Chapter 109 - The Vorfang Tribe

The place Karyea led us to was a large open swath of land surrounded by a stone wall on all sides that stretches up at least fifty feet and looked to be covered in bones, more precisely, the bones of dead beasts. It was a macabre sight, although the inside was a lot more of what I'd been expected when I'd heard tribe. Hundreds of tents and a few stone structures dotted the inside of the wall, and from above I could see hundreds if not thousands of people in smiler clothing to Karyea moving about. It seemed to be entirely made up of humans with no beastkin or any species of elf, which was a shame. I'd still yet to see any dark or high elves, or even any orcs, though from what I'd read, orcs were for the most part how they were depicted in the fantasy books back home, savage and tribal in nature, though there were a few exceptions to this.

We landed outside the wall where Karyea asked us to follow her.

"Please do not take any offense to any actions my fellow people might do," Karyea said. "Some might not believe me at first."

"I can always summon my other allies if you-"

"No." Asara interrupted. "That would cause all sorts of problems, and I would rather not see my people crushed by your allies."

"Fair enough."

When we approached the set of large gates, Karyea shouted up to a few men who were peering down at us atop the wall. When they caught sight of Karyea they immediately opened up the gate and we were beckoned in.

"Karyea it is good to see you in one piece," A bulky-looking man in leather and bone armor said. "How did your hunt go?"

"Not as planned," Karyea replied. "We disturbed a herd, and were almost trampled, but we were saved."

Karyea then went on to explain everything that had happened to the guard whose eyes widened at the tale, though there was definitely a hint of skepticism as his eyes turned towards me and he looked me up and down.

"And you are king of Larra?" He asked.

"He is," Asara hissed as she turned to Karyea. "We don't have all day, take us to this shaman who you believe can aid us."

I held back a sigh as Karyea and Asara's eyes met, and for a second thought, lighting would spark between the two.

"Enough," I commanded then I turned to Karyea. "She is right however, the quicker the better."

"Of course," Karyea said. "Bolark take us to my father."

"He is in the middle of a gathering of the el-"

"Now!" Karyea demanded. "Or do you wish to test the patience of our guests?"

Bolark shot us another skeptical look and i was tempted to just summon the gaping dragon right then and there, but then Karyea gave me an apologetic smile so I held back.

As we traveled I took the time to inspect what I assumed was the tribe's city, or was it a camp, or both? Whatever it was, it looked to be in good shape. The tents were large and varied though they all seemed to be made out of the same material, though some were more decorated than others. The sound of steel on steel and laughing reached me as did the peddling of merchants when we passed a section full of stalls. I noticed there were people dressed in clothing unlike the tribespeople and I shot Karyea a questioning look.

"They are outsiders," Karyea explained. "Come here to trade with us, some from other tribes, some from over the mountains like you."

"From Larra?" Asara questioned.

Karyea shook her head. "The mountains to the west are not the only mountains. These people come from the south."

"I see."

I hadn't been aware that the Denzin plains bordered other lands, then again it should have been obvious. This place was very large and the only reason the people of Larra or Tyrofell weren't aware was that this place was rarely ever visited, and marching an army or force through here would be difficult, to say the least. With the tribes, beasts herds, and who knew what else, a weak army would be decimated and even a stronger force wouldn't make it out intact, and then they'd have the task of getting over the southern mountains and somehow after all that conqueror the lands beyond without knowing much. It definitely wasn't something that a normal person could do, although perhaps I would. With my tactic of constant escalation, I'd be far more powerful than I could imagine soon enough.

We got curious looks and glances as we leaked through the city camp. Most people greeted Karyea with a fist to the chest or friendly wave or smile as she passes, while I was given curious looks by the people. Asara got quite a few looks from men, but they would quickly look away when she shot them a glare that could freeze fire. Once again, she didn't seem to be able to tolerate any other man but me.

"This is a nice place you've got here," I said as we passed by a group of children. They spotted Karyea and swarmed around her like bees to honey. She tried to shoo them off as she shot me nervous looks, but I just waited and tried to give her a reassuring smile. I was in a rush, but I wasn't going to harm any of these people for a bit of wasted time.

"It is a prosperous palace," Karyea stated as we left what I assumed was the playground behind. "It had been under siege twice, but never fallen."

"Under siege by who?" Asara questioned.

"Other tribes," Karyea replied. "They have always been jealous of us. We are skilled in many a craft and attract merchants from afar. They call us tamed dogs and spread rumors that we bow to foreign powers."

"Do you?" I asked which earned me a slight glare from her before she realized who I was and quickly looked away.

"Of course not," Karyea said in a firm tone. "We are a free people."

"What does bowing to someone have to do with being free?" I asked.

Before Karyea could reply, there was a loud shout from close by.

"Karyea!" An extremely muscular-looking man marched up the tribeswomen with a grin on his face. "I have been looking for you all over."