After Acro was neutralized a large group of Taraji's rangers answered the emergency flare that Emani signaled earlier. Soon it was a group of at least eleven yumboes, some were cautious with Kaida and Firion's being obvious outsiders.
Thankfully Alima, Jaheim, and even Emani vouched for the couple after Firion helped take down the beast, and Kaida bandaged the man's bleeding leg with medicine and a palm leaf.
Acro, after being killed, was bled, and the group agreed to drag his corpse back to Taraji where his corpse would be processed, meat, skin, bones, and all for valuable village resources.
Jaheim objected at first, he clearly was not comfortable with idea. "I don't feel right butchering him...I know the damage he has caused us, but..."
But he was swiftly silenced by being slapped in the face by Emani, who could barely walk with his leg injury as he used a stick as a crutch when he seized Jaheim's armor by the collar bone.
"We will take from him what he has taken from many in return! His life is no more! And you would be doing HIM an injustice by refusing to allow his body to become nutrients for others and just letting it rot! Do not be such a fool!" He said angrily.
The ranger couple looked defeated. The story behind them and that terrifying beast runs deep, as they clearly saw the predator as something more.
Kaida and Firion rode on Lola's back with them as they remained eerily quiet, but Kaida's horn were deciphering the different emotions of the people around them.
She could sense a deep sadness from Jaheim and Alima, Emani was indifferent, but the other things she was sensing were projected towards her and Firion, as she felt curiosity, worry, and apprehension from the other rangers.
Clearly, the other yumboes were still skeptical about their intentions as outsiders. They became even more alarmed when Firion requested an audience with oracle Nkiri, or bibi as many of them seem to call her, but Emani is one of her grandchildren apparently!
"I will be honest with you, normally I would tell trespassers like you to take a hike! But you my brother killed that monster without hesitation and your wife manage to stop the bleeding in my leg with your medicines. Such acts would not be done with those with malicious intentions, and the oracle is my grandmother, so I will ask her if she will give you her time as thanks." Emani said with a stern disposition.
Firion smiled at the wounded man and extended his hand, which was returned with a mutual handshake. Even though he looked angry, he was someone with a lot of wisdom, and was clearly more mature and grounded than Jaheim or Alima.
But Kaida observed Alima more closely and saw her occasionally staring back at Acro's corpse as it was being dragged by the saurians of the other rangers. Small tears were falling down her cheeks.
"Alima? Are you alright?" Kaida kindly asked as she put her hand on her shoulder.
*Sniffs* "I will be okay Kaida. I very grateful that Firion saved us when he did...but there is a lot of memories between us and Acro...I will tell you about it later..." She calmly replied with a painful smile.
Jaheim did not look any better...his face was pensive and full of obvious sorrow.
"Let leave them be for right now Kaida. They lost something they deeply cared about." Firion stated as he hovered his chin above her.
As they moved further along the two noticed the temperature became much colder as the sun began to set, and they could faintly smell salt that became stronger in the air.
"Is Taraji near the ocean perhaps?" Firion asked.
"Yes it is! We are mostly a fishing community, but we also grow many rare crops that thrive in the tropics. There are many luxury goods made out here!" Emani told them.
"But why is it so cold out so suddenly? It was so hot earlier!" Kaida questioned as she snuggled closer to Firion for warmth.
"You two are obviously not prepared for the extreme weather patterns we experience out here in Junai. Your lucky you ran into Alima and Jaheim, if you would tried to cross the desert at night like so many foolishly do it could have resulted in you and your husband freezing to death or being torn apart by the predators that come out." A stern female huntress stated.
Firion and Kaida's face became rather abashed...if they would have stuck to their original plan, it could have ended rather badly.
Soon in the distance the group could see the ocean on the horizon and with it was a massive civilization with many elaborate homes and structures that ranged from clay buildings to houses made from palm trees.
Firion never thought too much about the outside world, but he never thought he would be visiting a foreign elf settlement in a country that he thought was only composed of one race, but it soon became clear that rumors do not always reflect the truth!
They had many people of elvish origin and they could easily spot the devas that blended in with them! Some had the distinct long ears while others had feline features akin to a lion.
Villagers wore vibrant outfits of various colors with men and woman dressing in many beautifully designed clothing that made everyone almost seem like they were of noble birth.
Soon they swarmed around the rangers while looking in awe of Acro's corpse with some pressing their palms on the deceased animal.
They also look and stared at Firion and Kaida who were clearly foreign in appearance with some pointing at them. This did annoy the forest elf and as he pulled his and Kaida's hoods over them.
Alima glanced at them and offered reassurance. "Its okay Firion, they are only curious because we do not always see to many of your kind. They mean no disrespect, it is only wonder."
He eased a bit, but was still guarded.
But soon the people started clasping their hands together and appeared to praying to Acro's body with some getting and their knees! Its was like some kind of worship.
"The winter months can be a little harsh for us at times as meat sources become scarce, then we have to rely on dried rations. This is why I refused to let that damn lizards body rot away. Its not from pettiness, but he is still a valuable resource from the armor that coats his body to the ripe flesh still inside that will nourish the bellies here." Emani further elaborated.
Kaida now understood the gratitude the people had toward Acro! His meat is a blessing for them as it offers more food.
Something else caught Firion attention as the group walked further into the town, he saw a beautiful sight of the sunset peaking over a massive body of water.
He nudged his wife. "Kaida look! This is the ocean I told you about from one of your books!"
They both looked at the amazing of the vibrant ball of fire peaking over the water with various colors that illuminated everything!
It was one of the most beautiful things Kaida had ever laid eyes on.