Chương 82: The Five Tribes Gather

"A lizard-like monster?"

"Yes. It was far larger than an ogre. Their warriors fought courageously, but when the creature breathed fire, half of them burned to death at once. It was an impossible monster." Karath's expression tightened. That was a drake. Was there another one nearby?

"Chief Parker, when did that creature destroy the Hellsong settlement?"

"Approximately two and a half months ago, during the height of the monsoon."

"Ah." It was probably the same drake Bloodclaw had killed. Creatures that powerful appearing repeatedly would have been too absurd even for the Grimwood Mountains. That realisation did not bring relief. The attack had occurred during the monsoon, shortly after Karath lured the drake away from Bloodclaw. Nearly one month had passed between Karath's escape and the creature's return to the region around his settlement. During that missing month, the drake had destroyed the Hellsong Tribe.

The thought stole the air from Karath's lungs. His decision to save Bloodclaw had resulted in the deaths of dozens of others. He had never intended that outcome, but the knowledge still made him feel as though he had directed a murderer toward them. Even so, if Karath faced the same situation again, he would make the same choice. At the time, he possessed no method of killing the drake. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

His only option had been to lure it elsewhere. The truth was cruel to the Hellsong Tribe, but Karath could not allow Bloodclaw to be slaughtered to save strangers. Dwelling endlessly upon the past would not change what had happened. The only thing he could do was care for the survivors now. Someone might call that hypocrisy. It was still the best Karath could offer and the only apology he could give to the dead.

"Haa." After a brief struggle, Karath released a deep breath and calmed himself.

"Why did you come here?" Parker asked after patiently allowing him to think.

"An unknown change has spread throughout the forest. Bloodclaw believes the present danger is too great for any single tribe to endure." Karath prepared to persuade Parker as he had persuaded Moldin. He began moving the mana circling his heart, intending to create a dramatic wind.

"So you want the tribes to gather in one place and live together?"

"That is correct."

"Krahahaha! That sounds entertaining." Karath stared at him. Parker had accepted the proposal with almost ridiculous ease. The relocation began quickly after Karath's meeting with Parker. A quick beginning did not mean the entire process ended quickly. Warriorhearts had required four separate migration groups. Doubleaxes currently sheltered the survivors of Hellsong as well. Karath and Parker decided to move the Hellsong refugees to Bloodclaw first.

Afterward, the Doubleaxes tribespeople followed in successive groups. The migration required approximately fifteen days. By the end, every Hellsong survivor and Doubleaxes tribesperson had reached the Bloodclaw settlement. Warriorhearts had completed its own relocation during the same period.

"Ahem." Inside Chief Grild's house, representatives of every tribe had gathered. There was Grild of Bloodclaw, Moldin of Warriorhearts, and Parker of Doubleaxes. The Bearclaw and Hellsong tribes had lost their chiefs when their settlements fell, so one warrior from each attended as acting representative. Only one representative from each tribe had been invited. Karath therefore could not participate.

"Ahem. Let us begin the meeting." An awkward silence filled the room until Grild spoke first as chief of the settlement hosting them all. The purpose of the gathering was simple. Five tribes were now living together. They needed rules. Although they belonged to the same race, every tribe possessed slightly different customs. Each representative would naturally place the interests of their original people first, so they needed a system that could preserve balance.

At least, that was what four of the representatives believed. Only Parker Doubleaxes thought otherwise.

"Krahahaha! Why should rules be the first concern? The important question is who will lead all five tribes!"

"Who will lead us?"

"How do you propose deciding that?" Grild and Moldin questioned him.

"Keh heh heh. Is the answer not obvious?" Parker slowly examined the four representatives with gleaming eyes.

"We are orcs, descendants of warriors. Naturally, the strongest warrior must become the grand chief and lead everyone." He spoke with complete confidence. Parker had no doubt that the strongest warrior among them was himself.