The Tribe - 4
#4 of The Tribe
Mako's father and brothers return from the tribe with a few visitors, and Mako meets his first bat.
Here's chapter four of my series! This one is a bit longer, but there's some fun in here. Hope you enjoy this! Please please please tell me what you think! ~~~~
Mako fell asleep on the bank of the river, laying back in the grass with his feet hanging just above the water. It wasn't comfortable and far from safe, but he was too worried for his family to return to camp. He'd stayed up for as long as he could, and even though it was hours before he would normally turn in, the day and the lack of doing anything for a few hours made him pass out.
A light snuffling noise threatened to wake him up a couple hours later and something tugged insistently at his loincloth. He groaned softly and rolled to his side, his loincloth being tugged at harder, the strap to hold it tied at his side coming loose. In his dream Zeke and Kosh were pressed against him on both sides and he could feel their paws relieving him of his simple garments, petting affectionately through his fur. A cold nose pressed in against his butt and his eyes flickered before finally opening.
He was laying along the bank of the river, only the light of the waxing moon around him, but it was enough to see. He sat up and felt his loincloth suddenly pull away and heard snuffling and scampering noises. He jerked hard at the sudden sound and feeling and jumped to his feet, startled and naked, and saw a feral fox running along the bank with his loincloth held between his teeth. "HEY!" he shouted, making chase.
The fox paused for a moment and looked back, eyes gleaming in the moonlight before it took off at a sprint through the grass, much faster than the otter. Mako chased for several hundred feet, his uncut shaft and balls bouncing awkwardly in the night air as he tried to retrieve his clothes from the animal thief. He lucked out when the fox dropped the cloth and continued running, at least, apparently bored of his conquest already.
Mako grumbled annoyedly as he slowed to a walk and finally got his loincloth back, brushing bits of grass and dirt from it one of the strings had broken during the chase and now he had no way to tie it back on; he'd have to fix it back at camp. He walked back to where he'd lay and glanced up across the river before doing a double take and looking back. The lights were much closer now and he could see individual people moving around among the light as they drew near the edge of the river, only minutes away now.
The otter's heart started racing and he looked behind him towards the camp. He wasn't sure what to do now; if he went back to the camp, there was a chance people would be able to cross while he left, but if he stayed, he could end up the first one dead if they had any hostile intentions. In the end, indecision made his decision. He hesitated long enough that he watched as six figures walked down the bank of the river and took to the canoe, starting across the river. Six figures. If it was the same people that left earlier in the night, that would mean that someone had joined them; it was too dark to make anyone out, though. "It could be six entirely new people," a part of him said, worry creeping up inside him.
The truth was somewhere in between, though. As the canoe approached, Mako could see his father sitting at the front, smiling wide, with both Zeke and Kosh behind him. The other three in the boat were unfamiliar to him, though. A large stag with great antlers and long, silvery black hair, a younger doe, probably his daughter, and an even younger male that the otter couldn't recognize. Mako stood there, watching the boat approach, holding his loincloth at his side, too distracted to think about covering himself. The canoe pulled up to the shore not far from the otter and he was too nervous to approach, but just watched.
The others had seen him, of course, and as Zeke got up onto the shore, helping the others, he looked along the bank to Mako. "Any reason you're naked?" he asked, chuckling, and earning a couple from his brother, and the two younger strangers.
Mako flushed under the moonlight and held his cloth in both paws, looking down at it sheepishly. "I... the strap broke. I uh, can't," he said awkwardly, voice cracking from nervousness.
"At least it's a warm night," the strange, young male said. Mako could make out some details now that he was closer. Among the Ormus tribe they had some deer, wolves, otters, caribou, tigers, lions, foxes, and horses. The young male had very dark fur, more so than Garis's black pelt, except his hair was shaggy and bright white. He had two huge, pointed ears and bright blue eyes, a bright smile revealing sharp, pointed teeth, and a muzzle similar to a fox. His nose, though, was pointed at the top, giving him a rather exotic look, and detracting from the mostly-canine appearance. Two other big differences was there was no noticeable tail on the young male, and starting at both of his wrists was an odd protrusion that continued up towards his elbow and then behind his back. The young male was wearing a white, leather loincloth and a very beautiful necklace made out of some shiny material that sparkled in the moonlight; a five-pointed, encircled star hung from it.
