Break up

Thank you all for the support, EXTRA chapter today thanks to you. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

In the days following the raid i spent nearly all my time in the forge crafting more weapons and ammunition. A family of four Oseram decided to stay with us. They had taken an interest in the new way i made things and new weapons and became my helpers.

I had a lot to teach them and they were eager to learn, soaking up knowledge like sponges. It was satisfying to pass on my skills knowing they could help bolster our defenses and resources.

The other Oseram and a few Banuk however chose to return to The Cut where their home lay. We didn't stop them it was their choice and building connections with other tribes could be an advantage for us in the long run. Perhaps we could trade with them or share valuable information, a mutual benefit that could serve us well in the harshness of these lands.

What was not good however was the situation with Sil. She was the self-proclaimed leader of the first batch of Nora we had rescued almost a year ago. Recently, she had begun rallying people to her cause, intent on returning to Mother's Crown. Her reasoning? She believed this land was now "infested" with blasphemers like me and cursed by the presence of outsiders. To her this place had become tainted and no longer sacred.

I had no problem with the other tribes choosing to go home. This was not a prison after all. But the Nora? That was different. We weren't ready to expose ourselves to the Matriarchs just yet. Here in the northeastern wilderness we had the advantage of secrecy and isolation. I wasn't about to let that slip away because of Sil's zealotry.

After careful consideration i devised a calculated plan that i believed would benefit everyone who remained. Sil and her dissidents had to go. The solution? I would let them gather their followers and strike them down on the road, framing the attack as the work of the Carja.

For this grim task, there was no one better suited than my icy demoness, Albedo. She was precise, unyielding, and utterly loyal. I summoned her to the forge one evening to discuss the plan.

The forge glowed warmly, casting long shadows across the walls as i hammered the final piece of a spearhead into shape. The Oseram family was busy in the background, the father, Orik, was organizing materials, while his wife, Kaela, and their two teenage children, Ryn and Jala, worked on polishing completed weapons.

"This one's done." I said, handing the spearhead to Ryn. He nodded eagerly and set to work attaching it to a shaft.

Kaela approached, wiping her hands on her apron. "Your technique with that hammer is something else. Never seen anyone move so fast but so precise. You've got to show us how you temper the steel like that."

I smiled faintly. "Patience. We'll get to that. For now, focus on mastering the basics. Without a strong foundation nothing else matters."

"Understood." she replied, her voice filled with respect. "We're grateful for this chance. Staying here… it feels right."

Before i could respond the forge door creaked open. Albedo stepped inside her eyes gleaming like ice in the dim light.

"You called for me?" she said, her voice edged with curiosity.

I nodded and motioned for her to follow me to a quieter corner of the forge. Once we were out of earshot of the Oseram i explained the situation with Sil.

"She's a threat to everything we've built here." I said. "If she reaches the Matriarchs, it could unravel everything. We'd lose our advantage and worse we'd be painted as enemies of the Nora."

Albedo listened intently, her expression unreadable. When i finished she nodded. "You want me to handle it. Make it look like the Carja were responsible."

"Exactly. I need it to be clean, efficient. No loose ends."

She tilted her head slightly a cold smile playing at her lips. "Consider it done."

As she turned to leave, i called after her. "Albedo."

She paused, glancing back.

"Thank you. For everything."

Her smile softened just for a moment. "Always."

The ambush was swift and decisive. Albedo, Rhea, and their most loyal warriors lay in wait along a narrow mountain pass where Sil and her followers would travel. The group approached at dawn, their footsteps crunching on the frost laden ground. Sil walked at the front her expression resolute, while her followers trudged behind burdened with our supplies.

Albedo raised a hand signaling her team to ready their bows. The first arrow struck before Sil even realized they were under attack It hit one of her followers square in the chest dropping him instantly. Chaos erupted as the remaining dissidents scrambled for cover.

Rhea charged in with a feral grin with her spear. She moved like a storm cutting down two of Sil's followers before they could even draw their weapons. Albedo followed close behind. She dispatched another with a single thrust of her spear her icy demeanor unshaken by the bloodshed.

Sil shouted orders trying to rally her people but it was futile. Albedo stepped forward her spear leveled at the dissident leader. "You should have stayed." she said coldly.

Sil drew her weapon, defiance blazing in her eyes. "You're the true blasphemer. This land will never be yours. King? Outsiders? All Mother curse you all."

They clashed in a flurry of steel and sparks but Sil was no match for Albedo's skill. With a final brutal strike Albedo's spear pierced Sil's chest. The dissident leader crumpled to the ground.

Rhea wiped her spear clean on the tunic of a fallen Nora. "Well, that was satisfying." she said glancing at Albedo. "Think the Carja will get the blame?"

Albedo nodded her expression grim. "They will. Burn the bodies and scatter the remains. Plant some Carja weapons and leave nothing that ties this to us."

The warriors worked quickly setting the scene to look like a Carja ambush. When the job was done they melted back into the wilderness leaving no trace of their presence.

--------------------

Every 100 power stones a new chapter

Thanks for reading and voting.