Over the next few days I really didnât do much of anything. Those two suns were brutal and exhausting, so I took frequent naps in my tent to cool off (after partaking of a decent amount of cactus wine to help lull me to sleep).
Dryden and Crisson communicated with high-command every day, but they obviously hadnât given us any other orders except to wait around for the meeting with the elder clan. The agents went out to scout every day, but I didnât think they brought any helpful intel. The soldiers hung around the camp to deal with visiting traders, and we ended up building our camp up quite nicely with all the good trades we were makingâgot nicer tents for everyone, improved our firepit, even got a nice little shack/pen to house all our new livestock, had to increase the size of our clanâs circle to fit everything.
The researchers seemed about as useless as me, never went out scouting with the agents, didnât want to deal with the visiting traders, and obviously there was nothing involving the Predazoans they needed to deal with. It was actually kind of funny, but one night me, Lialonn and Thorrio ended up getting drunk together around the firepit as we complained about how we had nothing to do and how boring it was.
I continued talking with Eve when I had the opportunity for a little privacy, and I think after I confronted her and told her how lonely and frustrated Iâd been, she started making more of an effort to engage with me regularly. Still, she spoke in broken words and didnât make much sense, but just hearing those cute little trills was enough to reinvigorate my spiritâat least for a few hours.
Dryden hadnât said two words to me since we got back to camp, but I was pretty sure I was doing exactly what he wanted me to doâfollowing the Lord Generalsâ orders or whatever. I was taking it as a âno news is good newsâ kind of thing.
Seven days and light fades passed before the Dennosh Clan came to collect usâno message or warning, they just showed up ready to escort us to the meeting with the elder clan.
I was surprised by how many of them were coming along, looked like over three dozen, with a large cart up front pulled by a pair of bulky kummos, the cart itself was mostly filled with trays and platters of food with plenty of casks of cactus wine tooâa gift for the elder clan surely, grease the wheels for the deal.
Smiling wildly and laughing all the while, Calmengar greeted us cheerfully and took a quick tour of our circle once we bowed him and his people inside. He raved about how great it looked and how well we were doing for being a young clan, saying weâd clearly been making great trades here in Coralia. He mightâve just been buttering us up since it was our statue he expected would get us all the elder clanâs blessing, or maybe he was just an outrageously positive guy.
Once we got ready to join in with their line, gojen rituals started up again as they wanted us to be properly placed for the sake of respect. Calmengar was at the head of the line, followed by his wives and then the other clan elders and their wives. Next was Dryden, and since Crisson was coming along this time around he was right behind Dryden. Calmengarâs sons were next, followed by the eldersâs sons. Then it was me with Eveâs statue pretty much right in the middle, with Calmengarâs daughters behind us. After them was the rest of our team, and both agents were coming along this time too. Then after our line of soldiers, the rest of the Dennosh Clan and their cart with the offerings was at the end of the line, with a couple young gojens who were still undergoing their trader training at the very back.
The other half of our soldiers were going to hang back in our clan, along with the other researcher, Lialonn. They offered us fond farewells as our line slowly started forward back into the heart of Coralia.
Being in the middle of the line, obviously I couldnât hear anything that was happening up front with all the leaders. Calmengarâs two daughters kept trying to move up from their spot so they could talk to me, but I was following my orders and only gave them the bare minimum, so eventually they grew bored and went back to their normal places.
Our convoy was rather large, so it took us a lot longer to navigate through the settlement, more than an hour this time to get into the center of busy commerce in Coralia where the sand had been packed almost into actual roads, and from there we started picking up speed.
I couldnât believe how close we were getting to the temple nowâsure it could be seen anywhere in the settlement, but we were close enough to see the guards and worshippers and everything. We knew only the founding, elder clans were able to set up their territories surrounding the temple at the heart of Coralia, so it looked like Calmengar had been able to come through for us after all.
Our convoy hooked around to fold the line up, and at first I was wondering why we stopped but then I realized we finally made it to the elder clan territory.
No wonder I hadnât noticed right away, it wasnât like the normal clan circles everywhere else; the elder clan territory had a couple stone buildings in the middle, with a very large collection of tents that had a few breaks in the line to give way for a pathway the cut right through the far-side of the camp. It looked much less like a normal gojen clan circle and almost like a little town.
I thought the Dennosh Clan was big with their hundred tents, but this elder clan looked like it was maybe ten times larger, outrageously busy with visitors, and it looked like their stone buildings were even open to the public.
We waited outside the circle, but it wasnât long before a gojen in a fancy black and gold robe with white head wrappings came to collect us.
