No.

"They are not mine to return" you reply calmly.

"You will return them to us or there will be consequences" the Lizardman states.

"Look. I'm all for talking this out, but if we're both going to just be repeating the same thing over and over then this isn't going to be resolved. How about we start with what is going on. It very much seems like those two don't want to be with you and yours any longer. So why don't you explain your side of things now" you reply. The Lizardman's lips curl into a snarl, and he looks back at his companions for a moment before looking back to you.

"The child is sacred. The child is Grimlok" he states as if that means anything to you.

"Grimlok" you ask.

"Chosen at birth for a divine offering" he explains.

"A sacrifice to your god or gods" you ask.

"Yes. Return her and the coward to us" he states.

"I've already said they are not ours to return. Surely there can be something else offered to your gods. We would be happy to help figure out a compromise" you begin to say.

"There can be no compromise" he interrupts "Grimlok must be obeyed. Return the child or I will take your worthless life now, and we will use your women as our playthings. We will find the child and return Grimlok with or without your help" he states. You hold your tongue for a moment as you contemplate the situation.

"I'll be honest. I do not understand how the child can be a Grimlok while also being part of Grimlok somehow, but that's not important I suppose. I would also advise you that it is unwise to underestimate someone. I have a hunch that none of you will be able to take more than a few steps before you're dead if you choose to attack. Now I'm offering friendship and trade, but I will not give someone up to be sacrificed" you state calmly.

You notice his blade ever so slightly exit the sheath it was in. You had hoped to avoid a fight, but you knew that was out the window the moment he stated the child was to be sacrificed. People get stubborn when it comes to their religion. The Lizardman lets out a mighty roar as he closes the distance between the two of you. He's fast, but you've fought faster. Spinning to your right you avoid the upwards slash of his blade as he swings it directly out of the sheath at you. You reach above your head and grab the hilt of your sword, and as you spin around you swing for his neck. You watch him drop to his knees, his sword falls from his grip, and he falls forward landing with a thump of dust. His head rolling several feet away. You turn to look at his companions who are suddenly very unsure of themselves.

"You see. I underestimated him. He made it several steps farther than I thought he would" you say grinning.

"Now...about the business at hand. I suggest you leave. Don't make empty threats, don't look back, and don't come back. Forget the child exists, because she is now under our protection. Now I would appreciate it if you removed yourselves from our territory, because I promise you that these women behind me won't let you get as far as your friend over there" you say pointing at their dead friend. From the corner of your eye you can see each of the girls shoulder their rifles which makes you smirk.

The remaining three Lizardmen seem almost stunned, and you can tell they are all uncertain of what to do. You assume they are weighing whether or not fighting you and yours will be worse than going back empty handed. You kneel down next to the body and wipe your blade clean of his, what you now notice, green blood. With a flourish you set your sword back onto your back, and cross your arms waiting to see what they do. You know the girls behind you are not going to hesitate to drop them if they try anything.

"Tell them a dino ate the child if you must" you tell them. They all give each other one last look, and finally one of them turns and starts walking back south. The other two quickly fall in line. At least there wasn't going to be more ****.

"Phew" you hear Jane say out loud once they are far enough away.

"Agreed" you reply "I was really hoping to avoid pissing of our southernly neighbors, but if they are doing sacrifices then I guess that was always going to be the outcome" you add standing up to look at the dead Lizardman. The girls put their rifles away and you all hug each other feeling glad you are all ok.

"What should we do with the body" Annabel asks.

"I wouldn't want to deprive the scavengers of a meal, but we can see what he has for possessions before we go" you suggest. You kneel down and pick up the sword as the girls start looking for pockets. The sword is a seemingly well made two hander. He swung it with one hand you remember, so he must have had considerable strength. You tap the face of the sword against your palm, but you don't feel any thing loose in the guard, hilt, or pommel. Holding it out straight and rolling it around it is actually straight with no bows or bends, and looking closely at it you don't see any small cracks or chips. You swing it over your back and set it next to your other sword.

"His sword seems to be good quality. They have good blacksmiths" you say as you watch the girls. Yvette pulls out a piece of leather, and looks at it with a scrunched up face. Flipping it over and upside down she finally sighs and hands it to you. You can see writing on the leather, but surprisingly you aren't familiar with the symbols. You wonder if Dawn will be about to translate for you, if not then maybe the Lizardwoman will. You also make a mental note that you had promised to help Yvette learn to read. You were going to have to make that a priority. Dawn should be immensely helpful in that regard. Nadine pulls out a small leather bag and empties its contents into her palm. Small little red, green, and blue gems cascade into her hand.

"They must use them for trade I would assume, and these would be pretty valuable in other towns up north. Kind of an interesting find" Nadine states running her finger through the gems.

"What is interesting about them" Jane asks pulling out a small book from a satchel on his waist and handing it to you.

"It might explain why they are underground so much" Annabel answers for you "they might have quite the lucrative mining operation going on there" she adds. You nod your head opening up the small book. The same strange symbols appear to be on its pages. You hand the book to Nadine who examines it and shrugs her shoulders before handing it to Annabel. Annabel flips through the pages, shrugs her shoulders as well, and hands the book back to you. The remainder of the possessions of the dead Lizardman are unremarkable it seems like.

Getting onto the ATVs to head home you chuckle as Nadine forces you to drive hers. You aren't sure why until sits down in front of you and pushes herself against your crotch. You wish you didn't have your armor on, but still it felt pleasant on the way. Especially going over bumps. Soon you are driving down the ramp with the doors closing behind you. The first thing you notice is a large triceratops corpse near the dino stalls, and you suddenly hear a very loud roar from the dino stalls. Lysandra comes charging out of the stalls at you. You're a little unsure of what is happening until she is right in front of you. Lysandra breaths loudly as she leans down with her face inches from yours.

"Um...everything ok" you ask a little shakily. Nadine quickly gets off the ATV and takes a few steps back, and Lysandra takes the opportunity to gently boop you in the chest with her snout...repeatedly.

"Are you mad we didn't take you with us" you ask finally understanding. Lysandra lets out a loud snort of indignation.

"We were in a bit of a hurry and you were off hunting, which you were apparently successful at" you state. Lysandra snorts again and shakes her head, and then turns around showing you her back. You smirk at the apparent temper tantrum of a giant predator. You look around at the rest of the girls watching the scene with amused smirks on their face.

"Alright. I get it. I'm very sorry that we left without you" you tell her. You try stepping around to her front, but the stubborn dino continues turning to keep her back to you.

"How about you, me, and Copper go out hunting soon. Just the three of us" you ask her. Lysandra turns her head to look at you. "It'll be a fun time. I promise" you add. Lysandra looks away for a moment clearly thinking it over, and then turns back around to quickly lick your face. You chuckle and give her nose some scratches. Seemingly satisfied Lysandra rushes off to drag the dead triceratops into the dino stalls out of sight. You shake your head and turn to see the girls smiling at you. Dawn having apparently joined them at some point.

"Are our guests doing alright" you ask.

"They are currently eating some food" Dawn replies.

"Good, we should probably go talk with them a little bit. Get some introductions out of the way" you tell the girls. Your group quickly put the ATVs and your equipment away, and soon you are all heading to the dining area.