When the man in the center of the crater cleared his throat, the shadows absorbing back into him like mead into bread, the I'nik's hushed, tensing at the noise. Enoch gripped her ax tighter, noting the way the others around her likewise held their hands. 

In a single breath, all the the tribals tensed and got into defensive positions when the figure drew an impressive blade from his back. He didn't look to be ready to pounce on them, but, then again, he had just crawled out of some decapitated skull like it was nothing more than a hammock.

Then he had to go and speak to Enoch, stating simply that they needed to talk. At once, she narrowed her eyes, while a few of her kin glanced curiously at her. Enoch continued to stare down the mysterious figure, her face worn like a stubborn mask. All that gave away her nervousness was the quick beat of her heart, visible in the hollow of her throat. 

“We will do no such thing if you're pointing that weapon at me.” Enoch snapped.

Hearing that Enoch wasn't being compliant, Aarav stepped sideways to put himself between Enoch and the blade, his eyes leering. Behind him, Enoch flushed with irritation, as Aarav had all but insulted her ability to defend herself before this stranger. But as much as she wanted to shove him in the sand and tell him to eat hippo dung, now was not the time. 

Instead, she stepped back around Aarav, standing to his left. “I don't know you. I don't see what we were have to talk about.” 

Pandu, to Enoch's right, moved forward. Pandu was the strongest male in the village, and all but accepted as their leader in any situation that required one. Though he was easily the most muscular of the rest of the trible, he barely came up to the figure's shoulder. “We don't associate easily with outsiders. So offer your weapon in peace, or go away. Otherwise, you're our enemy.”

There was a nervous murmur of agreement that slithered along the I'nik's.