Chapter 297 - The Visiting Vagrants (1/2)

The Ruby Eyed Snake Tribe's village was nothing like Rima expected. It was so…sophisticated. She felt bad for not considering the fact that the Tribes could lead lives that appeared better in comparison to the one that she and Tigin had led in Rene. In fact, it was pretty insulting that she hadn't considered it.

Tigin too looked amazed. Despite the fact that the Tribesman perhaps led a simple life, they had everything they needed, and there was no doubt that they were happy and comfortable. Tigin, Rima and Aegin all received cautious looks at first, but upon noticing how comfortably Sevis spoke with them, they all nodded in greeting before moving on with whatever they were doing. Rima had only gotten a couple of hours sleep in the small hut that Sevis had showed them to. He said it was one that had been erected for guests, and apologised for the uncleanliness as it had been a while since it had been occupied. But Rima couldn't find it in her to care as she collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion.

Aegin had had to drag her out of the hut the next morning when the Chieftain of the Tribe and the Elders had requested to meet them.

Sevis guided the three of them through the village, there appeared to be no set streets, with some huts closer to each other than others. Sevis said it was common for extended family or blood brothers to have such close bonds.

The Tribe, he explained, had about 2,000 members. Unfortunately, the little area they called home could not accommodate many more than that, so it was traditional for many young men and women who came of age to go out and either join other Tribes or start their own. They were by no means the largest Tribe though, some, like the Black Sands, had an excess of 10,000 members, and did not encourage their members to leave, hence they only grew bigger. But the constant conflicts on the Hava Rastellan, as well as frequent droughts and other dangers, meant that death was all too common, probably why the populations of the Tribes remained stagnant.

The Large hut in the centre of it all was the Meeting Hall. A large free area was open in front of it for gatherings and celebrations of the whole Tribe, but for the most part those that frequented the Meeting Hall were the Chieftain, his advisors, and the elders.

”Any etiquette we should know about?” asked Tigin cautiously before they stepped in.

Sevis had shrugged quite nonchalantly, ”Just be respectful I suppose”.

Then he ducked inside without further explanation. Tigin looked quite taken aback. Aegin pushed him inside after Sevis and Rima followed them.

The inside was just a large room, the Canvas roof easily letting in enough natural light for them to see by without candles or torches. A sunken firepit sat in the centre, though it was not burning, and around the room were various tables with stacks of food, weapons, clothing, blankets, maps and various other items. Behind the firepit was where ten figures. Four of them far older than the rest and each wearing a decorated necklace, so Rima immediately assumed these were the Elders.

The Chieftain was a middle aged man of large stature, identified by the fact that he was the only one in the hall sitting on a chair. On his left stood a woman who looked to be of similar age, eyes warm by fierce, a strange combination that seemed to work for her as she was no doubt the Chieftain's wife. To the Chieftain's left stood two individuals, one a man who appeared the largest in the room, he was quite intimidating with his arms crossed over his c.h.e.s.t and a scar down the left side of his face. Then a rotund woman who was intimidating in her own way as well. The remaining two figures stood off to the left as if observers, they were younger, but had a remarkably similar appearance to Sevis.

The reason why became clear as Sevis arrived before the Chieftain and bowed his head in greeting.

”Father, the visitors from afar,” he stood to the side and swept his arm across to each of them in turn, ”Tigin, Aegin of the Chaos, and Rima, a distant daughter of the Blue Suns”.

The Chieftain nodded, ”And you vouch for them?”

Sevis nodded, ”They are of no threat to our Tribe, I offered them a place to rest for a few days only”.

The Chieftain waved a hands, ”Very well, stand with your brothers, Sevis”.

Sevis nodded, moving over to the two young men. Huh, so he was one of the sons of the Chief. The third by the looks of him compared to the other two.

”You, Tigin, was it? You appear to be of Tribal Blood as well, what Tribe do you hail from?” asked the Chieftain.

Tigin cleared his throat, ”I was born in the Triad city of Rene, Sir, all I knew of my father was that he was exiled, he never spoke the name of his Birth Tribe”.

The Chieftain frowned but nodded, ”I see, then, despite your appearance, you are in fact a Half-Blood, correct?”

Tigin nodded, ”I am, Sir”.

The Chieftain was silent for a moment before he spoke, ”Then so long as you cause no trouble in my Tribe I have no problem with you staying here. To condemn you for the sins of your father seems excessive”.