffs keep us safe. There would be very little of Talu that would interest us. Of that... I don't believe you've ever had a reason to fear. Abandoning our ways doesn't come lightly, as I'm sure you understand."

   They inclined their head, though they kept their eyes on Atsida's masked face as if that would somehow show his expression if they just looked hard enough.

   "We enjoy our place in the world. We enjoy our cliffs. The roads carry plenty of trade. ...What would Talu ask of us?"

[GoblinFae]

There was a stiffness in Atsida’s shoulders as a tension deeper than peace talks between territories sunk deep within his bones and squeezed at his insides. This was for more than just him and his family, this was for all the families of Talu. There had to be change if there was to be survival and while the first step had been arduous it was nothing in comparison to the second. He had no shadow of doubt that the people of Cortla would not only take offense to his request but also likely refuse. But, he had to try. There would be no peace if he did not try.

“**We have long faced a problem that stems from your borders. Caravans of slavers and raiders pour in through your mountain passages unchecked and down into our plains wreaking irrevocable damage not only to the earth but our people. What they do not steal, they murder. What they cannot keep when caught, they slaughter. This cannot continue. The passages must be sealed.**”

[nephero]

   Oh, that was definitely something. The force of it made Aike blink, as if flinching would somehow cause the sensation to wash over them, but the threads just continued to rattle and so Aike simply had to steady themself against it, breathing deep before finishing their tea and setting the empty cup down.

   Atsida's words, however, made them freeze completely. Even their trapdoors, who had by that point settled into a more relaxed state, grew as still and silent as if they were standing watch over a passing traveller in the wilds. The tension on Cortla's side of the blanket returned full force, and this time Aike knew there was no getting around it.

   Aike took another breath, and sat up a little more, their hands back on their knees to show Atsida had their full attention. They pressed their full lips into a line for a moment, searching for the right words.

   "I wish for you to understand, I feel for your concerns. Truly. Even if I could guarantee that these raiders would no longer be able to haunt you through those roads, which is not the case, the amount of damage we would need to do to the mountains to completely seal them is... dangerous. I am sorry, Chief Atsida Great Horned Owl. But I cannot risk harm to Cortla's people like that."

   "Dangerous" was certainly the understatement of the century. Cortla had managed their canyon cities so well only because they had learned where the cliffs could handle the digging, how deep, how much - the mountain passes, narrow though they were, were untouched purely because of how little could be affected without the earth revolting against it. To create enough rubble to block off the passes would certainly cause even more to collapse. Not even to mention the crucial reason for those passes to exist in the first place: In case Cortla's soldiers failed to keep the cities, there were ways for Grandmother's children to hide away in the mountains. With those escapes cut off...

   Aike shook their head again, and sighed.

   "I understand this is important to you. As Governor, I am responsible for all of my people, and I cannot choose yours over them. But I believe there is a solution we can find that will work best for both of us."

[GoblinFae]

Enoka shifted his stance pressing his knees flush against Atsida's shoulders as his own straightened and broadened like a bird puffing up in front of a threaten. The sudden increased tension did not escape any of the Taluvans as it sent unseen ripples through them all. Only Atsida seemed rather unaffected and still. He understood this tension and did not find it a threaten as it was that of a wary defense and not a decisive attack.

"**There are means to close those passages without harming your mountain further but there are no ways to continue to protect my people if they are left open. I think you will have a far larger problem on your hands if your entire eastern border is left open because we are no longer here to maintain it. Whether you like it or not Cortla and Talu are not mutually exclusive. We stood together to be Adelan. Our ways of life may be different but my people should matter to you as we hold a very specific purpose in your way of life as you do in ours. We are at Cortlan mercy currently for our survival but you say we do not matter as much? We rely on you to manage those passes. The threats are not coming from my lands but yours. How can I protect my people, if you refuse to help us? How many more of us need to disappear before it becomes a concern for you?**"

[nephero]

   "That is not what I said." Aike's eyes narrowed some, one finger raised in warning. They glanced to the side to the translator, mouth thinning some once more, before returning to stare at Atsida again. "I said, I am the Governor. My duty is to Cortla. I cannot choose your people over mine. I said nothing about Talu's people not mattering. I said nothing about refusing to help you."

   Aike took a deep breath to steady themself and release some of the anger that had boiled up. It wasn't just them, either - they could hear Rakal muttering under her breath, could feel the heat of the collective insult on each trapdoor behind them.

   "I want to find a solution that will not put my people in harm's way. What you are asking of me, it will most assuredly do so. But I do not wish for Talu to be left open to interlopers, either. You are correct, we need one another, as Adelans and as people and as creatures sharing a world. But your solution will threaten Cortla's survival. There must be a balance."

