"You live in a beautiful world, chieftain. If only you were aware of the luxuries life has afforded you". The wizened old visage relaxed again, and the elder one let his left arm fall from the staff. "Very well. We will agree to your terms, whatever they may be. We will have to insist, however, that you hand us what we seek - there simply is no getting around that". The younger one let his folded arms drop a slight, and sighed deeply. It was unclear whether he sighed because he would not get to raze the village, or if there was some other reason.

There was no time for the chief to reply, however, before a slender figure appeared out of the crowd, heading for the trio. Nodding contentedly, the old man smiled at the newly arrived - a friendly smile, without a hint of ill will despite his earlier words of death and debt. Turning his entire body to face the barbarians' guest, he spoke up. "Very good. I assume it is you that we are seeking? Of course it is - you are not one of these people. You can come closer, child, without worry. A few metres of distance would not help you in the least".

"Now!", cried the darker one, who apparently could not hold his tongue any further, and pointed an accusing finger at the stranger. "How will you pay your debt back to us? Speak, or I take the pay from your charred corpse!", he shouted. His companion put a gnarled hand on his purple-clad shoulder. Judging from how the mage suddenly stiffened, the grip must have been painfully tight. "Now, did I not just commit us to not acting violently? You have tried to kill this one before, and without even offering your name".

Not giving the mage time to reply, he turned once again to the newcomer. "This", he offered, gesturing towards the mage, "is Kalai. He is a mage from the far south. I", he continued, gesturing towards himself. "Am...", his speech halted, as he stroked his chin and seemed to concentrate, as if trying to remember something from the ancient past he certainly must have been part of. "Hmm, well. Names are of little importance. You may call me Ask for the while being. Most would call me a druid, I believe. He and I have been hunting together for some months. Now, I have two questions for you to answer". He raised two gnarled fingers, folding one for each question spoken. "One. who are you? Two. Are you aware of the loss you have caused us, or should I explain why we are willing to sacrifice all these people solely for revenge?"