By the time Ares had returned to his tribe, he had cooled down. During the walk he had hid his hand under his cloak, and then shifted his hand to flames and then back to normal, seeing that his hand completely healed. He then sliced his hand slightly to see how quickly he would heal up later. He recalled the experiment with the bird, but he would keep that for later. He had more important matters to attend to.

When he finally arrived to the tribe, many greeted him cautiously. Ares smiled towards his tribe. “Excuse me, I’m sorry for taking so long. I just wanted to say hello to the horn, but I intruded on a matter. I’ll try and refrain from doing such a thing from now on, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stick to that.” Ares chuckled. “Well, I suppose there’s a lot to say and a lot to do, so let’s talk over lunch.”

Then Ares realised perhaps his little experiment with the bird may actually be useful, so he brought it out as if he had kept it in his cloak, bringing it to Rori.

“Hey Rori, could you check if this is good to eat?” Ares asked.

Rori gave him a nod, though did seem to be a little taken aback, before they then took the bird from Ares and took a bite out of it. Ares winced as Rori ate the raw bird, causing something to bubble in his stomach. He tried to hide his the look of disgust that was creeping on his face.

Rori chewed for a little while and then finally swallowed. “It tastes fine.”

“Thanks.” Ares said from the bottom of his throat. He nodded his head and then he summoned much of the black viper leather in front of the tribe, which caused them to mutter in awe of such a feat, and then he summoned the meat atop it so that it wouldn’t get too dirty. “I’ve brought a little meat for everyone. I’ll come back to get the skin later.” He smiled and then left the cooks to deal with the food.

He asked Rori to lead him to Runar, who was currently being looked after by a woman by the name of Aspara, a motherly figure in the tribe that has remained with them who was in some way related to Rori.

Aspara was breast feeding Runar at the time that Ares had arrived. Ares excused himself, but Aspara finished up for him. He sat down and then took the tiny form of Runar within his arms, holding up the back of her head and her neck.

She squirmed for a moment and then stopped, yawning and then fell silent. Her tiny little chest continued to shift as she fell asleep. Ares smiled and then sat there with Runar, then going deep in thought. There was something about holding Runar that made him feel so calm, a level of clarity within his mind. Is this the power of a father?

Rori had remained silent opposite Ares, having sat down opposite him. Ares looked up at him.

“Isn’t my daughter the cutest?” Ares whispered and then he gently swayed the girl within his arms. Aspara remained silent, though did throw Rori a look.

Rori finally spoke up, though quietly. “Yes, she is.” He then continued. “Were there truly two black vipers?”

Ares nodded his head and then started to recount the tale. Ares didn’t seem to mind that Aspara was there, and as she tried to excuse herself during the talk, Ares allowed her to remain if she wanted. Since she wanted to leave, Ares offered Runar to her, and then the pair left. Once she was gone, he continued the tale of defeating the black vipers, though with the other oxfolk’s help.

Rori listened intently until he was done. Rori remained silent, processing the information no doubt, and Ares just smiled.

“Could you have defeated both by yourself?” Rori asked finally, staring into Ares’ eyes.

“…” Ares thought for some time, cocking his head to one side and looking up. Then finally he looked into Rori’s eyes. “Yes, I think so.”

Rori bowed his head. “I would suggest that you allow me to recount the tale to the tribe, it would make for a great way to ease the tensions of the people.”

“Speaking of tensions…” Ares sighed. “I think we’ll have to break off from Sohka’s tribe. We’ve had a couple of issues, and if anything else happens, I’m afraid of what might happen.”

Rori nodded their head and then continued. “Is that what you wish to speak about during lunch?”

“Yeah, something like that…” There was a lot Ares needed to go over. It was then the smell of the black viper meat continued to fill the air. Ares inhaled it and then hopped to his feet. “Let’s go sample the meat.” Ares grinned and then led Rori towards the food.

The meat was being cooked over a large fire, a catfolk by the name of Amal tending over it. He had yet to speak with them beyond some chatting now and again, but apparently they were a decent cook. There was also a stew being cooked as well, and it seemed as though the people were as eager as Ares to have a taste of the black viper’s meat.

“Is there a little bit we could try?” Ares asked. Amal cut a long strip off for Ares, it was about the length of his arm. He took about an inch and then took a bite of it, chewing on the meat.

