Tau waves Trini away so that he can build on her idea. He likes the simplicity of it. Trini is right about but she has not considered if they ask him for something he will not be willing to part with. Gobo's like these tend to pick on the weak. The real problem is the Jackals, if they had come with Wartargs as Jade told him about they could have poisoned the feed they would sell them. The Jackals like every one of their beast are predators that can feed themselves if need be. High-level pets need high-level feed which is more difficult for herbivores even with all the abundant vegetation all around them. The cool mud soothes his skin.
Tau watches Trini hobbles away thinking of a way to reward her. Tau needs to take a risk. the riskest thing he can do is solo the Martial Eagle. The thought chills him to the very bone. He has suffered at the hands of the Martial Eagle. His current daily mission will reward with more gems plus it's a fetch quest. Tau is not the mood for a fetch quest. He stands slaps his cheeks and moving towards the follower camp to where the Jackal Raiders are.
The follower camp has just expanded more than three times in numbers of gobos. They already outnumber the horde. Tau sees what he is looking for, the shimmer sisters. They are the leaders and twins. They ride two big red JAckals while the others are of the more normal grey colour. The sister themselves are a type of gobo. He hasn't seen it before. They are of a fungal yellow colour in the skin with lush green hair. They also have some Troic features like the long nose but also stand more upright like Lower Goblins. They are wearing salvaged armour and dressing like most goblins often do.
They smell of Undertree and Lycannite. The smell is exceptionally dry and spicy which make Tau ruffle his nose. A tree and flower exported by Drimitris' Get. Diana loves the herbs they export since they are always of high quality. When the twins see him they both dismount and knell. Diana told him already that Dimitri has chosen old European style court etiquette instead of goblin tradition. Tau likes to think it doesn't bother him but deep down he would rather deal with gobos who are proud to be what they are. Reku has correctly and at Gcina's insistence and them remove the clay face paint they wear. The reason being given for the clay paint is so that they can look more like a human. A concept that doesn't sit well with Tau and the leaders.
Diana doesn't seem to mind much to Tau as she is the one who welcomed them on their first night here. USing her connections through trade to remind them who is in charge here.
Tau says, " We need to talk." The twins Asande and Ayanda smile at one another and start to walk toward the tent area they set up. When the follower camp sees Tau, a mob starts to form. This has been happening a lot in the past two weeks whenever he is in the follower camp. Potential strong gobos try to gather around to be noticed. Tau lets it happen because they tend to act like a buffer. An aggressive questioning buffer but a buffer none the less. Other gobos' toss flowers and mushroom in his direction. When Diana who is the nature alined Gobo is around him sometimes plants grow randomly.
To Tau disappointment the Gettisburg Goblins are very organised. they have a small encampment. That the Romans would be envious of rows of tents, pens for Jackals and gobos' on duty. Tau doesn't follower the twins into their encampment. As he uses his new spell to defend himself first. As one of the extra rewards for capturing the Steelhorns without killing any. Tau got a Steelskin it is an active skill that requires constantly channelled. It is why he is even considering soloing the Martial Eagle. The seventy per cent damage reduction is well worth it. With his mana even using skills, he lasts about fifteen minutes with it active.
Ayanda says to Tau through her yellow teeth, "It is just after these tents." A few of her Jackals laugh. The sinister timing of their coupled with the way she speaks through her teeth. Makes Tau stare them down as a way to show dominance without offending them. Tau waits until the invisible strands of Steelskin have covered him completely.
Tau is further let down by how they are organised, they have their own food. So even if they had the Wartrages his plan wouldn't have worked. They also have small tanks of water next to each camp that can be saddled to the jackal. The smell of shit is coming from are close to the burn which negates some of the fumes produced by the pit toilet. This is another subtle way Tau knows these gobos haven't embraced being goblins. While not an expert he knows from the unsettling feeling he is getting that this is unnatural with goblins. The way they operate is human in goblin skin.
Tau goes to the main it is only slightly large than the others and has no mud bath. no seating mound. just tables and chairs enough for four gobos. Four human-sized gobos' this is another thing even they build according to Troll. Troll is a measurement standard that they use this is to accommodate ninety per cent of goblin varieties.
Tau sits, missing the sharing of scents as an introduction. "I'm sorry to be so rude but what do you guys want here we have no..." He holds his tongue he should not give anything away he is not sure if they are friend or enemy.
Asande with the green teeth says, " We are waiting and as we have been commanded to so." She would scent of lying if not for the strong leather and flesh smell in the tent but her body language indicate to Tau that this is not the whole story.
Ayanda who is less than friendly says, " Why don't you to playing goblin and leave us to our business. The reason you are even alive right now is that I chose not to kill you."
Asande says, " Sister please we are his guests after all."
Ayanda says, " Who me I'm no guest of his they don't even bath properly." Folding her arms over themselves. Her Green hair knotted up the accent of her crooked bejewelled neck.
Asande says, "If you didn't want to be here you could have gone with the others."
Ayanda says, "And leave you to take all the glory I think not sister."
Tau bangs his hand on the table. He knows what they are doing and doesn't care for it. They have ignored his scenting and carried this conversation on like he is not even in the room. He might not be as strong as Dimitri but these gobos' better not mistake him for weak. He even pops his chirib something that is becoming more natural for him.
Asande says, seeming to have finally got the clue after Tau hits the table. Pointing at her sister with green hair and yellow teeth. Heavily bejewelled neck and ears. Her scent of dried flowers overwhelming her emotions. "She does not enjoy the game as much as I do. We are waiting for what we want she will just have to come on her own. For now, we are willing to wait but that won't last much longer." Asandes' yellow ponytailed hair is roused by her ringed left hand. She seems to be flirting while talking but the smell of threats as clear as smoke.
Tau is not surprised he is yet to meet a gobo who think that his Horde is their equal its why they can't just accept every gobo in the follower camp. Some of those gobos' come here believing that they can take what is his. Tau relaxes his fist, " You can tell Dimitri.." Both Asande and Ayande raise a brow to the Dimitri being called by his name..." That Jade is mine and will always be. If he wants her he will have to come and get her."
Ayanda stands furious pulsing one thousand blue power. Smiling knowing that Tau is in the white. She goes so far as to pull out the most licentious looking short knife. Hissing for her jackal which props up outside the tent.
Asande says, " I see we didn't know she was important to you. My lord will be pleased to hear your message and I'm sure he will give a satisfactory reply." Asande stands also but bows to Tau while extending a hand to stop her sister. Tau scents death like how he did to Raul. The smell lingers well after he has left the room.
Ayanda says after calming down and well out of ear shot of Tau, " Fucking filthy goblin."