"Answering blood with blood is only good sense when the blood first spilled belongs to someone you are allied to." Runa replied reasonably, though she knew that Nadja was right. These lowlanders were so odd, that they might take offense to any signs of violence, even to their enemy.

"But you're right. We will bring them gifts, then. Of knowledge. Maybe they'd like a bear pelt, too? It's a bloodless way to show them that we can fight, and we have knowledge they'll want." She nodded firmly. Everyone liked pelts. Especially ones as thick and warm as a bear's. To slay such a beast and offer its skin will surely show them that they were friends.

She hesitated, glancing around, then brought a hand up to gently push some of Nadja's hair out of her face. "They'll accept us. And then we'll find Hope. I feel it in the earth, and in the sky."