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It had been a few days since the caravans had departed from the docks and headed into one of the many jungles on Kuriss. Nick had never been to Kuriss before and had been worried they would have to find their own way through the foliage. To his relief it turned out that wide paths had been made for foreigners like them. On the trip to the Aspis Clan’s village Nick found himself walking next to a female Bulldog. He would have found her to quite attractive if it wasn’t for the fact that she had more muscles than some of the guys he had trained with. Earlier in the day they had spoken to each other and he found out that she was pretty friendly despite her intimidating demeanor. “So Beth,” Nick said, catching the Bulldog femme’s attention. “Is this your first time on Kuriss?” Beth looked over to him but kept an eye on the path so she wouldn’t trip over one of the many roots that had surfaced. “No,” she replied, “This is my fifth time here. Is this your first time?” Nick nodded. “Yeah, I’ve only been to the Aria continent before. I was told that the Aspis Clan might attack us. Are they really that bad?” Beth shrugged lightly. “It depends. The Aspis are easy to piss off and they’ll kill any outsiders that don’t treat them with respect. On my second time here I was put onto the caravan that would head into their territory. During my time there I was the only one who could make any friends among their tribe. Ever since then I’ve been put onto each caravan from Makos that was headed over there because of my connections with them.” “So they won’t attack us as long as you’re traveling with us?” Beth gave a small shake of her head. “There aren’t any guarantees there, last time I was here the head negotiator accidentally offended their chieftain. The whole tribe had surrounded us and was waiting for the signal to attack. Thankfully I had made friends with his brother and he was able to convince the chief to call of his warriors.”

For several minutes they marched on in silence. Beth was the first to speak. “So what about you? You haven’t told me much about yourself. Do you have a girl waiting for you back home?” “No, I’ve been single for quite a while. Why do you ask?” Nick asked somewhat warily. Beth laughed at his reaction. “Trust me Nick, I’m not interested. I’ve got a steady girl myself.” Nick looked over at her. “You’re lesbian?” “Yeah, surprised?” “A little bit. You just don’t seem like you would be.” Beth smiled. “I know. Most furs think that I’m the type of girl who likes to dominate guys smaller than me.” “I hope I haven’t offended you.” “Don’t worry about it. I know you were just curious.” After a few minutes Beth spoke again. “We should be in the Aspis’ village in a couple more days. We’ll stop just outside where they marked their borders so we don’t annoy them in any way. Then we’ll start passing through in the morning. After that we’ll travel for another two to three days to the Nigrum Mortifer’s village.” Nick nodded as the caravan leader called to the others to stop for a break.

~~~~~~

The two teenage Black Mambas guarding the hut blocked the entrance with vicious looking sabers, stopping Zassira from entering. “State your business,” said the one on the right. Zassira placed her paws on her hips and gave them a look of mock aggravation. “Come on you two, you know there is no need to ask that of me.” The two teenagers relaxed a bit and lowered their gaze. “Forgive us Ms. Gemma,” mumbled the one on the left. “We just want to do this job right.” “Hey don’t worry you guys, I was just kidding.” Zassira smiled at the two younger snakes. They had barely been chosen for this shift a week ago, so it was understandable that they would want to prove that they were the right ones for the job. Zassira decided to go through with the process for their sake. “I wish to speak with Chief Koren about the approaching caravan from the Makos continent.” The guards smiled along with her and nodded, stepping aside to let Zassira enter the hut. “Thank you boys,” she said as she walked by them and into the hut.

Koren looked up from the sheet of paper he had been reading when Zassira entered the room. He got up from the floor mat he was sitting on and went to hug her. “Zassira, it’s good to see you again hatch-mate.” “It’s nice to see you too Koren,” she said as she hugged back. Once they had separated, Koren gestured to a floor mat by the table he had been sitting at. “Please Zass, sit down and make yourself comfortable.” Zassira lowered herself onto the floor mat and Koren did the same so that he sat across from her. “So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit Zass?” “I thought now would be a good time to talk to you about the caravan that is coming to visit our village.” Koren nodded. “I had just finished reading the report from the scouts concerning it when you walked in.” “Is the caravan going to be safe while they go through the Aspis’ village?” “They should be. The female Bulldog is with them.” “But that doesn’t guarantee safe passage. Remember the last time a caravan from Makos came here. It could have been a massacre on both sides.” “Yes, but that was during the time when I had barely been chosen to be chieftain and was barely getting organized. I learned soon after the incident that the Aspis chief, Imrra, decided to take advantage of that.”

They were interrupted then by a young female Black Mamba accompanied by an older female. Each carried a plate of some kind of roasted bird garnished in spices and a large cup of wine. “Here is your dinner Chief Koren. We heard that you had a guest, so we brought a plate for her as well,” the young one said. She set the plate she was holding down in front of Koren as her helper did the same for Zassira. “Thank you Taren, this looks delicious,” Koren said to the young snake. “You’re welcome Chief.” Taren smiled sheepishly as she followed the older snake out of the hut. “She’s a very nice young woman Koren. She seems to be quite taken with you,” Zassira said, smiling as she tore off a leg from the bird in front her. “It does seem that way doesn’t it?” Zassira nodded. “I have to admit that I’m very fond of her as well.” “I think she would be a good mate for you Koren.” “I guess you’re right, but that’s not what we’re here to discuss,” Koren said, steering the conversation away from the subject. “Let’s get back to business then. What are you planning to do if the Aspis attack the caravan?” “I was thinking of posting some of our warriors by their borders. They would have orders to stay hidden and rush in to aid the caravan guards at the first sign of trouble.” “It sounds like it’s a bit too simple Koren.” “I’ve learned that sometimes the simplest plans are the best,” he said as he took a sip of wine. They sat in silence, eating the meal that had been brought in. Both we’re lost in their own thoughts, knowing that if Koren’s plan had to be carried out it could mean the start of another war between the Aspis Clan and the Nigrum Mortifer Clan.