From my spot I couldnât hear what they were saying, but I saw the respectful exchange of bows between Calmengar and the new gojen. The greeter waved his arm out in a presenting manner towards the clan territory, then escorted us inside.
We formed up in our line was again, and I could see pretty much every gojen in the elder clan was dressed in similarly fancy robes with gold, silver or white accents. Of course our team just had the simple robes, and the Dennosh Clan had nice multi-colored robes, but anyone could see this clan was a hundred times wealthier than both of ours combined.
Their tents were large and fancy, they had multiple firepits, they even had straight-up barns for the livestockâa whole farm in the sand inside their camp. I saw what looked like a huge store of food with casks of wine piled high, they had a couple of their own wells dug and framed with stone, even a huge wooden water tank that looked like it would hold thousands of gallons of stored water.
It seemed obvious this clan wasnât going to move anytime soon; their territory definitely looked permanent.
The escort led us to a massive open tent that looked like it was fit for an outdoor wedding or banquet, with mostly black cloth framing it, but there were gold and silver streams and ribbons decorating every inch of the place, with huge flags and emblems displaying the elder clanâs symbol that looked like a golden hand. The tent was mostly empty, with some pits off to the sides with stone stools around small firepits, but at the very back of the tent was a massive stone table with a dozen immaculately dressed gojens, all in robes twice as fancy as our escort.
The man at the center of the table seemed to be sitting on a large stone throne, with intricate wooden framing and more gold and silver ribbons. He wore a golden robe with a golden mantel, rings on every finger, golden tassels at every bendâgold on gold on gold. He wore a golden shawl that kept his face bare, and I could see the clan head looked absolutely ancient, cracked and wrinkling, with pure white fur framing his face, with eyes that looked dull and cloudy.
Our escort stopped our line just a few feet before the table and we spread out as much as we could so the elders could see all their visitors. The Dennosh clan was quick to bow low at the waist to the point they even put one hand in the sand to steady themselves, and then our team quickly followed behind them.
The old clan leader looked like he hardly noticed we were there, probably out of his mind with dementia or the gojen equivalent. Instead, a scarlet and gold-clad gojen stood up beside him.
âWelcome new friends, to the Galgarian Clan, one of the settling founders of Coralia.â The man announced, clear and full of respect and tradition.
My translator let me know Galgarian meant âHand that holds the Truthâ, seemed a fitting name for one of the clans responsible in establishing the new religious settlement.
Calmengar bowed once more, âWe are honored to be in your presence, blessed elders, and we thank you for taking the time to meet with the Dennosh and Golvenara clans.â He said carefully.
The standing gojen gestured to the decrepit old man, âYou will have to forgive my honored father for not treating with you directly; he carries his years with pride, but the sands have taken their toll.â He gestured to himself, âMy name is Kelgorm, first son of Gorgrenn, and Iâll be the one to hear your voice this day.â He said grandly.
Calmengar bowed again, and I had a feeling it was going to be a frequent occurrence, âWe thank you and your honored father both for your hospitality.â He straightened up and gestured to his cart with all their offerings, âFirst, weâd like to present your clan with these gifts to honor you and all youâve done in establishing this wonderful settlement where people have found refuge from their endless wanderings across the harsh sands.â
The Dennosh gojens started unloading all their gifts, starting up by offering them to the head table, then moving out to the gojens sitting in the side pits, all the while Calmengar explained every little detail about the offerings they were presenting.
I thought before Calmengar had a flair for the dramatic with his excessive laughter and endless enthusiasm, but as he started going on and on about all the jerky and how they tenderized and flavored it, how long they treated the cactus wine to get the flavor right, the fruits and the time they took to cultivate them, and then every little stitching detail for all the cloth and materials they brought, I didnât know if I could ever trust another word from the manâs mouth with the ridiculous grandeur he put on everything.
And yet the Galgarian Clan seemed to love itâloved the attention, loved all the praise, every time Calmengar talked about how amazing his gift was, he then talked about how great the elder clan was and how the gift was only suitable for someone as wonderful as them.
He jerked them off for like two hours straight before we finally got through all the gifts and theyâd been passed off to the other clan members, all the while we were standing around like idiots.
I had to wonder if Calmengar was such a talented orator, why hadnât he been able to score a meeting with the elder clans before? Maybe heâd burned a few bridges and this was the only chance he had leftâor maybe they just didnât have anything worthwhile to present to the elder clans, not until he had access to our statue.
Once the ass-kissing show was over with, it was finally time to reveal why we were really there; Calmengar finally removed himself from center stage as Endynna and Yendern stepped forward.
