Bruyza and the accompanying members of the Rock Back troop were preparing, gathering their belongings and wrapping up the camp. The humongous metal covered leader, would be standing at the ready akin to a sentinel, the helmeted gaze of this behemoth overseeing the distance towards the nearby Hay-yen attempt at a village, the rising sun in the distance, dimly lighting the horizon.

  Uzbek, Bruyza's advisor, stood by his leader's side gazing in the distance much like the giant did. "It will be soon time to depart, your royal highness. I fear the Daeman might have been speakin' lies to our ears in need o' aid."

  "Uzbek." Bruyza's voice rang out with a metallic echo from the stone cold expressionless helmet.

  "Yes, your highness?" The old boar asked as he peered up towards his superior.

  "If that hell spawn don' show up until we can see the sun entirely than we go an' trash that bunch o' Hay-yen an' then leave fer home. We'll deal with those other bastards another time. Our priority is still to get back an' prepare fer our headin' to Road's Turn to buy supplies. This trip to take care o' those mutts will soon prove to be either a blessin' or just another bloody waste o' time." Bruyza said, as the royal's grip would tighten on their massive iron maul.

  "Understood. I'll help organize the oth-" Uzbek replied only to see Bruyza's grip shift on the shaft of the maul. The old boarman then turned his gaze to see a singular figure approaching them from the distance. He stood there almost stunned at the sight.

  Michael was leisurely walking up, despite his dust covered and bloody expression. As soon as he got within a better range for the Rock Back troop to see him, everyone seemed to get more on edge than before, or at least more alert. He'd smile wide lipped from ear to ear, his mouth still sporting that same crimson smudging as before, but now a decent bit more dry and darkened.

  "You thread in really dangerous waters daeman, nearly made me lose me patience." Bruyza said in annoyance, yet with a bit of relief, an exhale huffing out of the helmet's visor.

  "Agh-... my apologies. I was intercepted on my way here by some of your troops. They were quite the entree." Michael said chuckling as he rubbed a corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and wrist.

  The Rock Back troops' whispering and discussions fell silent, as if the whole group got gut punched, all at once. Despite their rather limited expression range, one could see their shock, surprise and horror in the glint of their eyes.

  Bruyza grasped the maul that was rested on the ground and the metal covered royalty lifted it with a rather furious squeal. "YOU DID WHAT?!"

  "Hm? What? Did you not send them to get rid of me since you wanted to back out of our deal?" Michael asked in an over the top confused tone. "I thought it rather cheap, but at least forward enough to expect it from someone as blunt as you. Although, dissapointing that royalty would resort to having their men lie that they're an escort only to ambush me." The human said scratching his chin and shrugging.

  Bruyza's fury hesitated before going fully feral and blind. "What?! I did not order an escort for you nor an ambush, although by now I am starting to want you DEAD." The royal spoke angrily as if struggling to restrain the blazing upset that came from within.

  "You didn't? They were rather plain about their dislike of me. Hell, they even had holy water on them, which they tried to use to blind me. Still, they did a poor job to use it." Michael said with a shrug, while his eyes very carefully scanned the group before him.

  After hearing this Bruyza turned to the side staring at Uzbek and the troop. "Uzbek. You are the only one of us capable of making holy water, the rest of the actual priests are back home. Do you have something to say about this?" The titanic Tuskir asked coldly, but the type of cold tone used, hid a most certainly boiling over anger. "THE REST OF YOU LOT. WHO'S MISSIN'?!"

  After a few moments of half-panicked Tuskirs muttering about themselves and snorting, looking among their ranks and pointing at one another, one of them pipped up. "Three missin'! Baggo, Krank an' Tiggurd. Tiggurd was supposed to be on watch duty on the last shift, the other two ain't in their tents."

  At the same time Uzbek was shuffling through belongings in his backpack, pulling out two vials of holy water, as he let out a short worried squeal. "I'm missing one... They must have taken it from my belongings while I was asleep, your excellency. I am sorry I wasn't more warry of my surroundings. If I'd have caught them in the act this could have been avoided." The advisor spoke clearly shaken up while bowing towards Bruyza.

  "Sigh... perfect. Three deserters all dead. Don't blame yerself Uzbek, ya couldn't have known." Bruyza says while setting her maul down, but her hands still gripping it.

