Incorporation and advances.

The sky lit the room with a pink color when we woke up. It was Karya the one that first moved from the bed and starting putting her clothes, before waking me up with a kiss on my lips and sweet voice "Hey Ren, we gotta speak with the village chief."

As cleaned my eyes and sit on the bed, I smiled at Karya who was passing me my clothes "Here take them, now prepare yourself and I'll be cooking something for both, I don't want to bother Indah any longer." As she left my clothes on my lap, I grabbed her head and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

She just smiled at my actions and exited the room.

After seeing her exiting I sighed deeply and couldn't contain the happiness I was feeling, putting my clothes while humming a song I folded the blankets and make the bed.

After making sure I leave everything in order I exited the room while I heard Karya's voice in a joyful tone speaking with Indah.

As I stepped into the kitchen Indah turned around and smiled me "Oh Renzo, good afternoon! I hope you slept well." When she said the last part she gave me a wink and chuckled under her breath.

'Did she saw us or something?' I wondered to my head "Good afternoon, and yes thank you, I sleep well." I answered with a rough accent while sitting on a chair.

"Karya here was telling me that the little beast in the backyard is yours, how did you find it?" Asked Indah with a curious tone after noticing my embarrassment.

Being reminded of the little kitty I noted into my head to feed him later and answered while looking at Karya with a helping look "I found him in the forest near village." Indah didn't seemed to mind my mistake while speaking and she raised her eyebrows "Oh that's quite surprising, normally spiritual beast tend to avoid contact with humans, so I was quite shocked to the see little guy waiting so diligently outside." She giggled at the end.

Karya gave me a thumbs up when hearing me being able to continue speaking, "He didn't create problem?" I asked and Indah shook her head while saying "Not in the slightest, I only fed him a piece of meat at high noon since I feel a little bit pity for him."

Hearing that I was a little bit more calm regarding his mean, nonetheless I will be buying something for him after leaving Indah's house.

"The little Morpheus, that's how's he's called, doesn't let anyone pick him nor pet him you know, he only let Renzo touch him nor get near to him, I was so jealous the first time." Said Karya while controlling the pan where our food was being cook.

Indah nodded at her words as she added "That's to be expected, still, that kind of bond formed is something good to look after, who knows Renzo, you might be really lucky in the future!" Said Indah with a exited expression.

'Yeah, you just jinxed every possibility for that happening.' I thought to myself while just smiling at Indah.

"Oh Renzo, how long you've been in Ionia? It must have been really unlucky to get here while in the middle of this mess." She asked suddenly, while closing her eyes lamenting herself.

I put a thoughtful look after her question while I was thinking, 'Just how many days have been? I didn't even noticed.' I said to myself.

"Three weeks I think, I don't remember much." I answered after a while, Indah raising her brows in surprise at that.

"oh dear, and how did you passed the blockage?" She asked with an intrigued expression on her face.

It was Karya that answered this time "Well, his appearance was kinda quirky. Someone just thrown him here." She said with a wry smile.

"Yeah, that." I just said with a defeated expression and Indah put an apologetic expression while saying with a gentle look on her eyes "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that, it must have been quite stressful, doesn't it?"

As I heard her words, I nodded but looked over Karya with a smile "Yes, but I met good people." Indah followed my eyes and smiled at our sight.

She asked with a teasing tone "Oh it's so nice to see you two being happy together, how long has been since you're together? It must have been pretty shortly after reaching here, right?" As her questions were fired, both Karya and I blushed in embarrassment.

We both didn't knew how to answer, however I decided to take the reins and answer "Just today." I really wished to be dragged by earth when I saw Indah's expression and realization.

"O-oh, I see, well I hope my house was comfortable, huhuhu." The way she laughed at the end made me die right there.

Karya was simply unable to look into our direction while she keep cooking. I was wishing for that fucking meal to be done already.

Indah started laughing heartily at our reactions while she apologize "Huhuhu, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be teasing both of you, but you looked so cute that I couldn't help myself." With one hand covering her mouth while giggling she said that to us.

We continue chatting after Indah decided to forgive us and stop continuing embarrassing us while she started telling us some stories from Sett.

It was mostly how she was worried about him after his father left them, and the fear she felt when thinking he might follow his father steps.

I wasn't understanding her fears, so when I asked I knew the reason why Sett didn't wanted his mother to know where he was getting the money everyday.

