The weeks following the visit of Zarthus and his companions were a period of focused activity and quiet anticipation in the village. The completion of the main defenses had instilled a new sense of security, allowing the villagers to turn their energy towards refining their skills and preparing for the possibility of future interactions. The palisade stood tall and strong, a physical manifestation of their resilience, and the dark metal panel by the entrance remained a silent, powerful symbol of the world's mysteries and unexpected aid.
Borin, the toolmaker, remained engrossed in his study of the gifted wooden knife. He had never encountered wood with such hardness and durability. He continued his experiments, trying different methods of treating the local wood, hoping to replicate some of the properties of the plains hardwood. Elias, whenever he could, would join him, offering suggestions based on Earth's historical woodworking techniques – concepts like seasoning wood, using natural resins as varnishes, or even rudimentary forms of lamination, though the practical application with their tools was challenging. Borin, with his deep, intuitive understanding of materials, absorbed Elias's ideas, adapting them to the resources and tools available to him. He began to achieve small improvements in the durability of their wooden tools, a testament to his skill and willingness to experiment.
The village women, under Elara's guidance, continued to practice the weaving techniques Elias had introduced. They experimented with different fibers, blending animal hair with plant materials to create stronger, softer threads. They learned to use natural dyes to create more vibrant colors and intricate patterns, their fingers moving with increasing speed and precision. The resulting textiles were not only more functional – warmer cloaks, sturdier bags – but also more aesthetically pleasing, adding a touch of color and artistry to their lives.
The concept of trade, introduced by Zarthus's visit, was a frequent topic of conversation. The villagers understood the value of the hard wood and the potential for acquiring better tools. They also recognized that their own abundant harvests, their preserved meat, and their increasingly skilled craftsmanship in textiles and other areas could be valuable to a nomadic tribe. Discussions revolved around what they could offer in exchange and what they most needed. The hard wood for tools and weapons was high on everyone's list.
Elias listened to these discussions, his mind drawing on Earth's history of early trade and economics. Bartering was the likely initial form of exchange. Establishing fair values for different goods would be crucial to avoid being taken advantage of. He thought about the concept of a surplus – their successful harvests provided them with something valuable to trade. Their developing skills in weaving and toolmaking were also potential trade goods.
He spoke to Kaelen about these ideas, explaining (in simple terms) the concept of exchanging goods they had in abundance for goods they needed. He used gestures to show the flow of items back and forth. Kaelen, with his practical mind, understood the principle. He saw the potential for acquiring valuable resources without having to risk dangerous expeditions into unknown territory.
The anticipation of Zarthus's return visit grew with each passing day. The agreement had been for "tomorrow," but in a world without clocks or calendars, "tomorrow" could mean many things. The villagers kept a watchful eye on the river, ready to welcome their potential trading partners.
One clear morning, as the Sun-Eye was climbing towards its peak, a small group was spotted approaching the village from the direction of the river. It was Zarthus and a larger contingent this time, perhaps twenty individuals, including men, women, and some older children. They moved with a calm, unhurried gait, their baskets and packs indicating they were carrying goods.
Kaelen and a group of villagers, including Elias, met them near the entrance. The atmosphere was one of cautious welcome. Weapons were visible but not held aggressively. Zarthus, at the front, offered the gesture of peace, hand over heart, which Kaelen returned.
"Welcome," Elias said, his voice more confident this time. "Zarthus. And… friends." He gestured to the group.
Zarthus smiled, a warm, familiar expression. He responded in his language, gesturing to his people and then to the goods they carried.
The two groups moved into the clearing, the nomadic tribe looking around with interest at the palisade walls, the thriving field visible beyond the huts, and the dark metal panel by the entrance. Zarthus paused near the panel, his gaze lingering on its intricate patterns for a moment before moving on.
Goods were laid out in the center of the clearing – bundles of the hard, dark wood, some already shaped into rough tool blanks; woven mats and bags of different sizes and patterns; pouches filled with dried fruits and nuts Elias didn't recognize.
The villagers, in turn, brought out their offerings – baskets overflowing with the bounty of their recent harvest (roasted roots, dried berries, preserved grains), bundles of smoked creature meat (a point of fascination for the nomads), and examples of their newly improved woven textiles.
The process of exchange began, a slow, deliberate dance of gestures, pointing, and Elias's halting translation. Zarthus's people were interested in the food, particularly the preserved grains and the smoked meat. They examined the village's woven textiles with appreciation, running their hands over the tighter weaves and vibrant colors.
The villagers, meanwhile, were eager to acquire the hard wood. Borin was almost vibrating with excitement as he examined the tool blanks, his eyes gleaming with the possibilities they represented. They also showed interest in the nomadic tribe's woven goods and their dried fruits.
Negotiations, mediated by Elias, were a process of trial and error. They held up items, gestured at others, trying to convey how much of one thing they would give for another. Elias, drawing on his vague memories of historical bartering systems, tried to suggest equivalencies – perhaps a large basket of grain for a bundle of hard wood, or several woven bags for a finished tool.
There were moments of confusion and disagreement, but the underlying desire for peaceful exchange and mutual benefit kept the process moving forward. Kaelen and Zarthus, despite the language barrier, communicated through gestures and expressions, building a rapport based on respect and a shared understanding of the value of the exchange.
By the end of the day, a series of exchanges had been made. The villagers acquired a significant amount of hard wood, enough for Borin to begin crafting new tools and weapons. They also traded for some of the nomadic tribe's woven goods and dried fruits. In return, they gave the nomads a substantial amount of preserved food, some of their own textiles, and bundles of healing leaves, which Zarthus's people recognized and valued.
As the Sun-Eye began to set, casting long shadows across the clearing, Zarthus and his people prepared to depart. The atmosphere was one of cautious success. The first trade had been made, a bridge built between two different groups in this vast world. Promises were exchanged, through Elias's translation, for future meetings and continued trade.
The nomadic tribe departed as they had arrived, moving back towards the river and disappearing into the forest. The villagers were left with the tangible results of the exchange – piles of hard wood, new woven goods, unfamiliar dried fruits. The air in the clearing now held a mix of familiar scents and the lingering aroma of their visitors. The first step in establishing trade relations had been taken, a small but significant moment in the life of the growing village. The sounds of the village settling down for the night filled the air, accompanied by the quiet hum of satisfaction and the anticipation of what future exchanges might bring.