Mako couldn't help but stare openly at the other male and Kosh nudged him in the side as he walked past. "Y-yes, it's really warm out," he said, mentally chastising himself for sounding so stupid.
Garis stepped over to Mako and placed a paw on his son's shoulder, squeezing gently. "This is Mako, my youngest son," he said to the three strangers. "Mako, this is Chief Ronan, of the Aurum Tribe," he said, bowing towards the stag.
Chief Ronan looked to be only in his early forties, still strong, muscular, but not quite as tall as Garis if you ignored the very large antlers. There were markings carved and painted along each spike, and the Chief was dressed in a similar fashion to how Garis had dressed himself. Quite formally, and decoratively, and Garis' bone necklace was in the center in of his chest. "It's a pleasure to meet you; though I hadn't expected to... see all of you," he said with a deep chuckle.
Mako's cheeks flushed and he held his cloth in front of himself protectively, bowing his head respectfully. "It is an honor to meet one as yourself, Chief Ronan," he said reflexively, remembering his training in ways of respect from when he was younger.
The stag stepped forward and bowed his own head in acknowledgment. "Like I have told your brothers, and father, you may call me Ronan. No need for formalities," he said, smiling wide.
Among the Ormus tribe, no one was expected to call Garis "Chief Garis", but some still preferred to call him Chief, so Ronan's offer didn't surprise the otter much, though he smiled nervously and nodded.
Ronan stepped back and held a paw towards the doe behind him. "This is my eldest, my daughter Selena." She wore a painted cloth tunic to cover her chest, and a cloth skirt, leaving her stomach revealed where there was a small bump to hint at possible pregnancy. "And my youngest," he continued, putting a paw on the other creature's shoulder. "Osso," he said.
Mako nodded his head to the pair of them, some of his tension easing as introductions were made, wanting to ask what the young male was, but knowing such a question wasn't polite.
Garis started away from the bank of the river once the canoe had been secured and he nodded towards their camp. "Well, Ronan, let me show you and your family to our camp," he said, holding an arm in front of him to allow the others in front.
Ronan smiled and nodded, ushering his two children forward, with Garis at his side now.
Zeke, Kosh, and Mako stood back for a few seconds and then Mako looked to them, smiling wide. "I'm glad to see you all returned... I was worried. Where's Meng and Fagan, though?" he asked, glancing back across the river.
"They decided to stay behind and talk with some of the Elders of the Aurum Tribe and get acquainted. Things went very well, though, as you can tell. I've never seen so many others, or so many different species," Zeke said, laughing and shaking his head.
"I know," Kosh said, sighing dreamily. "I wonder if our Tribe will ever grow to that size," he mused.
Mako pointed at the back of the younger male, whispering to Zeke. "What is he?"
Zeke laughed and clapped a paw on Mako's shoulder, shaking his head. "He's a bat. I'd never seen one before, either. I felt a little silly having to ask. The Chief's wife was a bat before she passed away," he said quietly.
The otter frowned at that and ducked his head. "Oh..." he said, a pang of guilt hitting him. He couldn't imagine not having his parents around. "What about his necklace? I've never seen anything like that before,"
"It's a metal," Kosh said. "Our tribe doesn't have it, but their tribe apparently encountered another tribe years ago that taught them how to find it and make use of it, and gifted them with various pieces. His necklace is a metal called silver,"
Mako's brow furrowed and he nodded, trying to follow along. He hadn't heard of metal before, and most of their belongings were made of clay, stone, wood, or bone. "It's really pretty."
"Well, you should tell him that," Zeke said, grinning down at the otter.
Mako's eyes widened and he looked at the shorter of his two brothers. "What? Why? Why would I say that to him?"
Kosh laughed and nudged the otter's shoulder, knocking him against Zeke who nudged him back. "Please. You were staring at him for a good while when we got to shore. I'm sure he noticed, he's quite smart,"
"I was just staring cause I hadn't seem someone like him before," Mako protested, color returning to his cheeks.
"Sure," Zeke said.
"Whatever you say," Kosh added.
They were almost at the camp now, and it seemed that everyone was in the middle of the camp, around a large campfire, watching the group approach. Most had apprehensive looks on their faces, but upon seeing Garis walking with, they relaxed. Chang stepped forward from them all and stepped in front of the large stag once inside their camp, bowing her head low and closing her eyes. "Welcome to our Camp. I am Chang, mate of Chief Garis. May you find the warmest hospitality while you are here."
