Intention

The battle was over and now the victors split the bounties and celebrate

At least that is how it should be. But even after the battle, there is this tension that does not seem to release.

Like a prelude to another storm. And this storm is slowly building up.

When the battle was over, the warrior quickly constructed a tent so that their lord could rest.

The tent was constructed quickly and Aeryon rested under his tent.

An encampment was built. For both Garron forces and Aeryon forces.

Aeryon sometime goes out of the tent and look at the sky

The rain is not heavy but the wind is harsh.

Aeryon still have memories of the original Aeryon so he knows that the wind and the rains of the Great Steppe could be very harsh.

Flood could happen and the wind could take up tents.

Aeryon has washed himself under the rain before and he had taken a few supplies from the Ghar tribe.

It is a pity that there is no such thing like towels. He had to use the fabric he had to substitute a towel.

Right now, he looks nothing like he was before, now he is looking clean and majestic.

His camp is on one side and Garron camp is on the other side.

But their camp is close to each other

Belarion and Mayeux does not trust Garron.

The battle had ended but it is not yet over. The Ghar tribe and the Xewa tribe has been destroyed.

Now the only thing that is left is the distribution of rewards.

Aeryon would also take some people of the Ghar tribe but now, they have to discuss about grazing area and the border of the territory.

The Great Steppe tribes never had strict border control but there is areas of control. Right now, Aeryon had the Brolgadhr tribe old area of influence.

And since he defeated Xewa tribe and Ghar tribe he also effectively could send his people around this area to raise their cattle's and other livestock.

It will also be the area of his tribe. This is a large area. And since Garron had helped he must also want the lands.

However, even though there is this kind of problem, the more important thing for Aeryon is not the distribution of the lands but his quest

The system already asked him if he wanted to hand in the quest. This is when Aeryon learn something new about the system

It is like the quest are home works. And now that he finished it, he could choose to hand it in anytime he wanted

But Aeryon did not immediately hand it in. if he hand it in right now, he would be able to get the rewards.

But since it has this kind of methods Aeryon had a bold idea. If this is the case what if his achievement exceed more than what the system told him to do?

So, he did not yet want to hand in his quest. After all, he did not have to worry about the failure condition anymore now that the Xewa and Ghar tribe is no longer there.

'And I have the advantage that I still have the invincibility buff. Since it could last three days and I could hand in the completed quest anytime…why not wait?' he mutters to himself

Aeryon shook his head for a few second, trying to shake the thoughts out of his mind.

'Focus on the prize' he reminded himself.

Then he goes out and he saw that the rain is becoming harsher and harsher and he is becoming even more worried.

'Let's take a nap first'

He laid down on the fur blankets on the ground and close his eyes to rest his body. There is now a new plan forming in his mind

'I think the Viper would like it'

….

The rain subside near midnight.

Fortunately, enough, other than bringing wet ground and cold winds, the rain did not become a source of calamity.

Everything felt fresh and even the haze of the killing seems to be washed away with the rain.

The ground has been cleaned; the smell of blood is not that overwhelming like before.

The rain washed away the rivers of blood and the red gras turns green again. Outside, there is horses neighing and warriors chatting with each other

In the distance, the people of the Ghar tribe and the Xewa tribe was confined in one place, guarded by Garron forces, making sure that they would not do something stupid.

Aeryon sighed

'I hope Mayeux would do it perfectly'

Mayeux was instructed to bring the people captured to the settlement to integrate and to be workers of the tribe.

Belarion stays with him. Aeryon look at himself. He now looks presentable, wearing thick fur clothing and attire.

He went out of his camp and his fifty men was alerted.

Their encampment is small because their people are not many.

Even though the Utgard tribe also lost many people, in terms of number they still outnumber Aeryon soldiers.

And even his tribe numbers could not compare to Utgard tribe numbers

In a world like this quantity could always beat quality.

Aeryon told his men to only guard near the meeting place and do not come into the venue unless they hear something wrong.

Aeryon still have the effect of the invincibility so he is not afraid

He even hoped that Garron would do something against him. Then he could know how to treat this Viper. He had conflicting feeling about this Viper.

On one hand, this Viper had helped him to quickly finish his quest. On the other hand, he did not trust the Viper at all.

Once the invincibility buff disappears, Aeryon will not be as brave as he is today.

'Hence, I need to make use of it to the maximum' when he thought of this his eyes glint with a dangerous light

That is why if Garron wanted to do something about him, he hopes that day is today

Belarion also came out from his tent and they nodded at each other

And then they walked together out of their camp

….

The Great Steppe has may idiosyncrasies that most people out of the Great Steppe would not understand

The extreme temperatures and severe lack of water forced the people of the Great Steppe living in the area to depend on animals rather than crops for food.

Humans could not digest the grass and other vegetation on the steppe, but their animals could.

Hence the tribes of the Great Steppe have their own diet that is very different compared to the people of the Yan or the people of Roma

Their diet consisted mainly of meat and milk products such as cheese and yogurt. They also hunted animals for food, including rabbit, deer, wild boar and squirrels.

Given their dependence on feeding their animals, including their horses, sheep, goats, cattle and camels, the tribes of the Great Steppe constantly fought among themselves over productive pastureland.

They also moved constantly, migrating from place to place in search of better grazing lands and sources of water.

Any tribes of the Great Steppe would plan their moves carefully and cautiously.

They based their migration on weather, taking advantage of the wide plains and plentiful grass of the steppes during the summer, then seeking shelter in protected valleys during the harsh winters.

They are used to it.

This is the life of the people of the Great Steppe.

And that is why when Aeryon and Belarion enter the tent and smell the meat, they know that Garron welcomed them with great honour and great magnanimity.

Aeryon and Belarion sits on the camp of Garron. In the camp, there is Waqu, Garron and his few others commanders of his warriors.

The title of chief warriors in each tribe is different.

Some gives titles, some did not. Small tribe does not have so many organizations.

Those who are veteran in battle and participated in many battles usually become veterans and considered as a commander.

Most people looked at Aeryon and Belarion.

These warriors that are in the tent also participate in the battle. So, they know how dangerous these people are.

Aeryon look nothing like he was before. It was like a sword sheathed.

The sharpness of the sword could not be felt.

But there is a sword on the side of left hip. And that sword could easily be unsheathed and pointed at Garron.

'Let us eat first before we go to the dirty business' Garron said, laughing.

Aeryon nodded and for a while they feast. There is drinks and there is food, there is songs and there is dances. The wind brings the cold of the night but it could not stop the joyous feast from continuing.

And then the feast ended and hence the talk begins. It is around midnight but no one is sleepy.

'Let us discuss on how to split the bounty'

Aeryon simply stated his wants and needs. He wanted the people and he wanted sheep's and goats, cattle and horses.

He also opens the map and spread it out so that everyone could see.

The map he got from Mayeux and so he pointed to where his area would be, the grassland where the livestock of the Brolgadhr tribe would graze.

He wanted more than what Utgard tribe would have. He expect Garron to blew his fuse but he did not expect him to nod his head at his request

The more Garron like this, the more uneasy Aeryon became

Aeryon narrowed his eyes

'This is very suspicious' he thought to himself

The mood in the camp itself is very weird.

The wind of the Great Steppe blows and the tension seems to rise

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