To his surprise it tasted a lot like donner meat, which only caused him to drool for more. However, he cut a bit for Amal, and then headed the rest to Rori. “Have a bite and pass it along.” Ares said as he then walked over to the stew to see what was inside. It looked fairly standard, though it did seem to have quite a bit more spice inside. Well, he supposed it was a special occasion. Right?

Ares went to check on Mala, who seemed to be sticking to her family. She avoided his gaze, but Ares approached them anyhow. Ash had stepped forward with Rala to meet with him.

“Thank you for helping Mala, chief.” Rala had said, reaching out to hold his hands.

Ares merely smiled and nodded his head. “It’s only natural for me to help my own. You don’t have to mention it.”

Rala bowed her head to him. “It seems that you’re stuck saving us…” She had said it with a smile on her face, but her tone was much different, filled with a sadness, like when one would look onto a lake that had long dried.

“Whenever I am needed, I will help. That I assure you, Rala.” He bowed his head to her in return.

“I’m sorry about the trouble she caused. I hope you don’t think too poorly of her…” Ash had said sheepishly.

“This kind of trouble is no matter. Is she alright?” Ares asked, looking over to her.

“She’s taking it as we expect her to. Mala isn’t one to dwell on the trouble she causes.”

Ares laughed and then nodded. “That’s good.” He said as he then approached Mala, with Ash stepping aside, a look of worry crossing his face, though he remained silent.

“Are you alright?” Ares asked, dropping down to speak with her. Rash and Ala were nearby, and Mala seemed to be sewing something with them. Ares watched them work as Mala ignored his words, looking aside. She seemed to be waiting.

“Mala, answer the chief!” Ash called out, and Mala turned her head.

Ares just laughed. “Well, it seems she’s fine.” Ares said getting back up. He checked on Rash, who seemed to be healing well, and then Ala who he didn’t have many dealings with, watching her work on the piece. “You sew so well. Could I get you to make something for me?”

Ala brightened up and then nodded her head. Ares asked for a long strip of cloth with two colours. Then he brought out some of the snake skin, a small amount the size of his palm, and offered it to her. “Here. I’ll offer this to you, though I’ll ask for a few more things later since it’s worth quite a bit, alright?” Ala nodded emphatically, but then stopped and looked aside to her parents, then returned her gaze, drooping a little as she shook her head. Ares laughed and then dropped it beside her. “Don’t worry, this is a deal between you and me.”

He then walked back over to Rala who was about to protest, before summoning another piece of black viper. It was a square about the size of his torso. “Here, for the trouble that was caused to Mala.” Rala protested, and Ash seemed confused, but Ares left them be with a laugh.

He walked along side Rori, and then handed them a piece of snake skin that was a little larger. “Here, for looking after our tribe.” Then he realised he had a few more people that he needed to give some snake skin to. Rori decline and then Ares was about to push them on it. However, he remained quiet. Then he thought about it for a little longer. To deny Rori’s feelings in the matter would put Ares far above them, but that’s not Ares wanted. Rori was his right hand man, someone that was as equal of importance, if not more so.

“Rori. I won’t offer you any of the snake skin, but in exchange, you have to tell me how it’ll be useful for the tribe. I was already thinking of having some boots made for various members of the tribe, but I need to figure out how else to use it. All I can do it offer some pieces of it as a reward to the people.”

Rori then explained just how valuable the snake skin was. A palm sized of it was extremely rare, in fact, people usually just made small rings or patches with it, so giving such large pieces to everyone would be ill advised, at least in his opinion. Instead, the side of about his palm would do good, since it would allow them to make items they could pass down easily to their children.

With that, he formed a few more palm sized snake skin pieces whilst the food was being cooked. Eventually he realised he had enough to give every adult a palm sized piece with plenty left over. So he just gave every adult a palm sized piece, so that way he didn’t need to keep track of who did what. Everyone would share in the reward, regardless of what they did. It made it simple to Ares, who didn’t want to keep on thinking. He was all thought out. He let Jorgan and Rori divvy the pieces out to everyone, he was too embarrassed to do that himself. Plus Rori and Jorgan could probably convince everyone to take it.

Then finally, the meat was cooked, and the people had all gathered around for the food. As Ares was about to head to them once more, he saw a group of oxfolk walk on over.

‘Oh, come on…’ He sighed and then swiftly went to meet them before they arrived at where everyone else was.