he's looking for leadership (
@Mahler ) but all welcome! <3
foxfire.
kukulkaan summons
@Sabah to his side and sets off to begin the first of three neighbor visits.
the first two — the closest two —
ajaw decides to take only sabah. for the last, and one further side away, on the other side of the suntouched mountain that divides the wilds he will take the
holcan in training.
it is the packs closest to the redsand canyon that
ajaw wished to tread the most careful.
their steps slow and they gesture for sabah to take up her usual position when they begin to approach the borders, the scent of pack hanging stronger in the air.
a respectful distance away,
ajaw tips his head back and calls for the leaders, hoping that relations might be made and that this flowerblossom's
k'in sihaj might yield strong trade.
It is time to travel. Sabah knows this when ajaw calls for her.
Hastened, she makes it to his side, assuming a position by his left flank. But only to remain silent, watchful.
These bouts of diplomacy—she knows them well. They have come for one thing only, and the holcan will do her best to ensure that ajaw is well protected during these times.
they would find the patriarch swift, quiet, his eyes observant upon the muscled young man and the great woman who followed.
foreign, both of them.
but mahler was not weak, and nor would he assume it of these two. they came in enough care to warrant a warmer tone. "this is paleo. i am mahler, its chieftain."
stoneflower eyes missed nothing.
a man approaches.
mahler, chieftain of paleo.
this one greets you,
the tongue of many is honeyed, syrup thick by their accent as it leaves
ajaw's lips.
this one is called kuhul ajaw of tikal, of the redsand canyon.
the holy, suntouched land that earthsings to
ajaw.
this one has come to offer good tidings, in hopes that our packs might, at the very least, live as peaceful neighbors.
After a short silence following the call, someone approaches.
They are chieftain to this land.
Sabah studies them. The colors of their fur, the scents that surround them, the manner of their body language. Nothing goes untouched by her gaze.
Legs shifting to a more firm stance, the holcan lifts her head higher; an assurance that she can see anyone else that may come, or any danger that may arise. As is what she is present for.
"good piece of land," mahler said gruffly. he was not sure what to make of these two, especially the woman who leveled such eyes upon him. but they had come in peace. "ve are traders. my sons prepare to take their first foray. tell me, vhat does tikal need?"
mahler found despite his fondness for reyson, he had not been attached to mereo. this, however; this was a chance for perhaps more that might come their way.
a pack of traders.
perhaps they, then, would be open to attending the seasons gift. that was the intention
ajaw had set out with: to invite tikal's nearest neighbors ... to see if seeds of diplomacy could truly and be sewn into the earth.
tikal prospers.
for their skills were many and the holcan were well versed.
but we hold a k'in sihaj each season with our neighbors and loners that wish to participate. it is a place for trade and runs three days. it is is most sacred to this one and this one's followers.
an invitation that
ajaw hopes might appeal to the chieftain of traders.
Both groups were trades, supposedly.
Sabah lifted a brow curiously, watching this man now with thoughtfulness. Trading prosperous for us both.
She chipped in, nodding to ajaw as she did so in approval of this choice.
We are new settlement, but well learned in art of collecting and trading. You, Mahler, have been here long— help us to learn what is offered here.
it would be imprudent to suggest what paleo had to offer when tikal had not, nor did they ask. "ve vill be in attendance," he decided however.
a nod to the other guardian, who spoke now. "i have been all over this vorld," he agreed. "there is much knowledge in my head. i have been a midvife for a long time, and vould be happy to be called upon for teaching or delivery," mahler offered as example.
ajaw takes the fact that paleo was willing to be in attendance as a good sign. at the very least, a neutral one.
the waters of diplomacy was not always easily navigated.
mahler speaks of knowledge, and
ajaw listens with a contemplation nod of his head.
beyond meats, furs and protection there isn't much tikal could offer it's neighbors yet; fledgling in these wilds. a small cry of the mighty empire it had been in the rio bec.
this one will send a holcan when the time of the seasons gift approaches.
is all
ajaw adds.
It was decided.
They would come together during the time of celebration and trade.
Sabah was pleased that this trip had gone well, assuming her ajaw felt the same.
But all was said now. It was time to return home.
Taking a light step back, the holcan's form shifted. There would be room for both to say farewell, and thereafter, Sabah would be ready to take position in escorting them home.
last for me!
mahler was not sure what a holcan was, but expected it to be some sort of messenger.
dipping his head to the pair, he watched them depart with a vaguely interested mien, and then turned to inform
@Wylla of their arrival, their name, and their intentions. it was a good opportunity for paleo, mahler felt, especially since they had been secluded from mereo except for brief interactions that were not always pleasant.