Despite being invited to, Kaiden didn’t sit.
Instead, he reached into his pack and withdrew his communication artifact. Its surface shimred with runic etchings as it synced with his mana. He made no effort to conceal it; in fact, he turned it deliberately so that Varek would see the glowing sigils pulse to life.
The tribal leader’s brow arched. His lips curved, equal parts curiosity and amusent. However, there was no hostility in his expression. Whether he did not know what this was or just didn’t care, Kaiden did not know.
Kaiden connected to Geralt and Tessa, commanders of the joint operation.
"Team Sinners to command," Kaiden said clearly, ensuring that Varek heard everything. His voice was professional and asured. "We’ve located the tribe."
Geralt’s gruff tone ca first, steady and precise. "Noted."
Tessa’s softer voice followed soon after. "Ensuring the safety of any surviving natives is part of our duty, Kaiden. How is the situation on the ground?"
Kaiden’s gaze moved briefly toward Varek before answering. The tattooed man was grinning devilishly now that he understood what Kaiden was doing, but made no attempts to interrupt the call.
Instead, he sat back down in his throne of bones, surrounded by the many severely underdressed won. He began listening intently as Kaiden answered, "The tribe appears to be under severe stress but not in imdiate danger. They’ve developed effective thods to divert the monsters using scent trails to throw their senses off."
"Understood," Tessa replied. "Then the extraction of the natives isn’t a priority at this ti. We must focus on neutralizing the outbreak zone."
"Copy that," Kaiden said, then added, "For your awareness, I’ve been invited to sample the hospitality of the tribe by its leader, Varek of the Iron Plains. He is standing before right now. Requesting permission to stay."
He didn’t phrase it casually. Every word was deliberate, every gesture precise. By formally requesting to remain, Kaiden made sure that the chain of command officially tied his presence here to mission orders. If anything happened to him or to his team, the bla would not be on them; it would fall on those responsible.
And from the way Varek’s sly eyes glead with understanding, he’d realized that too.
Still, the man didn’t flinch or frown. He rely leaned back in his throne of bones, looking amused by the outsider’s performance.
"Permission granted," Tessa said after a pause. "Our alliance can use any foothold it can get. A tribe that survived such a concentrated monster threat might possess valuable knowledge or resources. Even just their scent trail thod might be valuable enough for us to obtain it. Kaiden Grey, I’m entrusting you with establishing a diplomatic connection."
"Understood."
Kaiden heavily doubted that any serious relationship might blossom between the parties present, but he did not say it outright.
Geralt’s voice ca next, deep and clipped, all business. "Team Glaive should be within your vicinity. They’ll move to support you. Notify this Varek of their approach so there are no misunderstandings."
"Understood," Kaiden said again.
Then, after a mont’s consideration, he added, "One last note, Commanders. I have serious reservations about this tribe’s integrity. I request a standing check-in every ten minutes. If I fail to report in, dispatch a high-tier team to confirm our status imdiately."
There was a pause. Short, but heavy.
Geralt finally replied, his tone even grimr than usual. "Noted. Stay alert. We’ll be listening."
The transmission cut off with a brief flicker of light.
Kaiden slipped the artifact back into his belt pouch. He felt the weight of Varek’s gaze on him; curious, calculating, and utterly calm.
The tribal leader smiled slowly. "So you ca with friends."
Kaiden t his eyes without a hint of fear. "I have."
The air between them thickened in the form of a quiet, invisible tension that wound through the decorated hall.
Then Varek broke it with a laugh.
"More guests, then," he said, flashing sharp teeth. "We’ll have to prepare a proper welco."
He snapped his fingers once, and the pair of attendants who escorted Kaiden and co here hurried off with their bare feet slapping against the floor.
Outside, the muffled rhythm of drums began to roll.
Within minutes, they were here.
Kaiden turned just as the entrance parted, revealing familiar faces. Caitlyn and Vaelira led the way, the latter of whom was as composed as ever. A picture of cold authority. Her blonde hair glead like tal under the flickering torchlight, but her expression was another story entirely.
The second her boots touched the floor, her nose wrinkled. "Charming," she muttered, eyes sweeping over the smoky interior, the uneven craftsmanship, and the earthy scent of sweat and cooked at. Her tone made it clear that she found the entire place beneath her.
Behind her, however, the others looked far more intrigued.
The male swordsman, who replaced the late Leon, had his eyes widen as he took in the strange architecture. It was a blend of wood, bone, and tanned hide. "This is... actually incredible," he said, unable to hide the admiration.
Sasha grinned. "And we’re just in ti for dinner. Talk about perfect timing."
Jack, towering and armored even in the dimness, gave a booming laugh. "Finally, so peace."
Their ease contrasted sharply with Vaelira’s disdain. Kaiden understood it very well; not only were they allowed to rest while others might be busy being eaten alive by monsters, but they were even given the chance to experience such a cultural event.
It was not every day one got to dine with natives.
The tribe was already rearranging itself. Long animal hides were rolled out across the packed earth floor, forming rows around a central fire pit. Wooden bowls and clay cups appeared from woven baskets, and low tables, which were little more than flat slabs of polished bone supported by stones, were set in circles.
There were no chairs. Instead, they sat cross-legged or reclined on furs, the seating arranged in rings by status: hunters and warriors near the fire, won and artisans along the outer circle, and the chieftain’s place elevated slightly on a carved stone dais. He was surrounded by his harem as well as a few older people, who must’ve been the so-called elders.
The ones who made Naira’s and Lira’s lives hell.
Kaiden and his group, as well as Caitlyn’s group, were motioned toward a place near the fire. It was a position of honor, according to Naira’s hushed words.
As the scent of roasted at and spiced roots filled the air, Varek rose from his seat and spread his arms in a grand, welcoming gesture.
"Our honored guests have co a long way. Let the celebrations begin!"
Instead of food being brought out, the first things carried into the circle by female servants were bundles of herbs and multiple long, curved pipes carved from pale bone. Each group seed to get one: Kaiden’s, Caitlyn’s, the hunters/warriors, the won/artisans, the elders, and Varek got one all to himself. A thick, fragrant smoke began to drift from its mouth as it was passed from hand to hand.
Kaiden was surprised by this, having expected food to arrive instead. He was not very knowledgeable about native tribes.
Aria leaned closer and explained, "It must be part of the ritual. A smoke before the feast... I read sothing like that once."
Nyx nodded in agreent. "A communal smoke for unity. Pretty common among such tribes. It’s a sign they’re welcoming us."
Hearing their words, Varek’s eyes moved toward the two won.
"I am honored. It is rare for outsiders to know our ways."
Neither Aria nor Nyx looked at him. Aria’s expression hardened. Her usual playfulness was entirely gone. At the sa ti, Nyx’s lips pressed into a thin line of distaste.
The chieftain’s grin didn’t falter, however. It seed his good mood was very hard to tarnish, though Luna had the faint suspicion that he did not care about the attitude of won one bit. Based on how he treated his own won, he seed to think of them as re trophies.
In his head, the way they acted probably reflected poorly on Kaiden for not having leashed them properly. But that was not enough to make Varek hostile.
He seed very interested in outsiders, so he probably chalked it up to cultural differences.
Jack grabbed the pipe, seeing that none of his group reached for it. He sniffed it once and grinned widely. "Heh. Don’t mind if I do."
He lifted it in a toast toward Varek before taking a long drag.
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