[GoblinFae]

"**So he can act all insulted but offers nothing to actually help us," bemoaned the previously warned Night Flier. "Worthless, cowardly, Cortlan Spider. Should just go crawl back into your fragile little webs to wait to die and be eaten. Why should we have expected anything from these craven fools? Always last to act and waiting for the winds to turn in their favor instead of actually caring!**" in her fury she made to grab something at her waist but no sooner did her fingers graze it before Enoka of all people tackled her to the ground. Within seconds he had her on her feet and was dragging her back away from the group even as Atsida seemed to deflate slightly and rubbed at the forehead of his mask in weary agitation.

"**I will not repeat the insult sent your way as we are not here to quarrel but to find balance. Oolha is young and does not yet understood how lengthy talks of peace and compromise can be. Please understand that while inappropriate and not shared by myself, her views and words come from a place of concern and fear. We have lost many this past year and more still continue to disappear with each passing moon.**"

He paused then to look to those at his left and right with a steely tone in his voice that brooked no argument. "**I will not permit further unwarranted outbursts such as this from my people." His eyes returned to meet Aike's then as he placed an open hand over his heart, "I deeply apologize to you Governor Aike Jadon. That being said Oolha does bring to a light a truthful point. What would you propose instead?"

[nephero]

   The moment Oolha moved, the trapdoors were on their feet in a single fluid motion. It proved to be unnecessary, and even those readiest to fight were left standing rather awkwardly as the tall warrior hauled the angry Taluvan woman off like a naughty bobcat kitten. Aike watched for a long moment, and only when the pair were suitably far away did they raise their hand and gesture for their guard to sit down again.

   In the same single motion, they all returned to their positions, though it was clear there would be no further relaxation on their part. Even Aike had to admit they had a good point in that regard. As much as they would have liked to continue to share peacefully, there was clearly less of an intent from others towards that end. Aike gave their guard a moment to pack away their food and tobacco, and waited for their silence to resume speaking.

   "I have spoken the truth. I feel for your concerns. I do not wish ill upon your people." They let that sentence hang in the air for a long moment, taking the time to look all the gathered Taluvans in their hidden, masked faces. "Raiders from the south are a blight upon us all. We already have many outposts along our southern passageways. And, as you no doubt are very aware, Chief Great Horned Owl, we have many outposts along our eastern borders as well."

   Aike considered for a very long moment, tapping a finger against their knee and mentally mapping out the trapdoor patrols and outposts. They would have truly preferred to keep smoking, it always helped them ponder difficult decisions, but the time for idleness had long since passed.

   "Pulling our southern guard up and into the passes will only open our cities to the same threats you wish to escape. We would be vulnerable, and covering the mountain passes will be for nothing if Cortla were to be wiped out." Aike looked up and into Atsida's mask then. "However... if it came to be that our eastern guard had far less to look out for, Cortla could reasonably reposition them to the mountain passes. We could set up better barricades and keep both of our lands safe."

   Aike gestured around them, at the long stretch of land that served as the border between their two territories, with bright red threads hanging from posts and swaying lightly in the winds.

   "I want to help you. Will you trust me to do so, and pull back from our border?"

[GoblinFae]

Atsida sighed heavily. His weariness went beyond his embarrassment and frustration over how poorly things were turning. It was the cumulation of countless sleepless nights, of endless hoarse arguments and discussions, of hundreds of silent, lonely hours of reflection. All of his heartache had led him to this confrontation and he was not about to squander it by letting his emotions get the better of him.

"**What you ask of us is equally impossible. The monitoring of our western border is all that protects us from the evil in your mountains. You ask for trust without giving any to us. Move your men and women if you must but it should make no difference whether my people are still there or not. I still have my own people to look out for. What sense of security and safety do I leave them with if I return with your word of change and take away their only shroud of safety, as thing as it may be?**"

[nephero]

   Aike breathed their own sigh of frustration.

   "Please look at this from my perspective. Our people have fought at this border for longer than I've been alive. I've spent years patrolling here, I know how my people feel about getting too close."

   Aike sighed again.

   "I am willing to take steps to protect Talu. I will be able to put more soldiers in the mountains and fight back the raiders. But I cannot completely abandon our border with Talu if you insist on keeping your full forces here. That will not make my people feel any more safe."

   They turned their head from side to side, grunting softly as the movement allowed them to crack their neck and relieve some of the built up tension there.

   "...Half. Promise to reduce your forces by half, and I will be able to pull half of my outposts into the mountains. When they are settled there, when the passages are made that much safer, we can discuss reducing the patrols even more."