Chapter 107 - Karyea

A few minutes after checking my gains from the fight, Asara returned with the rider she'd spoken of. To my surprise, it was a young woman dressed in what I could only describe as leathers and fur. It was all held together by several straps and reminded of something a fantasy barbarian might wear. She had olive-colored skin and dark hair with blue eyes that shone with curiosity and fear as she stopped before me.

She hesitantly bowed, looking rather nervous, which I guess wasn't a surprise considering the massacre she'd just witnessed. I'd have been more surprised if she looked content rather than nervous.

"Your majesty, this woman claims she is-"

"Karyea of the Vorfang tribe, daughter of Chief Horadir." The woman, who had identified herself as Karyea, interrupted Asara. "I am most thankful for your rescue, may I have your name?"

I glanced over at Asara who looked both bemused and annoyed. "I am Nathan Storm, King of Larra, and Sky Lord of the talon riders."

Karyea's eyes widened as I spoke, and she lowered her head. "I see, we have not had a king from beyond the mountains walk these land for some time, may I ask as to your purpose, erm, your majesty?"

I held back a chuckle. "You are not one of my subjects, so you need not call me as such, as to my reasoning for being here? Well, I'm here for challenge."

"Challenge?" She tilted her head to the side. "Not conquest?"

"No, I'm here in search of beasts to hunt," I explained. "As many as I can find and as powerful as I can find them."

A sudden idea came to mind as I gazed down at the tribeswoman. She had most likely lived here all her life, so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume that she knew this place or at least knew someone who knew the area. If she could tell me the locations of beasts then that would make the farming all the easier.

"Tell me, Karyea do you know this land well?" I asked

"I was born here," she replied. "But if you are asking as to the location of greats beasts and other herds then my uncle would know best, he is a keeper of knowledge and our greatest shaman or mage as you might know them."

"I see." I rubbed my chin. "If you take me to your uncle and he helps him, then I will see that your tribe is greatly rewarded, can you do that for, Karyea?"

She bit her lip then glanced around at my summons. She spent the longest time looking at the gaping dragon. "Will you harm us if we don't comply?"

I shook my head. "No. If you do not wish to deal with me, then I shall leave you be."

After I'd gotten Misaki to read their minds and give me the locations but I wasn't going to tell her that.

"If you give me your word upon your soul then I shall take you to my people." Karyea looked afraid but spoke with a firm and steady voice. That was something I could respect.

"Upon my word and soul, I shall not harm your people if we do not come to some form of arrangement," I said. "Barring any act of violence or harm against me that is."

"Then let us be on our way," she said. "I shall lead with my fellow tribe hunters. Can you follow on your… beasts?"

"We'll be just fine," I said as I sent everyone but Rath to storage.

Karyea gasped and shot me a disbelieving look, but I just shrugged and smiled. "Shall we?"

I could use my summoning tokens later. If this went as planned, then I would have a guide to the best farming spots around, which would mean more experience and more tokens.

"Are you sure about this, your majesty?" Asara asked as Karyea walked back to her mount and hunters. "What if she betrays us?"

I shot Asara a smirk. "Do you think she could take us?"

"No," Asara relented with a frown. "But still, is it wise?"

Before I could say anything Migi appeared from my hand and lengthened until he was face to face with the talon rider.

"There is risk involved in this endeavor," Migi explained. "But the potential payoff is far greater. I believe that this is a good course of action to take."

"Ermm, ok." Asara looked down at Migi in confusion.

"Let's get going," I said with a laugh. "We can talk about this on the way there if you want, but you shouldn't worry so much. We'll be fine."

We headed over to Rath and hopped onto his back. "You ready to fly, boy?"

Rath let out a loud roar in response, and I turned to Asara who still had a frown on her face. I was about to open my mouth to ask her what was wrong when Karyea's voice reached me.

"Follow us, and we shall lead the way!"

The tribeswoman took off on her beast and I sent a mental command to Rath to follow. The wyvern took off after the riders. I couldn't help but think of how lucky I'd been to run into not only a herd of beasts but beasts who had been in the middle attacking someone, allowing me to earn even more experience. A good battle and haul of exp and now a potential gold mine of placed to hunt and farm. I really hoped Karyea was right.