As swiftly as Vari and Chikere had entered Everhearts territory, they were gone. That was only possible with his blessing, but it was obvious that he did have a soft spot for his niece. And there were other reasons as well.
I thought Id get more out of it, Luksa admitted. She doesnt hate as much as I thought she would. Or perhaps she is in better control of it.
Id say its the latter, Everheart comnted. After all, she learned to control her own devotion flow even before reaching Integration. Its not odd for you to receive very little malice either. And what of you, Rahayu?
The man nodded, Ive learned quite a bit. This should cut at least a century off of my advancent.
Luksa sighed. That Chikere as well. I said I would kill her friend and got nothing. Was I mistaken? Perhaps it is rely a superficial relationship.
Rahayu shook his head. That is only expected. I do not know how close these two were in particular, but while her loyalty appears strong she is not the type to hold grudges for long. Or rather, she would tend to deal with them instead of letting them linger. Besides, you didnt kill or even seriously injure Vari.
Yeah, but she wasnt supposed to be able to predict that, Luksa frowned. This planet you ca from is full of odd people.
That may be the case, Everheart admitted. But your comparisons to Ceretos are twisted by your own ho planet.
Ugh, dont remind of that place. Im glad I got out of there.
I would have caused more trouble before I left if I felt that way, Everheart said.
Your trouble was already quite sufficient, Rahayu comnted.
I dont like it, Luksa said. Were too weak. Even with you, Luksa glared at Everheart, Were barely a minor faction.
I think you simply underestimate how much the Scarlet Alliance has grown, Everheart pointed out. But its true we do need more people. I was thinking of recruiting from our largest neighbors.
Youre not likely going to run into many Augntation cultivators from a collapsing sect, Luksa pointed out. Or Integration cultivators with extre potential.
Well, not by accident of course, Everheart grinned.
-----
The biggest difficulty with the insects, Three Squeaks determined, was not communicating with them. Their sign language was adaptable enough, and they could understand the pervasive speech on the planet. The stronger among them could even replicate the sounds of speech with their energy. He didnt even have too much trouble teaching them about cultivation, as if he were so sort of knowledgeable elder and not well, himself.
No, the difficult part was wondering if he was being watched by her. It didnt matter how much Anton told him that the Great Queen was friendly, it didnt prevent her from being terrifying. An unbreakable body- from his perspective- and that was without considering her ability to ignore the effects of natural energy. Scary.
But ultimately, Three Squeaks knew his concerns were just worry. And while Anton said that worry could be useful, developing higher level cognition wasnt all fun and gas. On that note, each generation was growing more rapidly, up to a certain point.
As far as generations went, that was about a year for erkats. Three Squeaks didnt have any children of his own yet, which was sothing of an oddity but these were odd tis. They were growing in numbers rapidly, but they could grow even faster if they wanted to. Instead, the coalition was trying to be conservative. Talks of famine made them fear for things going back to how they had been several years prior. It wasnt just the threat of locusts or the like- though they were more prepared to deal with them if it happened again- but also differing amounts of rainfall and temperature and so many things they hadnt even had the ti to think about before when they were just scavenging for food.
Growing food felt almost unnatural at first, but the benefits proved themselves quickly. It ant being able to stay in the sa burrows for longer- potentially forever. And while not all of their mbers settled down in a set location, the greater quantity of everything from the tastiest scorpions to the ponderous hippos ant that even with their increasing numbers they didnt need that much more space. At least not as far as sapient individuals were concerned.
-----
The attack ca in the night- but not without warning. erkats had the luxury of living inside, but not all of their mbers had the sa defensive opportunities. There were so structures they had creatures- things like fences and walls- but nothing that could withstand a real attack. And certainly not for everyone living with them. Thus, they took up a proper erkat tradition though admittedly the eagles were much better at it. Just a couple of them watching from the skies at all hours of the day could cover all of the coalitions territory. And the real threats tended to be the most obvious ones.
Like this. Lions, marching upon them. And unlike Rumbling Growl and the young lions, they ca not openly during the day but stealthily at night. Or rather, so of them were trying to be stealthy.
Three Squeaks was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes when he approached the eting. Whats the report? he asked.
A dozen lions, at least, said an eagle from her perch. I saw the pride leader approaching and it at first seed he was alone. But there were many lionesses slinking along beside him, concealing their energy. Most in Spirit Building, or close to it. Except the pride leader himself. It feels like he has stepped into Essence Collection, or a similar level of power.
Deep Purr had questions in that regard. They dont properly know how to cultivate do they?
The eagle shrugged, her wings fluttering. Perhaps they have figured it out. Or perhaps he simply ate a vast quantity of others.
We should have done sothing sooner Three Squeaks said.
Deep Purr shook his head. It was best not to start a conflict.
