As I pushed through the vines serving as the door and entered, I met the chief's secretary. He bowed his head to show his respect and informed me that they were all waiting for me. I nodded in response and let out a deep sigh.
"Have we been gone for that long, Hisho?" I asked wearily.
"Yes, you were. When you didn't arrive on the expected date, the night was sleepless for almost everyone. We managed to calm the children, but the young and adults were restless. The next day, we discovered they had already prepared themselves for an expedition to find you," Hisho explained.
It took the chief's authority to calm everyone down and convince them to be patient and have faith. After all, you were with them," he continued, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
"Damn, he had to use his authority. He hates that… all chiefs do," I thought, another sigh escaping my mouth.
"General Aleazm, please do not worry. We all trust that you had valid reasons for the delay, and with all the members of your team returning safely, it is clear that our faith in you was justified," he said reassuringly. He then turned to guide me, and as we approached the door, two warriors stood guard, bowing to show their respect. One of them moved the smooth, rectangular rock that was blocking the way, allowing me and the secretary to pass, while the other warrior remained on guard.
We continued walking until we reached another stone wall. This time, a crystal was needed to open it, which the secretary used. Finally, we entered a small cavern that was filled with grass, resembling a grassland. The secretary left my side and joined the chief, who was seated in the center of the grass, while others formed a semi-circle around him, all facing me.
With a calm voice, the chief spoke, "Welcome home, Aleazm."