Chapter 9.5

Chapter 9.5

I have a few ideas, Chieftain Atuk, the nerubian, Krivax, said with what sounded like good cheer.

Then please, share them, Atuk responded as he sat down on one of the seal hide pillows in front of the firepit while gesturing for his guests to do the same. Both Krivax and his companion Masruk did so, if not in the same manner as himself.

Both oriented themselves above the offered seats and then curled their legs until their lower bodies touched the ground. Krivax folded his arms in front of him while Masruk laid his spear across his lap. It was odd, but understandable given their different body shapes, more similar to the savage Magnataur than any Tuskarr, but much more polite and peaceful.

So far, anyway.

Elders Kokewi and Wumni also sat down, the latter with a sigh as she rested her old bones, while their party of warriors simply backed off a respectful distance but still close given these strangers.

First, you must understand that our kingdom, Azjol-Nerub, is very self-sufficient for the most part. We havent interacted much with the surface world for a very long time since Well, frankly many believe it has nothing we want or need. The Circle of Viziers, the order I am a part of, are among the only ones who still have an interest in the surface for research purposes, but even then most think we are better off on our own. I am one of the few who believe that the surface has much to offer us, but only if we lend out a friendly hand and speak with those who live here and get to know them. Hence, why we are here, Krivax explained.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

He then paused for a moment before continuing. Do keep in mind though this is mostly a personal venture. I have no authority to speak on behalf of my own citys ruler, let alone the High King. But I do hope our talks here might lead to something more official in the future.

Atuk hummed to himself as he digested the information. A whole kingdom living underground, apparently for a very long time and barely venturing to the surface, without anyone knowing was rather distressing. Still, the fact they hadnt caused his people any trouble in the long memory of the ancestors was good, and even better this diplomatic venture by this curious and open-minded example of their kind.

Still, that left the question

If your people are so well off, then what could we possibly have to offer them? Atuk asked outright.

Well if I can be frank, not a whole lot, but what you can provide can still help show the rest of my people that totally isolating ourselves is not in our best interests, Krivax said.

And what would that be? Elder Wumni asked with a slightly clipped tone.

Knowledge is a big one, Krivax, earning a huff from the Elder Wumni. Not your magic though! I get that the last nerubian here likely didnt leave the best impression. Viziers can be a bit single-minded at times. While I would love to know more about it personally, I also would love to learn about your history, your customs, your traditions, your language, and everything you would feel comfortable sharing with outsiders.

That would be something wed be willing to share with guests freely. Our way of life is no secret, and so long as youd be willing to share the same I think this could build the groundwork to a good relationship between our people, Atuk nodded at the easy enough request.

As Shaman I suppose youll be dumping that job mostly on me then, Elder Wumni grunted. I suppose it wont be too different than teaching the calves.

Thank you, Honored Elder, and naturally I will share with you my peoples way as well. And if you ever feel comfortable teaching me a little about your magic I can gladly do the same, Krivax hummed and gave what Atuk thought might be his version of a smile It was a little disturbing seeing the mouth parts in front of his face move like that.

Dont go hunting whales just yet, boy, Wumni lightly warned.

Of course, Krivax nodded before turning back to Atuk. As for other things is it true that you fish certain creatures from the waters that have an outer exoskeleton like us? he asked while tapping at his chest, letting out a light clicking sound.

Exoskeleton you mean a shell? In that case, yes. We catch many crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, and other such creatures all the time in our traps and nets. Why do you ask? Edler Kokewi questioned.

Well, you see the main source of food for our people is fungus, algaes, protein-rich webbing, and especially raised and ranched insects, arachnids, and worms. Fish is a rare meal only few of our people actually eat, from whom I learned to fish, Krivax explained.

No fish! Atuk thought in shock, not imagining anyone not taking part in the seas bounty at least in some small way.

Why not trade our excess fish and whale meat then for whatever it is you use for currency? Elder Wumni asked.

