The Tree Tribe buzzed with an electric excitement, the air alive with chatter and the scent of exotic goods. Females who typically slumbered or rested by this hour were absent from their homes, drawn instead to the market square near the tribe's outskirts. The arrival of merchant beastmen had transformed the usually quiet area into a vibrant hub of trade. These merchants were no ordinary travelers; they were intellectuals skilled in the art of marketing and selling rare commodities, their caravans laden with treasures from distant lands.
The Merchant beastmen are a group of intellectuals versed in the art of marketing and selling valuable commodities and rare items and majority of the time these beastmen were usually very strong, this is in other to protect their goods as it was not uncommon to be robbed in the tribes or cities they go to sell their goods or ambushed while travelling through the forests and sometimes even beastmen hired to guard the merchant may turn on the merchant if the cargo being transported were tempting or valuable enough. So often at times, only strong beastmen take up this profession and then train other strong beastmen who will work under them while learning the trade, training the apprentices in both combat and commerce to build loyal crews.
It so happened that four different merchants had arrived in the Tree Tribe, though not all on the same day. Those who came earlier had sold off most of their affordable items, leaving behind only the priciest luxuries. The market square teemed with females and their mates, crowding around stalls to haggle over bangles crafted from colorful seeds, rare and soft pelts that shimmered in the sunlight, wooden birds that sang melodic tunes when wound, strange flutes that produced haunting echoes, and pouches of delicious dried berries bursting with sweetness. Ava, of course, was not left out. Eager to explore, she wandered the stalls with Kael and George by her side, her eyes scanning for anything useful while quietly seeking a trustworthy merchant to offload the piling stock of mined salt from the secret cave.
Amid the throng, Oma stood at one stall, her eyes wide with hope as she cradled a peculiar egg in her hands. The merchant, a burly level 2 boar beastman with bristly fur and a toothy grin, leaned forward, his voice smooth as honeyed sap. "Ah, fine female, this is no ordinary egg. It's a sacred one, blessed by the Beast God himself. Wait a few days, eat it raw, and it'll boost your fertility like nothing else. Cubs will come easy—strong ones, too."
Oma's mates exchanged excited glances, their tails twitching. They had been trying for cubs without success, and this promise ignited a spark in Oma's eyes. "Really? We've waited so long..."
Kael, his serpentine form coiled nearby, leaned close to Ava, his voice a low hiss. "That egg's no good. It's a dead snake egg—can't be eaten, it'll sicken her. I can sense it; as a snake, the rot calls to me."
Ava's brow furrowed, her protective instincts flaring. She stepped forward, her voice cutting through the merchant's spiel. "Wait, Oma. That's not a sacred egg—it's a dead snake egg. Eating it could poison you, not help with fertility."
The boar merchant's grin faltered, his small eyes narrowing. "What nonsense! This female knows nothing—mind your own business!"
Oma hesitated, her hands trembling as she set the egg down. The crowd around the stall murmured, doubt spreading like wildfire. Potential buyers paused, inspecting their purchases, while those who had already bought began checking their goods thoroughly, grumbling about overpriced trinkets.
The boar was furious with Ava, she not only spoiled his sale, she had also made the other potential buyers to doubt him and the ones who already bought from him were now checking their goods thoroughly.
Enraged that Ava had spoiled his sale and sown distrust, the boar beastman roared, lunging at her with tusks bared. In his fury, the level 2 brute forgot the level 4 and level 3 beastmen at her side. In a blink, Kael's powerful tail flicked out, sending the boar flying into the woods with a crash of breaking branches. The merchant's fearful subordinates stammered apologies, but the angry mob surged forward, chasing them away. "Swindlers! Not only did they sell inferior goods at high price, they also want to attack the females of the tribe!" The subordinates scrambled to pack their remaining goods, fleeing the tribe to search for their boss, leaving the stall in disarray.
Oma turned to Ava, her face flushed with relief. "Thank you, Ava. I was so close to buying that... we've been desperate for cubs. You saved us from a terrible mistake."
Ava smiled, squeezing Oma's arm. "I'm glad Kael noticed. Just be careful with these merchants—not all are honest."
