Ares was hesitant as they returned back to their people followed by the god and four of his dragonfolk followers. The other two had remained behind to look after the shrine of Rivee, and with them Ares left behind the oxenblut so that it didn’t seem that he was abandoning the shrine.

They had travelled through the days quickly, so swift was their journey that during the second night they could have continued to march forward, though for the sake of Runar’s sleep, they had remained camping for the night. Yet before the sun could embrace the land, off in the distance they could see smoke coming from the village, far too much for anything like breakfast.

Alarmed, Ares led the group onward, causing Runar to stir and cry, though he left her to Lana, the one he trusted the most in the party, even though she was a little injured still. A few others remained behind, Inta for one, as well as one group of wolffolk as the rest continued forward.

When they finally appeared onto the scene, it was filled with chaos. He could see the various beastfolk, up in arms, shouting to one another. When he appeared, one almost leapt towards him to attack him, but they frozen when they saw who it was.

“Chief!”

“What is going on here?” Ares asked, his voice a loud whisper, his eyes almost wide with surprise.

“We were attacked. Humans.”

“Humans?” Ares’ mind flashed towards the soldiers he had dealt with and then he raised his hand up to his forehead. Of course. This was inevitable, he just hadn’t expected it so quickly. “Where is Rori?”

“He’s-”

“Ares.” Called the bearfolk’s voice as he approached. “Some of us were, slain, others were taken. They raided with a force of a few hundred, but the oxfolk arrived quickly to support us and they were driven back.”

Ares nodded as he could feel the shock fill him. It was as though he was drowning, but seeing Rori there waiting expectantly, he swallowed the shock. “Tend to the wounded, have warriors surround the camp in small group. I’ll take a-” Then he glanced back towards Peros. No. He couldn’t leave Peros alone here, especially not with the dragonfolk.

“Bring me some representatives, where’s Torak?”

“He has taken the children towards the plains. He had taken a handful of others with him, those who were once his oxenblut.”

“Alright, good. Good. How many were captured?”

“I am not certain, but…”

“But?”

“Mala was taken.”

Ares nodded and then reached up to rub the side of his neck. “When did this happen?”

“Not long ago, the last of the humans only disappeared moments before you arrived.”

“Good, then they are not far away… I’ll strike whilst the iron is hot then. Did we capture any of their men?”

“Indeed, a handful.”

“Then I’ll interrogate them now, then I’ll head out.” He turned to face Peros. “You are coming with me.”

“Very well.” Peros replied back as Ares led the god to where the humans had been round up.

There were but seven of them, strongly built men, with similar armour to those that he had previously faced. He marched over to one of them. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

“Who are-” They looked up into Ares’ eyes. “Ares. You’re Ares, aren’t you?”

“I am King Ares, Master of-” Ares pulled up his head as the man spat at his cheek. Ares looked down at them, before then looking to the other men. They all grinned at him, though in a grim way. Ares stared into one of their eyes, then summoned a spear into his hand. He struck it down, cracking the man’s knee before pinning it to the ground. Then Ares walked aside to the next man, ignoring the pained grunting of the man beside him.

“I can see that you are all in a rush as well, so let’s skip pleasantries. How many of there are you? Where is your base? Who leads you? Why did you come here?” Ares waited for a response, knowing that each passing second was important, but this information could save him a lot of time too, so he could formulate an appropriate plan to deal with the enemy.

“You won’t get anything from us.” The man said, his eyes filled with a deep hatred.

Ares eyed up the rest of the men, all of whom were about as battle hardened as the original two he had spoken to. “Alright then.” Ares pulled back. “Knock them unconscious, and keep them so. Nothing else is to happen to them, get a medic to keep that one from bleeding out. I’m not done with any of them yet.” Ares said as he pulled back and then clenched his fists.

He turned to face Rori. “There are several important matters I have to speak to you about once this is all over, but prepare everyone to move. Protect and heal the wounded, get everyone else to work on packing up their items. If any of them wish to leave, tell them they should wait for me so I can help them in doing so, other than that… get everyone to the plains, though keep a few guards in the forest. I’ll be back.” Ares then turned to face Peros. “Let us go.”

Peros could only help smiling. “Are you sure you do not wish for my help in extracting information from these humans?”

“We won’t say anything to traitors like you.” Another man had said. Peros and Ares both looked down at him as one would with a look of trying to dismiss the concerns of a child.

“Traitors?” Peros finally asked. “It is funny that the son of man would call me a traitor, after what you had done to me.”

The man quickly grew silent, fear filling his eyes. Ares could feel something dark in the look that Peros had given, no doubt affect any mortal with dread. Ares then raised a hand. “He’s mine.”

Peros stopped and then merely smiled down towards Ares. “Very well, I shall allow it for now. Shall we go and deal with the menace that plagued your people?”

“Let’s.”