We use coins, Krivax stated, sharing a convenient fact about how his people did business with one another that was similar to how their own did. And unfortunately I dont think it will catch on since only a few of us as said actually eat and enjoy it. However, while I havent tried it myself and I hope I can while we are here, that these creatures similarities with what we eat already will make a luxury market for those in my kingdom who come to enjoy them. This can be a very beneficial trade since it exposes my people to an aspect of the surface they like and you would likely earn much in exchange, be it coins or products.

Yet no matter how hard he tried it did not break, and in his youth he had once pulled a small kraken to shore!

He merely looked upon the undamaged sheet in awe before handing it to Elder Wumni.

The aged Shaman held the sheet within her hands, carefully rubbing her fingers through it while whispering under her breath, and her eyes widened in surprise.

This fabric the spirits like it, she simply said before handing it back to Krivax. Ive never seen anything like it. Not even the giant spiders of the Rivenwood could weave something such as that.

To be fair, lesser giant spiders don't have our intelligence and skill, Krivax humble-bragged as he folded the sheet and put it away. And our silk is also very receptive to magic, which is likely why your spirits like it. We weave many spells and magical effects into our silk for certain effects, but even in its base state it has countless uses. These are some of the most common ones, and in fact ones I made myself, magic and silk, Krivax said as he handed over another sheet, this time to Elder Wumni first.

So warm, she said at once, rubbing her hands all over the sheet in surprise.

That sheet contains an enchantment that my own robes hold we call minor flameweave, which in this case makes those who wear it have a constant warm temperature. I think you can guess how useful that could be here on the surface considering how cold it can get. That is not even getting into the Flameweave and Iceweave enchants which we use to heat up and keep things cool respectively, which can help in cooking and storing food. That is only the beginning though and I myself can enchant silk to have a wide variety of effects, and I am a total novice compared to master Weavers back home. And who knows, maybe youll find them useful in your own magic like we do for our own. Krivax said towards Elder Wumni, who had at some point during the explanation wrapped herself in the magically warm sheet with a content smile on her face.

So warm the eldery shaman simply said.

I would assume that these magical weavings would cost a great deal, Elder KoKewi pointed out.

The more complex ones, yes, though minor ones can along with pure silk works tend to be pretty cheap since all nerubians can produce silk ourselves, Krivax explained.

Atuk hummed once more to himself as he considered things. From practicality alone, these silk products could be very useful in nearly all aspects of his villages life, and the envy of the other clans once word reached them. All of which can be bought and paid for mostly through fishing, something they could easily do and then do more of once they had better tools.

It could be a very good deal.

This is all very impressive and I wont deny that if a deal can be made that it would be foolish not to take part of it, Atuk stated, who was about to say more before someone interrupted him.

If you are serious about wheeling and dealing with us you are gonna need to learn how to actually talk to us beyond broken words and magically transferred intentions outside these walls, Elder Wumni spoke up from her comfortable looking cocoon. And since you seem so intent on getting to know the surface I say you should stay here and actually learn it right.

That earned more than a few shocked glances.

You you mean stay here? In the village? Krivax asked.

Where else are you gonna properly learn Kalu'aka than right here? Also, figure keeping you here for a bit and seeing how you do among our people is the fastest way to see just how honest you nerubians are in your peaceful intentions, Elder Wumni said. Of course, assuming you both and the Chieftain are alright with it of course.

I do not mind, so long as I can spar with your warriors regularly to keep up my strength and Krivax agrees to it, Masruk was quick to give his consent.

Well I wasnt expecting this so early, but so long as I inform my superior back home about my extended research expedition then it should be alright. I have a magical tool on hand to let me do just that as well, Krivax nodded along.

I would be happy to extend guest rights to you both for the time being, but if you plan to live and learn among us then you will be expected to contribute to the wellbeing of our community like all adult members of the Kalu'ak, Atuk warned them.

Of course, that is something both our people agree on, Krivax readily agreed.

Then on behalf of all Kamagua, I welcome you among our tribe and hope in time you come to see yourself a part of it, Atuk intoned.

And so it was that Kamagua had earned itself two new unique members