Once they had finished their meal, the tribe had quickly started to uproot from where they had made their temporary residence. Ares sped this process along by shifting everything in piles, as the people now trusted him to do, and then finally led them alongside Rehka and Roshe.

The pair of oxfolk beside him were eating the viper donner that had been cooked earlier, which Ares had stored into his ring. There was a large amount of it, and it seemed as though the oxfolk and he were the only ones that enjoyed it more than the actual meat.

Ares could feel the tension between the other oxfolk and his tribe, but he continued to speak with an easy heart with the pair of oxfolk. Eventually the tensions eased, and a handful of his tribe spoke with the escorting oxfolk.

Once they could see Lana’s city from afar, Rehka said her goodbyes and then took her oxfolk back. It had taken about six hours, so Ares was surprised.

“Are you sure you don’t want to rest for the night?”

“No, we have other matters to attend to. I’m sorry I can’t finish escorting you, but we’ll be too late if we don’t leave now.”

“Then let us meet again in high spirits.” He extended a hand to her to shake her forearm before she left with the other oxfolk.

Roshe remained by his side though, and then when they finally arrived near the city, a group of oxfolk came to meet them. Roshe went to explain the situation, before the guards slowly nodded their heads. They sent a couple of oxfolk back to go and speak with Lana, who appeared a short while later.

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon, Ares.” She smiled, bumping the base of her horns with the sides of her fists.

“It’s a welcome pleasure to be sure.” Ares bowed his head towards her as she led them in. “I have come to trouble you. There were some issues Sohka’s tribe and my own. If you would be willing, I’d like my people to settle nearby, though not at your city. Would that be alright?”

“I would prefer if you were in the city, but if you think that isn’t best then I will allow it. Still, won’t you spend some time drinking and eating with me?”

“Once everyone is set up, we’ll be eating some viper meat. Would you like to join us?”

Her eyes lit up. “I did hear about the vipers… would you regale me the tale?”

Ares smiled and nodded. “Of course. It would be my pleasure. It shouldn’t take too long.” The sun was still setting, though it would grow dark by the time they would eat. He reached out and then summoned some of the viper donner for her, which she swiftly snatched and then began to eat.

He left her with a large portion which she wrapped around her wrist, offering some to her companions as well.

Ares and his tribe swiftly put up their tents once he had given each family their items back. He also snacked on some donner himself, eating up a large amount of it.

When the food was being cooked, the tribe all gathered around. So it was then that Ares started to regale the tale, and though they had already heard it once today, this time they had Ares acting. He slashes and thrust in the air with his mithril sword. When he was swallowed by the viper, he summoned the skin around him, before then thrusting his sword through it, though aimed for where it had wrapped around to touch so he didn’t damage the actual leather. He even dropped a log from high, barely stepping aside from it, before continuing his story.

Once he was done, he sat down and then bit into the viper donner. There was some hollering before some came up to start dancing. Lana was about to say something when Ares stood up, his ears twitching. “Ah, sorry Lana… I need to check on Runar.” Ares could hear the baby crying from the distance, where a few of the tribe remained to look after the baby as well as those that needed rest.

Lana followed him as he made his way out towards the group. He checked on them before then reaching down to rub Runar’s head. It seemed as though she had soiled herself, and they had just arrived at Aspara changing her cloth diaper.

“Is she alright?” Ares picked her up and then gently brushed the tiny oxfolk’s cheek.

“She’s fine, the noise may have scared her.” Aspara replied back before going off to clean up.

Ares leaned down and pressed his ear to Runar’s chest, feeling the rapid heartbeat. A quick pang of panic flowed through him, like a flash of cold, before he recalled babies having pretty quick heartbeats usually. He inhaled deeply to calm down. “Let’s go for a walk, mm?” He said, then turned to face Lana. “Sorry about that. I hope you don’t mind the company.” Ares then walked away.

“How did you know that she was crying?” Lana asked.

“I could hear her.”

“You could? Are you so in tune with her voice?”

“No, I just have really good hearing.” He smiled.

“…” Lana nodded. “Where did you get the sword?”

“This mithril blade? It was given to me, a friend gave it.”

“A friend? How close must you and your friend have been?”

“It’s the same friend that asked me to help out the beastfolk, I guess it was a payment?” Ares chuckled.

Lana nodded, though definitely looked as though she was thinking on his words. “Who was that friend of yours?”

“Who was? He’s still my friend.” Ares chuckled. “He’s…” Ares thought about it for a moment. “I’m sorry, I can’t really say. It’s not my place to reveal his secrets.” Ares brought Runar up and then rubbed his cheek against her forehead as she quietly cooed and then fell back asleep.

Ares continued to fawn over Runar, even asking Lana the typical fatherly question of how she was the cutest little thing in the world.

“Your daughter… do you intend to adopt every child that is offered to you from the horns?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. If there’s too many, I’ll have to adopt them into the other families, but otherwise they’ll all be my children.” Ares nodded his head.

Lana continued to stare at him, obviously thinking on his words. He could see the look in her eyes. It was one he was familiar with, even before Rori and the others had given him the look, it was once he had experienced many times before. Still he smiled regardless of such a matter.

“You are an interesting man.” She finally said in the most diplomatic manner that she could.

“I don’t think so, at least, not yet. You can say that once I’ve conquered the Dragon’s Spine.”

Lana smiled at him. “Very well, I shall call you an interesting man then.”

Ares chuckled as the pair continued to walk and talk, with Ares periodically checking on Runar.

“I should put Runar down, before I upset her by all this movement.” Runar had long woken, but seemed to enjoy the gentle rocking, but Ares was well aware of such a young child’s need for sleep.

Once they had placed her to bed and Aspara took over baby keeping, they made their way to the tribe, the noises having long died down to a more mellow sound. Those in the middle seemed to be couples, and they gently swayed in one another’s embrace.

Ares sat down and smiled. His chest felt light, and he started to eat some of the meat that was done cooking. Lana had poured his bowl, and he had poured hers. They both sat and ate quietly with one another. Looking out and watching the scene before him, the darkness broken by simmering flames, a quiet yet melodic tune played by various drums and humming, the people embracing one another and swaying with one another. Ares could feel his eyes tear up, a swelling in his chest, and a warmth flowing through him that wasn’t from the soup.

He inhaled deeply.

“Would you like to drink?” Lana asked as she offered him some from her large water skin that she had been carrying at her side.

Ares nodded and thanked her as she filled his cup. The pair drank together quietly, and once Ares was flush, Lana had leaned in. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and as Ares turned to face her, she had leaned in and bit into his neck, though gently. He froze, his heart drumming wildly as the heat flooded through his body. He swallowed, his mouth growing dry.

Lana pulled back and then stared at him with narrowed eyes, her own face slightly cherry. “I won’t be able to see you until the fight, otherwise I won’t be able to face you properly. If you need anything, I’ll leave a few of my shamans here with you so they can contact me.” She squeezed his shoulder. “I’ll send along the babies to you too, there were a pair of twins born today.” She informed him. “I’ll be seeing you.” She said before she then got up and left the tribe.

Ares reached up to rub his neck where she hat bit him, feeling a little of the wetness. He looked towards Rori who had been nearby. Rori remained as neutral as they could, but the corner’s of their lips did curl upward. Ares finished his drink and then excused himself before heading to his bed. He could feel a gaze on his back, and when he turned he could see Mala glaring at him. He threw her a look of confusion before them continuing to his tent.

He lay down and then stared up at the open sky, blinking a few times. ‘What the fuck? Why the neck?’