Kamas talks his way through the camp, while I just follow and listen. I am considering what I am even doing here… Did they just send me somewhere so that I wouldn’t do something unnecessary? I doubt it, but my uselessness lingers.

We are apparently going to call a summit, like in the village. The tribe doesn’t make decisions on its own. Luckily we arrived early in the day, so they had not yet left for the dungeon. Kamas makes sure to hear them out first. Apparently they can trade with villages, but are banned from selling to cities, or entering them in a group.

I remember from my childhood that Silvestri often corroborate with Dryads, but I can’t see any, so they must either not be here or they have molded themselves. Thinking of it leads my thoughts to Hannah. Last I was there, you could only tell it was her based on very faint lines and curves from her previous female form. She will likely be indistinguishable from a normal tree soon. The thought makes me sad.

The summit is gathered, and a large circle is formed with bare-chest people everywhere. I can only spot 4 or so that are wearing any clothing over their chest.

The people gathered are murmuring. I hear a few quips signifying that Kamas is not generally well-liked among the men. Monikers like “womb-stealer” and “traitor” are thrown around. This may not go smoothly. They die down after Kamas’ first few words.

“Fellow Silvestri, I come here today, not to take part in the hospitality you have so graciously extended to me time and time again, but to bring forth a suggestion that might improve your lives. Long have you lived in these lands, and long have you been unfairly treated and barred from making the most of yourselves, but today, I aim to lay forth a plan to change that.” Kamas lowers his arms, that he had up in a form of greeting, turns around and scans the giant circle he is standing in the middle of.

“For the first time in forever, the successor to this lands highest seat of power is up for debate as to who should inherit it. A dear friend of mine is a possible candidate. She, unlike other human women, are not only full of power and determination, almost a Silvester of heart, but also sympathetic to the troubles of Silvestri. She makes no demands, but her coming to power would result in better treatment, and everyone who pledges to her cause is helping her towards that end.” Kamas’ gestures are heavily emphasized. He touches his heart when he mentions the word, and spreads his arm out to the circle, as addressing many individuals when referring to everyone.

Murmurs immediately spring to life, when it has become apparent his short speech is over. We are directed to wait outside the camp while the summit comes to a conclusion.

“What happens if they don’t accept?” I ask.

“Oh, that’s not how Silvestri society works, Yos. They will pick a champion to fight, regardless of them agreeing or not, and only through besting that champion will the agreement be made. Silvestri only respect strength, and any decision must be at least symbolically commemorated by a fight. The degree of their agreement determine just how powerful a fighter they send out.”

He runs his hand through the mane around his neck a little. “Speaking off, I am thinking of sending you in, in case they don’t send out a top contender. If I had to fight all these battles, fatigue may set in and we may be in trouble down the road, we are going to three other camps before we are done.” His hand pauses. “Better give you a rundown of rules of Silvestri fighting just in case.”

I am not offended by being his backup. It gives me a purpose on this trip, and I know Kamas is still stronger than me, although the gap has shrunk considerably these past six months. From the explanation, it seems rather simple. A circle will form around the fighters. Victory is only granted if a contestant touches the people forming the perimeter. Fights are also in complete nude, as to pit body against body with nothing else. This, apart from the embarrassment from being stark naked is a great boon to me, since my skin is so tough, but I wonder about other implications. Not only are Silvestri much larger than humans, but my body is only that of a juvenile. And while some inexplicable force alters strength in this world, so that mass is not that big of an issue, reach still is and I would probably find myself well within striking distance before I can get too close.

“What about magic?” I ask, curious as to how it factors into the competition.

“Urgh, I don’t really know.” Kamas answers “You will probably be fine if you keep it to bestowal, but if you start tossing those instant spears of yours, some may cry foul.”

Kamas has been training with me and has seen the result of my mastering two patterns simultaneously.

A Silvester approaches us from the camp. “We have come to a decision” He says and we are lead back into the camp.

“ah” Kamas makes a smile before whispering to me. “Seems we did surprisingly well, this one is all yours, Yos”

As we pull into the circle, another Silvester from the one who went and got us loudly states “The council will be represented by Garros!”

In response, Kamas states in an equally loud voice “We will be presented by Yos” and gives me a push at the back to step into the center of the circle.

I am now face to face with my opponent. He has the average height of a Silvester, but that is still a massive eight feet, especially compared to me who probably haven’t reached 6 feet. He takes some stance with his body. Now that I think about, I have never fought with my bare hands before. I hope you know what you are doing, Kamas.