Two figures crossed the valley, one on foot and the other riding a Yscalent. The one on the Ifere suppressed a yawn. Drake hadn't slept the entire night, only faked it. He didn't think Fleeting Stone would attack him in his sleep, but he wasn't dumb enough to try his luck with a Barbarian.

"You said capturing me was your rite of passage, right? But what would you do after? Kill me? Or free me?"

"We take Yscalent and weapons. Iferes your companions, they can go with you. Huh!"

Fleeting Stone shrugged while Drake stared at him. He wasn't sure if the Barbarian was joking or being serious. Well, he supposed just robbing him wasn't as bad as taking his life. Now, he was glad he had prepared a 'warm' welcome for Fleeting Stone, otherwise he would have found himself walking dozens of kilometers under a barren sun.

He was also surprised that the Barbarian kid could keep up with his Yscalent. Sure, he wasn't going at full speed, but Fleeting Stone wasn't wearing any kind of shoes. Still, he didn't seem to mind the countless small stones that should have hindered him. All Drake knew was that if they swapped places, his feet would be bleeding, and he would have fallen a long time ago. Knowing that brought his respect for Barbarians in general to a higher level.

It was at this moment that he saw three Barbarians standing on top of a small hill about half a kilometer to his right. Another three were on the other side of the river to his left. He had no idea of when they appeared. One moment the horizon was empty, and the other, they were there. He almost pulled out his rifle, but stopped. Fleeting Stone looked at his tribesmen, and then stared at him.

"You behave like old warrior, but feel like new one. Huh! Why?"

Pulling his gaze back from the... Escort he was receiving, Drake looked at the Barbarian, and scratched his growing beard. He would have to trim it in the next city he stopped. It was starting to itch.

"I don't know if I can be called a warrior. I'm just a traveler who had to learn how to adapt to survive."

"You killed warriors before?"

The question sounded like it came from the mouth of an innocent child. Drake suddenly realized that although Fleeting Stone looked intimidating and distant, that was probably the first time he saw an outsider, whatsoever kill one. Barbarians considered killing and dying in battle the highest honor, so it was understandable his childish mind was filled with fantasies about becoming a great warrior.

"I wouldn't call them warriors. I killed people who were doing bad things, like robbing or killing innocent."

"They were your enemies?"

"You can say that. So, where is that village of yours?"

As if on cue, Fleeting Stone stopped, and pointed a finger forward. Following his line of sight, Drake saw several mud houses. Surprisingly enough, they were quite pretty and clean, at least on the outside. Symbols adorned the walls, mainly triangles, as in Fleeting Stone's tattoos. Drake guessed that was the Tauron's mark.

Several dozen people were waiting for them at the entrance to the village, clearly already having been informed that they were coming. Most of them were children and elderly, but he also saw many men and women - warriors - armed with bows, knives, and spears. There were also a few rifles here and there, no doubt stolen from unaware travelers.

Following what Higler had told him, Drake picked up his rifle, and put it above his head, holding it horizontally with his arms stretched. He really hoped that the ranger was right, and that was a sign of peace, because he felt pretty stupid, especially when Frainer laid on the barrel of the gun.

Still, it seemed to work it's magic. The one that seemed like the Tauron chief, an old man with white hair and beard, extended a hand in a greeting. While Fleeting Stone joined the members of his tribe, Drake dismounted, leaving his rifle in the Yscalent, but bringing his pistols. He wasn't going to give those up no matter what.

With Frainer on his shoulder, and Kniivar walking by his side, Drake stepped forward to talk with the Taurons. They eyed his companions, some with more greed than others, which caused him to tense up. And, while they analyzed him, he did the same to them. The first thing he noticed was that they were skinny. Their ribs were showing, kids and adults alike. He hadn't paid attention to that when he saw Fleeting Stone, but now it was obvious they were hungry.

"Drake Stronter greets the mighty Tauron warriors."

His words were polite, but not overly humble. He also made sure they saw his belt and the two weapons on it. He didn't want them getting any funny ideas. The old chieftain grabbed his wrist, and shook it.

"Tauron River greets the invader. Huh! My people are thankful for you not killing our youngster."

He gestured with his head to Fleeting Stone, who seemed ashamed. Drake guessed that was normal, considering he was to come as a prisoner, but instead walked into the village armed and free. He also noticed the chief's name. When a Barbarian became the leader of their tribe, they changed their first name.

"Fleeting Stone would have caught me if I hadn't already been warned of the courage and skills of the Taurons by a friend. He is a good seedling."

One could never go wrong with flattery. The hostility in the tribe's gazes diminished, and they puffed their chests in pride. Tauron River looked at Drake in a new light. He knew what the invader wanted to achieve with those words, but he was happy to let it happen.

"Is your friend a friend of Taurons? Huh!"

"Yes. His name is Ben Higler. He told me I should mention him if I ever talked to you."

Sudden gasps ran through the crowd, surprising Drake. Now there was no animosity in their eyes, only respect and appreciation. Even the chief became much more friendly, and his eyes shone as he gestured for Drake to follow him inside one of the houses. Fleeting Stone tried to be as inconspicuous as he could, and went after them.

"That his Yscalent doesn't be touched! Huh! Drake Stronter is a friend of Red Moon, and a friend of Red Moon is a friend of Tauron!"

"Red Moon?"

"The Barbarian name given to your friend. It's great honor. Huh!"

The way Barbarians talked, plus the minimal explanation, left Drake quite confused. Still, he decided to put it aside. He could ask Higler what the name meant when he saw the ranger again. He entered the biggest mud house, and saw several spears, shields, and masks. It was the home of a warrior, and Drake couldn't help but admire it. Judging by the many items that weren't of Tauron origin, the chieftain had been a good combatant when younger.