âHonored elders, we thank you for allowing us into your clan and showing us your generous hospitality.â Endynna started, bowing her head low, and Yendern followed her actions. âWeâve come before you today with but a single, simple request.â She stood back up, âWe seek your blessing so we might meet the praetor, all with the dream we might be able to bring the New Light our offering in person.â She explained.
Calmengar made way for our group to speak, but he wasnât the type to give up the reigns completely. He inched a little more towards the center once more, âYou must understand, this offering they have is like nothing weâve ever seen before in all our travels, and even in our time in Coralia. Truly, it is a worthy offering for the New Light.â
Kelgorm gestured towards our clan, âPresent the offering to us and weâll see if itâs worthy of our blessing.â
Dryden turned my way and nodded for me to push the cart before them. Everyone parted around me as I trudged through the sand, then stopped just before the great stone table.
âThis divine statue was carved by our clan founder and kept with him during all his travels, we believe it accumulated all his blessings and luck, and we wish to pass it off to the New Light.â I announced, then stepped away so they could see the great red statue all by itself.
For the first time since we entered the tent, old man Gorgrenn looked up from his throne, and his dull eyes widened as he gazed at the statue before him.
âOoohhhâŠâ He said blearily; though sickly, it sounded like he was impressed.
The rest of the elders at the table leaned forward, and I could tell Kelgorm was quite interested in the offering.
âWhat a magnificent piece.â He said, then leaned down to whisper in his fatherâs ear, and the old man nodded. Kelgorm left his spot beside his father and walked around the table to come see the statue up close, âHow did he create something that captures divinity so well? Where did he find the materialsâwhere was it created?â
I shook my head slowly, âFrom what we were told, our founder was separated from his old clan for a time due to a terrible sandstorm. He was blessed by finding a secluded haven that appeared unsullied by any other travelers. Deep inside the forest he found a tree that called out to him, and from that special tree he created the statue and traveled with it always from that point on.â I nodded at the statue, âIt was believed the statue blessed all his fortunes which allowed him to found his own clan in time.â
Kelgorm kept his eyes on the statue the entire time he spoke, âAnd this miraculous red wood, did he treat it somehow, or was that mysterious tree something no oneâs ever seen before?â
I shook my head, âWe donât know, by the time most of us were born or joined in with the clan, the statue had already existed for several yearsâthree generations it survived through the harsh sands, and when we heard of this New Light, we knew it was fated the statue should find its home in her temple.â I confirmed.
Kelgorm reached his hand up to touch the statue, and I looked over at Dryden quickly to see if I should stop him, but he just nodded along to let it go.
Kelgorm touched the statue, then jumped back quickly as though heâd been shocked.
âOh my! Is it aliveâdoes the statue hold divine life within?â He wondered aloud.
I had to bite down a laugh at how accurate Kelgormâs random guess was, although realistically he was just feeling the intrinsic field for the disguise, or maybe the repulser barrier within.
âWe believe divine life has developed within the statue during its many travels.â I added.
Kelgorm almost looked like he was a little afraid of the statue, certainly didnât seem like he wanted to touch it again. It really made me wonder what attracted the gojens to the statue, whether it was the technology theyâd never be able to understand, or if it was Eve and her energy after allâor hell, maybe they just thought the angel-ape was a super cool carving. Either way, it seemed to be working out perfectly for us.
Kelgorm turned to me and smiled, then he turned to the rest of the clan, âI can see why you were so desperate to meet with us; this offering is absolutely fated to be housed within the temple, and I think once the praetor sees it, heâll agree with us.â
Calmengar barked out a laugh, âSo we have your blessing?â
Kelgorm laughed too, âYou clearly already have a blessing with this miraculous statue, but yes, weâll offer you our blessing too so you can present it before the praetor.â
The Dennosh Clan gojens all cheered and hollered, and then the Galgarian gojens joined in, leaving our small team looking around wondering if we should join in.
Before we could make fools of ourselves, Kelgorm slapped a hand on my back, then led me over towards Dryden so he could slap a hand on him too, then started moving us back towards the tentâs entrance.
âBut the praetor is a busy man, so it might be a few days until he can hold an audience with us. In the meantime, the Dennosh and Golvenara clans will be our honored guests; we can feast, have fellowship, and your people will tell us what kind of blessing you and your amazing statue can impart on us in exchange for our help.â He confirmed.
So once again, with no real way to disengage from it, another gojen clan held us hostage, offering food and drink and the poison of endless, aggressive companionship.