Chapter 645 Lure And Chase! (1/2)
The Gu people had their backs drenched in sweat but there was not even time to wipe their sweat. They quietly formed into the groups they were assigned to and went off to the places they needed to go.
Everyone got into formations, the archers got their bows, the frontline was ready to run, the warriors had their nets ready. They were all nervous, this was the first time they had to fight a beast that powerful in a thousand years.
With everyone else in position, the shaman stood alone by the fire pond. He held a disk made from fibrous hemp tightly coiled together, its diameter as long as a palm and nearly an inch thick. It was connected to a handle which was where the shaman held it.
He lifted his arm to let the disk face the Flaming River. He moved slowly until he reached a certain spot where he suddenly stopped. He focused on that area with a gaze as sharp as a knife as if his eyes cut through the forest straight at the river.
The shaman maintained his pose. The mountain of nets had been removed already. All that was left in the pond was the lone flame that looked like the only flower blooming in a garden.
Whoosh--
The flame flickered violently.
Loud sounds of waves crashing came from the direction of the river.
It’s here!
The shaman gripped the handle a little tighter. He was nervous but as the shaman, he couldn’t show it. He had to maintain his calmness for the sake of the others.
He decided to attack today because his divination told him now was the best chance they had. The weather was good, no rain would disturb them. It wasn’t too humid or dry which was ideal for the warriors. Most importantly, they had the highest chance of succeeding today.
The beast wouldn’t attack in the morning. Even if it was tired of waiting, it would strike during the night but the night was too disadvantageous for the tribespeople. Hence, the shaman had to attract it here with a “bait”.
He used a simple trick that was passed down in the Gu tribe, he deepened the beast’s hatred for the tribe. As soon as the hatred was large enough to consume its emotions, it wouldn’t be able to think logically.
The splashes got louder but the trees blocked the tribesmen’s view. However, the shaman could guess what was going on from the sounds.
The “bait” was a success!
The shaman left out a tiny breath of relief, he still was on his toes staring at the direction of the river. The disk shook in his hands, he couldn't help it. Stopping it would require energy and attention he cannot afford to waste.
Thud!
The ground shook.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
It got louder and louder, each thud more urgent than the last.
It has come up the bank!