Chapter 155: The Village of Wolves 2

"And that is why I am here," Tanaka said. Garric looked surprised at the honesty of the answer. Most visitors to Wolfeim were interested in the village’s warriors, hunting grounds or enchanted weapons and armour. Few were interested in the everyday aspects of village life. Tanaka found it interesting that these so-called barbarians were actually more civilised than many of the elves and humans he had met in Eldoris.

The people of Eldoris had grown complacent in their isolation, believing themselves to be the pinnacle of civilisation when, in truth, they had much to learn from other cultures. Tanaka turned to the merchant. "Would your people be willing to trade some of these enchantments for goods from Eldoris?" he asked. The merchant’s ears went erect. "Eldoris?" he said.

Tanaka gestured towards the capital. "Our workshops are expanding, and we would be interested in acquiring some of your enchantments. We could offer metals, grains or other goods as payment," Tanaka said. Garric studied the merchant’s face as it transformed from wary curiosity to outright interest. "We would need the chief’s permission for an official agreement," Garric said, "but private trade is not unheard of."

"We will talk to Chief Maeryn," Tanaka said. Maeryn smiled. "That’s the spirit, Lord Tanaka. You have barely arrived in Wolfeim and already you are seeking out opportunities for trade," she said. Tanaka chuckled. "It is a habit of mine," he said.

After leaving the market, Maeryn led Tanaka and his companions to the village training ground. A group of wolf beastfolk were sparring with swords and spears, while others practiced shaping their mana, enhancing their muscles or firing bolts of wind magic at wooden dummies. Tanaka watched as a young beastman gathered mana at his feet before propelling himself across a wooden obstacle, only to miss his footing and stumble into his opponent.

His instructor grabbed him by the collar of his tunic. "Control, strength is wasted if you can’t use it," the instructor snapped. "Speed without precision makes you reckless, and recklessness makes you dead." The young beastman’s ears drooped. Tanaka smiled. "You train your warriors well," he said.

"Wolfeim’s warriors are our future," Maeryn said. "And the future is not predictable, so we prepare for any eventuality." Tanaka turned to regard the students. "Are there other threats besides bandits and the monsters from the northern hills?" he asked. Maeryn nodded. "The Kingdom of Humans has warlords and sells weapons to anyone willing to pay, and the Dominion has its share of mercenaries willing to kill for gold. Bandits and monsters are the least of our worries," she said.

Garric crossed his arms over his chest. "Fortunately for us, the capital’s royal army patrols the trade roads, but it cannot be everywhere at once, so every village is expected to protect its people," he said. Tanaka turned to regard the students. "Aren’t most of your warriors trained as soldiers?" he asked.

"Our best warriors serve as guards for the village, but those with potential are sent to the capital to be trained as soldiers or bodyguards for the King of Wolves," Garric said. "A few have even become officers in the royal army." Tanaka turned to the training ground. "Does it take a strong affinity for magic to become a warrior?" he asked.

"It certainly helps," Maeryn said, "but most wolf beastfolk have at least some magical ability. We tend to have strong affinities for wind, ice and enhancement, but each child is different." Tanaka fell silent, thinking about the mages and warriors of Eldoris, and how human scholars still debated the nature of mana. The people of Wolfeim had strong magical abilities, but they had developed their own system of magic that took into account their physical abilities, something that the mages of the Dominion and the elves of the Verdant Kingdom failed to do.

Tanaka turned to Garric. "Would your instructors be willing to share what they know with my people? There are people in Eldoris who would benefit greatly from learning about your school of magic, and I am sure we could offer a fair trade for such knowledge," he asked. Garric and Maeryn exchanged a glance. "That would require the chief’s permission," Garric said. "And possibly the king’s as well, depending on what it is you wish to know."

"We will ask," Tanaka said. "I’m sure Lady Maeryn will grant us an audience." Maeryn regarded Tanaka with new interest. "You are not here to demand, but to learn," she said. "Why would I demand?" Tanaka asked. "If I am strong, then I have the ability to take what I want. I have more than enough power to claim what I desire from those who oppose me."

Garric frowned. "You make it very hard for us to know what to think of you," he said. "Good," Tanaka said. "It keeps life interesting." As the sun sank lower in the sky, Maeryn led them back to the chief’s house, where village workers and warriors gathered for a communal meal.

Maeryn asked Tanaka and his companions to join them, and a group of villagers prepared a meal of roasted meats, vegetables and warm bread. The conversation was light, mostly consisting of trade and the differences between their cultures, until Tanaka began talking about Eldoris. "It has grown a great deal since I became king," Tanaka said. "Varkesh has pledged its allegiance to the Dominion, and the people of Eldoris are learning to adapt to new laws and regulations, while preserving their own traditions. I want the people of Varkesh to remember who they are, even if they must swear fealty to a new kingdom. Slavery is prohibited, as is mistreatment of prisoners of war. Strength and power have value, but the people of Eldoris will not allow those with such power to dictate what others must do," he explained.

Maeryn listened carefully, occasionally asking a question or two about Tanaka’s plans for Varkesh. "It sounds as if you will be ruling over conquered people," Maeryn said. "Most lords would take this opportunity to wipe out the enemy completely, or enslave them and bend them to their will." "The people of Varkesh fought for their freedom, and that right will not be taken from them," Tanaka said.

"They will retain their traditions, along with the right to govern themselves, but they will follow my laws as I must follow theirs. Strength is a good thing, but it will not make me a better leader," he added. Maeryn was silent for a moment, considering what he had said. "Wolfeim is similar to Varkesh in many ways. We are expected to serve the kingdom and its people, but the chief must rule fairly, lest the village suffer the consequences. A strong sword may open a door, but it will not keep a village safe from wolves," she said.

Tanaka smiled. "You are not so different from me after all," he said. For the first time since arriving in this village, Tanaka was glad he had come. There were many things he wanted to learn, and it seemed that there were many things those who lived in Wolfeim wanted to know about the people of Eldoris. Maeryn’s meal stretched into the evening, until one of the guards came to notify Garric that a royal messenger had arrived at the village gates.

The deputy chief read the message, then passed it to Maeryn. The chief’s expression darkened as she read the note. Tanaka leaned forward. "What is it?" he asked. Maeryn laid the message on the table. "The capital has heard about you, and the King of Wolves would like to speak with you personally," she said. "Already?" Tanaka asked.

Maeryn nodded. "The courier rode most of the day on the fastest horses available," she said. She hesitated before saying, "The royal court has asked that you come with us, when you are ready, and that you speak for yourself to the king." Tanaka took the message from Maeryn and scanned it. He had expected to have more time before heading to the capital, but the people of Wolfeim had been busy, and apparently the news of his arrival had traveled to the royal court as well.

Tanaka looked up at Maeryn. "I would be honoured to meet the king," he said. "In fact, I believe I will accept the invitation to the capital." Garric looked as if he would rather have declined the invitation himself, but Maeryn merely smiled. "Good, Lord Tanaka, because Wolfeim will help you prepare for the journey," she said.

Outside, the village went about its evening business, unaware that the king of an ancient kingdom would soon be visiting their village. Beyond Wolfeim, the young king of the humans prepared to greet a slime that had come from the Great Verdant Forest, and somewhere in the middle of it all, a wolf chief and a human king prepared to meet, and judge, their visitor.