The news that Galthor Stronghide, the new Chief of the Stronghide tribe, had killed a cursed monster was slow in spreading. At least, to the ordinary people.
Imdiately he left the Abyssal land, the three banner guards imdiately sent word to their leaders of the shocking thing that had just happened.
It was a big deal.
Although, for outside appearance, the leaders did not behave as if they cared, secretly they imdiately called a special eting with their banners to know what was happening.
The useless last son of the Stronghide is actually that strong? He received a blessing from a god?
One by one they began to think on the implications of what had just happened and how they would deal with it.
☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆
At the sa ti, in the banner territory of the Stronghide, the old and the children were dying of hunger in their houses.
"Grandmother. Shouldn’t we go look for leaves to eat? We can still see so weeds to harvest around the..."
A female barbarian that must have been impressive in her youth but was now bent with age hugged her grandson closer to her almost skeletal chest. "You know all the weeds in this area have been harvested. And we are not allowed to go into the other banners’ territories or else we would be arrested. Korgath, my boy, you have to have faith in Lady Warrior Karathra. She promised to bring us food."
Even as she said that, the grandmother was not sure, and her eyes flickered with deep doubt, making the wrinkles on her face appear deeper.
Korgath finally struggled out of his grandmother’s embrace. He touched his stomach. "But grandmother, I am hungry. Father promised to bring food as well, and we have not seen him since."
His father was one of those barbarians that went to other territories to steal so that he could bring food for his remaining family, but unfortunately, he was caught and now imprisoned with the others.
The grandmother sighed wearily. Even she was feeling hunger that hit deep within her bones. It made her miss her life in slavery even though it was one of the most bitter mories she held.
’...but what is the difference? Even now, I still have no freedom and am at the rcy of others. At least then, I was able to eat and watch my son and grandson eat...’
’...is this really the price I have to pay for freedom? Then, is it freedom when the price is this high?...’
She really did not know. She had been a slave all her life. So had her husband and son, but her grandson was born free. Maybe it was worth it after all to her that her grandson was not born under the shadow of a whip.
She smiled wearily at little Korgath. A barbarian of such seven years needed lots of at to grow strong. "Your father is going to return with lots of food. And do not you dare underestimate the leaders of our tribe! They are strong! They are going to bring us food!"
Little Korgath only gave her a doubtful look.
Just then, sothing happened.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of heavy tal colliding echoed sharply outside, making Korgath and his grandmother jump up.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound echoed again, this ti in a more forceful manner, and it was followed by a voice. "Co out, everyone! The new Chief, Galthor Stronghide, has provided food!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Co out, everyone! The new Chief, Galthor Stronghide, has provided food!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Co out, everyone! The new Chief, Galthor Stronghide, has provided food!"
Korgath froze, his eyes shining as he looked up at his grandmother. "Food!"
But the grandmother was not as happy as he expected. Her face turned grim. "So our forr chief did not make it, eh? And this boy is now the chief. Dark days ahead for sure."
Even then, she gripped her grandson’s hand tightly, and then she led him out of their shamble building. "We should fill our bellies first."
And they were not the only ones.
One by one, the doors opened, and starving barbarians ca out, their eyes gleaming with hope.
"Is it true? There is really food?"
"Do not you hear them? They said they have brought food!"
"But do not you hear him? He said it is that boy, Galthor!"
"That guy is despicable! He is now the chief? We are really dood. Maybe those that left the tribe were right after all!"
"But... we are hungry. My grandchildren are sick! I will go and take a look."
"Besides, I doubt Karathra will allow any nonsense!"
More and more words like this were spoken, but in the end, everyone headed towards the biggest building where the leaders of the tribe took residence.
It was the first sign of hope they had seen in a long ti.
Reviews
All reviews (0)