Spring 1076 of the Mero's Calendar

The smoke smells different in the mountains, maybe because there's only conifers to burn. Every time someone puts new branches in the fire, it flares suddenly in bright flames, crackling loudly over conversations. Nibotus acts like he’s not impressed, keeping a stoic face as he stares at the Namalas’ queen through the thick fragrant smoke building up in the cavern. The old woman exudes authority, her wrinkles enhancing her stern expression, her blue eyes cold and hard like the ice atop the highest peaks of her domain.

- I am surprised someone so young succeeded in uniting the Kar tribes.

- I surprised myself, to be honest. But havin a common enemy for so long can serve as a great motivator.

Nibotus goes for a charming smile, even though it looks a bit cocky. It's better than revealing how truly terrified he is. The Namala language is harsh and guttural, hurting his throat when he talks and giving him goosebumps every time someone addresses him. The way it echoes against the stony ceiling of the cave is like giving to each word even more power. Still, nothing could be more creepy than the hundreds of alcoves dug into the walls, all filled to the brim with human skulls. The dead stares into the cavern like silent judges of the living world, the dancing light of the fire barely licking at their shadowy domains. It's oppressive, really, but the Namalas are at peace in there, feeling safe and loved under the eyes of their ancestors. Maybe because they look like death themselves, with hair so blond it seems ghostly white. 

- If hate against the Meros truly had something to do with it, your kind would have united long before you came into this world. I am curious, warlord, please enlighten me.

- Well, I’d love to, but first I need to tell ya that I can't reclaim the title of warlord since our defeat against Mero.

There's a dramatic pause, but it's not entirely voluntary as Nibotus is trying to give a break to his poor vocal cords. It works great, though, because all the Namalas are hanging on his lips, and even their queen is watching him with a raised eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in her eyes as she tries to decipher him. 

- As my people are officially in a time of peace, I go now as the Kars’ king.

There's whispers in the audience, and Nibotus is pretty pleased with himself. Until now, the Namalas had prided themselves to be the only ones in the north that stayed united after the Mero invasion, instead of dissolving into petty infighting. Their queen's lineage could go back as far as the first rock engraving made by human hands, because her ancestors had been smart enough to stay in their mountains instead of losing their lives battling the Meros. The Kars didn't get that privilege. When they lost their king, nobody could agree on what to do. Which spirits abandoned them? Which ones would guide them back to glory? After three centuries of drifting apart, with each tribe creating its own subculture, hopes of unification had been long lost. But there he was, the king of all Kars, the symbol of rebirth for his people, making them equals with the Namalas once again.

- I think congratulations are in order. The loyalty of your men is impressive, considering you were not able to give them what you had promised.

Nibotus winces at the backhanded compliment, but keeps his smile frozen in place. He may be prideful, but it's still a diplomatic mission. There's too much to lose if he can't let critics slide, and so he sticks his tongue against his palate to stop himself from responding with anything damaging. Unfortunately, the queen seems to take his silence as an invitation to continue.

- In fact, I heard that the reason for this loyalty is intimately linked to the way you convinced them to make you a warlord in the first place. And that your methods of persuasion were not that far from the ones my own kind use to calm conflict between families.

There's accusations in her tone. As if the act was of bad taste if not done by a Namala. Still, Nibotus' smile doesn't falter, even if it pains his jaw.

- Can ya blame me for bein inspired by such an effective method? The proof of it surrounds us as we speak. This incredible lineage wouldn't be possible without strong bonds.

To illustrate his words, the Kar makes an ample gesture with both his hands, encompassing not only the people surrounding them, but the numerous skulls in their alcoves. It seems the right thing to do, because the disgust on the queen's face morphs into unbashful pride.

- You sure know how to use your words, even though your pronunciation of our language needs to be worked on. Still, flattery can not erase past failure. You lost against the Meros, and even if you mention peaceful times, we both know you would not be here if you truly wished to keep it that way.

Panic swells in Nibotus’ heart, making him finally lose his fake smile as he opens his mouth to respond, but he's not quick enough. The queen's hand has lifted, imposing silence, and even if the Kar might be her equal in title, he's still on her territory. It would be reckless to ignore such a direct order.