It seemed that Sett's father was a fighter on the arena, he reached this lands sixteen years ago and established alongside the other Noxians the arena on this village.

He then started getting fame and renown, and a four years ago he disappeared looking for other places.

Indah didn't wanted Sett to also put his life on danger, she knew how dangerous such place was and she didn't wanted her only son and motor to keep going to put himself on danger.

I saw Karya face hardly containing the pain for not telling her what her son was doing, but she held back as that wasn't her business to begin with.

If Sett wanted to he honest with her, it was only bound to him to tell Indah the truth.

Then she started telling us how proud she was of her boy starting earning money for them, she didn't have troubles telling us that she got problems sustaining them on the village, she didn't delve deeper into why, but it seemed they were outcasted from the village. Making hard for her to find a job.

They previously survived by the herbs they gathered and sell, and sometimes one or other beast they hunted.

All in all, the more I spoke with her, the more I admire this woman for continuing forward in her situation, it shouldn't have been easy for her during all these years.

This also seemed to affect Karya who held some tears on her face as we continue hearing Indah story, the later just smiled at us and told us like it was a tale, and not her own story.

Hearing her, it have me thinking deeply about the lives of many mothers and fathers raising their childrens through hardships.

I was in a position to at least lent them a hand in the future. Thus I noted to myself that if I implement the schools around Navori, I'll make it so that the parents could let their childrens there and have them eating something through the day.

I didn't wanted to think about kids dying of famine if I could at least feed them.

Nonetheless, before Indah continue speaking, Sett finally made his appearance as he sat on the chair beside his mother while greeting us with a sleepy expression.

Indah hugged her son while asking "Did you sleep well honey? I'm going to make you something really delicious for meal okay?" Sett nodded his head while yawning.

He then looked at the figure of her mother going towards the kitchen as he turned towards us and asked "How was it?" Leaving us with questioning looks as we didn't get what he was referring.

"Your stay, you idiots." He said, only to be quickly reprimanded by his mother "Settrigh! Watch your mouth!" Indah turned around and put an angry expression while both her hands were resting on her hips.

"Yes mommy." Answered Sett like a good child.

"It was okay." I answered while glancing at Karya at my side while helding her hand under the table.

She smiled at my words as she said "How about you, did you sleep well?" There was a smirk on her face while she said that to Sett.

The later, clearly knowing what she was referring just half closed his eyes and said "Fo' sho, I always sleep well." We both chuckled at his actions as we heard Indah asking "Oh right, are you guys going to stay for tomorrow? I hope you do so I can cook you a nice lunch!"

As we saw the hopeful expression and bright eyes on Indah, I couldn't brought myself to tell her something, Karya didn't seemed to be capable also.

But Sett jumped on our defense while saying "They're not going to stay after today, mom. " As he said that he looked at us with a serious look, while gesturing with his hand a "give me" movement.

"He's right Indah, I would love to stay here and taste your meal but I'm afraid we have to leave this night to continue our business." Said Karya with an apologetic expression, she looked back at me and whispered "..maybe we can comeback later to visit her.." I nodded at her words as different from Sett, her mother was really a nice person to talk with.

It would be bad for also bring with us some gifts, if we have the money.

Indahs deflated a bit after hearing our answer with a disappointed expression as she said "..I see.." with dispirited tone on her voice.

"But dont worry, we'll promise you to pay a visit later another day, I'm sure will be passing here at least once." Said Karya with a beaming smile, making Indah's expression change quickly, making even her droopy ears jump slightly.

We continue chatted for a while until we finally have to move away, after thanking Indah for her generosity and good vibes, we took our things while Morpheus jumped on my neck as he started meow me.

The little kitty seemed to miss me as he caressed himself with my body and played with my fingers while liking them.

When we were preparing the mounts Sett walked out of his house while asking us "Whatcha goin' to do? I'm kinda bored here." He then extended his hand and asked me with his hand for the money.

Sighing, I took the pouch from my waist and put it on his hand. At first I wasn't planning on paying him, but after talking with Indah and getting known her better I couldn't brought myself to not pay him, more so knowing that he really gave her almost all of his money.

It was due to that, that they house that was previously in a poor state was looking much better now. Indah told us how she payed the reparations and started working on their house.

"Here it is, half of the money we won." I said while sighing at the bag being taken by Sett. Karya chuckled at my sight and said loudly "Why complaining about it? We'll be getting much more in the future dummy." As she said that she jumped on the mount.

