Within minutes, the warriors of this village surrounded my crew and I, spears and lasguns fitted with bayonets bristling. I had ordered everyone accompanying me to holster their weapons and try to appear as nonthreatening as possible. For the women it was easy. This hamlet was likely misogynistic and had antiquated ideas of sex, but for Lucius I had to tell him to lay his weapon down at his feet. He did so begrudgingly, even if he likely did not need it to kill everyone here. 

"Uha fon eya," The chief said, roughly translating to greeting a foreigner. I responded with a local handsign of greeting, allowing him to continue. "Mahi mani tal mahi spekka soona an loona." 

In fact, perhaps it would be prudent to merely translate what they were saying in their entirety in the essence of expedience. He asked me if I spoke for the gods. It was a tricky gamble on my part, as I felt almost borderline sacrilege to portray myself as such, even if it was a very crude portrayal of the divine emperor. 

"Yes, I am their herald. I have come from beyond the sun to speak to the men of the swamps, but I had thought there would be more of you." I told him. 

"That is why you bring such a champion," The chief remarked, stroking his chin, idly fingering one of the many piercings along his jaw. "But why did you bring the women? Are they gifts." 

"I have not come to bring any gifts save the safeguarding of your home. My companions each play a part in the divine plan. But you did not answer my question." I reminded him. 

The chief looked thoughtful, and I could tell he was weighing his options on if believing me would serve his purposes. Eventually he replied: "If you are who you say you are, then you are welcome. If not, we will eat you. But as for your question, a man from the sky, much like you, came many months ago and began speaking to the tribes of the forest and the swamp. Nagrip was his name, and he took my people from their sacred rituals and gave them weapons of controlled fire and boats that moved without paddles. I took what people listened to me to this small village, and here we have lay hidden."

"Nagrip," I said, pondering. No one looked at me any more thoughtfully save Emmaline, as the name sounded much like a colloquial word and her psychic abilities likely granting her some insight into my broad thoughts. "Where is this man? I would see if he is a messenger of darkness." 

The chief nodded, eager to help. Like as not he was anxious to see us away, if not to solve his problems than at least to keep ourselves from becoming one. "Less than a day across the water, to the west, he makes his dwelling with our fallen kinsmen. I hear he also has foul beasts lurking near, but beware the plague. Only fire can cure it, and if you are infected, it would be best to die rather than infect your friends. We will provide you with two boats. Use them as you will."   

Beasts and plague? I did not wish to believe it, but perhaps this was land had the mark of the Lord of Rot. Swamps were a breeding ground for disease regardless, and any vehicle might look like a beast to this man, so I believed I was letting my worries get to me. However, it paid to be prepared. "Thank you, we shall perform our divine duty and rid your waters of this foulness. But we do not have the power to cure the plague. It would be best if you were to move eastward as soon as possible." 

"Pick up and leave?" He asked, aghast. I nodded. 

"Yes, as you once did months ago. I can slay, but I cannot cure." I informed him, and got to my feet. If my hunch was correct, this swamp would remain tainted for centuries. I only hoped I was wrong, and I turned to my companions. "We're heading west."