- Your goals are nobles, king of the Kars. You desire the lands of your ancestors, and I will not deny that it is your right. But I must decline an alliance. The Meros are not in our hearts, but they leave us alone in our mountains, and I will never sacrifice the lives of my people in a war that does not concern us.

Nibotus’ lips squeeze in a line. The heavy smoke is giving him a headache, and from what he had gathered about the Namala culture, they are as immovable as the mountains they live in. His chances of success were low, he had known it from the start, but it is still heartbreaking to have his doubt confirmed. So with a painful sigh, Nibotus closes his eyes, gripping at the last thread of hope he could think of.

- I understand. Family’s precious. I’ve a son, and I'd do anythin for…

- It is more than precious, Kar! Here, it is sacred! Or do you expect anyone to worship the beasts you blindly follow?

Of all the half insults the queen has spit in his face, that one is too blatant to ignore. But it's not what truly takes Nibotus’ blood to a boiling point. It's how close she sounds like a Mero. How they always acted as if animals were beneath them, just because they weren't the same species. As if they could survive by strength alone an attack from predators. As if they didn't need the preys to eat. The arrogance is enough to send Nibotus in a burning rage. Forget about the alliance, he will punch that harpy square in the jaw, as she deserves. But he doesn't have time to make any move before a thunderous voice echoes in the cave, freezing him in place. 

- Family is not the only thing sacred in our hearts, mother. The earth is what feeds us. The stones are why we are protected. Are you not forgetting those?

The one who had spoken rises from the spectators, and Nibotus can easily guess that the man is a druid, even if he looks nothing like the ones from his tribe. His entire being is covered by some ashen powder, and his intricate braids are gleaming with multicolored beads. The queen is, of course, displeased by her son’s interruption, but no one would be stupid enough to go against their spiritual guides. So Nibotus is beyond relieved to see it's the old hag's turn to bite her tongue and carefully choose her words.

- It just did not come up in this discussion, that is all.

- You would be wise to not neglect the mention of spirits in favor of others. We all know what happens when they get jealous.

The threat is not even disguised at this point, but the man maintains eye contact with the queen with unbreakable assurance, to the point she deems it more prudent to retreat into silence. Satisfied, the druid turns his focus to Nibotus, and the Kar is pleasantly surprised to see him bow his head respectfully as he addresses him. 

- It is getting late. King Nibotus, I am Diamond, head of the druidic circle of the Namalas. If you would follow me, it would be my pleasure to guide you to your chamber. 

Well, that's an interesting turn of events. At this point, Nibotus is pretty sure his plans of alliance are dead in the water, but at least he can have the satisfaction of leaving a pissed off hag fuming in her stone-carved throne. That’s why he doesn't even hide his amusement as he stands up, before following the man deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels. Without the central bonfire and the moonlight coming from the large cave entrance, the darkness could easily engulf them if the druid had not taken with him a thick candle to light their way. Still, it is not easy to watch their steps, and Nibotus is relieved to feel that the stone under his feet has been polished by centuries of Namalas walking in those same corridors. It would have been quite embarrassing as a king to stumble on irregular ground while he's trying so hard to keep the appearance of a strong and brave leader.

- I know you must be tired from your travels, but there is something I wish to discuss before leaving you to sleep.

- I guessed so. I know I shouldn't be pleased to see tensions between two family members, but I’m gonna be honest with ya, if it's to my benefit, I'd be a fool to not take advantage of the situation.

- Your honesty is appreciated, king Nibotus.

- I mean, my wife’s a druid, so I know it's useless to lie to y'all anyway, since the spirits always end up whisperin the truth in your ears.

- I will say, I am glad to see that, for someone as prone to war and violence, you show more wisdom than I have expected. Forgive me if this reveals some negative bias I had for you and your people before your visit. We have grown isolated for a long time, and if this had protected us thus far, it sadly feeds into some latent bigotry. 

- Well, I can pardon ignorance when I see someone makin efforts to correct themselves, so no offense taken.