  "Or could he?" Michael asked in an inquisitive tone from where he stood.

  "What are you tryin' to imply, daeman?" Bruyza asked as the head of the metal giant of a Tuskir turned to face, the tone of the royal progeny cutting hard and sharp at the indirect accusation towards the advisor.

  "While I did say the three were quite an entree, they were one for my hunger for a fight. Don't get me wrong, two of them are dead, but I did manage to talk the third one out of commiting suicide by... me. We got along so well, we even made a deal!" Michael explained while he put his hands together at the fingertips, his pleasant tone still rolling off this tongue not unlike an irritating venom.

  The human would half turn around towards a patch of threes and brush further away and he'd wave with wide motions silently. The rest could then see a figure emerge and start to walk up slowly. The Rock Back troop once more began whispering and talking among themselves.

  "Tiggurd is not too dull, I must say, but dull enough to still require a decent amount of convincing, even though he had witnessed his two accomplices expire before him. So... props for his bravery at least, he he~." Michael said with a light chuckle leaving his throat.

  "Ghah... That bloody elusive way in which ya talk... bastard. An' why ya think I'd believe anythin' Tiggurd says right now?! Ya could have charmed him ta control whatever he says." Bruyza said as if that was blatant common knowledge.

  "Now, that'd make sense... in a world where logic doesn't exist. Why would I do that when this whole ordeal is a detriment for you and me?" Michael said as dramatically, as if he was hurt by Bruyza's assumption.

  "Oh, I canne wait ta hear this one." The behemoth continued with an annoyed snort.

  "Whaaat? It is a detriment to both of us. For me because it means someone I don't know is out to get me while keeping their identity secret and for you because... well... at least if Tiggurd is honest, him and his late colleagues were promised extra rations once you all got home." As Michael said those last words Bruyza's digits twitched on the handle of the maul with an ever so subtle metal clicking.

  Michael immediately noticed the faint shifting and so he kept talking, his eyes then looking at the elderly advisor who stood straight by Bruyza's side. "Now if Uzbek here is your advisor, I presume he is privy to a bunch of important things and would have access to critical resources such as... your entire stock of food. And IF it was him that actually ordered those three to do this... in there lies the question of... Was this the only time he went behind your back or did he do it before?"

  "I'd never attempt to hurt my liege nor the royal family, you cur!" Uzbek replied immediately as spit flew from his maws while he retorted with a genuine fervor.

  "Ahp! I never said that, neither. Going behind someone's back doesn't necessarily mean you want to hurt them, but it can mean that you think you know better than they do." The human interjected while holding up a finger and wagging it at Uzbek from a safe distance. He'd then look at Bruyza who seemed to look more intensily in Uzbek's direction. "Now, doesn't that sound more plausible, Bruyza?"

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  The metal behemoth of the Rock Backs kept silent for a decent bit, before the echoing voice inside the helmet spoke. "Did you order them to do this, Uzbek?"

  The older boar let out a short squeal that died half way in his throat, as if he was choking. "Your majesty, I'd never mean you nor your father any harm, that I swear upon my heart!" He'd reply while taking a knee and bowing his head.

  The behemoth turned and stared at Uzbek with a statue like silence, as one of the gauntleted fists of Bruyza tightened. "That is not what I asked, Uzbek. I am already sick o' da elusive way that de daeman speaks in. I don' doubt yer fealty... as much as I hate ta agree with... IT. The daeman's point stands." Bruyza spoke, the words leaving the royal's helmet stabbing akin to pointed daggers. "Did ya tell those three ta do this, Uzbek? Yer answer better not be anythin' else besides a no or an aye. We're burnin' da daylight and it barely turned morn'. I don' have the patience, Uzbek, you'd kno' best how lil' ah have in general."

  The old priestly advisor stood there bent down, staring at the grass and dirt. His eyes were wide with disbelief at his current predicament. His breathing was ragged and hasty, soon bordering on hyperventilation. He'd stare about and around, searchin' the inner most depths of his mind for a solution to his unraveling plans that are starting to catch up to him with consequences. Still, the once wise advisor's mind was too clouded with a building hate towards the daeman. He detested it for its simple unnatural existence, but also for using its influence to twist his own charge.

