Chapter 120: Prizes for a Princess
The gate into Totem shook violently then rumbled as it opened. It took several tens of warriors to complete the task. Men who were nearly as large as Brylax and Droom; their bodies thick and round with muscles, and strong as mules.
Lyolis stood next to her father dressed in the finest hide gown in all of the tribal territories; emeralds and sapphires found in the pools, at Tribal Falls base, sparkled like stars.
On top of her head sat the bear head bonnet. The fur draped to her shoulders. Eyes round, black, and lifeless. Fangs out to intimidate any and all who drew near.
The bear it'd been taken from died near middle age; between fully grown and a cub; Dars'kubi they called her. The grizzly who was to be Lyolis's protector, and to grow old with her, that is, until the sickness came: a different strand of blackstraw that took to their village, not causing sickness to the people, but to the beasts that resided within the walls. Killing nearly all but Brusk'kab and a few others. Lyolis never cried so hard.
She turned towards the enormous, brown-furred beast sitting a few feet away. The red torn flesh from her battles outside the walls marked her stern face; as stern a look as the Chief and Chieftess held. They both stood proud in their bear-head bonnets. Dressed in hides, with emeralds and sapphires to match Lyolis's. Their long, coarse black hair combed out and shimmering of oils, as was her own.
"Stand proud, my child. You must make an impression."
Lyolis rolled her eyes. The beast's blood made her heart beat heavy and veins pump strong.
"On first pass, we have Chief Tabonka and his son Tabonki of the badger clan!" Caikin said. A woman warrior with black claws tied with lace around her thick neck.
The two approached by horseback as most would on this day. Riding with black, gray, and white furs wrapped around their bodies, and hissing badger crowns on top of their heads. Out of all the tribes, Lyolis liked the badger clan least. Their faces were always twisted, and tempers flared red hot for no apparent reason. They had also aligned with the Howl Chief during the times at war: her father never trusted them since, even when they tried to get in his good graces.
The men climbed from their horses and stood before her mother and father, raising their left fists to their shoulder.
They said, "we are here by truce."
Tabonka walked forward holding a fine black and white striped rug, rolled tightly. "A gift for the Chief and Chieftess." He set it in the grass at their feet and raised his left fist once more. The Chief and Chieftess did the same.
Tabonki then approached Lyolis, walking like a feral animal as his father had. Black and white furs draped over his shoulders. He halted in front of her and lifted his arm; in his hand was a netted wood ring with leather strands knotted around claws.
"For you, Princess."
Lyolis raised an eyebrow.
Droom took a step towards the man and took the gift in hand, looking at it with much suspicion.
Her mother and father both had sour looks, eyeing the gift with the distaste of a badger.
Lyolis said, "What is it?"
"It's a courage catcher. There to catch the courage of one's enemies."
It took her a moment to respond, trying to understand how it worked. "Thank you, I guess—"
"There's a trick to it, but it's for your ears only," Tobonki said, eyes shifty. He took a few steps closer and spoke softly. "It has been doused in a repel alchemy — and I assure you it works — if we badgers know anything, it's how to keep people away." He laughed, hissing through his filed teeth.
"A fine gift indeed." Lyolis patted his shoulder. "Thank you, Warrior."
He raised his left arm; elbow at his hip and fist at his shoulder. Lyolis did the same but with much less enthusiasm. Tabonki then walked to his father who spoke at him in a foul tongue; a language she knew little of. Apparently, he was not too fond of the gift neither.
"Next to approach, we have the fox clan. Chief Forrox and Chieftess Fuxxun, and their seven sons and seven daughters: Yerhak, Fahnu, Sequasha, Lapu, Loato, Mahda, Topka, Nho, Wikema, Dihate, Eyani, Hagpi, Haovi, Hinto."
Caikin took a long breath.
The group stood as brilliant as fire, covered head-to-toe with the furs of their tribe. A fox-head crown on each of their heads while fox tails hung like ponytails at their back.
They raised their right hands and spoke as one. "We are here by truce."
Forrox and Fuxxun stepped up to her parents, presenting a basket of brilliant colored herbs and flowers, spices, and sugars; goods from all across of Civiland.
The fox clan was known for their sly tongues. Able to swindle most to get their way. Many believed it was a charm alchemy they used. And by the impressed look on her mother and father's faces, the charm seemed to be working.
Brylax stood less impressed letting out a hard sneeze. The bear-sized man never appreciated fine herbs and spices. Nor the beauty of the world; his eyes always twisted and glaring with hate. Unlike his brother Droom who smiled at the gift like a big, soft cub.
Brylax took a step back from the basket wiping his nose.
The daughters stood by their parents while the seven sons made their way forward, introducing their gifts and themselves. Most uninterested in her, but trying to best the other sibling.
"A fine fox tail for you, Princess!" Yerhak said, waving it like a wand near her face.
Sequasha squeezed past him. "I have a moonstone for you, my love ... and I took it from the Howl Chief himself."
"Liar! That is just obsidian dipped in glowing alchemy," Topka said. He presented her with a finely carved stick. " These are the faces of the great fox chiefs—"
"Like she cares about them!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone