“We can sort this out quickly. As much as I don’t want to do this, I’ll offer whoever follows this kind woman whatever amnesty that I can. The rest of you will be my enemy, and so I’ll have to deal with you in such a way. I don’t really have time to mess around with politics right now, well even more so than I already am.” Ares glanced between the lionfolk. “Please hurry it up.”

The lionfolk woman snarled something as she met face to face with the man once more. They snarled at one another for some time before a few came to the man and then dragged him away though he fought against her.

The woman turned to face Ares. “It is no issue, we have sorted it. I am the leader, tell me what it is you want from me.”

“Oh… that was quick,” Ares said as he eyed up the other lionfolk before he then turned around to look at the hyenafolk who had been waiting patiently.

A few of the hyenafolk rode forward to come and meet with him. “Not a human, hyip hyip, that is you?”

“I’m not a human, but that isn’t my name. King Ares.” Ares bowed his head.

“I am Yinyin,” the hyena said. She yipped and then grinned at Ares. “You are not a human, Ares.”

“That’s right. I’m not a human.”

“Why is Ares here?”

“I’m here to sort you guys out since you forced me into this situation…” He looked between the hyena and the lionfolk. “So uh… what’s your name?” He raised his brows to the lion woman.

“Leesa,” the lionwoman said.

“Well Leesa and Yinyin. I’d like to ask the pair of you why you’re here,” Ares said. He crossed his arms.

“A battle for the land. The hyenas have long picked the scraps of our land and our people, no longer will they live upon our teet.” Leesa growled.

“Hyip hyip, Leesa not understand. Hyena no waste, hyena no create.” Yinyin laughed with a howl.

“You hyenas, wretched creatures!”

“Alright let’s calm down right now, yeah?” Ares raised a hand towards them both. “So what’s the problem exactly? These lands are lionfolk lands?”

“Hyip, no, hyip! No owners.”

“These lands have been ours for generations. We no longer will allow anyone to take from our land.”

Ares glanced between them again. “Chill okay. You’re the chief then?” He asked Leesa. “I am the chief. I now lead our peoples.”

“Are these all your peoples?”

“They are but a number. We have another two halves elsewhere to deal with some traitors.”

“Right, right. I can get that…” Ares cleared his throat. “So if I can get the hyenafolk to leave, then this battle will be over?” He asked as he looked at the lionfolk. They were looking pretty rough. “You need to mourn your dead and I’d rather you get to that quickly,” Ares said.

“If you can get rid of these pests from our land, we will allow them to peacefully travel away.”

“You are most merciful and kind,” Ares said dryly and then nodded his head.

“So Yinyin, may I have a chat with you alone for the moment?”

“Hyip, hyip! If that is wish,” she said. She led Ares away to speak with him.

Ares turned to face her. “I’m not sure what your goals are, but I’d be willing to offer you a place in Rivea. I would like another army and you seem to be decent enough. You would join my people and you’d become Rivean. I offer you this so that way you no longer need to dig for scraps, and to give you some fun whenever it comes along.”

“Hyip, fun, hyip?”

“Fun. Fighting. War. You’ll be taken care of, housed and fed, and you will come to aid in fights. That is what I offer you. If you don’t wish to become Rivean, very well, but we shall not treat you quite as well as a Rivean.”

“If we become Rivean we get foods and home, hyip?”

“That’s right. Food. Home. A place to belong and call your own, brothers and sisters to help you.”

“You want us to fight for you, hyip?”

“No, not for me. For Rivea.”

“Rivea is your home?”

“It could be your home too.”

“Yinyin will talk with pack.”

“Alright then,” Ares said. He returned back to Leesa. “They will discuss my offer and if they accept I shall have them leave. I suppose I should at least warn you then. Right now this land belongs to you, but soon it will all belong to Rivea. One way or another.” Ares stared into her eyes.

“You will do so over our dead bodies,” Leesa replied.

“If that’s what it takes. Though I do hope it won’t come to that. Rivea has a decent life for those who wish for it. We will be the first line of defence against the humans. The Seven Horns had already disbanded and a few of them have already come under my wing.”

Leesa reeled back. “The oxfolk?”

“The very same.”

“What foolishness are you talking about?”

“Kask!” Ares turned back and motioned his head to the oxfolk.

“He will explain to you. He was once Torak’s oxenblut, Torak being a Horn before he gave up that role to become a friend of mine.”

Kask arrived and then spoke with Leesa, who still did not seem entirely convinced. It was then a roar echoed through the skies.

Ares looked to Kask and then looked up and around in the sky. He could see a large creature in the sky which screeched. Everyone had looked up to see it. It was the size of a village, with scales that covered it from head to toe, a long whip like tail. It’s wings fluttered quickly as it flew through the air.

“Is that a fucking dragon?” Ares asked.

“No. A wyvern,” Kask said.

“A wyvern? That’s a wyvern?” The creature was large, like a battleship. It flew over and away from them. “What is a wyvern doing here?” Ares asked.

Kask looked to Saykkera who shook her head.

“It’s pregnant,” Kask said.

“It’s what?” Ares turned to watch the wyvern fly over them, it’s eyes were glaring down at them. “It won’t attack us?”

“We are but ants, let us not gather it’s ire.”

“A wyvern is an ill sight,” Leesa said.

“An ill sight?”

“Dark tidings follow you, King,” Leesa said.

“Don’t worry about me. Dark tidings will find that I’m not so easy to take down.”

Leesa quickly turned and then her people began to march away without a word to them.

“Kask.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s go get ourselves some wyvern babies.”

“Must we?”

“I’d like to. At least I’d like to see.”

“It is not recommended.”

Ares turned to face him. “Don’t tell me that you, as an explorer, don’t have any curiosity?”

Kask sighed.