Ares was riding on an oxen that had been brought for him, though sitting right behind him and holding onto his waist was Lana. Ares had wanted Lana to sit ahead of him, but she was much larger, and currently, healthier so he had to swallow what little pride he had left to allow her to take care of him.

The oxen moved with great speed, though not quite as quickly as Ares had hoped. It was a beast of burden, able to move slowly for a long period of time. It was already panting, but continued along the straight path that they had created. Ares looked up towards the watch towers, and the soldiers there and around the area saluted him as they saw him.

Ares gave his best impression of the royal wave he had seen in the other world, but then instead brought his hand to his head in a salute. The royal wave felt like such heresy, he would never do it again. Plus, salutes were cooler.

The sun continued to draw on over to one side, and Ares made a mental note to then create something to block it out, perhaps a tree line that was slightly higher. Then again, that could be militarily disadvantageous to have, though the sun was fairly bad too.

He sighed, trying to clear his mind.

“Is everything alright?” Lana asked as she pulled him in closer to her.

“It seems as though even when I’m sick, I can’t stop thinking about work.”

“Did you only just figure that out now?”

“No, though, it’s hit me a little harder now.”

“For one so smart, you are rather stupid.”

“For one so pretty, you are rather mean. I suppose the prettiest ones always are.”

Lana reached up and then ran her fingers through his hair, pulling his head to her bosom. “You talk too much.”

Ares smiled up at her, but said nothing.

Hours later they were finally at the last tower, with the fort not so far away. Ares hopped off the oxen and then immediately regretted it, though Lana grabbed his cloak and then pulled him up onto his feet before he could fall. Ares was flush red and quickly thanked her for her assistance. Still, he had already embarrassed himself in front of his soldiers, and more importantly, Lana.

Ares sighed but then stood up straight, grabbing his staff and then approached the Captain. “What happened?” He asked, peering his head beyond the tower to look onto the top of the fort and then the area beyond.

“There are tribes of others which have appeared. Their Chieftains said they knew you.”

“What did they say their names were?”

“Bosk was one, a tigerfolk, and Wolfen.” The Captain said.

“Oh.” Ares said pausing for a moment.

“Do you know of them?” Lana asked.

“Yes, I do.” Ares said as he looked towards Lana, who stared into his eyes. Then a look of recognition fell in her eyes before Ares then made his way down towards the tribes.

Ares could see them, both tribes had a large gap between them, and had made a temporary camp. The wolffolk remained between the fort and the the tribes, though most were lazing around. When they noticed Ares they quickly scrambled to attention, though Heria remained lazing around as she lay on her wolf casually.

“Major.” Ares said as Heria waved a hand towards him, her tail swaying inviting him closer.

“These two youngsters said they knew you.”

“They do, it’s been a while though.” Ares said as he looked out to see the state of the two tribes.

They were exhausted, that much was obvious with how they had sunken eyes and even now looked as though they wanted to pass out for an eternity. Many of them were injured as well, with bandages around, some even with scrapes that were still in the process of healing. Last Ares had recalled, they should number a couple of hundred or so each, but there were barely a few dozen in each tribe.

Ares motioned a hand and then looked over to Heria. “Could you send a Captain to each Chieftain and call them over to me?” Ares said as he walked towards the area between the two tribe, with Lana following him, as well as a Team of wolffolk that had followed him. The rest remained nearby.

Ares raised a hand and then shifted the earth so that there was a large table there, and then he sat down onto a stool he had formed, though quickly made it into a chair with a backrest so he could lean back against it. He did the same, forming two more to form a triangle of chairs, and then made another beside him for Lana to sit down, who took her place beside him wordless.

The two Chieftains appeared, though were apprehensive of one another as well as the soldiers and the two at the table.

“We’re waiting for Ares, who are you?” Wolfen asked as he approached the chair, though stood behind it.

“I am Ares. It’s been a while, Wolfen. You look like shit.” Ares said as he chuckled.

Wolfen did look like shit. He had lost a little weight, and was covered in bandages, and even now was trying to hide a limp. He held a pair of blades at his side.

Ares then looked to Bosk. “Bosk.” He said.

“Ares.” Bosk replied with a nod, and then sat down on the chair. “You’ve changed.”

“That’s what conquering Dragon’s Spine does to a man, or maybe it was the King business.”

“King Ares, is it?” Bosk said as he looked over to Wolfen, who then sat down at the table.

“So, why are the two of you here?” Ares asked. The pair looked to Lana and Ares then motioned his head. “This is Lana, she was a Horn of the oxfolk, but now is a… very close… confidant of mine.” Ares said awkwardly. Lana raised her brow to him. “Not now.” Ares whispered as he clutched at his staff.

“Sorry it took me so long to get to you, you see, I’m currently quite ill. So, what happened to you two?”

Bosk and Wolfen had a similar story. They had gone out to make their way in the world. They had fought with a couple of other tribes before then finding their own little piece of land, before the humans then came and attacked them. They were driven out, first by the humans, then other beastfolk tribes that tried to pick them off one by one for whatever they had on them. They met one another on the way to Ares, and so they came to Ares together.

“We heard of a place, Rivea, that was accepting of all. We heard you were the King.” Bosk said.

“I am, yes. You’ve come for safe harbour? Or have you come to join?”

“Safe harbour.” Wolfen quickly replied.

“Alright.” Ares turned to Bosk. “And you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Alright, that’s fine. We’ll say safe harbour, for now. We will feed you, house you, and do our best to heal you. You will have safe harbour for at least one month, you will not need to worry about such things for the month, they will be provided to you by Rivea.” Ares then turned to Heria and motioned with a hand for her to approach.

“Could you send for…” Ares paused for a moment in thought. Where would these people be safe? He didn’t want them in the heart of Rivea, just in case if they left and were captured by humans, they could divulge many secrets. They would have to take the long road up too, and that was harsh. Ares looked at the fort was that yet to be completed. It would be even worse to keep them there, but…

Ares looked to Lana. Lana stared into his eyes, a little confused. Ares sighed and then rubbed his forehead. “Alright. You can stay in the fort. The journey to Rivea is quite stressful, and your people have been stressed enough. Within the walls of the fort you will be safe, and we will provide for you. Major, could you send someone with word to the various villages that I would like six Squads to form a Company, and they will be stationed at the fort. Bring some farmers and such as well, we’ll begin to work the land more so we can deal with such things easier in the future.” Ares then stood up, clutching his staff.

“How can I repay you?” Bosk asked, standing up.

“You don’t have to. This is but the nature of Rivea.” Ares said. “Though if you decide not to join Rivea, I will ask you to leave, quite kindly at first.” Ares warned as he then turned and left.

“Thank you, Ares.” Bosk said and then nodded towards Ares, who merely waved a hand back.

“You are welcome.”

Wolfen did not say anything, but seemed to be in great thought. Heria clicked her teeth at him, and he swiftly stood up.

“Thank you.” He had said, but Ares waved him off too, giving a questioning look to Heria who smiled innocently, or rather, as innocent as Heria could be.