Chapter 37 - Faraway Meeting
Although the map provided for us was not a comprehensive or detailed one, it had many annotations written by the beast folks who knew of this area quite well so the landmarks mentioned within the map should be quite the standouts. So we followed along the path guided by the map as we traversed through less traveled and dense forests.
Consciously taking the role of scout, I used my Spatial Perception to hint at places of interest that I could detect that the others could then check on themselves. Without higher level Space Magic that was all I could really do, but it was more than enough to help guide the group through various dangers not mentioned within the map.
Even if they were likely not problems for us, it would likely take us double the time had we dealt with those issues so our path forward through the forest was actually rather quick and we were soon met with the first landmark on our path.
Seeing the oddly shaped rock on our way confirmed that we were indeed following the map and that we were not lost.
"With this found, we should be able to find a good camping spot around where we find the third landmark."
The hero's words were well received by the crew that continued to bolster their efforts to explore and traverse the treacherous yet vibrant forests prevalent in beast folk territory.
On our way there, in a distant location at the capital of the Beast Folk territory a quiet meeting had been started that would shock the party had they been there to see it.
"So you both ended up losing all of the foundation that we had prepared for you all in such a casual manner? How disgraceful!"
On a long meeting room there was a long table that had various Beast Folk of old ages sitting around while the other end had a few human figures with two being of certain note.
"Apologies we were not able to stably secure the cargo as you wished. There were-"
Before that man could finish he was loudly interrupted by an old sage in a white and red cloak slamming a wooden staff on the ground. Under the cloak, it was visible that the beast folk had scales covering its face and arms.
"SILENCE! You humans had stated that you would be responsible for procurement of our sacrifices! And look what has happened, the human soldiers that we had trained were all eliminated in just a few runs! How incompetent could this fellow be?" The old sage spoke with a venomous tone.
On the other end, the man who was scolded quietly gritted his teeth as he clenched his fist underneath the table. Before the situation could escalate further, one of the other humans quickly interjects to calm both sides down from causing a commotion.
"Now now, we all know that the Shadow Serpent had been doing quite well on his own for so many years. You know his track record and have even tested him yourself. What the main concern should be is what could have possibly happened that would lead to such a scenario from him."
Glancing back at the man with his hood now off, if the hero party would have seen his appearance they would have realized that this man was indeed the leader of Shadow Serpent who had been evading authorities for all this while.
"It was all because of those damn humans meddling where they shouldn't."
"Humans?"
One of the sages posed the question when they heard the words spoken by him. Although they were outwardly angry and aggressive, everyone here knew how capable this man was at his job and so their previous questioning was more to position themselves in this shaky alliance. But now, hearing this the beast sages were a little more intrigued about the overall situation.
"The humans in question are not just the usual ones. They were the Aloph Empire Hero's Party! The doctor can also vouch for me."
Hearing this loud exclamation shocked everyone around including the humans. They all turned to look at the doctor sullenly standing at the back. With a begrudging nod the humans and beast folk all gasped in shock at the revelation.
"What are they doing in the interior of our territory without permission? What are the border guards doing?! Are they investigating in preparation for a war?"
Similar sentiments were echoed among the beast folk sages until the previously talking human had coughed and caught their attention once more.
"According to our intel, their movements are likely from secretly going undercover within a merchant escort team that Shadow had previously wounded in order to kidnap and enslave before."
Hearing this, they all glanced at the man with a glance of scrutiny and schadenfreude at the scenario as he scowled at the revelation. Quickly noting that his actions had nothing to do with the heroes pulled some suspicion off of him, but he was still looked at with eyes of wariness.
Turning their attention back to the man, they then mentioned their major concern from this revelation.
"Will their appearance affect the ceremony from proceeding?"
This was their major focus as they had all been conspiring and planning for this moment for generations and the upcoming few days were the most perfect times predicted by Beast Folk sages past. So if they could, they would prefer not to waste this opportunity. But the emergence of a hero in a territory could spell bad news if he found out about what was going on around here.
"From what we have deduced from his previous actions, he would likely still be searching for evidence at this current point in time. After all, now we have two victims to that hero's actions and one who had their full plan completely scrapped because of him too."
As he mentioned this, the human in the lead turned his gaze to his partner on his right who had been keeping silent with their hood fully covering them with an ominous and eerie blue light glowing on it's edge.
When mentioned the figure began to tremble as the sunken in eye sockets underneath the hood and eerie glowing blue eyes that flashed like flames narrowed as they glanced at the figure in front.
"... It was merely a miscalculation. I didn't even lose any 'valuable' chess pieces. Just a bunch of excess scrap."
The voice of the figure came out cold and raspy as the voice seemed to grate upon the ears of everyone present who then gave the figure an unpleasant glance. Ignoring the fuss caused by their voice, they then lowered their head in deep thought once more.