The stag bowed his head and then gently reached down to tilt her head back up. "Lady Chang, it is an honor to be welcomed. I am Chief Ronan of the Aurum Tribe, and as such, I welcome you, and your people to call me Ronan, if it pleases them,"
Mako, still naked, stood half behind Zeke as another round of introductions were made between the newcomers and some of the Elders of the tribe. He and his brothers remained quiet while formalities continued, and soon enough people seemed to be going about the rest of their night, quickly preparing a late meal.
Garis and Chang led Ronan and Selena off to their tent to enjoy a meal in private and become better acquainted, while Zeke and Kosh took a seat on a log near the fire to have their meal with some of their friends. Mako took the time to disappear off to their tent to get another loincloth to cover himself.
He wasn't in the tent for long before the flap was pushed aside and the bat stepped inside, closing it behind. "I hope I'm not intruding," he said, smiling warmly.
Mako fumbled with the loincloth he'd just picked up, trying to tie it around his waist, but only managed to drop it in the process. "N-no! Not at... all," he said, turning his back and grabbing for the loincloth hurriedly.
Osso chuckled and stepped towards Mako, looking around the tent. "I'm making you nervous. I apologize. Your brothers suggested that I follow you, and have you show me around and talk to me, since you're closer to my age," he said.
"Did they," Mako said flatly, grinding his teeth together, back still turned to the bat.
"I hope it's alright," Osso said, noting the other's tone. "I can leave you be, if you'd prefer,"
Loincloth finally secured around his waist he turned back to the bat, cheeks red, and shook his head. "No, please. I'd love to show you whatever you'd like,"
Osso grinned and let his eyes travel down the otter's chest. "Oh, you already have shown me plenty," he replied.
Mako's face burned brightly and he looked away, coughing nervously. "I... guess so," he said awkwardly. "I've never seen you, err, your kind before,"
"Neither had your brothers. I am a bat," he said, holding his arms out to the side. The protrusions from the wrist expanded and a thin, flesh webbing stretched between some thin bones and the bat's arm, extending towards his back, giving him the appearance of wings.
The otter's mouth parted in shock and he looked in wonder, taking a step to the side to see where the fleshy web connected on the bat's upper back. There were several bones along the webbing, like clawed fingers, that all folded up and against Osso's arms when not extended. "That's incredible... Uh, can I... touch it?" he asked, glancing at the bat's face.
Osso laughed and stepped closer, letting one wing fold up, arm dropping, but keeping the other extended for the otter. "Go ahead,"
Mako's paw reached out and ran along the thin web. It reminded him of an animal's hide stretched across a tanning rack, except warm, and covered in fur so fine that he could barely see it, and he was certain that light could shine through it. "What are they for, exactly?"
"Flying," Osso said, and then chuckled when he saw Mako's eyes widened. "In the feral species, at least. On bats like me, they generally just get in the way. I keep them folded for the most part, otherwise I tend to knock things over," he said, dropping his arm and then moving to the otter's bedroll, sitting down. "Now, tell me about yourself. Your father had mentioned your Ascension was coming up in a few days? Some right of passage for turning sixteen?"
The otter sat down near the bat and nodded, feeling at a disadvantage since he knew little about the other male. "The day after tomorrow, yes. In our tribe, when someone turns sixteen, it marks their becoming an adult, hence Ascension. The new adult can then choose to go on their first hunt with the rest of the tribe's hunters. Most choose to do so, since they aren't allowed along until then,"
"What about you? Will you join the hunt?" Osso asked, unaware of just how complicated that question would be.
Mako didn't answer right away as he thought about what to say. "I... am unsure, yet,"
"I probably wouldn't, myself," Osso said, shrugging and rubbing his paws over his legs. "I've never been one for hunting, myself. My wings would get in the way, I'm sure. I've never really trained with any weapons, either. Fishing, I'm fine with,"
Mako's face brightened and he smiled genuinely, nodding. "Yes, fishing. I do enjoy fishing. It's so quiet and peaceful," he said.
"Agreed. I don't even mind when I don't catch any fish," Osso said.
