The Bird Cometh
Zen was at the table, holding a giggling Trisha on his lap, feeding her bites of a pastry when the door knocked. Nyala answered it and spoke with someone before shutting it and approaching Zen.
"Master Zen, it appears that there are visitors at the main gate."
Zen paused; they weren't due for another merchant group for a while yet. "Did they say who they were?"
Nyala shook her head, "Three rode to the gate on giant birds, and simply waited a respectful distance away."
Zen perked up, "Birds you say? Oh my god, are they Chocobos? Please call Aleyna and Sarina over immediately." He put down the slightly disappointed Trisha and went to change into the tailored and gold-fringed tunic that Sarina had delivered him. He was putting on the gold belt and laced sandals when Sarina entered the cottage.
Sarina was already in full regalia, the stunning outfit he first saw her in, with Anna following her. Aleyna was not far behind, though she wasn't wearing anything other than her typical tunic.
"Master Zen, I have been informed that there is a congregation of wildkin outside the main gate." She seemed a bit flustered. "I don't believe they have ever initiated a conversation with our people. This is unprecedented."
"Well, they likely know that my boys and I are here, so they must figure we've either fortified a better location, or someone even stronger lives here." Aleyna once again quick on the uptake and analysis. Zen had to agree with her, if they had never had dealings with them before, they either believed them to have something worthwhile or recognized a potential threat.
"Is there a particular ceremony for welcoming an envoy? Should we just go out and greet them?"
Sarina hesitated, obviously trying to think through all the situations she had been taught to find the most appropriate answer. "When meeting a new merchant group, we would typically invite them to the church for a blessing and then offer them a meal."
"I don't think they'll care about the church part, considering their god is a giant bird," Aleyna scratched her head. "Maybe we just greet 'em and offer 'em a meal?"
Sarina thought it over and nodded, "That does seem like the most appropriate action. Zen, you should lead as Agravari, with the two of us as your escorts. We should be able to handle any diplomatic, or more physical, confrontation then."
"Alright, let's do that then." Zen and his wives headed out, with Trisha and Oryn escorting them to the gate.
The gates were closed and barred, with two villagers up in the watchtower. Zen nodded to those by the gate, and they moved to either side and began to crank at the mechanism which withdrew the heavy beams barring the gate. It took a minute, but Zen had figured it would be better for them to build something that they could use rather than always depend on him and Aleyna to bar and unbar the gates.
The beams were finally retracted, the gates swung open, and Zen marched out to greet the riders. He didn't get very far before his eyes widened, and a silly smile spread across his face.
"Oh my god, they're fucking Chocobos!"
The birds were easily as tall as Zen with long legs that led to a plump body covered in yellow feathers, and two wings that occasionally beat the air. Their elegant necks were similarly covered with feathers that lead up to eyes that peered about cautiously and a sharp beak that had a harness attached to it.
The spell was, however, broken when instead of a cute "wark" they screamed like a hyena attacking a steak. Zen idly wondered if maybe they could be taught to warble cutely instead.
As the party drew near, the wildkins dismounted and stepped forward. They stood only a head shorter than Zen with silver or gold hair pulled into ponytails, decorated with one or two yellow bird feathers. They appeared slim but wiry, with long limbs. Predictably for this place, they hand elongated ears that came to points, some wearing small rings on them.
The group came to a stop several paces away and lifted their hands palm upward from the elbow. Zen glanced at Sarina who gave a small shrug, and then mirrored the action. Zen did too, coughing once to get Aleyna to do the same.
The lead wildkin smiled pleasantly, though her clear blue eyes seemed to maintain an edge to them.
"We bring greetings from the tribe of Aurnia. I am Tanika, and these are my sworn brothers, Tobas and Timos." Zen briefly wondered if all relatives had shared the same first letter in their tribe.
Sarina intoned politely, "We welcome you. This is the Agravari. I am his first wife Sarina of the church of Anastra, and she is the second wife, Aleyna, warrior of the wilds." This was the first time that he had heard of Aleyna's title, but it seemed fitting enough.
There was a tightening of the mouth on Timos that Zen barely caught at the mention of Agravari. "You can call me Zen. The title is a religious one, and I understand you follow another, so I don't want to impose on you."
"We appreciate the gesture Agravari, but as we are here for religious purposes, it would seem prudent to observe the customs." Tanika nodded her head politely. That statement brought a thoughtful frown to Zen's face. Were they here to convert the town?
"Would you care to come in and join us? We would be delighted to offer you a meal." Sarina had noticed the implication as well.
"We must politely decline your generous offer. We are here only to deliver a message to you." Well, this didn't sound good. "The great god Tempus, he who's steps shake the earth, who's cries split the heavens, and who's passing leaves ruin, will be upon your town within two days." She paused, "Perhaps three if he feels tired. I would suggest you abandon your church and flee before his might."
Sarina looked like she was about to combust, her face turning bright red, her fists squeezed tight. "How dare you bring your god onto Anastra's holy place!" Aleyna had subtly stepped behind Zen and was holding Sarina back by the waist. "The goddess will never forgive this sacrilege!"
"What your goddess chooses to do or not do does not impact the will of the god Tempus." Tanika didn't seem particularly bothered by the outburst, as if only stating with a resigned sigh what the inevitable outcome would be. "We suggest you leave shortly, Agravari. None can withstand his might."
The three of them raised their palms again and gave small nods, almost of condolence, before turning back to their mounts. Sarina was silently fuming next to him, with Aleyna making shushing noises and rubbing her shoulders.
"So," Zen breathed out heavily, "That went well."
***
Zen was sitting on the chair with Serina and Aleyna occupying the couch. They had decided that they needed something stronger than the usual afternoon tea, so instead went for a mixture of juice and something flammable from the bar. It wasn't half-bad.
"This seems like a declaration of war, no?" Zen was having a hard time puzzling through all the mixed signals he was getting during that meeting.