However, it seemed like her words surprised Sett and took his interest while he asked "Hey whaddya mean by gettin' much more in the future?" As I heard him inquiring that, I thought to myself 'Oh shit.' As I face-palmed.

Karya looked at Sett with raised eyebrows and said "None of your business." However just as she said that, Sett inquired further "No! Tell me! How are you planning on gettin' more money?"

"Are you happy now Kar? You successfully baited this brat into this." I said with an annoyed expression.

You dont really understand how punchable Sett was, more so when he start acting like this.

Karya shrugged her shoulders while she smirked at Sett and said "You're mom will be upset with us if I tell you, so bett....-" Suddenly she stopped mid sentence and looked at me with open eyes.

I almost knew what she would say and immediately shook my head while refusing "No way, I'm not letting that boy getting into this." Karya tried reasoning while explaining.

"Look, if we take under our wings, we can make sure he's still alive and don't put himself in danger-" I cut her midway while asking her.

"Since when you are so nice? We're not making charity... yet." I said the last part in a low tone.

Sett looked towards us with a confused expression but still remained silent.

"It's not about being nice, we can help him without letting he put himself in more danger!" She argued back while I sighed and shook my head.

'She doesn't know that this guy is almost certain that he'll be able to survive.' I thought to myself, but obviously I couldn't tell her this.

"And do you think he'll be safer overlooking our farms with the threat of Noxus attacking him while guarding somewhere? If I'm not wrong its more possible for him to die in a battlefield rather than in that arena. He's also not a soldier." I reasoned with her.

Don't misunderstand me, I do really wish to have him between our ranks, but that was in the future, when he could be more reliable with his fighting technique.

Karya furrowed her brows and said to me "And what about you? You arent a soldier yourself nor have been trained for too long, if he was able to stand on the final round, even when the disciples themselves got a hard time, I don't see any reason for not making him join us." Against her first argument, I wasn't able to answer her.

However, when I heard the last part I shook my head and remembered her "are you really comparing him to the disciples? Do I need to remind you what kind of function they do between our ranks?" It's not that I wanted to disrespect the training and diligence put by the apprentices, but in war they could only be taken as cannon fodder.

Maybe the more talented ones could be set aside, but the rest are undoubtedly fated to die in most cases.

At that argument Karya remained silent and looked at Sett while wracking her brain to think a good reason.

Shaking my head I said to her "Look, if he grow up maybe we can get him into our ranks, but now? Let him grow up a little bit and then we can talk about it, also I don't know what say to Indah, are you going to take him away from her?" I asked her while clearly pointing something important to take into account.

Karya, unable to answer back for the meantime could only swallow this lose and refused to look into my direction.

Sett who seemed to perceive that Karya lost the argument said "I'm not accepting a no for answer, you better take me with you to get some good money." As he said that, he got up into a mount and crossed his arms.

I just looked at him with a bored expression and warned him "Get down or I call your mom." And just as fast as he ride the mount, he went down while looking at me with an angered expression.

"Why aren't you lettin' me get some money!? I'm I that much of a burden or somethin'!?" As I heard him asking that I gave him a 'Dont use that card.' look.

"You are young, this is dangerous, a lot dangerous." And with that I mounted behind Karya and whispered to her ear "C'mon honey, let's go." When she heard me, she melted under my arms and meekly nodded and started moving the mount.

Sett stayed behind looking at us with a thoughtful look. I wasn't sure if he would accept this for the time being, but in the future I might be looking over for him to making him join our ranks.

As we passed through the streets and moved through a more populated area, we started notice the looks people were giving us.

Since we weren't from the village it was quite easy to distinguish us, more so when carrying three beasts through the streets.

"Okay, so we'll be offering a partnership and trading with the village chief while also establishing a trading route. We also have to obtain more information regarding nearby villages and see if theres more Noxian presence. " I started telling Karya who just rested her body on my embrace.

"Also, since we already know that the Noxians are rulling that arena, we can't cast aside the investigation about it. We'll leave it for the time being as we can use it as a place to gather information if its needed while also controlling their actions." I pointed out while we headed towards the building where the apprentices were located.

"What about the Noxian presence here? Aren't we going to do something about it?" She asked while eyeing some Noxians around the streets.

Glancing around I sighed while answering with honesty "I'm at lost in what to do with them, unless we have the mediums and resources, we cannot replace them for the time being. It would be a lesser evil to maintain them, but at least a familiar enemy rather than unknown presence, we also need to establish our prestige as some people haven't heard about us yet." as I reached this point, I forced myself to stop as we already reached the building.