Mako was feeling much more relaxed now, and was silently glad his brothers had set this up for him. "I like your necklace, I've never seen sliver before,"
Osso chuckled and raised a paw to touch the pendant. "Silver," he corrected. "Your brother, Kosh, said that your tribe doesn't have or use metal. Our own only started using it maybe ten years ago," he carefully removed the chain from his neck and handed it over to the otter.
Mako took it gently and was surprised at the weight. It was cold, dense, and smooth. The chain was small, braided loops of the fine material, and the pendant was worked beautifully with a nearly perfect circle and star. "This is so beautiful. I'd love to learn how to work with material such as this," he said, handing it back to the bat.
Osso took the necklace and slipped it back around his neck. "It's very difficult work. Finding the material is a challenge, and then you have to get a fire burning hot enough to be able to shape it. This necklace was one of many gifts given to us by the people who showed us the art,"
"Another tribe?" Mako asked, tilting his head curiously. "This is the first time I've met anyone from another tribe. Except for when I was really little, but I don't remember that,"
Osso nodded leaned back onto his paws. "Yeah, we've ran into a few. This wasn't another tribe, though. They had homes built from bricks and stone, and a wall around their city, as they called it. There were thousands of people. We encountered them when passing by. They were hesitant of us at first, and we were terrified. So many people, and they all carried spears with metal tips, something we hadn't seen. Guards rode on horseback around the wall, and it was just... so large. They spotted us while we were still debating what to do, and my father agreed to go meet with their Chief, or King, as they called him.
They ended up being very nice, and very accepting. Our people had been on move after a war with another tribe only the previous year, and we were looking for a new home. We set up our camp just outside their city walls for a few months. They were generous and provided some of our people with fine clothes and wonderful food. They wanted to hear all about our people, and recorded some of our stories on parchment. They shared different arts with us, like working metals, and clothes, and we, in turn, shared some of our ways,"
Mako listened intently, trying to picture so many people in one place. "It sounds incredible. Why didn't your people end up staying with them? Surely it sounds like they would have taken you all in,"
Osso nodded, smiling. "Yes. King Malachai was quite generous, and friendly. But my grandfather, the Chief of our tribe at the time, said that it would not be right. Their ways were too advanced, and while it was nice to learn new things to help us in the future, he wanted us to grow as a people, and continue and preserve our ways. Our people agreed, and after half a year of spending time with them, we went on our way."
Mako nodded, looking at the bat's necklace. "And that was one of their gifts?" he asked.
"One of many, it seems. They called it a pentacle. They gave it to my mother because she was a shaman, something they called a wizard. This was their symbol to represent magic," he said, pointing at the star in the center. "Each point representing a different element; fire, water, earth, air, and spirit. The circle represents a unity of these forces."
Mako's mouth hung open and he tilted his head to one side, a little confused. "A shaman... and magic?" he asked.
The bat grinned and nodded, holding his paws out in front of him. "Chief Garis mentioned that it was an art in your tribe many many years ago, but long forgotten," he said. Osso took a deep breath, furrowed his brow, and whispered, "Luxos." A bright white sphere appeared in his outstretched paw, filling the tent with more light than just from the open ceiling.
The otter flinched backwards and gasped, eyes wide. "What... what is that?" he asked incredulously.
The sphere of light floated upwards a few feet before dwindling and disappearing. "Magic," Osso said softly. "Among our people, maybe... forty of them can control magic. Some can do so quite well, conjuring the power of the elements or hiding things from view. I'm quite limited in what I can do, but I practice daily,"
Mako wasn't certain what to think. He'd heard stories like this before; people who could call upon great, fae power to do their bidding, but no one in their tribe could do so, and only a few believed it was possible. "And... and this is what you shared with those people?"
"The Octavians, they called themselves. We shared what we knew of magic. We called them shamans, they called them wizards. Of their thousands of people, though, only a small handful could control the art, and only one or two did so with any real skill. King Malachai said that he believed their ways in the city led to too many people forgetting their talents and letting their power fade."
"I would love to learn an art like that..." Mako admitted.
"Most do, but it doesn't seem to be something everyone can do. Some can do so quite naturally, others can practice and learn well, or are still limited, and others, no matter how hard they try, are unable to do anything. My father and sister fall into the last, while I'm rather limited. My mother, though, when she was alive, was our strongest shaman," Osso said, touching his pentacle again.
