Walter looked at the tribe chief of the tree people, who was still gasping for air.
"They will only be allowed through the first five stages," Walter said.
"You know of the stages, you have been well informed then," the chief said.
"Your tribe enters to strengthen their core. You must have a way to make sure my men do not pass beyond the five stages," Walter saw the chief frown at his words.
"You are very well informed. Who told you this?"
"It matters not. Can it be done?"
"Do they know that they may die in there?" the chief smiled slyly. This caused the men to be flustered and start to glance at each other.
"We will protect Lord Steinhouse!" the commander said and the chief barked a laugh.
"Lord Steinhouse, then? Lord Steinhouse is the only one who will try to pass the fifth stage. If you are here to protect him, shouldn't you all go with him?" the chief said and the men frowned. The chief's words made sense. Are they not really going to protect Lord Steinhouse? They all looked to Walter, who ignored their stares.
"Your Lord Steinhouse is probably sending you all there to test your abilities. Why?..." the chief left his words hanging, letting the men speculate many things.
"I never said I needed your protection. Did I, commander? That is your own imagination. Your commander begged that you all be allowed to stay and not return so soon and I accepted. He, as well as you, are under my command, but this is not a decision to be made for you. You must go in there by yourself,"
"Why? Why must we enter?"
"Your commander wished to stay behind with me, without knowing the importance or danger of what I do. So, you should prove your worth; it will help open your eyes,"
"To prove our worth, we have to die?" a soldier angrily asked.
"No, you can choose not to enter. But,..." Walter said, a shadow falling on his face, "Do you really think me an all-giving god? Because a bunch of bored soldiers wanted to continue their newfound adventure, I would just take them with me? You wish to walk with me, you must prove you can,"
"I don't care! I am not going to die to prove anything to anyone!"
"Me neither!"
A lot of them made their choice. The rest remained silent. They looked at the soft smile on Walter's face and had a thought. If some of us passed, does that mean we will be able to work for him? No, he had said, 'walk with me'.
What does that mean?
Walter could see that the remaining men had hardened their hearts and laughed softly within.
"Who is coming, then?" Walter asked. Twelve men stepped forward with determination. Walter then turned to the smirking chief and smiled. His smile caused the chief to slightly frown.
"They will enter as one unit," Walter said and the chief blanched for a moment before he frowned.
"You did not mention that," he said.
"I was wondering how to weed out the weak without resorting to all of them entering. Thank you Chief Xhup," Walter said and the chief a bitter laugh.
"Who knew that I would be the one to be saving people's lives," his words caused confusion amongst the men who refused to enter.
"A twelve-man group is entering the emperor's shed. Chief Xhup, please," Walter said giving way for the chief to pass.
Shaking his head, chief Xhup walked towards the men, "Form a circle, holding the person beside you to make a chain,"
"The rest of you, return to Juhntt," Walter told those who had defected.
"You will not be employing us in your household anymore, then?" one of them asked.
"We have enough guards. Besides, it is unsafe here. Return, the war is over," he said and they glanced at each other before leaving the hut. Those who remained, formed a circle as told and place their hands together at the centre.
The chief walked around them slowly and then began to chant words in a language they could not understand softly.
"Who is the leader?" he asked.
"I" the commander answered. The chief walked around and stood behind the commander. He started a new chant but this time, it was accompanied by hand sighs. He occasionally touched the base of the commander's skull as he did so. A sly light flashed through his eyes for a second and he grabbed the commander on the shoulder and began another chant.