Quince calls out, "Peace we seek news. We want no trouble. Perhaps you have seen what we seek." He repeats this in Sylvan and Aklo.
The lizard folk shake their heads and speak in Draconic.
They slowly row toward the coast, then one tries speaking in broken common, "You come?" Pointing and then lifting one claw. and respond in draconic to Katrina.
"We know of the boy you speak of. He fought us from taking him. Duke Krazok keeps him safe in the village. Come we will take you."
The lizardfolk do look a bit apprehensive about the dog.
The dog replies to Katrina alone in barks and a few yips, "Yes I would like that. You are my master!"
Once the canoe is within 40 feet and they begin talking in draconic she casts tongues.
Then she asks, "Hail, have you seen a human boy around here recently? We are looking to find and bring him home."
She then relays to the group, "Krazok has the boy in the lizardfolk camp safe." She then asks the lizardfolk, "Please take my dog. We will meet you at your village."
They likely won't, she asks Quince, "Will you please ask Sunshine and the other horses, if one of them would carry my new dog friend?"
Then speaking with her dog again asks, "Would you like to come stay with me? Do you have a master?"
A little more relaxed but still remains on guard and vigilant, Kev listens and is not able to make out the harsh language of Draconic.
Once they settle on how to get the dog along with them she takes lead charging with Sunshine first along the coast and then once they go ethereal she turns out onto the water. Within minutes on the ethereal plane they are on the far side of the water and lizardfolk village. The last 100 yards coming back into the material realm.
She waves her hand at the guards and slowly approaches on horseback. Telling the guards, "I am Warden Katrina Dewtree, I come with other Wardens and King Quince. Tell Duke Krazok we have come to see our new friends!"
One of the smaller guards on the ramparts quickly ducks down. The lizardfolk nod to you and welcome you into the village but with horses the trip in takes much longer. The water bridge does not normally carry so much weight.
He opens the gates for you chastising those around him in draconic. "Welcome my friends, now they will know their rulers and will treat you with much more respect! Ah yes walking your horses would be the safest thing to do."
Once you are all in and the horses put to the side since they don't have stables. Krazok leads you to the large central dome shaped building. There you see a young human boy with other lizard children playing games with Selena. He asks, "So what shall we do first?
"Lord Duke it is good to see you. Please tell all that we are delighted with their open hospitality and it does our hearts good to see the child safe and at play."
"Our aim was to find the lost boy. But we have discovered friends as well. We did not seek to impose but will welcome hospitality."
"Good to see you again Krazok. You to Selena." He calls over after being taken into the dome shaped building.
"We are glad the boy is safe. His mother is very worried he has been missing a few days. He apparently went fishing and didn't return. Why didn't you bring him back once you had him?"
He relays Quince's message in Draconic to the Lizard folk who cheer in response. "Honestly that conversation would be a private matter. If you want to take him home and then return we can have a feast ready for you and the whole village will then know the Wardens! You really must bring all the Wardens!" He replies to Tristan the first part quieter than the second.
"So what say you?" He asks wanting to know what you want to do.
"It would be good for us to bring the boy home. We can then return. As soon as you think you are able to receive us."
"I know how fast you can travel, take the boy and be back for dancing and festivities before we have the feast!" He grins and suggests before taking his leave and begins to shout out orders.
She brings the boy away from the other children and kneels down next to him, "It is alright, these are the Wardens, the rulers of our fair country. They will take you home."
The boy nods and goes forward. He seems to want to be held but also be a man. It is quite comical.
She steps forward and kneels next to the boy, laying a hand on his shoulder. She pleasantly says, "Come you will enjoy the ride home. It will be strange but good. Come on and guide me out of this village, you know the way." If needed she helps guide the boy to Sunshine. She lets the boy feed her an apple before they mount up.
With that the boy is with you, to your mounts. Even bravely leading Katrina...
Getting out of the village is likely the longest part of the trip back. Soon enough you are riding quickly back home.
Seeing his parents he runs to them telling them about how brave he was and his adventure. They begin to berate him for leaving without a note and being gone for so long.
Quince says his short farewell to Krazok and the lizardfolk.
"So tell me lad what led you out here for this adventure?'
Kev cordially greets Krazok, Selena, and the Lizard folk. Generates small talk with all that he could. Helps with the boy get on Sunshine. Before leaving, and if Krazok and Selena are staying, he also says his short time farewells to Krazok, Selena, and Lizard folk. On the way back, Kev generates small talk with the boy including his name.
