Reincarnate as Prince: Change Magical World with Industry

47 Cats

"Ahh yes, we sabotaged the Orcish intelligence, if you could call it that, while Quairo and his team did the same for the Mydirians." said the dwarven chief.

"Yes, that is so." Quairo added in a thick accent. "We led them to fight in a valley that had traps prepared on the mountainside. Frugarth and his men arranged for boulders to collapse on both sides. As the army was torn into shreds, we setup a coup in our own town of Naodhi, the last Mairobi City in existence. And fled towards the mountains, where we followed the trail left by Ramguar."

"It wasn't a pleasant march." He continued. "The dwarven tunnels were too sho... ehrm narrow for humans to pass through. Thankfully the Blunthammers were kind to us, opting to build large chambers on the caverns for us to pass. Alas, it pains me to say we suffered a few losses during the ordeal."

"But here we are." Said Frugarth.

"Aye, here we are." Quairo said, with a tear on his eye.

The group was on their last provisions, and if not for the presence of Wayward on this land they would have had to fend for themselves in the forest. So they agreed wholeheartedly to be assimilated into the village.

Janus now had another tribe of humans and dwarves in his land. So he updated his list on this new population and allocated land and tasks for them. Along with adjusting his budget for winter food and provisions.

This wasn't the last group, however. In the previous week, he had a weird conversation with Yvaine.

"Cat people." Yvaine said. The excitement was palpable in her voice. It was as if her eyes were glowing. In the few years that he had lived in this world, it was the first time that he ever saw his sister giggle.

"What do you mean cat people?" Janus asked.

"A tribe of Cat people arrived in Lakeside and they want to have an audience with the council. Leave that work for later. Come on let's go."

Janus was stunned.

"Cat people exist?"

"Yes. They're called the I'reen by the way. I'm surprised you don't remember. We met some on a carnival when we were kids, you even bribed the guards all of your money just to see them. And you dragged me and my money with you."

Janus scoured for the memories of his older self. Indeed there were images of cat people, but it was interspersed with memories of Ewoks and gremlins from cartoons and stories that he had read as a kid.

"I honestly can't remember."

"Well let's go then! We don't want to keep them waiting."

The meeting hall in Lakeside was crowded with people wanting to check out the new arrivals. The children were all huddled front and center, all shouting and pointing at the travelers who came inside and at the few clusters of cats who were studying the lake.

Janus didn't know what to expect, but he was pleasantly amused at what he saw.

The I'reen were curious creatures up around three feet in height, no taller than the goblins or the dwarves. Even their proportions were alike. They walked on two hindpaws while their frontpaws had thumbs in them, which they used to grip their bamboo spears and their satchels. They had flexible tails which swiveled around as they walked and talked. Their fur was a mixture of colors no different from housecats. They ranged from tabby to calico to three or four different colors. Each was as diverse as the other. They were as exactly as Yvaine called them, Cat people.

One of the I'reen was speaking to Master Ringo. It had white fur with spots of black scattered in its whole body. Its eyes were blue and golden, with sharp irises. Its ears were pointy and a small tail wagged to and fro as it spoke.

Most of the council were assembled on the Great hall. Along with the new leaders from the other tribes. Yashiek and Kazzuk were sitting beside each other. Frugarth and Quairo looked better as the days passed, the color on their faces returned and their cheeks were looking fuller by the day. Cat People were also in attendance, occupying half of the seats in the table. They wore straw hats and placed their bamboo spears and fishing rods on the walls.

The window was full of people peeking in on the conversation. Captain Elgar could be heard shouting outside, barking orders for them to get back to their work.

"Ah here he is. Prince Janus, may I present to you Chieftess Kyassa. Leader of this I'reen tribe."

"Nyahello there Prince Janus. I am pleased to meet you."

Janus' mouth was agape. Still amused by the creatures before him. How could he have never read about them before? Beside him, Otis uttered a low growl.

"Hey Janus, stop staring." Yvaine whispered. "Someone get this dog back to the kennels."

It took the sound of Otis' whimpering as he was taken by one of the guards for Janus to get back to reality and answer.

"Ahh yes, Nya...hello. Chieftress Kyassa. I hope that your journey was a pleasant one."

"Oh of course, it is always pleasant young prince. It has been my people's tradition to visit this side of the lake during this time of autumn. As you can see, our fishing methods have no rival in this vast forest."

Janus could see the bamboo spears that each one of them held. Three spikes were carefully mounted on each tip. It wasn't anything special, but you wouldn't want to get caught on the other end of it.

The I'reen were a nomadic tribe who roamed around the mountains and the forests as well. They were extreme survivalists who had found their way to survive this area but didn't really have a real base to call their own. The success of their tribe was based on relying on each other and adapting to nature. But in the past few years, the constant moving from one place to another was creating a burden to their numbers. As such, they were looking for a place to call as their base of operations.

They had trade relations with the dwarves from Ramstead as well, and was one of the few settlements that were contacted by the Golden Rams.

The I'reen culture was very interesting, and this conversation alone yielded Janus a lot of contribution points. They had survived in micro packs and gangs, but would congregate every season as a large group to socialize and celebrate. Sometimes to find a mate. I'reen weren't too common in human civilizations, save for circus attractions and outliers.

They mostly kept to themselves and stayed away from large settlements. Living as hunters and gatherers on the forests. They are expert marksmen and fishermen. Their expertise was on the usage of spears, javelins, shortbows and blowguns. Their aim was so precise that they are able to overwhelm large beasts by collectively pelting it with ammunition until it fell.

They tamed donkeys and wild boar to carry their provisions and their weapons. Seeing a Cat mounted on a wild boar was a completely wild experience that amused Janus every time.

They were mostly fisher folk and hunters but amongst them were eager craftsmen and animal handlers. They were also willing to branch out and do other things, as their adaptable nature revealed.

People rejoiced when they had learned that the cat people were joining them. At first the I'reen were hesitant to congregate with the folk of Wayward, but after a few nights of drinks and working together to build homes and cultivate land, they soon developed a relationship with each other.

Few bands here and there also appeared amongst the trees to joined them. There were other hunters from Galedon, who braved the forest to seek out the rumored village under the mountain. The Merrimen happily absorbed some of these adventurers, while others posted as guards and scouts.

A trading caravan full of goods and products came by with twenty hired mercenaries as security to trade with the village. The road was still a mess, but it was possible to travel at the very least. A few more trips later and the merchant was so amazed that he decided to uproot his family and lived here to serve under Janus and the Council.

"I am Roban Harculli. Former Count of Blistered Hill turned traveling merchant of general goods and curiosities. I am amazed at the efficiency and productivity of your village. Diverse races living in harmony in such a curious land. I am pleased to be welcomed in the service of your village. I can help with the management of sums and methods of trading and pricing for all the goods and services on Wayward. My daughters can do a weeks worth of accounts in just one night. Only say the word your Highness, and I can send them to you."

Janus happily accepted the merchant and reveled in his expertise. He gave an ideal piece of land for them. Roban's caravan would be at the location nearest to Galedon in the east, where he would be at the center of the roads that would converge in all directions. This was also only an hour away from Lakeside.

Other races were moved to favorite places as well. The I'reen would be along the river north of Lakeside where they were free to fish and farm.

The Mairobians were located further west, just beside the Blunthammer dwarves, who were situated at the base of the mountain. They were in the middle, with Kazzuk's tribe in the north and Ramstead further south.

These were all the new additions to Wayward Home.

That was a few stacks of papers worth. Which he now rolled and placed into barrels.

Now for the many problems that they were facing.