After Reina had pacified Irene she asked me to accompany them to their camp. Gathering some news from a local tribe would make exploring this realm much easier. That was if they decided I was worthy of conversing with them. But I would cross that bridge when I got there.
Irene had taken the panther's corpse onto the back of her giant boar. An action that could definitely be seen as stealing my kill. Whatever I'd just drop by the tribe, get some info, and leave as soon as possible.
"Come to think of it, what's your name stranger?"
"I am Abel, a traveling blacksmith."
"What's a blacksmith and aren't you a shaman?"
"Hmm, I guess you don't have blacksmiths around here. A blacksmith is a person who uses metals and other materials to create weapons and sometimes armor. As for the shaman business, I prefer to call myself a mage."
"Weapons, like Irene's spear? And what's an armor?"
"Reina, stop asking questions like that. How could a mere man create a weapon as magnificent as our ancestral spear!"
"But Irene! If he can make us another spear like that our tribe could rise above the others."
And what was I supposed to say now? Should I tell them that their ancestral spear was a piece of trash in my eyes? Or should I pretend like making such a weapon was incredibly difficult?
While I was still contemplating my response we arrived. The sun was already starting to set when we reached where the creek met a wide river. In the middle of the river lay a large island connected to our side of the riverbank by a series of ropes spanning across a meter above the river surface.
Irene got off the boar and slung the panther over her shoulder before grabbing the rope with her hands hooking it with her legs and making her way across. Reina and the other girl followed after her and they soon reached the island.
Were they scared of water? I wanted to see how deep the water was and stepped closer to the river surface. The river was indeed too deep to stand but the main problem was the swarm of gray phantom-like fish swimming in it. Those were ghost piranhas, a species of fish that was the nightmare of all swimmers.
Better to not step into the water then but climbing along a rope wasn't any better. Air step it was.
I took a few steps back and leaped off the riverbank. My momentum barely carried me halfway across the river before I started to fall. Before falling into the river I created a platform of solid space below my foot and pushed off again. Repeating this a few times I landed on the other side without a hitch.
"Wow! How did you do that? I've never seen anyone walk on air."
"You are indeed a talented shaman, considering that you are a man."
Irene really wasn't going to let up with those comments. Reina on the other hand seemed genuinely impressed with my little stunt and dragged me deeper into the island. The thing that caught my attention was the total lack of creatures on this island.
While wandering the jungle there would always be insects, birds, and beasts all over the place. However, on this island, there weren't even any mosquitoes! I could understand the absence of beasts due to the natural protection provided by the ghost piranhas but that shouldn't stop flying critter from coming here.
I became quite engrossed in finding the reason for this. After careful observation, I could feel a slight aura of intimidation in the air. It had been too weak for me to notice without focusing. By the time I realized I'd zoned I was standing in a clearing with a bunch of even less well-made bone spears pointing at me.
Reina was discussing something with another red-haired woman. Her mother? Also, what kind of genes did these women have? I'd yet to see anyone who couldn't be a model.
"But aunt Helena, he saved me and Jane and is also a shaman! You can't be so rude to him!"
"Reina, I don't care who that male is. He isn't part of our tribe and since he has seen our home he must die."
Male... From the way things were going I'd probably end up with a blood bath. I started sizing up the warriors around me. Their stances were good and their center of gravity was always kept low. Their grip on the spears was steady and the tips pointing at my neck didn't tremble in the slightest.
No matter how I moved, at least one spear would always be able to reach me. Should I just take the hit? I won't sustain any damage but... Nah, I'd rather use magic. A quick flash step to leave the encirclement and I'd floor them before they would be able to react.
"Everyone stand down, the chief is here."
After Irene's shout, the warriors around me dropped onto their knees and faced the woman behind Irene. She too had crimson hair and looked like a more mature version of Reina.
"Mother!"
Sure enough, Reina's cheerful cry confirmed my guess. Their crimson mane must be a genetic trait handed down in their family. The chief walked right past both her sister and daughter and came to stand before me.
"You are the traveling shaman who saved my daughter?"
"I merely lent a helping hand. They would have managed without me."
"What is your name?"
"I'm Abel, a traveler."
"Then I thank you, Abel, for helping my daughter. Please stay the night and rest. Tomorrow I'd like to introduce you to our shaman."
"I wouldn't want to impose on you and overstay my welcome. If I leave now I'll have plenty of time to find a camping spot where I won't disturb you."
"But I insist. You have done our tribe a great service and we must show our gratitude!"
Like hell was this about showing their gratitude! I knew where their camp was and now they wouldn't let me go easily. I shouldn't have come here.
"Then I will accept your gratitude and stay the night."
"Excellent!"