- I am relieved to hear that.

The chamber presented to him looks surprisingly cozy with its floor covered in thick pelts. There's even a suspended animal hide at the entrance for more privacy. But most importantly, there's no creepy skull in sight. As Nibotus sits on the soft furs, he's happy to realize the place is comfortably warm and dry without the need of fire. Which is great because the lack of windows so far into the mountains would be incredibly dangerous with the quantity of smoke he had witnessed in the community hall.

- So what's the deal with the queen? There's conflict between her and the spirits, I gathered?

- Well, yes and no. Normally, the spirits of our ancestors and the spirits of the earth are content with protecting us… but things have changed. The Meros are angering the earth spirits. They dig deep into the mountains, steel the ores from the stone. Their soldiers wear armor and brandish glaives of copper. Their merchants amass treasures of gold pieces and jewels. All in the name of gods that don't even care about the spirits’ creation. 

The druid is shaking with emotions as he puts the candle in a small alcove before sitting next to him. Nibotus knows that feeling too well. It's so easy to hate Meros, the Kars have generations of resentment to feed into it. If you don't let it out, it builds in your body until it makes you sick. That's why even in defeat, those battles against their enemies had been so cathartic three years ago. Despite the injuries and the deaths, his tribes have grown stronger from it. They had taken back their dignity by acting instead of suffering in restraint. And Nibotus could give that to the Namalas too. 

- The Meros mines might not be on our territory, but the spirits still tremble with rage. They want retribution before the earth gets barren and the Empire turns their interest in our mountains. But our ancestors do not agree on this. All they want is making sure their descendants will have long happy lives with lots of children to continue their lineage. So a war is out of the question as long as our territory is not invaded, even if it means passing on the only chance to get an historic alliance with our neighbors. 

- So what do ya want me to do? It seems that, except for the druids, the rest of the Namalas are pretty happy to follow the queen and her favor in the ancestors. So how do ya think I can make a difference if, as ya said, strangers are not really trusted here?

- Normally, you would sleep with one of my sisters, and if she gives birth to a child, it would make you a member of the royal family. But no Namala would accept to weaken their bloodline with an outsider. 

Diamond wasn't kidding when talking about bigoted bias. Good thing the man had made an effort to show his racism was only cultural and not intentional, or else Nibotus wouldn't have the decency of pinching his lips to stop a scathing retort.

- Fortunately, there is another way. By sleeping with someone of the same sex, it is not possible to enter into the family, but it gives you the opportunity to ask a favor they are obligated to fulfill. So by that logic, if you want an alliance with the Namalas for an upcoming war against the Meros…

- … I need to bed one of the queen's sons.

Well, that suddenly explains a lot of the man’s actions, if of course being that straight to the point can count as flirting in Namala culture. And sure, there's a lot of things Nibotus is ready to do so his people can get their lands back. But this?

- I’m not doin that. I've no interest in people forcin themselves, be in the name of the spirits or not.

Confident in his choice, Nibotus stares right back at Diamond, even though he pretty much destroyed his last chance to get the Namalas’ help. But he would never regret being honest, and this already feels much more right than when he had that fake smile plastered on his face to please the queen. Instead of disappointment, though, he’s met with deep blue eyes glimmering with fondness and amusement as Diamond’s hand gently squeezes his knee.

- You do not need to worry about that. Even without the Meros at our doors, I would have asked you in my bed. You are a charismatic man, king Nibotus. You have pride and integrity. But I will not deny that I am mostly attracted to you because you are a curiosity, and even better yet, a perfect partner to scandalize my mother.

This finally makes Nibotus burst into a heartfelt laughter, the first one since he had put foots on the Namalas territory.

- Ya should have started with that instead of all that diplomatic bullcrap. I would've said yes way sooner.

Diamond's face lights up in a delighted smile, and it makes him look so much more human and beautiful than the carefully neutral expression he had until now. It's just strange how so many cultures seem to care about keeping their emotions subdued, when for the Kars they are motivation, strength, life. And tonight, Nibotus will show him what it's like to break free.