this is as close to a princess as the orcs reckon, and she is not amused -- Weirdlet
For untold centuries, the Harukh'ai were seen as the most Unwelcome People. Often cast as villains. Stereotyped as instantly aggressive or prone to violent outbursts. What people generally neglected to think about was that the Harukh'ai were nomadic folk with centuries-long migration paths and oral histories to match.
They needed them, because the crops other species failed to recognise took decades to grow to maturity. So when the tribe of Harukh'ai returned to their crop-grounds to discover that their next food source had been destroyed by invaders, their reaction was only natural.
According to the invaders, the Harukh'ai were villains who attacked the brave pioneers for no good reason.
It took them all centuries to work it out.
To the people who break their land to raise food, the Harukh'ai attacked out of nowhere, razed everything in their path, and slaughtered anything that moved. They had no idea that the attacking tribe was in danger of starvation, and the only source of nutrition was the new village in front of them.
The Elves went through a continuing series of battles with Harukh'ai tribes. The Humans did the same. Interestingly, the D'varuv got along with the nomads because none of them made any trouble. Which led to more Xenophobia Wars since some folk thought that the D'varuv and the Harukh'ai were in cahoots. Or at least in conspiracy. It was the same ridiculousness that lasted for centuries. If some were just willing to talk, then a decent portion of lives would have been saved.
Things didn't truly get resolved until various peoples went Adventuring together.
Targin's Terrors had done quite well in their search for the ruins of an ancient civilisation. At least until they got distracted by something and veered massively off task.
Now all four of them were bound, on their knees, and facing down a rather impressive Harukh woman.
Fortunately, their Cleric was a D'varuh. Unfortunately, Gasdram had not paid a lot of attention during language class. The thin good news was that she did speak D'varuv. The better news was that Gasdram was a top-level nerd when it came to cultural studies.
"When I say 'princess'," Gasdram explained, "it's a bit more complicated than that. The Harukh'ai are a meritocratic matriarchy. The strongest is the leader, and their children have some chance, but they still have to prove themselves."
"By killing outsiders?" guessed Nymb'l the thief.
"No. By making sure their tribe is thriving. Well fed, well protected, clean, healthy, clothed, and sheltered. Being able to run down a horse or fight off half an army is just a fraction of that. This lady is more or less the chieftain's understudy. It's just that 'princess' is easier for you to understand."
"What I'm hearing," said Skyler the Bard, "is that if we get in her good graces, we can live through this."
"She will snap you like a toothpick," sneered Nymb'l.
"We're already in trouble for trespassing," sighed Gasdram. "Whatever you try is just going to add to her irritation. Besides, you're an Elf. There's history working against you."
"Oh," said Skyler. "That. Yes. Very understandable. What do we have to do to earn her lenience?"
Gasdram asked her. Judging solely by his reaction to her reply, it was nothing pleasant.
[Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash]
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