Upon arrival, he watches the boy interact with his parents, and then talks to them, "He was a good lad on the way back and in good hands when we located him." He then looks at boy, "See you made your parents worried! In the future, tell them where you are going and be good for them."
Tristan nods to Krazok.
"When we return then."
He then prepares and rides out with the others to return.
Tristan rubs the boy's head and messes his hair with his parents.
"He reminds me of myself. Growing up in these lands I would go out at his age as well. Perhaps he will grow up to become a Ranger as well."
He looks down to the boy.
"Take care of your parent's lad. You are the only you they have."
He then looks to the wardens.
"We should return to the village then and talk more with Krazok. We haven't been gone long enough for Larina to find much out."
Back in the city. Quince smiles as the lad finds his parents, "This worry is past. He is safe." He nods in agreement with Kevros and Tristan.
He looks to the parents, "This chapter is frightening and certainly needs correction but it also displays a courage our lands will always need. It has been my hope and continues so that there is opportunity for our youth to become what their skill and mindset allow. So many places are locked in position of birth or tedium of survival. Our lands have always survived by skill and the will to endure. His future is open to him. I long to see what he can make of his courage."
He looks to the boy, squatting low to look him in the eye. "You see Tristan there. He ranged as you did young. He now ranges the land keeping them safe. I have not met many more brave but in his bravery there is cunning, guile and wisdom. That you dare is commendable. When to dare must also be learned to survive. Why to dare is most crucial; for bragging rights among your friends who will still wag their tongues in a week, for something to prove, the best reasons are for what you love for who you love? Your family, your people. I see Elkheart's future today. Now you have taken action. Men of action often face consequences do not expect that this will simply be accolades of bravery. Square your shoulders, face your parents and deal with what comes as the price for what your actions achieved. It will help you know to weigh the good with the bad and the bitter with the sweet."
He stands and musses the boys hair. And nods to the parents.
He nods to Tristan. "We should not go empty handed. Do lizardfolk regard wealth as we do?"
"Sorry Quince. I know little of their traditions."
"I was looking into what the lights around Candlemere are. And get close to the tower."
The boy nods at all the consternation especially from Kevros.
The parents' stern gaze at their son softens a bit at Tristan's words.
The boy is in awe at Quinces' words. Many villagers stop and listen to the inspiring words.
His folks may cuff him a few times once alone at home but they seem decent enough.
She lets the men interact more with the parents and watch the boy.
After she shrugs her shoulders, offering, "Knowedge Local likely would give us more insight. They are humanoids and a bit more feral than humans. Food would likely be our best bet. Alcohol, weapons, and treasure are likely good choices too."
"Perhaps Bearik might have an idea. Let's gather some choice foods and a selection of drink. Let's see what the old man says then we can be on our way again."
Quince heads out to find Bearik and seek his council.
"Ah Lizard folk. Yes they do enjoy their meats extensively. Yes viewing them as feral is good judgement just never say that to their faces. Alcohol would be my next suggestion. Though if you wanted to really put a good foot forward you would reward them with some master craft weapons, you should know what weapons they use, and a strong and fancy weapon of the same type to their leader. They value strength over nearly anything else." he offers once you find him. He hmmms for a moment before continuing, "Is this the band that Krazok conquered? Yes? Well then I would go with the first two options no need to go overboard since you technically already own them."
"Meat and alcohol is easy enough to do. Perhaps we can set a permanent trade with them. We can supply weapons, iron, steel. They can supply wood and other trade goods. It could help the kingdom coffers grow."
Quince nods, "A great plan. Let get a few Masterwork axes like Krazok."
Kev nods and smiles at Kat's suggestions, "That is a good starter list."
Kev nods to Bearik, "Thank you for your recommendations Bearik."
He also nods in agreement with Tristan and Quince, A good idea as well since they hold Krazok in high esteem! When should we leave to arrange this deal?
"Your welcome, I am here to serve!" He offers with a slight bow.
You can collect the two items from the armory. You can also request that your weapon smiths begin making more of the same or other specific weapons. Your 'castle' has a full forge and they work for the arming and protecting of your army.
You don't have much in reserves in regards to alcohol. Though you do have 4 barrels left of alcohol meant for the Stag Lord still. There is barrels of mead and barrels of ale.
Your kitchen and pantry are well stocked. Though hunting has been needing to go further and further into the forest to bring home catches.
Quince orders the barrels made ready and heads to the armory to find some appropriate axes.
With the six barrels prepared and brought out to the stables your servents wonder where to put them. The four small barrels of Stag Lord alcohol could be carried under one arm if needed. The other two barrels are much larger. A servant suggests they fill waterskins with the ale or other smaller vessels.
