Elevation of Mana Chapter 63 Village Dispute

As the city began to fade behind me I let out a sigh.  It had taken almost two weeks to get everything in order, and it was a bit frustrating.  That said, I couldn't just leave my house alone and full of things others might want, so divesting myself of some of my goods was needed.  The proceeds had been hidden well enough that nobody should be able to find them.

It had been years since I'd come to this world, and still things surprised me.  Most people never really understood what the stone age was like, and even now I was only starting to get it.  The fact that there was not only a city, but a massive metropolis was surprising to no end.  Perhaps it was only possible due to magic, but still, it was impressive.  Of course outside of it the small villages that dotted the countryside were much more like what one would expect.

It was to one of those that I was headed now, hair tied behind my overlong ears.  I wanted textiles, and this seemed to be one of the few places that I might be able to find the fibers needed for them.  There were doubts about how much I might be able to get in the moment, but in time things might come together better.

The path northwards was only marginally a road, but it was at the least visible well out of the city.  Chien had gotten me all the information he could on this particular direction, even if he thought I was mad, so I knew roughly where I was going.

The path I was following wove in and out through the dense forests, mostly following creeks and small rivers.  These were of course the standard, since cutting a path through the woods would be both laborious and a waste of time.  We were solidly in the tropics, and anything cut would quickly grow if it wasn't studiously maintained.  Creeping vines and trees edged even on the path I was using, eager for a chance to get more sunlight.

By noon of the second day I should have been pretty close, but I was found before I found the village.  As I rounded a corner there was a man standing there, looking quite displeased at my appearance.

“Greetings stranger,” he said in a manner that communicated that I was roughly as welcome as a hemorrhoid.

“Good day,” I answered, the feeling of being watched tingling up my spine.  “I'm seeking a village that's supposed to be nearby, do you happen to know of it?”

“Perhaps, what is your business?”

“Oddly enough I'm after some hair from a local animal,” I told him with a shrug.

The way he squinted his eyes told me that he didn't believe a word of it, but he wasn't attacking yet.  Something was going on, probably something I wanted no part of, but I could only wait and see.  Well, in theory I could also leave, but I'd come an awful long way to get here, and I wasn't about to give up that easily.

“You will come with us,” the man commanded, and slowly several forms shifted out of the local brush.  I got the feeling there were more to be found that hadn't revealed themselves, but there was only one way to test that.  “We will speak with the Elder.”

For now I decided to play along, letting them lead me.  Nobody had yet attempted any actual violence, and if they did I could always just start laying down the hurt on them.  Perhaps I wasn't the strongest magic user in the world, but if I really wanted to I could certainly bring the pain.  None of them had auras, so none of them were likely to be able to defeat me alone.

Everyone was on edge as we made our way back to their village, slowly picking our steps along the trail.  Behind me were a pair of hunters with spears, with two more on each side.  Their leader was alone before me, though he didn't seem worried that he was showing his back.  Either he had a plan, or he had absolute confidence in his men.

They didn't try to take my spear or pack, which was wise, as I wouldn't be parting with either without some good reason.  I didn't really need them that badly, but it was the act that was important.  When dealing with others it was good to be polite, but showing weakness to these men would be foolish beyond belief.

Before long the village came into view, and I could watch the women and children coming back from the day's gathering.  Many things struck me about them.  They were not alone, as another group of hunters escorted them.  More importantly they looked rather more thin than I would expect, not gaunt, but they'd clearly missed a couple of meals.

Before long I was shown to the local leader.  She was older than Elaya had been, and had a hard look in her eyes.  Quickly I went through the task of greeting her and giving her a small bowl as a gift, that kind of thing generally kept everyone happy.

“Why are you here?” she asked as soon as I'd finished.

“I was told of something called a 'catch-beast' and of its hair.  I wish to acquire some.”  Honesty seemed the best policy for now.

The woman looked at me like I was a fool, which perhaps I was.  I awaited her words with patience though, hurrying her along would only serve to hurt my place.

“No other reason?” she questioned.

“No.”

“I would like you to lay out the items in your pack, leave none hidden.”

That was an odd request, but one I could at least abide.  It was clear that she didn't trust me, and that she was looking for something.  She'd also made it a request, not a command, something that wasn't lost on me.  From where I stood she certainly could have her men try to force the issue, but I got the feeling they wouldn't.

Once I'd set out everything I had with me, which wasn't all that much, I looked back to her.  “What are you looking for?” I asked.

“Poison,” she responded flatly.  She didn't touch any of my things, but I could see her looking over the few copper tools I'd brought with great interest.

“I do not have any poison, why would I need such a thing?”

The older elf's fingers tapped on the ground for a few moments.  “What do you know of our village?”

“Not much if I'm being honest, I was only led here for the hair.  An acquaintance of mine knew of it in passing and thought it might work for one of my current projects.”  Things were getting odder and odder.

“We recently split,” she explained.  “Not on good terms.”

I briefly felt my memory flash back to Elayatol and my former home.  They were on the road to a similar situation, though there were still questions that needed answering here.

“And they're poisoning people?” I asked.

“Not people, water sources.  They want our territory and are trying to drive us out.”  At my look of confusion she asked another question.  “You're not from this area are you young man?”

“No, much further to the west,” I explained.

“There is little territory here, and little game in comparison with the more outlying regions.  While it may seem foolish for them not to move, there are few places the split off group could go, and as they grow, they will need more space, as will we.”

“So they're trying to get you to leave or die?  You are near Atal, perhaps you could receive help there?” I asked.

She actually laughed at me at that one.  “And prove I am unable to hold my own lands?  They would not help me, but we have plenty of that hair you want, perhaps...”

Internally I sighed, there was no way she was going to let me not get drug into their conflict.