While Tria's fellow disciples went to get acquainted with each other, she and Chukah were the only two left in the courtyard. When Chukah came out, he had golden tattoos around his arms and wrists. Tria could see the darkness around him was gone, and even him as a person seemed to have changed as well.
"Priestess, before anything, I w-
"It's alright, let's leave that in the past, how are you feeling?"
"I-I'm feeling alright, there is a lot that makes sense to me now. Would you like to listen to my story?"
"Sure."
Tria could feel an air of sorrow enveloping him.
"I am from the Wepwawet Tribe in the Unknown Land, my tribe is…well, was one of the most ancient tribes in the Land. My father has always told me stories from the ancient times, about how great of a tribe we were, but by the time I was born, there was only a few of us left. My father would always tell me about how we had a God's bloodline and that we had a purpose to serve, but I never believed it.
How could I? If we were so great, why were we being murdered and hunted if we were seen by outsiders, is what I used to think? I didn't want to live my life in wait for something miraculous to happen, and so I ran away from home. When I did, I opened the barrier that was supposed to protect the tribe and led all the outsiders into our home. They plundered through every home and murdered everyone, I was still alive because I had already run away.
When I went back and saw what they did, I thought I could avenge my family, but ended being taken away instead and got sold into slavery. I have gone through so much, but the pain from losing everything I held dear was greater, and the hatred I felt for those bastards many times greater.
However, after years of being traded around as a slave, I have lost all hope of getting revenge and continued living waiting for the day I was able to reunite with my family…that was until yesterday, when I heard you wanted to buy everyone on the carriage. I did not know why, but the hope that I lost had come back, even more so when you had taken care of all our injuries."
Tria was just silently listening to Chukah, his story was really heartbreaking, but because she could feel his pain, it made it even more extreme.
She continued to listen to him.
"I wish I had taken my father's stories more seriously, and I wish I had not run away, but it was fated to be like this. I have been awakened to be your guardian, my life is now yours, Priestess," he finished as he kneeled on the ground towards Tria.
Tria silently looked at him, this man has gone through a lot in his lifetime, although he was now a free man, he still had to serve her as a guardian. Tria has never liked to force anyone to do anything and wanted to reverse this situation but Chukah who could see her intentions stopped her.
"Priestess, it would be my greatest honor to be your guardian, not only mine, it would be my whole tribe's honor to finally be able to fulfill our purpose."
"Are you sure?"
"Please."
"Alright," she stood up smiling, "however, you are not my servant, please get up, you are now my brother, my big brother."
Chukah almost fainted again from surprise, for the priestess to refer to him as her brother, and for him to gain a sibling after losing his family, unable to control his tears, he broke down and let out all the pain he had pent up in his heart over the years.
Tria consoled him as she patted his back, he was now her big brother and she vowed to always be there for him. As she felt that he was feeling better, she called over everyone and told them about Chukah. Although they were surprised, they were happy that all of them were a family, the little time they spent learning about each other brought them closer.
This image really pleased Tria, everyone was laughing and enjoying each other's company. Who would have thought that these were the same guys who stood in the courtyard all solemn and scared to even look at her, just the day before?
"Alright everyone, although I have said that you would be my fellow disciples on this trip, in reality, you are not. I will have you guys be my elders, although I do not have a temple at the moment, that will happen soon. As we travel, I might have to leave some of you behind, to take care of some things. That's for the future though, I must also say something else," her tone getting serious, she continued, "Although I am the chosen priestess, I am still human, do not expect me to always be benevolent. When I do something or say something, it must not be questioned, I want us to be on the same page so there will not any complications later."
"Senior sister, we understand." How could they not understand, after everything they have been through, they understood what was needed to survive in this world.
"Good, then we are ready to set off, we have been here for too long and after that howl earlier, I am sure there are people wondering what it was," she looked towards Mexi, "Mexi, get another carriage as soon as possible."
"Yes, senior sister."
As Mexi left, Tria had brought out and had them wear the same clothes that she and Mexi were wearing, that indicated they are from the same school. They did not fit Chukah's large size and Djo and Dja, but they were her siblings, there was not a need to match their clothes.
"Actually, Chukah, I am going to have you bring Djo and Dja back to where I live and have you meet us later."
"Big sister, we are not going with you?" Djo and Dja ran to Tria, looking up at her with sad eyes.
"Aw, my little cuties," she smiled as she pinched their cheeks, "big sister is going to send you to see where I live, and to also meet your big brother-in-law."
"Brother-in-law?"
"Big sister, you're married?" they both asked at the same time.
Even the rest of them were surprised, they did not think that she was already married.
"Haha, yes, you will meet him when you get there," she said as she rubbed their heads. The kids were too cute, after washing up and wearing clean clothes, she could tell they would grow up to be lady killers.
"I will make sure to come back as soon as possible," said Chukah, he was already getting ready to go right now.
"Take your time, we will wait for you in the capital, I hope to stay there for a while."
"Alright, is brother-in-law treating you okay?" he asked nervously, she was now his sister, it was only right that he cares about her well-being.
Tria smiled at his care for her, "Yes big brother, he does. You two will get along well," she said smiling, unknown to what kind of disaster she was setting up.