Chapter 143: You may rest here

"First of all, we didn’t take over the Typhon Tribe. Both of us were attacked by this plant, forcing my tribe to build a wall while the Typhon Tribe attacked us for our land. They lost, but instead of letting their people die, we took them in."

Since lying had already proved detrimental to their situation, Kanan decided to tell the truth, but he wouldn’t tell them everything. Some truths were meant to be kept to themselves until relations between tribes were better.

"Hahaha! What a bunch of lies! You expect us to believe you? We know of the Nemean Tribe’s strength. We know that you have the power to take over our tribe if you attacked us! Is that it? Did you keep your army hidden in the trees to ambush us when we least expect it?"

Galrah agreed with Riklok, Eshem closed his eyes, and Loknya, while wanting to stay neutral, also had a hard time believing Kanan’s words.

"Lopis, help me out, will you?" Kanan asked

They had kept quiet because they were aware of their position. Though Kanan was their friend, he was also the Shaman of the Nemean Tribe, a position that far outranked their own.

Stepping forward, Lopis pulled out the stone from her shadow and showed it to the Chieftess.

Loknya’s eyes went wide as she quickly snatched the stone out of Lopis’s hands.

"Where did you get this?!" She demanded to know

"It was passed down through my family for generations. One of my ancestors hailed from your tribe, settling into the Nemean Tribe. My family made sure to keep our origins alive."

"Eshem, look at this. These markings are of Warrior Hesel’s family! I thought his family was wiped out after the last remaining descendant of his went missing some generations ago."

Eshem rubbed his thumb over the design, noting its age. Then he looked at Lopis before speaking. "It seems that the descendant of Warrior Hesel who went missing is the ancestor of this woman. If the others hear of this, they will be elated to hear this news."

"Who cares?! Warrior Hesel was a great, honorable man, including his descendants! They would be devastated to learn that their blood has been sullied by the Nemean Tribe." Riklok shouted in annoyance.

"May I ask a question?" Kanan asked

Loknya nodded. "You may."

"What do you know of the Nemean Tribe? I’m aware that you have stories of us, but I wonder if they reflect who we are now."

"Well, generations ago, our people traded with your tribe and the Typhon Tribe. In fact, we traded with the Typhon Tribe up until some generations ago, around my great-grandfather’s time. As for your tribe, we were told of your power, your strength, and how your people destroyed our own after we attacked your people."

That was news to Kanan and the others. The group looked at each other after learning such information. They wondered why Chieftess Loknya would tell them something so sensitive, but determined that it was to gauge their reaction.

"I see. And that story is still passed down, huh?"

"As a children’s tale, yes. We tell the story to them as a lesson to never pick on people who are stronger than you."

"Tsk. The Nemean Tribe had a person known as the Shaman on their side. If it weren’t for them, we could have won." Riklok grumbled

’The Helsik Tribe knows of the Shaman? I am aware that the Nemean Tribe in their prime was a powerhouse, but for another tribe to have knowledge of the Shaman generations later with no contact is a testament.’

"Tell us, does your tribe still have the Shaman?" Galrah asked

Kanan nodded. "We do." He didn’t need to tell them that he was the shaman; otherwise, they might try to do something to him.

"Let’s get back to the point at hand. Kanan, I shall trust your words for the time being. If you do anything that makes my trust in you shake, then you will be asked to leave our tribe."

"Thank you, Chieftess Loknya. I promise to aid you in this predicament you’re in. However, I will say that we’ve already encountered some pushback about us being here. I deny that we are intruding, but if we are being harassed, then we will defend ourselves."

"I understand. The men who messed with you today will be punished. For now, please rest and regain your strength. We will call you tomorrow to learn more about what the Uprooter Plant can do."

"Thank you. If it’s not too hard to ask, can I see a healer? My friend Alue was bitten by a Gator Beast and needs to be treated."

Loknay looked at Riklok. "Heal him."

"Tsk!" Riklok went to Alue and checked his leg. He noted how clean and properly maintained it was, only needing a few minutes to heal Alue’s leg.

"T-Thank you, sir."

"Don’t speak to me, Nemean bastard."

"Guards, please lead these young warriors to the lodge on the eastern tree." Roknya ordered

"Understood, Chiefess Roknya. Please follow me, Nemean Warriors."

After being led out by the guards, the council began to speak among themselves.

"I don’t trust them!" Riklok shouted while slamming his fist onto the table.

Galrah rolled her eyes. She was tired of Riklok’s complaining and wondered why he was still on the council. "We’re aware. But I do think that we should keep an eye on them. While I didn’t sense any ill intent, that either means that they are sincere or are amazing liars."

"What do you think, Eshem?" Chieftess Loknya asked

"I trust them. A descendant of Warrior Hesel will always be honorable."

"Oh, please! You simply don’t care!" Riklok shouted. "They could be planning our demise as we speak!"

Loknya also had that thought and ensured that the Nemean Warriors were to be watched at all times. Truth or not, it wasn’t wise to allow outsiders into their home without knowing what they were up to or at least keeping an eye on them.

"That Kanan fellow was powerful." Galrah pointed out.

"How powerful?" Eshem asked

"If we were to fight, I don’t know if I would be able to win. The spirit energy around his body was extremely thin. Only people with complete control over their abilities can control their spirit energy to such a degree."

"So young, yet they are that powerful. And according to Carl, they are the weakest warriors in their Tribe." Loknya pointed out. "Let’s just see what the future holds. If they have ill intentions, we’ll deal with them accordingly."