Soon, the scavenging team brought Orion a large number of crystal cores and over a dozen Foxtail plants.
"Respected Master, the best quality Foxtail plants were taken by that damned Scrag, (the forr gnoll High Chieftain), to Thunderhawk City as tribute to Thunderhawk Knight Reynard," Dirtclaw reported eagerly. Knowing Orion's fondness for collecting magical plants, Dirtclaw had personally led the team, not only harvesting the plants but also looting the gnoll treasury.
Orion stowed away the magical plants and crystal cores, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Dirtclaw, you've done well. I'm impressed."
"Respected Master, I am honored to serve you. I know this forest well and can guide you wherever you wish to go."
"Hmm, if you continue to perform well, I'll make sure you're rewarded," Orion said, feeling generous. He decided to dangle so incentives to keep Dirtclaw motivated.
"See those armors?" Orion pointed to the bone armor worn by his guards. "If you prove yourself, I'll reward you with a set."
Dirtclaw's eyes lit up with excitent. He desperately wanted a set of bone armor—not because of its defensive properties, but because, in his heart, wearing the sa armor as Orion's companions would make him feel like he truly belonged. It would give him a sense of recognition.
"Respected Master, if we continue south, before reaching Thunderhawk City, we could visit the Skytalon Tribe nearby."
"The Skytalon Tribe has a very close relationship with Thunderhawk Knight Reynard. It's said that Reynard's Thunderhawk was raised by them."
This piqued not only Orion's interest but also that of Prophet Onyx and Rendall, who both gathered around to listen.
"Respected Master, as everyone knows, Thunderhawk Knight Reynard cos from the Skybond Tribe. Their lineage has a natural ability to communicate with Thunderhawks, making it easy for them to form contracts."
"And the Skytalon Tribe specializes in taming flying beasts. They currently have two Thunderhawks in their care."
"Master, I've also heard rumors that there's an uncontracted Thunderhawk within the Skytalon Tribe," Dirtclaw added, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
Orion's face remained impassive, showing no sign of excitent or displeasure. He simply responded in a calm tone.
"In that case, we'll make a detour to the Skytalon Tribe."
"Of course, respected Master. Dirtclaw is at your service!"
…
Thunderwood Forest, Thunderhawk City
Inside the castle, Thunderhawk Knight Reynard's face was as dark as if he had soiled his underpants. He had just sensed that the slave contract he had secretly made with the gnoll Vilemaw had vanished.
In other words, Vilemaw was dead.
"Did Vilemaw die in so internal gnoll conflict?"
"Or was he killed by those northern invaders?"
"Who could it be?"
"And why haven't the gnolls I sent out returned with any news?"
Reynard was growing increasingly anxious. Ever since his Thunderhawk companion had died, he had been in a state of suppressed rage, unable to find an outlet for his frustration.
The death of his Thunderhawk had been a heavy blow to him.
What made matters worse was that his sister, Rowena, had yet to form a contract with another Thunderhawk, which only added to Reynard's unease.
"Soone, go fetch Chieftain Elan of the Skytalon Tribe!" Reynard ordered.
A mont later, after the servant had left to summon Elan, Reynard's sister, Rowena, cautiously entered the room.
"Brother, has sothing happened?"
Reynard looked at his sister, and his mind cald slightly.
"Yes, there's been a developnt. The gnoll scouts I stationed in the northern territories have been killed. It seems the northern races have begun their invasion again."
"Sister, I'll have Elan send soone to escort you to the Fireraven Tribe for safety."
Rowena's eyes widened in shock.
"Brother, is the situation really that bad?"
Being sent to the Fire Raven Tribe for safety ant that Thunderhawk City was no longer secure.
"I'm not sure yet, but I don't know who the invaders are."
"Whoever they are, your brother no longer has the advantage of aerial superiority, so the outco is uncertain."
"That's why, for your safety, you must go to the Fire Raven Tribe now."
"When this invasion is over, I'll personally co to bring you back."
Rowena felt a pang of guilt. If only she had been able to form a contract with a Thunderhawk sooner, she could have helped her brother.
"Brother, I'll do as you say."
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Reynard gently brushed his sister's hair and spoke softly.
"These are difficult tis. When you reach the Fire Raven Tribe, keep a low profile. Don't put on airs."
"Yes, I understand."
…
Not long after, Chieftain Elan of the Skytalon Tribe arrived at the castle and stood before Reynard.
Reynard personally walked over to greet him, his tone warm and respectful.
"Chieftain Elan, is there really no chance that my Thunderhawk survived?"
Elan shook his head. The Thunderhawk had been missing for months, and it was almost impossible for it to have survived.
Moreover, the Thunderhawks in Elan's tribe had not sensed the presence of any of their kind in the surrounding area.
It was highly likely that Reynard's Thunderhawk had been killed.
"Chieftain Reynard, now is not the ti for sorrow. Once we fend off this wave of invaders, we'll have ti to bond with another Thunderhawk. Perhaps then, it will be willing to form a contract with you."
Reynard nodded, pushing aside his grief.
"Elan, the reason I called you here today is to ask if you could send so of your people to escort my sister to the Fire Raven Tribe."
Elan didn't hesitate to agree to Reynard's request.
He understood that with an invasion looming, it was only natural to send loved ones to safety.
Even if Reynard hadn't asked, Elan would have arranged for so of his own people to flee south.
"Don't worry. I'll have my son personally escort Rowena to the Fire Raven Tribe."
Reynard nodded, a hint of relief finally showing on his face.
Elan's son, Lorne, was also a Sky Knight, though his mount was only a hero-level Wind Eagle, not particularly useful in major battles.
"Very well, I'll leave it to you."
"Then I'll take my leave and make the arrangents."
"Go ahead."
Half an hour later, Reynard watched as the Wind Eagle took off from the city, carrying his sister to safety. His expression softened considerably.
With his sister safely away, Reynard felt more resolute in his determination to defend against the invaders.
"Co on, then… Let's see who dares to invade my Thunderhawk City."
"I'll make sure the walls of Thunderhawk City are adorned with the head of another Alpha-level warrior!"
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