"Again, we would like to thank you for resorting to diplomacy rather than attacking our soldiers. We had our doubts but also heard many rumors of the fabled white haired warrior engaging in diplomacy with a few other camps." Cadin took a seat after the woman finished speaking, removing his hood to reveal his face.
"Indeed I do, many though are not so kind nor smart enough to speak first. Always preferring the blade."
"That indeed is true." The rest sat down on the empty chairs in the table, all facing the woman, waiting for her to speak.
"Well, since you know my son, there is no need for introductions. Since he oversees expansion, that involves military expansion. And that is where we also desired your help. Our soldiers are stretched thin on all sides, any expansion is risky and difficult with the tribes that surround us."
"How many tribes are there?"
"About a dozen or so." The woman simply replied.
"So more than just two then."
"You think you were the only ones in that forest path? It is a popular spot for the tribes to scout for any newcomers. And you were one of their newest prey." She laughed.
The woman took out a rolled map, unrolling it in front of them on the table, it showed the forest surrounding them, including all platforms and camps of the tribe.
"North of us is our main threat, the Aknomik. Larger tribe. My son will lead a small force along with your soldiers. He will discuss more on the plan with you later. For now though, they are our main enemy. If you help us with this, then our alliance shall become solid, and maybe we can begin cooperating further. Allowing trade and a few territories depending on the success of these skirmishes."
'Wonder if the demon is corrupting them right now, by the time i return they would probably give me far more land, at least i don't need to manipulate much. Just have to focus on making them like me.'
"Any other threats once this one has been dealt with?"
"Oooo, bold. Impressive, seeking out where the new threat is. Well, there are a few more. But some of them can be reasoned with. Lormen, Kastok, and Oakan. Those are the next major threats to our safety. They lie east and west of here. Furthermore I have heard of new weapons and such that they possess, so investigate that as well. Your task is to simply provide support in taking these camps that we may use them.Kill those who are a threat to you and spare the rest, we can use them. Once all of this is over you may gain ownership, trade, sharing of a few tools if the missions are highly successful, and further cooperation and better relations. We will leave you now with our son who will begin explaining what must be done." After all had been said, Silvia and her husband stood up, walking out of the door, leaving their son, already donning his armor and cloak as he stared at the rest.
"Aknomik is not our first mission." The boy spoke, his voice was deep but crystal clear.
He stood up, moving his hand across the laid out map.
"White haired warrior, or Cadin, come here." Cadin stood up and walked towards their side of the table, standing next to the boy, the boy was a bit shorter than Cadin.
"We have at most just twenty men to fight. I'm relying on you though to hold the areas aside from supporting us in combat because of this. Our first mission is west of here, just beyond the cave where you went." He put his finger on a red marked area on the left side of the map, below it was the name "Gorel"
"Gorel, interesting name."
"Savages they are, but savages have their uses. We need to take out their camp, if none of them survive, then we can simply populate it with our own people. Your task is to harass them from the ground while we perform our own attacks while they are preoccupied."
"So our task is to be the bait."
The boy sighed, "Yes, I apologize for that. But you seem capable of holding your own against them, they only use bows anyway. You can also fight back against them, you have bows after all." The boy patted Cadin's bow on his back.
"Simply walk to their location, and start firing arrows at their homes above, get their attention. My soldiers and I will begin our assault on them. Once the battle is over we may start creating or finding platform lifts to bring your men to the top for garrison."
'This boy is rather smart in military prowess. At least he seems competent, I have little to worry about.'
"Once this camp is finished we will move on to a larger one, this time you will attack them head on with your forces as their homes are embedded in the trees, using lifts and stairs to move around. Your men can easily attack them like this." He continued.
After talking, he rolled up the map and pushed back his chair.
"Those will be the targets for now, we need all the soldiers you can spare for this mission. Aknomik will be one of the last."
"Very well, I shall prepare my forces. May our plan succeed." The two shook their hands firmly.
With everything done, it was now time to leave and prepare, Cadin signaled for Joken and his men to start heading outside, to the lift and down to their horses to prepare bringing any possible soldiers they could find.
Cadin felt impressed by the boy, but still thought of what he can do to maximize his task.
'Maybe hiding behind the trees can help, or moving around the area constantly to irritate the enemy while keeping a tight shield formation aimed upwards. Or perhaps a mix of both. I cannot let them down, with this opportunity comes a chance of relations and a new ally. That and more people for that demon to corrupt.'