"Thanks for the help!"
Ayse waved to the three wolf riders, glancing at the woven baskets filled with food.
"We're sorry, for treating you so bad," one hunter stated as all three of them bowed their heads. "Thank you. For saving us back there. And for fighting the cannibals. Sharing food is the least we can do."
"Still, tell your chief I'm grateful," Ayse replied. "This is what we needed most. So it's everything I could ask for."
The hunters were a bit surprised to hear the word "we" from Ayse. But they didn't question it. They waved back to the outsider as they turned to leave.
"Good luck with your boat!"
"Thank you!" Ayse chuckled and stopped waving, letting the men and wolves disappear into the trees.
Alone, Ayse turned his attention back to the ship. He raced up the ladder built into the ship's side. Thinking, Ayse wondered, *I've got to clear some room for him… But how long will I have to wait?*
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