"So, can you do it?" Ava asked
Zessar tilted his head, considering the weight of her request. "Selling and keeping sources secret is easy. The hard part is shaking off the people who'll chase me—or tail me secretly—just to discover my source. So I do hope you make it worth my while."
The discussion shifted to payment, a critical negotiation under the flickering firelight. Zessar outlined his plan to sell the salt for beast crystals, the coveted currency of the Beastworld. These crystals, mined from underground or extracted by slaying ferocious beasts and wild animals in the dark forest, ranged in power and value across seven colors: Ash, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue, and Purple. Ash crystals, the weakest, came from level 1 beasts or common wild animals, while Purple crystals marked the most powerful and rare creatures—beasts so formidable they were nearly impossible to kill. The crystals reflected a beast's strength, mirroring the levels of beastmen: an Ash crystal beast equaled the strength of a level 1 beastman, a Yellow crystal matched George and Zessar's level 3 power, and an Orange crystal rivaled Kael's level 4 strength.
Legends spoke of higher tiers—Black crystals equaling a level 8 beastmen and Golden crystals rumored to be the same as the strength of a level 9 beastman but these were tales passed down through generations that were considered to be myths. No one had ever seen such beasts or beastmen with eight or nine bar lines etched on their bodies.
The current highest power in the beast world right now was the Level 6 beast king of the beast city who is currently old and he is the only known level 6 beast man, that's how hard it was to level up, so how could a level 8 and 9 exist? Leveling up was a grueling ordeal, making the existence of level 8 or 9 seem mythical.
The salt's purity made it exceptionally valuable, promising a haul of crystals—potentially Yellow, Orange, or even Red if sold to the right buyers. Zessar planned to avoid small tribes, which rarely used crystals as they rarely used or even had crystals, most can only buy by exchanging meat, fur and other things for what they wanted. Focusing on wealthier settlements like the smaller Cities and big tribes was obviously the best way to go. "This could be my most profitable venture," he mused, his tail twitching with anticipation.
They settled on a percentage: Zessar would take 30% of the crystal earnings, a fair cut given the risks of smuggling and evasion. Ava nodded, satisfied, then voiced an idea. "We should standardize the salt into blocks or packets—specific measurements for fair and controlled exchange."
Zessar's eyes lit up. "Brilliant. It'll maximize profits and ensure consistency. I agree."
With the deal struck, George took Zessar to meet Amon and have them introduced after which they would head to where they had stored the salts for transportation.
Ava watched them go, then laid down on her pallet, heaving a sigh of relief. Soon they would start receiving funds which would make life easier for the tribe and most importantly..... for her. But unknown to Ava a strange figure had been watching, monitoring the people going in and out of George's territory. This unknown figure went ahead to follow George, Amon and Zessar to the hidden store.
Cloaked in a tattered pelt, it blended with the dusk, the beastman's movements silent as it trailed George, Amon, and Zessar toward the hidden store. The figure's intent was unclear—curiosity, greed, or something darker—but its presence promised trouble. As the trio approached the cavern, the figure slipped closer, its gaze fixed on the wooden boxes of white powder.
The figure, hidden by thick vines, paused and watched the trio and Zessar's men help with the loads. The beastman watched as they unloaded the salt, Zessar inspecting each wooden box with a merchant's eye. The air carried the faint tang of salt, a scent that could draw scavengers—or worse. Suddenly Zessar stopped and immediately turned around but he didn't see anything, at some point, he had felt like they were being watched but maybe it was just his imagination.
The figure, whoever they were, having seen enough to set plans in motion, melted back into the darkness of the forest.
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Back at the house, Ava's mind wandered to the black cat, now purring softly nearby. The day's events replayed—Oma's near swindle, Zessar's arrival, the salt deal. She felt a pang of pride but also uneasy. Emily's back, Mara's suspicions, and now the trade of salt had begun… The salt cave's secret weighed heavier with each step forward, with the movement of salt from cave to store and store to merchant, it was a matter of time before someone caught on. She glanced at the cat, its affectionate lick from earlier still fresh in her memory. At least something here trusts me, she thought, stroking its fur as the fire crackled.
Ava rose, stretching as the night deepened. She checked the furs again, her fingers lingering on their softness, a small comfort amid the brewing storm. The tribe's future hinged on this trade.
We'll need to be careful, she resolved, her mind already plotting patrols and safeguards. The Beastworld was unforgiving, and with wealth came enemies—seen and unseen.
As George, Amon, and Zessar returned, their faces set with determination, Ava greeted them with a nod. "Is everything secure?" she asked.
Amon grunted. "For now. Zessar's got a plan for the first shipment tomorrow."
Zessar coiled his tail, his expression confident. "I'll start with Beast City traders. Discreetly. We'll see those crystals soon."
