Chereads / The Heathen / Chapter 4 - Nomadic (II/III)

Chapter 4 - Nomadic (II/III)

Soon after Aos carefully and diligently watched Asger pack up the tent. Brenna, Aos' mother, walked sneakily behind the oblivious Asger and the second he relaxed Brenna tackled Asger scaring him to the bone. Aos' young laughter brought the attention of other clan members and the laughter quickly snowballed into a very joyful and gleeful moment.

Once the laughter had settled, Brenna picked Aos up and brought her into her arms and held her close. Brenna brought Aos around to meet her clansmen who she had only heard faintly through the tent until now. Aos met a variety of clansmen, some crafted, others who foraged, while most hunted.

Although it was Aos' first time outside she was quickly losing the interest to meet more people as she had reached the 6th group of people who although hardy and mighty people were rather tiresome to talk too, specially since Aos was still extremely young. After so much of the same repetitive greeting in which she couldn't even properly respond due to her young age.

One of the few details that did manage to find its way to Aos' brain was the way that the clansmen greeted her mother. She seemed to be of rather high esteem within the clan. Aos didn't know why but felt rather proud of her mother. It almost felt like a tribal instinct inside of her actively causing the emotion.

Aos was slowly losing interest again after greeting another few families until she noticed a behemoth of a man walk into the middle of the camp. As the behemoth passed by the assortment of clansmen they all greeted him respectfully and gave him a nod of acknowledgment as he passed.

Aos couldn't help but be completely baffled at the sight of this 2 1/2 meter, 200 kg man. He who dwarfed the already very tall and brawny people around him. When the colossal man spotted Aos he rushed over towards her. Aos was beyond terrified and began to visibly shake. Brenna felt Aos shake and realized why she was scared and quietly told Aos, "He's the clan Patriarch. There is no need to fear him. He just got excited to see you since you're the newest addition to our clan."

The Patriarch blissfully unaware that he had completely terrified a one-year-old was beyond ecstatic to meet the youngling. Once the Patriarch had properly reached Aos, she was able to marvel at the fact that somehow a man who looked like he was in his 80s yet had managed to be so massive and fit.

Then, out of the blue, the Patriarch started making baby noises that completely betrayed his overwhelming physique. Aos couldn't resist but laugh at the horrendous mismatch of voice and body. Her light laughter bringing joy to both her mother and Patriarch.