We made our way back to the grotto where the main herds were centered around the progenitors. They each had 24 herdsmen and women with them, many of them being direct family. We went up to them and told all of them about Zaruta Village. They were certainly concerned to hear about the silver weapons. The forced breeding was the source of outrage. The Progenitors went off by themselves for a moment. We had to wait for an hour to hear their wisdom. Blacktail was the most powerful and numerous of the tribes. That meant it would largely up to them on how to handle it. When they came back to us, the two Progenitors from Trueleap were seething in anger. A old looking Blacktail took a step forward to address us. "After careful consideration on the matter, we have determined to seek peace with them. Due to some differences of opinion, it has been resolved that each tribe will make their own decision on how to do it best for their people." he said. The Progenitors then went around to talk to their herds. One came up to Alex, Ash and I and told us to come with him to listen to their plan.
Essentially, since we were the ones who were there, we were going to be the ambassadors to Zaruta Village. It seemed that Goldtail had resolved to go the diplomatic route. To round the numbers out into a full party, we were given two Changelings and a Pure Blood were to come with us. They were all young women who volunteered to come on the mission. He also gave us a small chest with some gold in it to take to them. Hopefully that would be the way to get around them wanting us totally out of their territory. Blacktail was going to make the first overture the next day. That meant that there were two days to get ready to go. We got to know each other while we waited to go. Felicia, Sandra and Clover were real nice. The six of us were in human form out of respect for those of us who could not shift at will. In the mean time I went around to do some fetch quests for the tribe. There were a few spars mixed in there as well. It was good to get prepared for combat or any other thing that might occur over in the village. The Blacktail group left first thing in the morning. They were going to arrange to pay their way in.
It worked. When they returned, they said that they established a silver coin tax for the Blacktail Tribe members. "We did have to agree to making this deal reciprocal. It is a compromise we had to make. It means that they can now enter our lands for a silver coin fee." the head negotiator said. "You mean if they get caught. Your lands are vast and bountiful. You won't notice them until they are all bare and barren." one of the Trueleap Progenitors said. I had to agree with him. The next day, we all were sent out and Clover, the Pure Blood, ordered that I and the Changelings get on the backs of Alex, Ash and herself. I got on Clover's back. We then traveled there and they were all waiting for us. "We spoke to the Blacktails yesterday. You need a silver coin if you want to come in." the head guard said. I shook my head and said "We are a different tribe. We want a different deal. You'll get a third deal from the Trueleap Tribe tomorrow." The guard did not look pleased. "What do you want?" he asked. "Can you bring your leader here. We do not want to intrude on you before we have an agreement."
An hour later, two people came out to meet us. They were the village leader and the priestess of the temple. I gave them the respect they deserved and said "My lord and lady of Zaruta, Goldtail Tribe proposes new diplomatic relations with the village. We offer friendship and a mutual alliance should one need the other to defend what is ours." They looked surprised. "Shifters and humans in an alliance? Why should we stoop so low." the leader said as he spat on the ground. I smiled and said "Your guards will tell you how strong Half Bloods of the tribes can be. Imaging fighting opponents much stronger. Some with actual intentions to wound and harm." The guards that were involved in the fight remembered and went pale. "Threats will not work. Our goddess will protect us." the priestess said through a pink veil on her head. I nodded and said "These are not threats. We are just willing to do what it takes to show our friendship. Ash show them the chest." Ash went forward and opened the chest for them. He pulled it away and closed it when they reached for it. "This is the gift of hopeful diplomacy." I said.