You have the two great axes.
The four of you come to get ready to depart.
"Let's go this should be interesting." Quince mounts up and readies to go.
She looks over at Quince then back to the servants. She walks over and commends the man, "Yes, please fill waterskins. That will likely do the best in this situation."
With the direction made, the servants then get to work transferring what they can of the ale and mead into waterskins. Soon enough both are about half empty and each of you have 4 waterskins to take besides a small barrel each, which has been tied to your saddlebags.
With your waterskins and barrel secure you are off. A quick lope over the water and back to the village of the lizard folk.
The lizardfolk guards quickly open the front gate and make room for you to enter. They give you and your mounts plenty of space.
You find Krazok giving orders and keep the lizard folk moving. He offers you all to sit at the quickly put together rugs with pillows for seats. He seems to need to give directions more than once due to lack of communication or understanding.
Quince smiles and thanks those that give them entry.
Quince greets Krazok, "It is good to see you again."
Kev makes eye contact of the lizard folk also smiling and waving cordially as he rides in beside Katrina.
Even though he is reading the lizard folk correctly, he continues to be cordial.
When it is his turn, he also greets Krazok with a respectable warrior hand shake, "Long time, no see. Good to see you again!", while laughing since it was not too long ago they left the village to gather the gifts of diplomacy.
"Its only been a few hours Quince!" he retorts with a good nature. He happily accepts the warrior's shake clasping arms with him. Though Kevros can tell there is a pretty big difference in each other's arm's lengths. He nods to Kev and crunches up his nose a bit but shrugs his shoulders.
It takes about another hour to settle Krazok from organizing and focusing on his guests. The lizard folk here are even more cordial and have two smaller frills rather than one large frill on their head. Food is presented and passed around communally starting with the honored guests, Selena sits with you and quietly offers, "If you can stomach it, then eat it. But it is worse to take something and not eat it."
There is a tray with sliced fruit. A bowl with large worms. Several bowls of berries. Ale. Wine. Milk from a cow... one of the lizard folk point out the mammal. Then lots of vegetables on the following trays of meat: crocodile, frog, deer, beef, chicken, duck, pheasant, and goat. A whole goat.
Krazok presents the food as he passes them to you. Once the tray is back to him he gives it to one of the younglings who takes it off to one of the groups of children around. You have wooden bowls before each of you but you notice only Selena has one as well. The others pull from the tray, pass, then eat.
Quince nods to Selena. "It is a welcome site." He grabs several things, crocodile, deer, berries and vegetables. He enjoys some ale as well.
"We are honored. How are things here?"
Her words sound flawless and convincing, "Oh it is just wonderful here. The lizard folk are such a flavorful race with wonderful tribal traditions and delicacies. Though with how warm they have to allow me to stay, I will sadly have to leave with you. Krazok has been a generous Duke and has been sharing his creed." She says this with a perfect cheshire grin, the lizard folk and Krazok don't have a clue about the true meaning she is transferring.
Though Quince, Kevros, Katrina, and Tristan easily hear the real meaning within and behind her words: 'We can't talk here. Its not all of what it seems. They are primitives with tastes to match. Don't leave me here another minute than I have too. Do not leave me behind. They are lucky he hasn't killed them all.'
"You have done well here Krazok. I'm sure it has not been easy from what I have heard of these people growing up in the lands. We wish to set up a trade to show our trust and support. It will benefit us and them. We can send steel, weapons, armor. You can send wood, fish, herbs and nature supplies. What say you Duke?" Tristan smiles at his friend.
"I say that sounds wonderful. Though as we are apart of your kingdom, what you say goes. A trade route to strengthen both cities would be very welcome." He responds to Tristan around a pull from his mug.
Quince continues in a charming manner listening and engaging politely in discussion. "Tells us of the regions to the south. There is still much of these lands that is a mystery to us."
The lizard folk put on a dance for your group, the ale continues to get passed around, then a few more treats of baked sweet bread. After that Krazok lets them go to their huts and the lizardfolk disperse.
"You are welcome to stay, even in my hut. But if you aren't tipsy then you might find your own beds more comfortable. I know how fast we can all travel." He says before slowly getting up. "I know I won't be riding." He slowly walks to his hut with Selena's help.
She comes out of the hut within a minute or so. Walking back to you, "So back to your castle?"
Kevros nods, "I understand you completely Selena, is it a good time to return?" He gestures to Krazok's hut making sure that Krazok can not see his gesture.