As they spoke, a new commotion stirred near the market's edge. Another merchant had arrived, his caravan slithering into view with an air of mystery. He was a level 3 snake beastman, his scales glistening in shades of emerald and black, his form lithe and commanding. Ava's eyes widened. "Is this the one Kael mentioned? The trustworthy trader he knew from old hunts?" She asked.
Kael nodded subtly, confirming her thoughts. "That's him—Zessar. Reliable, unlike that boar fool." He stepped forward, greeting the snake beastman with a firm clasp. "Zessar, old friend. Good to see you in these parts."
Zessar's forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air, his yellow eyes sharp. "Kael, what a surprise, I never thought a day would come when I see you living amongst other tribes people. And this must be .....?"
"Ava, my mate." Kael replied
Ava saw a flicker of suprise flash across Zessar's face. He must be surprised that a female would willingly stay with a snake beastman.
After exchanging greetings, Ava leaned in, her voice low. "Zessar, once you're done selling your goods, can you come and see me?. I have something valuable to sell—something you won't say no to."
Zessar's eyes glinted with intrigue. "Consider me curious. I'll visit."
As the market continued its bustle, Ava felt a surge of hope. With Zessar, the salt trade might finally begin—but in the Beastworld, trust was as rare as females, they would have to wait and see how Zessar handles the first trade.
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The golden-orange sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Tree Tribe as evening settled in. Ava, having finished her meal, busied herself arranging the beautiful furs she'd purchased from the merchants—soft pelts in shades of gray and brown that gleamed in the firelight. She had hoped to find fabrics, dreaming of lightweight clothing to replace the heavy hides she wore, but George and Kael had dashed that hope.
"Fabric's a rarity," George had rumbled, his jaguar eyes glinted. "Fabric clothing is only worn by males and females of very high status and powerful families in the beast city, and even if they were available, it would be very costly, a roll of fabric would cost almost half the amount of food that the whole tribe would need in other to survive winter."
Ava suddenly decided to give up on it, especially since having one, would draw unwanted attention to her.
"Half of a tribe's winters supplies, too expensive!" she shook her head.
Kael nodded, his serpentine tail flicking. "Too expensive, and having it would draw eyes—unwanted ones."
Ava sighed, shaking her head. Half a tribe's winter supply? Too much. The risk of attention outweighed the luxury, and she reluctantly let the idea go, focusing instead on the practical furs before her. As she smoothed out a particularly soft pelt, Kael who had left a few seconds ago, slithered back into the room, his scales catching the dim light. "Ava, it's time. Zessar's waiting outside."
Nodding, Ava stepped onto the patio, the cool evening air brushing her skin. She gestured to a sturdy wooden stump for Zessar to sit on. The level 3 snake beastman's emerald-and-black scales shimmered as he settled, his yellow eyes scanning her home with clear admiration.
One could see from the look on Zessar's face that he was already impressed with the house that Ava lived in, it was looking even better than the ones in the beast city, The wooden structure, with its sturdy beams and woven roof, outshone many dwellings in Beast City. The only downside was that it was made out of wood so he felt it might not withstand an attack.
Ava offered a small smile, motioning for Kael and George to prepare the utensils and pot of bubu bird soup, She ladled out bowls of bubu bird soup, the rich aroma of bubu bird soup and herbs wafting into the air. Zessar accepted his with a grateful nod, the delicious fragrance teasing his senses. As he took a sip, his eyes widened, and he quickly devoured the rest, momentarily losing his composed demeanor before adjusting himself with a sheepish grin. "Divine," he muttered, wiping his mouth.
Ava's face remained cool, devoid of emotion. "I know by now you must be quite curious as to what I have for you."
Zessar nodded, his curiosity piqued. Ava gestured to George, who disappeared inside and returned with a small bowl of pure white crushed salt powder. Zessar leaned forward, dipping a claw into it and tasting it. His eyes widened further. "This salt—it's the purest I've ever seen. How did you come upon this?"
Ava's tone was icy. "Where it comes from is not what you should concern yourself with. What matters now is if you can sell this while keeping your source anonymous."
Zessar's expression grew serious, as if a veil had lifted. "Ah, I see. Having something this precious might attract unwanted troubles. You seek me out to sell these on your behalf."
Ava nodded. "If not for Kael recommending you as trustworthy, I probably wouldn't have thought to come to you first. We have a ton of this salt, just like what's here. So, can you do it?"