Calf was dazed. He held the broadhead point-down still poised to strike and he'd been holding that position for the last 5 seconds. He knew there were a lot of beasts both documented and undocumented which were capable of speech or telepathic communication, but he was too shaken to just accept this as one. Had he been overwhelmed by fear and lost his mind or had the crocodile actually spoken to him? He would just have to ask directly seeing as he was practically at the mercy of said beast either way.

"Who are you," he'd started, "what do you mean by 'King' and how do you know who I am?"

"No manners I see, you not only smell like them, but you've also taken after them," the beast retorted before addressing him further, "No matter, I'll choke it up to nerves and the resulting flightiness. I am what I said, a King and my domain is this river among many others. You were found trespassing, were subsequently tried and though your performance, have been found wanting in the way of raw power and skill. You at least make up for it with half a wit, hehehe."

"Is this part of my extended rites and if so, what of my reward?" Calf asked.

"No, like I said trespasser, this was a trial for attempting to cross so there will be no rewards, only judgment. Exchanges are welcome though and I'll be the arbiter on both trade and trial. Using my own hide to assume kinship was quite brazen and I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or insulted. I will accept your attempt as inspired albeit a bit annoying and for that I offer in exchange that hide, its secrets, your life and one-way passage across. Now choose! To the eastern bank or to the western bank?" the River King responded.

That wasn't much of a choice given his target was to the east and he'd been attempting to head there all along. This meant he'd have to either be tried again for attempting to cross back to the western bank or offer up something in exchange for his passage on the way back. With the answer to the River King's question in hand he decided to ask some of his own. The hide had been nigh invincible with the only damage to it coming from within.

"Does the hide retain its toughness after being shed and what conditions and materials are required for treating and outfitting it?" he asked.

"To an extent," the River King began, "The scales meld into the skin, becoming a single blanket and some of that strength is either outright lost or distributed throughout the hide, the limps withstanding. To what extent? I'd say each scale retains about a fifth of its previous strength. As for your last question, I'd advise you limit the use of the information you receive to the purpose for which you asked." The King warned before continuing, "You can tan and dry it as you would any other leather, though you'd risk affecting its properties that way. I'd advise heat treatment instead, at the expense of shrinkage. The residue from the process is very adhesive so I would watch my… limbs when working with it."

After hearing the best approach for treating the hide he understood why the River King had warned him against using the information for anything else. If he applied the logic to attacking the crocodile instead, he might be able to strangle it in its own hide if he managed to apply enough heat. The only possible hitch being he'd seen the crocodile expand and couldn't know if it could shrink as well, negating his efforts. He dismissed the thought for now, resolving to bring it up again when it became necessary. He took out his spears, inspecting them and marveling at the wood he'd fashioned them from again. It was while he was still engrossed in admiring the materials and if he were to be honest with himself, his own handiwork; that the beast chose to draw his attention again, clearing its throat before addressing him.

"Good thing you listen well, it’s bad enough you have one of your spears bound to an entity that is not yourself, you almost bound the second to me…," he said, throwing Calf for a loop. Bound? What does he mean by that? thought Calf. He didn't have to voice the question though as the River King went into explanations as if prompted by Calf's silence.

"Blood-stones come in mostly black, the color of subordination for a reason. They bind to the first entity whose blood they taste and can never be used against their master. The bond is nigh unbreakable as long as the master lives."

"Is my long spear bound to you then!?" asked Calf in consternation, to which the River King responded,

"Not to me, but to your quarry in the Eastern Ranges. I could taste its blood on that spear when you sliced my jaw!"

That made things even worse. He'd hoped to use the long spear's reach to avoid a close-quarter confrontation with the giant rooster, but it seemed inevitable. He would just have to utilize the arrows from a distance and hopefully wear down the rooster enough for an easier close-quarter finish.

"Well then, are we just going to sit here all day or are you going to alight your glorious conveyance so that we finish this round of exchanges face to snout?!" the River King boomed.

Calf started at this, grabbing his belongings before alighting the ridged back. The ride on the River King's back had been so smooth he hadn't even noticed when it'd ended. As he made to clasp his hands in thanks to the River King, it grumbled. It shook its head before pointing a glare to Calf's feet. Calf cocked his head at this, not understanding what the crocodile was trying to convey. With a drawn-out grumble it nudged forward and extended a limb that landed centimeters from Calf's sandalled foot, the act sending him jumping away from the spot in fear of getting trampled. It extended a talon, grabbing the sandal by the string and it stayed in place as Calf retreated. When Calf landed, he looked a question to the crocodile, which smiled a toothy grin before resuming verbal communication.

"Thank you for that. I'll accept the sandal as an overly generous payment for the knowledge so far, and an advance payment on a branch of wisdom, should you make it back to claim it that is. Swift steps and watch the seasons for they may change in your complacence," the River King finished, turning to the river and slipping to its depths without the slightest ripple.