  Uzbek took in a deep breath coming to terms with the situation he was in. "Aye, yer Highness. I sent Tiggurd and da other two after da daeman. I wanted it dead... I wanted it dead 'cause as a priest o' The Den Father an' The Hunt Mother, I-i know from our scrypts the ruin' these... decrepit monsters can bring... an' I was afraid it had corrupted your mind already..." the priest confessed solemnly.

  Bruyza listened, the a confession clearly hitting the armored royal unexpectedly, show by just the shifting of weight on the back foot of the massive armor's frame. "Sigh... despite not bein' a holy person meself... Uzbek, ya thought me about these an' more as me teacher..." Bruyza said while turning to the side slightly. "You dishonor me by doubtin' me senses and awareness... and you dishonor yerself fer not followin' yer role appointed by me father and by doubtin' yer own teaching ta me an' their effects."

  Uzbek oinked briefly as if in pain from being struck by arrows, while Bruyza spoke to him. Each of those comments seemed to just tear at him, unraveling him akin to a worn cloth. The old tuskir caught his breath, gathered his thoughts and he kept his eyes staring at the ground solemnly, while he grasped his handaxe with a tucked in hand, holding it tightly. "Forgive me your Highness, for my arrogance born of worry, but it is because of t-that... that I wished to ensure your safe-"

  "I CAN KEEP MESELF SAFE, UZBEK! That is what all me TRAINING, LEARNIN' AN' CEASELESS PRACTICE WAS FER! TA HELP LEAD AN' KEEP. US. SAFE!" Bruyza yelled back squealing, the shrieking helmet induced echo of the royal's voice hiding little pangs of pain that weren't fully concealed properly.

  Michael stood back, looking at the scene and the scared stiff Tuskir further back that seemed to now be standing at attention, specifically from the moment Bruyza began yelling more consistently.

  'Well, the mole got caught, but I am not likin' this... someone personally close doing stuff behind your back, technically undermining you... that's a shit situation to have to deal with... him ending up, exiled, imprisoned or executed might create just more tension and animosity between me and the big bucket head.' Michael tought while examining the scene. Was there any other way this could have went?

  While contemplating this, the human noticed Uzbek's slight movements as he grasped his axe. Realizing the priest would try a Hail Mary of an attack to take him down, before his own fate was sealed, an idea came to his mind. With a wide smirk Michael then clapped slowly, this had gotten not only Bruyza's and Uzbek's attention, but the whole troop's.

  "You know, you gotta admire his devotion up to the last second. Even when doom from his superior is about to befall him, he still looks for a way to protect you, at least from his perspective." Michael said in a rather pleased and impressed tone.

  "What do you mean, daeman?" Bruyza asked in a clearly upset tone, looking at Uzbek with suspicion, due to the whole situation.

  "Well, he's preparing to launch one last attempt of an attack at me. His movements are ever so faintly noticeable, grasping for what I presume is a weapon. It would be commendable if it wasn't just futile, but you can't blame him really. He doesn't truly know what he's dealing with, now does he, Tiggurd?" Michael asked while turning to glance smirking at the survivor of his previous assault.

  Tiggurd was still off to the side, his body ever so slightly more jumpy than before, jolting as Michael spoke his name. He'd briefly glance at the human before looking over to Bruyza and then Uzbek. "T-the daeman is right... S-sir... ye 'ave no idea what I witnessed... an' I might not sound it, but I'm clear o' mind... yer plan ta kill it was doomed from de moment ya gave us da order. We took 'im by surprise an' he still butchered Baggo an' Krank. Tis too strong... da holy water didn' even make it flinch." Tiggurd spoke with a wavering voice as he tightened his fists, trauma clearly lingering in his words.

  The old Tuskir froze as he listened to Tiggurd speak, his confusion being slightly verbalized by a huff. Before the priestly advisor could speak, Bruyza was also ready to shout, as a clear angry squeal was forming about to leave the royal's helmet, but Michael interject before the fury of the giant manifested.

  "Well, with all this out of the way, I think a stern talking to will do and we can just carry on." Michael said with an easy smile as he began approaching the Tuskir troop's encampment, that watched him with unease.