After a moment of silence, the figure in the front then collected his bearings as he began to continue to persuade the beast folk to continue with their cooperation.
In another discussion, there was eventually an agreement for the Shadow Serpent to be given one final chance to make a contribution. But now his status and control over his own organization would have to be split and given to a Beast Folk of the sages choosing.
Although disgruntled, the figure thought for a long while before gritting his teeth and agreeing to the matter which was then followed by settling the Doctor's situation.
Eventually, under secret and unknown agreements, the two sides left the room with the beast folk side with slight smiles while the humans showed small frowns of displeasure.
After leaving the area, the location seemed to distort and eventually disappear without a trace.
Farther away, the beast folk began to calm down and whisper to each other until the lizard sage thumped his staff once more to get the attention of his fellow elders.
"Attention, attention! Now, let us return back to the security of the elder hall before continuing to discuss on these topics. Here there are too many potential 'eyes' around."
With his words, the others all quieted down and followed his lead as they eventually were met with patrolling beast folk soldiers who then stood out of their ways and kept their heads bowed after greeting the sages.
After leaving they were covered in cold sweats at the situation and then continued to guard the perimeter with increased attention.
In the halls, when they walked past several bowing and kneeling guards they all stopped in a large audience hall with a large central circular desk where the elders all walked into positions as the Lizard sage headed to the furthest seat which was taller than the other seats.
Some of the elders glanced at him with increased fervor while others hid gazes filled with jealousy and greed as the lizard sage took his seat. Then when all were seated the Lizard then raised his arms to gain the others undivided attention and began to speak of the situation in the surroundings.
"Are the decoy leaders still satiated? With that doctor gone who knows if news of the missing prince would get to those golden cat ears."
With a mocking tone, the other elders jeered the lizard sage for his excess caution in this scenario.
"Grand Elder, surely you must know that those 'royal' Golden Lions are simply the scapegoats and false leader of the beast folk? If we wanted to, we could simply eliminate and reinstate a new ruling class at any time. No matter the conspiracy, they surely could not hide too strong a hidden force underneath our Black Hands's noses? You are simply overestimating those brutish kittens!"
Along with his words were the murmurs of agreement from most of the younger elders in this circle. The Grand Elder simply squinted his eyes at the situation and waited for the chatter to settle down.
"My measures may seem overly cautious to you, but that simply means that I was indeed best suited to stay as the Grand Elder. After all, if your methods worked out wouldn't I be out of this seat?"
With a mocking expression, his words riled up the other elders who were then persuaded by their comrades beside them. With a calm click of his tongue, the Elder then spoke his concerns that could not be told while the humans were present and listening.
"Are those guys truly worth allying with? You have seen that the chaos that they cause has led to some more unrest than previous years."
Seeing that the meeting was getting underway, the elders all calmed down and thought for themselves this topic. Eventually, a fox like beast folk elder than tapped the table to get everyone's attention. Once he did, he told his opinion.
He thought that as a different species all we could do was use them. After all, that is how they treated every other human around them before.
While his opinion was followed with some nods, his words were then contradicted by and elderly turtle beast folk.
"But without a certain degree of trust, how can we be sure that they will keep their end of the bargain?"
The gentle voice and argument of the turtle lady had indeed raised other nods but the two sides could not decide which path was right. In the end, the lizard sage simply called the members back and noted to discuss the topic at another time.
Now that that was done, it was time for them to head towards the real conversation. About the ritual that they have been planning and scheming for all this time.
"Elder BloodFang, how are the hidden ritual preparations being done? Are there any other problems to make note of now?"
Turning their gaze to a red wolf like elder with a large scar on one eye secluded near the back of the table, the figure snorted before answering the question.
"How could anything *I* do end up problematic? As long as those guys aren't completely lousing around and bring back some better sacrifices I can then finish up studying that array and then we would just need to await the right timing!"
Then with a glistening shine on his fangs, he licked his lips in anticipation of the scene to happen. The others hearing this news all nodded in approval but there was an obvious distance in their positions from his position that the old wolf did not mind. After nodding in approval, the lizard then continued to lead the discussions on the remaining topics at hand till late into the night.
In the end, only those elders knew the earthshaking changes and schemes hidden and set in motion under this seemingly peaceful and powerful Beast Folk Empire as many beast folk hidden in the shadows of the Golden Lions began to make their own quiet moves in the dark unbeknownst to a certain Lion man happily and eagerly intent on returning to his territory.
Many pieces hidden in the dark corners of the territory were slowly being dragged into a great whirlpool that lay hidden underneath the Beast Folk empire all circling around the seemingly peaceful and civilized capital.
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