"What?!"
Jumka blinked and leaned forward, giving the party a look of
utter surprise and shock.
"Jumka hear right? Heart of jungle was...eaten?"
Standing in Jumka's hut with the others, Bo placed one hand
on his hip and nodded.
"Yes, father. Was in belly of great, big mole."
Despite the fact that he was wearing a mask, it was easy to
tell how utterly shocked Jumka was as he fell back into his seat, staring
forward in stunned silence. After a period of thinking, the shaman turned his
attention towards Kantuta.
"And elf and others defeat mole?"
"That is correct," Kantuta replied with a nod, "It was
certainly not easy, but we managed to best it, nonetheless."
Hearing this, Jumka propped up his head with his fist,
letting out a contemplative hum as he looked off to the side.
"Hm...how strange. Jumka never hear of aggressive mole before.
And mole eat precious stone? Could this mean...?"
Jumka mused a bit longer before shaking his head and
directing his attention back to his son and the heroic travelers.
"Ah...is not important. Important thing is that we find
source of problem. Now that problem is gone, jungle can finally regrow."
"Wait, really?" Yuchauzh asked, "Things are going back to
normal?"
"Yes," Jumka answered, having a more relaxed tone to his
voice, "Thanks to adventurer's help, home of Urosites will be restored. Many
thanks from Jumka."
In response to this, Yuchauzh clapped his hands together and
laughed, wearing a proud smile on his face.
"Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Way to go, team!"
As Yuchauzh went to give Siquioce a high-five, Bo glanced at
his parental figure and scratched the side of his own head.
"By the way, Bo make promise to elf. Say that she would get
gift as reward for hard work. Father still has flower?"
"Flower? What flo…oh! Bo talk about red, spiky plant? Yes, Jumka
still have that. Jumka preserve it with magic.
The Urosite tilted his head slightly.
"But why elf want flower? It no taste good at all."
Kantuta chuckled,
placing her hands behind her back as she gave Jumka an amused smile.
"Oh, trust me, the taste of the blossom is not the reason
why I am after this plant."
Jumka squinted slightly, having a small aura of suspicion
around him as he considered Kantuta's words. After a few long seconds, he
shrugged and dug between the cracks in his chair.
"Okay, if elf say she want flower, she can have it. Jumka think
he have it somewhere around…ah."
The lizard then pulled out a small, red flower with soft, frilly
petals. In contrast to its otherwise delicate appearance, the floret possessed a
large, spiky root that was shaped like a raptor's claws. Letting out an elated
gasp, Kantuta approached Jumka with a bright smile, holding her shaking hands
out eagerly as she accepted her prize.
"I finally have it…the mythical Talonroot. Oh, I can hardly
contain my excitement!"
Moving with an air of delicateness and care about her, Kantuta
lifted her hat, placed her gift under it, and bowed courteously towards her
benefactor.
"My sincerest thanks go to you, my good Urosite. You have
made my day."
Jumka let out a brief chuckle and shook his head.
"No, no, Jumka should thank elf. Elf and others do
good deed, getting rid of bad mole. All Urosites of jungle live in peace in
future thanks to heroes. Jumka no know how to thank heroes enough."
At this, Bo raised his head and glanced at Kantuta.
"Oh, Bo know a good way. Elf, orc, and fish can come to
village for great feast. Would be great way to celebrate."
"Ooh, a feast? Why, that sounds splendid!"
Kantuta turned towards Siquioce, giving him a small smile.
"What do you say, leader? Shall we take them up on their
offer?"
"Oh, of course, I'd love to—"
Siquioce stopped mid-sentence, widening his eyes as he
considered the implications of this offer. Feeling a sudden sense of dread wash
over him, he shook his head fervently.
"W-wait, no! I don't mean to be ungrateful, but…I think it would
be best for us to pass on this offer. After all, we do have a journey to
continue on, right?"
Kantuta raised an eyebrow at Siquioce, confused by his
aversive behavior. Although she was unsure of the reason for her leader's
actions, she decided not to question his judgement, instead directing her attention
back to the lizards to relay the information.
"I'm sorry, but he said no. However, we do appreciate the
offer."
While Bo was a little disappointed, Jumka appeared to be
more understanding, nodding once before relaxing in his chair.
"Jumka understand. Adventurers must have places to be. Jumka
no hold you up."
The shaman then gave a farewell wave, prompting his son to
do the same.
"Goodbye for now, heroes. Jumka hope that future adventures are
just as fruitful."
Kantuta smiled warmly at the Urosites and returned the wave.
"Thank you kindly, friends. We wish you well in your endeavors
as well. Until we meet again."
Giving Bo and Jumka one last bow, Kantuta walked ahead of Siquioce
and out of the hut, prompting Siquioce to follow. As his mates departed, Yuchauzh
let out a disheartened "aw" before begrudgingly walking after his friends.
"Bummer, I could've gone for some food…"