"How do they control your tribe?" Johan asked, gathering more information.
Nea, still harboring her anger, looked at Johan with eyes full of pain. "They send soldiers to the oasis regularly, ensuring that we remain obedient. If we resist, they won't hesitate to punish us… or worse, destroy the oasis entirely."
Hearing this, Johan realized that the Zairath didn't rely solely on brute strength; they also employed psychological terror to keep the Anasazi tribe subdued. Destroying the oasis, their only source of life in the desert, was a potent threat. Johan knew that driving out the Zairath would require a careful approach.
"I understand," he said in a gentler tone. "But if you're willing to fight for your place, I'll help you find a way to resist them. We don't need to act directly. First, we'll start by identifying their weaknesses and observing their patrol schedule. That'll give us a bit of an advantage."