Ava smiled faintly, her hand resting on the black cat for comfort. The night stretched ahead, filled with promise and peril, as the Tree Tribe teetered on the edge of a new era.
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The early morning air was crisp, the sky a soft pink as dawn broke over the Tree Tribe. Ava woke with a craving for berries, their sweet tang calling to her after days of roasted meats and potatoes. She nudged George, who was sprawled across their pallet, his jaguar fur faintly visible in his human-like form. "Fancy a berry-picking trip?" she asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.
George yawned, his amber eyes glinting with amusement. "Berries before sunrise? You're a strange one, Ava." But he rose, stretching his muscled frame, and they set out for the forest, Ava clutching a woven basket she'd crafted.
The forest was a living tapestry, its vibrant greens woven with shafts of golden light filtering through towering trees. Birdsong trilled in the canopy, mingling with the heady scent of blooming wildflowers—pale purples and fiery reds that dotted the underbrush like scattered jewels. As Ava and George ventured deeper, their steps crunching on fallen leaves, they spotted Lily and her mates—two wolf beastmen, Gaius and Vark—gathering near a bubbling stream. Lily's wild curls bounced as she waved, her freckled face alight with her usual mischief. "Ava! George! Come pick with us—let's find the sweetest ones!"
Ava grinned, her craving aligning with Lily's enthusiasm. "You're on. Lead the way."
Lily, ever the adventurer, convinced them to venture deeper into the forest, where the rarest berries—plump, indigo orbs bursting with sweetness—grew in hidden groves. "Trust me, these are worth the trek," she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. She teased Ava as they walked, her laughter echoing through the trees. "i didn't come with my basket but Who needs a basket when you've got beast skins to carry them?" She mimed stuffing berries into her skirt, her mates chuckling behind her.
Ava rolled her eyes playfully. "Skins get sticky. Baskets are practical." George nodded in agreement, his tail flicking as he kept pace, his senses alert for any lurking threats.
The group pushed through a dense thicket, the air growing cooler as the trees closed in. Suddenly, Lily let out a yelp, her foot catching in a snarl of thorny vines. Ava, close behind, stumbled into the same trap, the sharp barbs snagging her hide clothing and tangling her hair. The vines were relentless, their spines glinting like tiny daggers in the dappled light. Lily, with her small, agile frame, wriggled free first, her beastman agility shining through. She turned to help Ava, only to trip over another vine, collapsing in a heap with a laugh. "We're a mess!" she gasped, her mates rushing to untangle them.
George growled softly, his claws slicing through the vines to free Ava, while Gaius and Vark pulled Lily upright. "Hold still! You're like a cub in a trap," Lily giggled, brushing dirt from her knees as she gently untangled a thorn from Ava's hair, her fingers nimble and careful. Ava laughed despite the scratches stinging her arms, the chaos turning into a comedy of errors as their mates fumbled to help, Vark nearly tripping himself.
Finally free, they stumbled to a clearing, collapsing under a massive oak tree, its branches heavy with moss. The group shared the berries they had managed to salvage, their fingers stained purple as the sweet juice burst on their tongues. The forest hummed around them, alive with the chatter of birds and the rustle of leaves. Lily, her face flushed with triumph, began to hum a melody, her voice soft at first but growing stronger. "My mum used to sing this," she said, her eyes distant. "It's about soulmates."
She sang, her voice clear and melodious, weaving through the morning air:
"In the wild, where hearts roam,
A soulmate finds your heart a home.
Through storms, fangs, and night's embrace,
Their love will light your darkest place.
With every beat, their strength you know,
And together bound, will forever grow."
Ava's breath caught, the song's rhyme sinking deep. Lily's voice was beautiful, filled with soft hums that seemed to dance with the breeze. George's jaw dropped slightly, while Gaius and Vark stared, their wolf ears twitching in shock. "Lily, you never told us you could sing like that," Gaius said, his voice awed.
Lily blushed, brushing a curl from her face. "Didn't think it was special. My mum was a goldfinch beastwoman, like me. She taught me before…" Her voice faltered, and she looked away. "She and her mates left their old tribe, came here. I was born, but years later, she died—belly worm infestation. It was slow and painful."
Ava reached out, squeezing Lily's hand. "I'm so sorry, Lily. But that song… it's beautiful. Your mum would be proud." The moment hung between them, a thread of shared loss weaving their hearts closer. Lily's mates nodded, their eyes soft, and even George's usual gruffness melted as he watched the exchange.
They parted ways soon after, the sun climbing higher. Ava and George headed to the market square, where Zessar and Kael awaited, the salt trade looming. Ava's heart felt fuller, Lily's song echoing in her mind, a reminder of the bonds that made the Beastworld's dangers bearable.