Mako frowned and reached over, placing a paw on Osso's thigh. "I'm sorry she's no longer with you,"
The bat sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, nodding. "It was many years ago, now. One day she just... didn't wake up. No one knows why,"
They stayed silent for a few minutes, Mako's paw gently rubbing the bat's thigh to comfort him. Osso moved his paw down and squeezed the otters, bringing it into his lap and holding it in both his own. "Thank you for talking with me," he said, smiling warmly over to the otter.
Mako's cheeks were red once more and he nodded, looking for what to say. "I've enjoyed it, definitely. I've never talked with anyone outside of the tribe. I spend a lot of time with my brothers,"
That got a wide grin from the bat and he scooted closer to otter, moving one of his paws to rest on Mako's thigh. "I kind of assumed that was the case," he said. "I'm guessing you know them... quite well, don't you,"
Mako's breath caught in his throat. "Um, I... well, they're my brothers, so I know them pretty well," he said, shivering at the light touch on his bare fur. He mentally tried to will himself not to get excited at the touch, but it was a losing battle from the start. Already his shaft was starting to lift his loincloth from his lap.
Osso shifted onto his knees, moving closer to the otter, bringing both paws to his shoulders. "It's already late, and I don't want to dance around it any longer," he started to say, looking down at Mako seriously. "Do you think I'm attractive?"
Mako's heart thumped rapidly, nerves getting to him at the sudden forwardness from the bat. Words didn't seem to work, so he managed a curt nod with a sheepish grin.
That was all the encouragement that Osso needed and he leaned down and pressed his lips to Mako's, arms wrapping around the otter's neck to hold onto him. Despite how often Mako had been intimate with his brothers, this was still something he had relatively little practice doing. Osso's lips meshed with the otter's and his tongue teased just inside.
Mako's paws gripped at Osso's back as he was slowly pushed backwards until Osso was laying on his chest. The bat was only a little taller, and weighed about the same. The otter could feel a hard lump pressing against his loincloth and his hips ground up against the bat, trying his best to return the kiss.
Osso broke the kiss and sat up on Mako's thighs, running his paws down the otter's chest, hooking them on the edge of his loincloth. "May I?" he asked.
Mako looked at the bat above him, eyes traveling over the black fur as he panted from the kiss. The front of Osso's loincloth was lifted up and away, and Mako couldn't help his own shaft from throbbing at the sight. "Only if you take off yours," he said, his initial nerves lessened from the kiss.
Osso's fingers undid the strap and pulled the cloth away, a low rumbling in his chest at the sight of the otter's uncut shaft. "Just like mine," he said quietly, pulling his own loincloth away and dropping it on the ground. Sure enough, the bat's shaft was also uncut, though with a little less skin, and when he pressed them both together, squeezing with his paws, they throbbed against each other, both boys moaning.
Mako's paws rest on the bat's thighs as his member was stroked and teased, pressed against the bat's slightly larger one. "I've... never done anything with anyone except my brothers," he whispered, letting a paw trail underneath to squeeze Osso's balls.
"I'll admit, I've done things with more than just two others... and otters are my favorite," he said, slowly rocking his hips to hump his member along Mako's. "And I've never seen someone drip quite like you."
Mako blushed faintly and flexed his shaft against Osso's, a small spurt of pre drooling out over the bat's fingers. "Yeah, I can make a mess."
Osso let out a soft growl of excitement and slid up the otter's chest, turning around so his sac and cock hung down in front of Mako's muzzle. "I want to taste you," he muttered, leaning down and pressing the head of Mako's shaft to his lips and stroking a few times to let pre drip out against his muzzle.
Mako moaned out and gripped the bat's hips, holding on tight while a tongue slithered beneath his hooded cock and teased around his head. His brothers were good with their muzzles, however neither of them had a foreskin. Osso seemed to know exactly what to do with one, though. He drew the skin back and forth over his tongue while teasing over the head with his lips, making sure to lap up every drop of pre that welled up.
It took the otter a couple minutes before he finally had enough presence of mind to return the attention. He angled the bat's shaft down towards his muzzle, taking in the sight of it, peeling back the black foreskin to reveal the pale grey head, a small drop of pre already formed there. His tongue lapped over it and groaned happily at the flavor, a subtle,sweet tang to it that made the otter want more. He slipped a few inches into his muzzle as best he could in their position and used his paws to squeeze and stroke what he couldn't manage.
