"B-but … I … I… I was only trying to help…" stammered Eskaria. What had she done? Oh, nothing much, just helped a spy escape. That doesn't warrant a death penalty, right?
"I know you had good intentions, Eskaria, but the path to the abyss is often paved with good intentions!" reprimanded Karim, trying to sound like a mysterious old sage.
"It's okay, Esk. You can leave now. Go and finish what you were doing. Leave this matter to us, okay?" spoke Mrak, with a smile. He was more concerned about what information had leaked, rather than condemning his daughter. He knew it wouldn't help anyone. "So, what do we do now?" he asked after Eskaria had left.
There was a terrifying silence. No one had answers, but everyone had worries. Karim was worried about when the Southern Water tribe would retaliate and attack. Reeve was worried about not knowing how he could use martial arts. Of course, he hadn't disclosed this fact. He thought that this time was just like the curse-to-the-abyss incident a few days ago.
"There are four branches of the Southern Earth tribe, correct?" asked Reeve. He had decided that worrying about that incident wasn't going to help fix this mess.
"Yes, oh messenger o-"
"Just call me Reeve! There's no need to complicate matters", interrupted Reeve. Just like everyone else reading this, he was tired of it!
"Yes, as you wish, messenger of the gods… umm… Sir Reeve?" said Karim, with a puzzled face. To him, messenger of the gods sounded more respectful.
Reeve face-palmed himself. "Okay, how big are the other branches?"
"They are just as small as we are", replied Mrak.
"What about the surrounding tribes?"
"There are only three villages, which are home to the Varnan tribe, the Ruari tribe and finally, the Southern Flame tribe. All of them are just as small as we are, if not smaller", replied Mrak.
Reeve appeared to be thinking about something. He proceeded to say, "What would happen if all the tribes rose up and started defying the Southern Water tribe?"
Karim and Mrak looked at each other in puzzlement. Karim answered, "Well … the Southern Water tribe will crush them all."
"How?"
"They have shamans with very strong magic. Azera was just one of them! You saw what he could do. The Southern Water tribe has more people like him!"
"And how do you know this?"
"Umm …" Karim tried to come up with an answer. The truth was that he didn't know. The first time the Southern Water tribe sent people to visit, they had four shamans. These four shamans could conjure water from nothing! Technically, they could condense water from the atmosphere, but how could Karim know this? And even if he and his apprentices were to take them on, he was sure they'd die horrible deaths.
"You don't know? Or is it they used some method to threaten you?" asked Reeve.
"When they came here to force us to pay tribute, they had four shamans. The shamans caused water to appear from nothing, just like Azera did back then. We can't fight someone like that and win! And that's if we're not mentioning their warriors!" replied Mrak, with a sad look.
"Why don't we do this: We'll talk to the other tribes, and gather forces from them, silently. This includes the other branches of the Southern Earth tribe as well. We then form a coalition, and then without alerting the Southern Water tribe, we build one city. It's easier to defend that city using everyone's efforts, instead of fighting as individual tribes."
"But then, how long will that take?" asked Karim.
"That now depends on how soon we get started. We just need to build an enclosed space, rather than an open space like this village. I'm sure it won't take time if we work together."
"Are you sure about this … eh … Sir Reeve?" asked Mrak.
"Well, it's better than fighting against the Southern Water tribe alone, doesn't it? Besides, if all the other tribes are tired of paying tribute, then they'll join us. If they don't, it's their own downfall!"
"I guess I have to prepare to go and negotiate with the other tribes", responded Mrak, with a soft sigh.
"I want to go along for the trip", said Reeve.
"Umm … Are you sure oh me-… Sir Reeve?" asked Karim, with a hesitant expression.
"Of course, I'm sure. This way, I get to see other tribes as well."
Riza got to the mansion in the afternoon and she went in. Despite being tired, she was excited. She had managed to escape from the Southern Earth tribe. All things considered, she could say she was lucky. However, she knew that relying too much on luck was very bad. When that luck ran out … eh … let's just say it wouldn't be pleasant.
As she was walking in the hallway, she crossed paths with the elders from the Southern Water tribe. They too, looked excited, with the exception of the old woman, who was holding a letter. Riza didn't like her. She thought the old woman was too calculating. They exchanged a glance before going past each other.
She arrived at Saedis's study room, where the butler, Bastian, was waiting.
"Good afternoon, Lady Riza", he said respectfully.
"Hello Bastian, is Lord Saedis occupied?"
"Yes. He has been waiting for you for three days now. However, currently he has some visitors", replied Bastian.
"Oh? Where did the visitors come from?"
"They are merchants from the continent beyond the fjords. They have some business with Lord Saedis", replied the butler.
"Is that so? How long do I have to wait then?" asked Riza, as her excitement evaporated.
"They came in the morning. I'm sure their meeting will finish soon."
Riza frowned. Imagine cheating death, only to wait again. Technically she didn't cheat death, but then again, she might as well as have committed suicide. She was tired, and she wanted to go home. As she was about to leave, Saedis came out escorting two people. These people were wearing colored robes, exquisite jewellery, and funny looking headwraps, with bright feathers. However, they all had one thing in common, and that was their dark skin.
"Oh, Rizaneth, you're back. Go inside the study and wait for me. I'll be back soon", said Saedis, as he noticed her.
"Yes, Lord Saedis", she responded as she obediently went in.