  Then the human looked at a half disassembled tent and its supporting sticks and he began fiddling with it tying the material to them, as casual as a camper out in woods on a weekend. The small army stared at him. Bruyza stared at him. Uzbek stared at him, hell even Tiggurd looked at him with his previous tension being replaced by confusion.

  "Stern talkin' to? Daeman, first of all, you don't tell me how to lead me men an' second, Uzbek went out of his way to go against my own will-..." Bruyza said with clear angry annoyance and indignation.

  "Mhm... technically he didn't, but I see your point... uhh... mind holding these for me?" Michael said with a shrug before turning to a Tuskir warrior and giving him two of the sticks to hold the end of.

  "Uh-... sure?" The confused soldier replied, to which he got two taps on his shoulder as a thank you from Michael. That resulted in the fur covered fellow flinching slightly.

  Bruyza watched Michael as if trying to understand his point, but it was clear the human's sudden interjection made the situation confusing. "Sigh... go on." Bruyza grunted from inbetween gritted teeth.

  "Well, if memory serves, it was discussed that it was an order from your father that sent you to attack the Hay-yen. If we are to go into technical situations... your second in command simply wanted to follow the original order of your higher up, instead of having to double back, check with His Excellency if this deal was worth His time and if it wasn't it would mean doubling back. I can understand that, along with his faith, would make sense to result into my ambush so, since it failed anyways, what is done is done, lets move on." Michael said while having another confused Tuskir soldier hold up the other end of the sticks tied with tent material.

  As the two boar like soldiers stood there, holding up what was essentially an improvised hammock, Michael simply took off his back pack, he laid in his freshly improvised bedding, with his bag in his lap. "Ah-... this right here, this is apology enough. Besides, with such short lives, what worth do grudges even have, wouldn't you agree Uzbek?" Michael asked smirking as he stared at the old priest.

  The zealous second in command looked confused at the "daeman" before him. His mind began rolling back the memories of his decision, the discussion that was being had, what he heard from Tiggurd and so, in this manner, a thought began to form. A thought that had its own doubts abouts its existence, but indeed an idea that Urvak hadn't taken in consideration before.

  "I-... I am sorry for my haste and hidden intentions, Your Grace. P-please forgive my insolence, I shan't quarrel with the daeman no longer, not unless you order it." Uzbek said as he bowed his head again before Bruyza, the corner of his eye staring towards Michael.

  The armored behemoth that was Bruyza brought a gauntleted hand to the side of the helmet, that the royal wore. "AGH! Sigh... fer de sake of not burnin' even MORE bloody daylight, we'll leave it as is. I'm ab'ut to go BLOODY MENTAL, if this keeps goin'! Uzbek, you deal with yer usual duties and so help me Hunt Father an' Den Mother, if I sniff ya doin' anything shady around de daeman, I'll deal with ya by me own hands." Bruyza said commanding sternly, to which Uzbek stood at attention and nodded.

  "Sigh... all's well that ends well, ay?" Michael said lazin in his Tuskir suspended hammock, which got approached by Bruyza, who then pointed a large finger in the young man's face.

  "Oh don' ye go with that shite... aLl'S wElL tHaT eNdS wElL. I'll overlook yer tricks an' de fact ya dared to command two of me men ta carry ya around, specifically 'cause due to men in me troops ya got attacked, but remember. Yer comin' to work FER me, NOT WITH me. And ye better be worth every dollop o' food we'll use on ya while we're there." Bruyza said snarling and squealing slightly while looming over Michael.

  "Yup, understood, Your Highness. I understand how business works. I AM a deal maker after all." Michael answered with the same relaxed demeanor as he kept having until now, despite an inner nervousness that made him pucker up and clench his cheeks when he realized how much bigger Bruyza looked when looming over him.

  The metal bound Tuskir nodded with a growling silent huff before looking up at the others. "EVERYONE PREPARE FOR DA MARCH BACK HOME! And you two carryin' him! If ya drop 'im on purpose, I'll make sure ya get to listen to him yappin' and yammerin' about whatever else nonsense he knows about fer da whole night! I'M DONE WITH EVERYONE'S SHITE! MOVE IT!"

  And so, The Rock Back troop, with a rather cozy sitting human, began its march heading to their home in the mountains, The Grove O'Stone.