Karya was the one getting down to retrieve the two figures. However, five minutes after she returned only with one of them, the one I actually take down and said to me "The other one will take at least two days to be able to walk again, and that's not talking about mountain these guys. So at least a week is needed." As I heard the bad news I couldn't help but furrowed my brows while eyeing this village once again.

'It seemed like we are forced to maintain our presence here.' I thought to myself while I looked at the disciple that was bandaged around his wounds.

"Ask him to return and convey my orders, have at least five swordsman came to this place while also request another batch of disciples from the wind school. At least ten of them." As I said that I was well aware of the time it would take for those guys to reach here, at least ten days. which was almost the time limit until we return.

Nonetheless we would need them around the place, not only for more deterrence, but also pawns to use them around the different villages and establish our power.

Karya nodded her head while ordering the swordman who nodded to her words and headed outside the village, mostly to reunite with the scout that we left behind.

"Now to the village chief?" Asked Karya while I remained silent as I pondered about our actions.

With the apprentice still needing to recover for a few days, finishing our deal and staying in the village wouldn't be wise. More so because it would rouse suspicion, even when it they knew that it was due to an injured.

But that will only lead to a question, why was he injured in the first place? And when they discovered their involvement in the battle they would ask, why would a team that was supposed to be send to negotiate and establish trading routes was fighting In the arena?

At least that was my reasoning. Thus I told her "Not for the time being, however it seemed that our visits towards that place would be an habit for the time being." I said while pointing with my chin towards the arena in the middle of the village.

Karya sighed and let out a chuckle while saying "I guess we were a little bit too hasty to reject Indah's proposal." I also chuckled with her while agreeing.

It seemed like our progress was paused for the time being.

----------

Meanwhile in the salt village, the progress was going steadily. Not only the first batches of salt were already made, but the first fishes started to get caught, although in a much lower output than the salt post.

With a production of a hundred kilos of salt since yesterday, the cookers were only increasing the production while another oven was being prepared to be built. Although they lacked the enough materials to completed quickly, it was enough to be half made until they sell the first batch and buy the resources.

Tomura who was in charge of overlooking the production and write a register, calculated that for tomorrow the salt output would be expanded to three hundred kilos. And by the end of the week, after the other oven was built and more cooking pans were bought, they would start getting near nine hundred kilos to a ton.

Thus, it could be seen that the production was going steadily. Thus, the various workers were now preparing to create the sacks made of plants fibers to carry the salt on sacks to be transported, each sack having the capacity of carrying 50 kilos each.

It was already agreed that the first batch towards the village with the beast of burden and the others in the path, were the first to get the resources.

It would be sent after gathering a ton and a half of salt. Although it might seemed like a bit too much, for two villages, plus the other that have the leftovers, was an insignificant amount.

Not only was salt being used for cooking, but also to health food, smoke, dry, preserving food, and other uses such as tanning, feeding animals, dyeing and bleaching, and so forth.

It's importance as resource was greatly valuable.

Thus, the whole camp was in high spirits at the good news, and were looking forward to the first sell.

Meanwhile the remaining members of the Heralds of the Winds in the village, were falling in boredom and monotony.

Not only they were only tasked to overlook, and sometimes guarding the lumbers and gatherers. But they weren't able to train, aside from Tahru.

Irelia, Hyuna and Ymir used this time to train their battle skills, while the later two taught Irelia who to fight in close quarter combat.

It was needless to say that Irelia was a greenhorn compared to the two experienced warriors, but what she lacked in experience, she got it in talent.

Thus, during the last two days the onlookers where able to see the trio fighting against each other with fierceness, enough to make them bleed or fall unconscious.

It was only due to Tahru and Tomura efforts when treating their wound that they didn't fell injured and with more serious wounds.

However, said training seemed to start paying it's worth, at least most notably with Irelia, who not only improved her dance skills, but also started noticing the strength she was slowly starting to build in her muscles.

She was getting deadlier and more ruthless with her fighting methods, aside from blade dancing.

By now, she could at least take care of a normal fighter if she wasn't able to use her dancing blades.

Thus, like that tue group passed the days.

Meanwhile in the village no one interacted with large group of people in the coast, that was slowly raising another village as it seems.

It would be at least a week before Renzo and Katya returned back, and only time would tell what is hidden behind the undercurrents.

*****

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