Osso was wasting no time in bobbing his own slim muzzle up and down over the otter's cock. His paw stroked along as he bobbed back and forth, determined to bring the otter to his orgasm as quick as he could. He'd had a few more years of practice and his experience was evident. A few minutes passed, and already the otter's balls were drawing up.
Mako tried to pull back and get the bat's shaft free of his muzzle to warn him how close he was getting, but the bat shifted his hips down and forced the otter to remain where he was. Mako let out a soft whine and his paws gripped hard at the bat's hips, his own jerking as he got closer and closer. His eyes watered as the bat's lips and tongue brought him crashing over the edge. His cock throbbed between the bat's lips and pumped shot after shot of hot, otter seed into the waiting maw.
Osso swallowed greedily and his own cock pulsed dully at the excitement. Once the otter's orgasm ended, he slowly drew his lips off the shaft, lapping along the head and making Mako shiver from over-stimulation. "Mmm, you taste great," he said.
Mako could only reply by groaning from around the bat's shaft, his body tingling. It was slipped from his muzzle and he let out another soft groan. "You're... really good at that," he said.
Osso laughed and moved around to slip between the otter's legs. "Years of practice," he said, lifting the otter's legs in his arms and pressing the tip of his cock to Mako's passage. "Are you okay with this?" he asked, idly grinding his member back and forth along the underside of the thick rudder tail.
Mako nodded without hesitation, shifting his weight to make sure he was comfortable and rest his paws on the bedroll.
Osso arched his hips and pressed his hooded shaft to the otter's entrance before sliding in. The pair groaned together as the bat's cock sunk in all the way to the hilt. "You feel like you're on fire..." the bat whispered, body shivering.
Mako locked his hips around the bat's waist and squeezed him for a moment, nodding his head. "You... don't have to be gentle," he said, grinning up at Osso. "My brothers never are."
The bat arched an eyebrow and then with drew his hips and shoved forward quickly, drawing a gasp from the otter. "Mmm, I can see that," he growled, thrusting against a few more times before he really began.
Osso forced Mako to roll backwards onto his upper back, nearly doubling the otter over as he got to his feet. Now he was able to put all his weight, though it wasn't much, behind his thrusts and plow down into the otter.
Mako's shoulders and back ached from the position they were in, his feet above his head now. The bat was thrusting almost straight down and it hit that spot deep inside that kept his cock hard and drooling on his chest. He held onto his own legs to keep his body from uncurling, squeezing down as best he could while the bat humped into him.
Osso kept his eyes on the otter's as he thrust back and forth, balls slapping noisily against the otter's upturned rear. "I'm not going to last long like this," he breathed, his speed and power putting a strain on his legs as he tried to maintain the pace.
The otter nodded, panting openly. He released one of his legs to reach between his legs and grip his own cock, starting to stroke himself vigorously. Osso moaned and leaned over the otter as far as he could manage, watching the otter's paw himself. His body shuddered and the bat's eyes flicked close for a few seconds, thrusts continuing as he came hard. Mako could feel the heat spreading through his passage as, spilling back along the underside of his tail as the bat continued humping back and forth.
Osso's hips eventually came to a halt and he held himself deep in the otter, watching Mako continue to work at his shaft. A small gasp was followed by a few shuddered breaths and a few ropes of cum splattering across the otter's face. The bat carefully let the otter's legs unfold, keeping himself buried inside. He rolled the otter to his side and pressed his chest to the otter's back, hugging him from behind, and letting out a content sigh.
Mako allowed himself to be turned over and just closed his eyes, panting softly. "That was great," he whispered, hugging Osso's arms to his chest.
"Do you think your brothers will care if I end up sleeping in here tonight?" he asked, nuzzling against Mako's neck and licking at a few stray bits of cum.
The otter chuckled and shook his head. "No. What about your father?"
"I already told him I'd likely be spending the night with you. If I'm missing, he'll know why," Osso said, holding the otter against him.
"You were that confident that you'd be able to seduce me?" the otter asked, huffing indignantly and trying to sound offended.
Osso laughed and kissed the otter's neck. "Confident? Please. I was being hopeful."
That made the otter blush deeply and he smiled, closing his eyes and relaxing on his bedroll. "Flatterer."