"whats going on" she hisses "is my people found you trying to ambush us while we ate." the others in her group angrily advance a few steps, only to be stopped by the woman as she holds up her hand. "and yet...shadow walks by your side. tell me how it is you came to be allied to such a strong being, and we might let you live" she says, lowering her weapon. the others do the same, though a few look ready to snap into attention should you move an inch.

"I have no weapons on me and I wasn't evening ambushing your people I wanted to know why it was abandoned, " I said to her calmly, "And this lady said that she know who enter he forest and that I have kindness in my heart and to pick an element to bond with do I am not alone and that my species is strong enough to harness one,"

there is murmuring among the people in their language, before a male next to the original woman speaks up, making a few members glare at him while the others just stare. the woman punches him in the shoulder, glaring and gesturing to shadow, who is now cleaning his paws by the fire.

"devya does not choose her warriors for no reason, there must be something special about you, then" the woman decides "you will stay with us tonight, it is not safe to travel at night" the people surrounding you relax, wandering off. with that, many of the doors to the structures open, and people emerge from them curiously. you realize these are the weaker members of society: children and the elderly, as well as at least two pregnant women, those who cannot fight.

a few of the children scramble down the ladder, rushing up to shadow and laughing. the woman leads you back to the fire, where a skewer holds up a slab of meat bigger than you are is roasting over the fire. grabbing a wooden bowl she pulls a knife from her belt, craving off a slice and handing it to you. you sit down on one of the logs around the fire, picking at your food.

"what do you know of your quest?" she asks, pulling out her knife and sharpening her knife as she listens.

"All she said was to help her save her forest from a plague that is in her forest," I said to her and sits down.

the woman nods, in understanding, muttering to herself. "yes...there is a plague" she admits, however the way she says it alludes that it might not be a pathogen, but something else. she looks towards shadow, who is being covered in flower crowns and necklaces by the children. "my name is annamet, i am the leader of my tribe. times are.. hard right now" she seems sad, and... regretful? before you can ask about it, she moves on. "what is your name?" she asks.

" I , I don't remember," I said sadly at her. I try to remember my name.

"is there anything i can call you? any titles you might have?" she asks, grabbing her cup and taking a sip. shadow trods up, taking a seat by your feet and showing off his new jewelry proudly. you think for a moment, before answering

" Call me Lovador," I said finally to her.

"lovador" she tests the name on her tongue, grinning. "a fine name". she opens her mouth to say something, but before she can a loud shout rings out, something in her language. in an instant she's on her feet, dousing the fire in water and ushering everyone towards a ladder going up to the network of houses and bridges.

I quickly follow her up the ladder.