Comeback!

As Jamie approached the tribal grounds, the familiar sights and sounds of his home washed over him. The air was thick with the scent of earth and greenery, a stark contrast to the polished elegance of Srides's mansion. Before he could fully acclimate, a blur of scales caught his eye.

Morona rushed towards him, her eyes wide with concern. "Why did you run away, master?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of worry and curiosity.

Jamie offered her a reassuring smile. "Just some business to take care of," he replied, his tone casual yet leaving no room for further questioning.

Morona visibly relaxed, her mind settling into a more muted hue. "Do you want to see Sader, master?" she inquired, already anticipating his answer.

"Yeah, it's urgent!" Jamie nodded, his mind racing with the possibilities that lay ahead.

Together, they made their way to Sader's resting place. As they approached, Jamie could hear the low murmur of voices. To his surprise, he saw Fear and Shadow engaged in what appeared to be an animated conversation with Sader. Not wanting to interrupt, Jamie hung back, observing the unlikely trio.

It didn't take long for them to notice his presence. In an instant, Fear and Shadow were back at his side, their ethereal forms shimmering with a mix of embarrassment and guilt.

Jamie chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, don't be shy, you guys. I'm also a being that wants to connect."

Sader, never one to miss an opportunity for humor, quipped, "Even if you get HIV!?"

The unexpected joke caught Jamie off guard, and he found himself laughing heartily. The others, however, didn't seem to share his amusement. Their eyes bore into Sader with an intensity that could have melted steel.

Realizing his misstep, Sader cleared his throat awkwardly. "Anyway, what brings you here?" he asked, eager to change the subject.

Jamie's expression turned serious. "Just curious," he replied, his tone laden with unspoken meaning.

Understanding dawned on Sader's face. "Oh," he murmured, before turning to the others. With a subtle gesture, he indicated that they should leave. Jamie didn't object, and soon it was just the two of them.

Once they were alone, Jamie leaned in, his voice low. "How could you tell?"

Sader's eyes glinted with a mix of pride and caution. "Been a mercenary for a long time. Wouldn't get tricked blindfoldedly."

Jamie nodded, impressed despite himself. "Awesome, but I'll be needing your help."

"What kind of help?" Sader asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Nothing much," Jamie replied, his casual tone belying the weight of his words. "Just a reason to attack them."

Sader's expression turned grim. "There's one, but you're not gonna like it."

Jamie's patience wore thin. "Spit it out already! I'm dying for planned proposals."

Taking a deep breath, Sader laid out his plan in meticulous detail. As Jamie listened, his initial excitement gave way to concern. The plan was brilliant in its simplicity, but it hinged on one crucial element: Srides. The risk to her was significant, and without her involvement, the entire scheme would crumble.

"But-" Jamie began, his voice thick with hesitation.

Sader cut him off, his eyes blazing with determination. "No need to fear risk for Srides. I'll be there, and I won't let a single fucking piece of shit get near her."

Jamie fell silent, weighing the potential consequences against the promise of victory. Time seemed to stretch as he pondered, the weight of leadership pressing down on him. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he nodded his assent.

With the decision made, Jamie wasted no time. He set off for Srides's mansion once more, his mind racing with the details of their audacious plan. This time, the guards showed him a newfound respect, ushering him in without hesitation.

Inside, Jamie laid out the plan to Srides, his words careful and measured. To his surprise, she agreed without hesitation, her eyes shining with a mix of excitement and resolve.

Taken aback by her eagerness, Jamie couldn't help but ask, "Why risk all for me?"

Srides's response was immediate and heartfelt. "It's the life you saved. Might as well repay back to you."

"You don't have to!" Jamie protested, a wave of guilt washing over him.

Srides fixed him with a stern look. "That would be disrespectful if you say something like that to someone close."

Jamie couldn't help but smile. "Guess 'no' is a no-brainer."

"Yep!" Srides grinned, her enthusiasm infectious.

The next day dawned bright and clear, the sun casting long shadows across the land. As planned, Srides set out in a wagon, accompanied by a contingent of four to ten guards. The small caravan made its way towards the lizardman tribe's territory, the air thick with tension and anticipation.

Hidden from view, Jamie waited for the signal. When it came, he sprang into action. With practiced precision, he launched a volley of dart-like objects towards the lizardman tribe. The projectiles sailed through the air, their trajectory carefully calculated to arouse suspicion without causing harm.

The effect was immediate. The lizardmen, their eyes trained on Srides's wagon, leapt to the obvious conclusion. With a chorus of angry shouts, they gave chase, their scaled forms blending into a sea of green and brown as they pursued what they believed to be the source of the attack.

But Jamie's true target lay elsewhere. As the lizardman soldiers poured out of their stronghold, the king was left vulnerable, his defenses spread thin. Yet even this was not Jamie's primary goal.

The true brilliance of the plan lay in its subtlety. By provoking the lizardmen into crossing their territorial boundaries, Jamie had engineered a violation of the laws set by humans for monsters. It was a masterstroke of cunning, a golden opportunity that made Jamie grateful beyond words for Sader's alliance.

As the chaos unfolded before him, Jamie felt a surge of exhilaration. The pieces were falling into place, each movement bringing them closer to their ultimate goal. Yet even as he reveled in the success of their scheme, a part of him remained vigilant, aware that the true test was yet to come.

The air crackled with tension as Jamie watched the lizardmen pour out of their territory, their scaled forms a blur of motion in the morning light. He couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity and effectiveness of their plan. It was a testament to Sader's strategic mind and Srides's unwavering trust.

As the last of the lizardman soldiers disappeared from view, Jamie allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Phase one was complete. Now came the truly dangerous part.

With practiced stealth, Jamie made his way towards the now-vulnerable lizardman stronghold. His heart raced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Every step brought him closer to his goal, but also increased the risk of discovery.

As he approached the outer perimeter, Jamie caught sight of Sader. The white-furred warrior was moving with fluid grace, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. Their gazes met for a brief moment, and Sader gave an almost imperceptible nod. The message was clear: all was going according to plan.

Jamie pressed on, his senses on high alert. The sounds of the pursuing lizardmen had faded into the distance, replaced by an eerie silence that seemed to press in from all sides. It was in this moment of quiet that Jamie truly appreciated the audacity of their plan. They weren't just risking their lives; they were gambling with the delicate balance of power that governed their world.

As he neared the heart of the lizardman territory, Jamie's thoughts turned to Srides. She was out there, playing her part in this dangerous game. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. He had dragged her into this, and now her safety hung in the balance.

But there was no time for doubt. Jamie pushed his concerns aside, focusing on the task at hand. He had a tribe to protect, a future to secure. And if that meant bending the rules, so be it.

With each step, Jamie felt the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was what he was made for—the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of outmaneuvering his opponents. It was in moments like these that he felt truly alive.

As he crept closer to the lizardman king's chambers, Jamie allowed himself a small smile. The plan was working perfectly. Soon, they would have the leverage they needed to turn the tables on their enemies.

But even as he reveled in their success, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered a warning. The game they were playing was dangerous, with consequences that could ripple far beyond their immediate circle. They were treading a fine line between justice and vengeance, between protection and aggression.

Jamie pushed the thoughts aside. Now was not the time for philosophical debates. He had a mission to complete, a tribe to protect, and a future to secure. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on, just as he always had.

With a deep breath, Jamie steeled himself for what lay ahead. The real test was about to begin. And he was ready for it, come what may.