Fifteen- Nara’ki Pride

The familiar browns and mostly greens of the far east city of Nara'ki were a welcome sight, coming in much quicker than before. Del didn't want to alarm the natives in the city so he opted to land the Pretipice just outside the city's gates.

The large animals, Mastadons Chieftan Rom had called them, were still nearby the cities large wooden fenced borders, though in slightly diffirent positions than before. Del took it that they were very large but also slow moving creatures.

The landing was rather bumpy, but Del expected as much. The ships landing gear needed some work still but all in all the flight had been rather smooth and pleasant, for inner atmosphere air travel anyway. However, Del had yet to see how the ship would actually perform in outer space, but that would have to wait.

Del descended the short ramp of his new ship, electing to leave the two Drenziens with him on board as they seemed to just cause tension here with these people, understandably so.

He approached the two guards at the gate cautiously with his arms raised, Dimm on his shoulder nestled into his neck eyeing the guards curiously. Del explained the situation to them at the Chieftan Rom would be expecting him and luckily they let him in without dispute.

Del was growing rather used to the feeling of animals bustling about in the city. In fact, he was finding he did rather enjoy seeing the bond the animals had with the Ta've. It was so fascinating to him. The way everything lived here in such harmony fascinated him, he wondered why it could never be figured out to live this way on earth. Even the largest animals on the planet seemed to have some kind of intrinsic connection to the natives here. Though if he'd learned one thing over his years of smuggling it was that humans were intelligent, but also certainly not the most intelligent species that resided in the nine galaxies.

Del enjoyed the walk through the vaguely familiar streets of Nara'ki, he noticed the streets here were smaller than that of Ad'dache and wondered if there was a reason for that. Or perhaps this city was simply built at sn earlier time.

Walking up the long staircase del noticed Dimm staring at the large birds soaring overhead that were in turn hovering lower the higher Del climbed. Del grabbed the small creature and shoved him into his shirts collar, weary that the birds might be a predator of the sceko.

Del knocked on the door three times as he had learned to begire from Nimlis, twice. The door swung open but a guard with a long spear stepped out, barring Del's way forward. The guard dropped the spear to his other hand and took a guarding stance upon seeing Del.

"No it's okay I..." Del began.

"Ta!" Chieftan Rom's voice shouted from behind the guard, the guard immediately eased his stance and let Del pass.

Del walked into the temple to see the chieftan and the surrounding Ta've much more alert and vigilant than before.

"My apologies." the chieftan greeted Del when he saw him enter.

"They are on edge since Tamiri's message was delivered." He grunted

"Oh, small problem?" Del asked.

The message did in itself seem rather harmless after all. Tamiri just didn't want to be a doormat for the invading Drenziens.

"Big problem." Rom replied.

He sighed and stood from his throne nodding his head for Del to follow him on another walk through the temple. Del fell in line next to him and the two walked out to the back balcony to speak.

"Our people are growing tired of the Drenzien threat. many more Ta've are beginning to feel the way chieftan Tamiri does. If we as a people are not united in what it means to be Ta've then, well, I fear we may have already lost our way." The chieftan explained, looking down with somber eyes.

He reached a hand up to stroke his short grey beard, he had clearly been troubled by this a lot while Del was away. The message must not have been received well by the others in the tribe.

"Furthermore, if Ad'dache does not cooperate than our people will be separated and forced to choose sides, each of us fighting the Drenziens on a separate front. Just like that, and nobody wins, its like a boulder rolling down a hill!" The chieftan shouted the last two words. his anger was getting the better of him. Del stood his ground and remained silent, waiting for Rom to collect himself.

"I apologize." He said after moment. 

"Its alright." Said Del.

He could see the Ta've was bound to his principals, it showed he had character. however it could also end up being foolish and his peoples downfall. Still, Del believed, as he always had, that it was his right to try. 

"What approach would you suggest then?" Del asked, wondering what the chieftans true plan to deal with the Drenziens actually was.

"I will, we'll, we will fly to a neutral meeting place. I would speak with them." Rom said staring at the ground beyond the rails of the temples edge.

"I would welcome my fellow Ta've to accompany me. But it appears I am alone in this matter." He finished.

"It would." Del sighed.

"I know better than anyone how important it is not to give up your principals. But the Drenzien's take things too far, they seem the type that have always taken things too far. " he said with his arms folded.

"Aye." Rom sighed. He straightened his stance and looked over to Del.

"But I will still go. I must."

Del sighed. He looked Chieftan Rom up and down. The native was stubborn, but Del couldn't help but respect him. Even when push came to shove, he wanted to stay true to who he was.

"Maybe…" Del began, getting the chieftains immediate attention.

"Maybe there's a way we can figure something out."