Australia has the oldest native population on earth?
Which they really shouldn't do in front of anyone from Africa since they have a really large number of animagi. Bragging in front of American wizards would also be ill advised since the native shamans are very good in the art as well.
I have a feeling this Russian learnt English from an aussie.
Betrayal, you say? And I will answer that you cannot betray someone who does not trust you and does not value you. The village was just lucky that Narik helluva lot of hard-nosed and chose the most difficult option - to gain recognition of the village. Although, quite possibly, he was taken on this path, made a psycho-portrait and indirectly directed. Anything can be.