"Sit, invader. I ask women to make food. Huh!"

Frowning slightly, Drake sat on the ground with his legs crossed, and Kniivar took the chance to snuggle in his lap. Most Barbarians considered women to be less important than men. While a few proved themselves to be worthy warriors, and stood toe to toe with the men, most would be responsible for house chores or tasks considered humiliating. As someone who had been raised by a single woman most of his life, Drake didn't like that. He knew very well that his mother went through more than most men to give him a good life.

Still, he said nothing. It was basic courtesy to respect the ways of the host. Besides, although the Taurons seemed friendly, there was no telling if they wouldn't attack him if he was rude. So, instead, he changed the topic completely.

"Thank you, chief Tauron River. I hope you won't punish Fleeting Stone for falling to capture me. I have two strong companions by my side, so he was at a disadvantage."

"Yes, indeed he was. Curious friends you have, invader. Huh!"

The Barbarian cast a probing gaze at Frainer and Kniivar, who pressed themselves closer to Drake. He raised an eyebrow, and sighed. Sometimes he felt more like their parents than their companions. Still, he shielded them from Tauron River.

"Frainer is a spirit-type, and Kniivar is a wood-type."

"Hahaha... I see, I see. I also have two Iferes that would like to meet yours, invader."

From the shadows in the corner of the house, came two figures. Drake had no idea they had been there, since they blended in with the background. They were both barely twenty centimeters long, but when Drake looked at them, he felt danger.

The first Ifere looked like a mass of liquid silver. Mercury, maybe? It reflected the light from the fire in the middle of the house, creating beautiful patterns. It didn't have eyes, limbs, mouth, or any defining features, but Drake was sure it was looking straight at him.

As for the second Ifere, it was quite normal looking. Brown, with short feathers, four legs, two beady eyes, and an orange beak. It's tail ended in a short stump, of a bright yellow. Drake couldn't be more familiar with the two Iferes.

The first was a metal-type, called Steeleon. It was another of the wonders of the biological world. How it was alive, or even what it was made of was still to be explained. It was vastly studied by many scientists. Drake's grandfather was one of those. He had been working with Steeleons for the last thirty years.

As for the second creature, it belonged to a species called Rugoan. Rugoans belonged to a special kind of Ifere, target of many discussions. The void-type. The name was misleading. Void-type creatures didn't have any element. Their skills were purely physical. There was a movement to change their type, but it was difficult to modify millions of years of traditions.

Drake watched as the two Iferes dropped from the wall on Tauron River's shoulders, one on each. Kniivar hissed at them, and even Frainer tensed up, noticeable by it's eyes sinking inside it's body. They both felt that Rugoan and Steeleon were dangerous. Very, very dangerous. Drake had the same feeling. The two Iferes must have followed the Tauron chief in many battles.

"No need to fear them, little ones. Huh! Steeleon and Rugoan are old, like me. We are past our prime."

Tauron river smiled, seemingly reminiscent of the past. For a moment, his tattoos seemed to glow with a deep blue, leaving Drake in awe. Then, it was gone, and his wrinkled face carried a serious expression.

"You are friend of Red Moon, so you are our friend too. Taurons have a favour to ask. Huh!"

That it was, the reason why the Barbarian was hesitant and yet friendly to him. Drake wasn't an idiot, he knew that the chief of the tribe wouldn't invite him to his house for no reason. At most, he would have had someone show him around the village, and that's all. So, he nodded to the man.

"If I can help, I will, although I'm not sure what the mighty Taurons can't do that I can."

This time his boot-licking didn't earn him anything other than a stern glance, and he cursed at himself inwardly. Of course someone as old as Tauron River wouldn't be so easily swayed. Thankfully, the Barbarian decided not to mention it.

"Two days travel to the north, you find rift filled with bodies of our Yscalents and Ossruzes. Huh! They were poisoned by invaders like you."

Drake opened his mouth in shock, unsure of what to do. Similar to Yscalents, Ossruzes were some of the most docile Iferes. They reproduced fast, and their meat was tender, so they were raised by Barbarians and normal humans alike, to satisfy their hunger. If the Taurons lost their livestock, that explained why they were only skin and bones.

"Do you know who is responsible for it?"

"Invaders of the city called Ricker. They put poison in our water. Huh! We lucky our animals drunk first."

"If you know who did it, why didn't you tell the Menoraz Army? Aren't they responsible for keeping the borders of Kinton Valley and other Sanctuaries safe? Their job includes helping you, doesn't it?"

Tauron River scoffed, then giggled, leaving Drake confused. He didn't know what was so funny. The first thing that came to his mind was that he was being laughed at because he said something wrong. The second thought he had was about everything he had learned about the military since he left Blue Coral City. They were by no means as perfect and righteous as he thought.

"Blue-coats said they couldn't find anything that proved invaders of Ricker were guilty. Huh! But Taurons know leader of blue-coat's castle outside town is bad man."

"How so?"

By castle, Drake assumed Tauron River meant the outpost near Ricker. As for the personality of the officer in charge, Drake was inclined to believe the Barbarian, even though they just met. There was no reason for him to lie.

"He hates Barbarians, and say we don't deserve to live. Young warriors of Tauron want to kill him for his offenses, but I know that only brings harm to my tribe. Huh! Blue-coats much stronger than Taurons."

Drake nodded. The Menoraz Army was huge, well-armed, and well trained. A peaceful tribe of Barbarians would be annihilated in case a conflict broke out. Tauron River was wise to control the anger of his people, even if he wanted to grab a spear and fight.

"I will go to Ricker, chief, and see what I can do to help your people. If I am powerless, I am sure Ben won't refuse to aid you again."

Before he could control himself, Drake was already promising to find out what was happening, and fix it. Once again, he cursed his stupid sense of justice, but there was no way to take back his words.