Perhaps, but we didnt keep track of them even though we were aware of the potential threat. We should have, but we were too focused on our internal matters, Three Squeaks replied.
Does it matter? the loud and deep rumbles of Contented Grunt joined the conversation. Later, we can reflect on whether this could have been prevented. Now, we fight. Can we count on the swordmaster?
I dont think so, Deep Purr shook his head.
If you do not think we can count on him, then we cant, Contented Grunt said. We can hope that it does not have to be tested. But there is basically no chance that things happen without a fight. We can try diplomacy, but I would bet they would simply use the ti to get into an ambush position.
It might be worth it Deep Purr said. After all, it will let us bring more of our forces. We cant draw upon all of the coalition- especially not imdiately- but we can gather more soldiers without leaving anywhere vacant with more ti.
Id bet a few minutes at most, Three Squeaks said. Maybe if Pondering Hum speaks to them?
I make talk long, ep offered.
Only if they dont get annoyed at you and just attack, Three Squeaks reminded him.
The previous village chief arrived on the scene. I heard my na, I believe.
Can you delay them with talking for a while?
The erkat thought for a few monts. Better than the rest of us, I think. I suppose its a risk I must take. Though Im running if combat starts. I wont do any good there.
This is why we have different people for different things, Three Squeaks said. So of us are ant for fighting, while so do more useful things. Like talking. And farming, he looked over at ep.
Im also going ep said.
Are you sure?
Yes, ep nodded slowly. I bring bad mush rooms.
Was bad good? Three Squeaks had to assu it would be sothing good, or it didnt make sense. Though he wasnt sure how they could get the lions to eat an obviously bad mushroom.
-----
Great sir, Pondering Hum spoke with all of the courage he had. Might I ask why you enter the lands of our coalition?
The overly large lion roared in terrifying laughter. Isnt it obvious? I heard of many tasty als here. We are going to devour you.
Pondering Hum knew that, but it was so much worse to hear it from soone he knew could follow through. And while he believed in their people, he was far too close for comfort. What was this, three or four tis the lions body length away from him, at most? He could probably jump that.
It would be difficult, Pondering Hum said. You call us tasty als, but that is because of our natural energy. You know we are strong. We would slay many of you.
What of it? Those who are weak will die, and those who are strong will grow stronger. Now then, I tire of this.
Wait! Pondering Hum said. What if there were sothing easier? He hadnt even managed a single minute yet. This was one of the few things he was good at, and he really didnt want to disappoint.
Easier? the lion tilted his head.
Thats right. Oh, we forgot to introduce ourselves. I am Pondering Hum. What is your na, great sir?
It hurt to be polite to an enemy, even if Pondering Hum might have done it to save his own hide. The lions glare made him think that his deception was noticed. False praise might be worse than none, after all. Though the lion was great by the strictest definition, Three Squeaks didnt have real respect for the lion. And now he was rising up high, about to murder him.
Thats right. I am great. And because of that, I have cast aside my na. Instead, I go by King, aning a great leader! the lion roared. Everyone shall fear .
Indeed, King, you are quite terrifying, Pondering Hum didnt have to lie about that. But he was constantly nervous about insight picking up his actual plan here. Surely he had to have been found out already? But what good is it if they only fear you for a short ti? I propose this. Instead of fighting all of us, where so of you will die instead we choose so of our own. Send them to you to be to be devoured. Then later, we will do it again. You grow stronger, and you lose no one.
Pondering Hum hoped nobody thought he was serious about this. His companions were shifting about but surely they had trained their Insight well enough, right?
Very well. I want a hundred. No, two hundred erkats! I will devour a dozen warthogs. And two hippos! Including that one! Kings voice echoed across the land. And I will start now.
Just one mont, please! Pondering Hum said. If you start killing us here, nobody will know we ca to an agreent. And it will just turn into that fight.
Fine. But I wont wait long.
Good. Ill inform everyone right away. Pondering Hum said.
In the an ti I notice a few lions among you. How would you like to join my pride? It is much stronger than this refuse you are a part of.
Were from the Kapok Coalition, Mischief said. So if you do anything youll be in big trouble.
Only if I am found out, the lion shook his head. Little erkat. Why are you not going to find the rest of your little coalition?
Actually the cry of a lioness from the bushes alerted everyone to sothing going on. Theres the last of us now, I hope, Pondering Hum shrugged. Then he turned to run.
-----
Half Oink and her father had been a days journey away from the northern border. With the enemy slipping inside, it was closer to a half day to catch up to the others, but they made the trip in even less ti than that. As soon as the eagles ca, they marched. And when Half Oink saw a lioness, she charged. It was only after her tusks cut a gouge down the side of the first lioness that she heard the talking and realized that maybe she wasnt supposed to attack yet.
But there were enough of them so it should probably be fine. And one less lioness ant that they had a bigger advantage.
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