Capítulo 32: Chapter 32: The Alliance
The overcast sky showed no sign of sunlight and seemed ready to pour with rain. In the stifling stillness of the forest, not a breeze stirred, and the oppressive heat felt almost suffocating.
"The Pioneer lord is leaving? Are you sure?"
In a cramped wooden cabin, dozens of grim-faced wildlings gathered. The mingled scents of sweat and herbs fermented in the damp, muggy air, creating a peculiar smell.
"Absolutely," a wildling seated at the head replied in a low voice.
He was a man in his forties, with a powerful build, thick limbs, and fierce eyes. But what stood out most was his deep blue skin—a distinct trait of the Bluehide Clan.
As the second-largest wildling tribe in these mountains, after the Fang Clan, the Bluehides had also joined the attack on Eagle's Rest, only to suffer devastating losses. However, unlike the Fang Clan, they had no intention of submitting.
"Well then," the leader, Linnea, pressed them, "who among you is bold enough to take this chance to strike back?"
This gathering had drawn leaders from thirteen nearby clans, all summoned by Linnea to discuss reclaiming their honor. But more than that, he needed to recover the Bluehide warriors who had been captured by the Riverlanders. Without them, his tribe would fall into ruin.
Yet Linnea's rallying cry didn't get the passionate response he'd expected. The shame and shock of that last crushing defeat weighed heavily on these tribal leaders. Even with the opportunity before them, they hesitated.
"Speak up!" Linnea raised his voice in frustration. "Have you all lost your nerve, afraid of the Riverlanders now?"
Finally, one of the leaders spoke up, "It's not fear that holds us back. It's that Eagle's Rest is far too difficult to attack. Going back would mean spilling our warriors' blood for nothing."
"But have you thought about what will happen if we miss this chance?" Linnea retorted. "Once the Riverlanders build their fortress, we'll lose control of these mountains for good. Then we'll have no choice but to submit or face being slaughtered, or worse, driven from our home!
"Eagle's Rest may be hard to break, but we have no choice. To defend our lands, to honor the gods, to protect the pride of wildling warriors, we must act—no matter the cost in blood!"
Linnea grew more fervent with each word. By the end, he had thrown off his tunic, baring his scar-laden chest.
Bluehide warriors were known for their wild nature. They might not be the strongest on the battlefield, but they were certainly the most terrifying. When their eerie blue skin was streaked with blood, they looked like demons straight out of hell.
Now, Linnea's savage gaze swept over the assembly, and no one dared to move a muscle. It was as if the Bluehide chief's simmering rage might boil over and unleash a massacre at any moment.
Just then, a calm woman's voice broke through the silence:
"We, of the Crowshade Clan, will not be joining you."
The speaker was a veiled woman seated in the corner. Although her face was obscured, her captivating violet eyes drew the attention of every man in the room.
Her fair skin, tall, slender frame, and elegant bearing made her look completely out of place—a swan among chickens. And most of these "chickens" were eyeing her with a mix of desire and hostility.
One particular Bluehide chicken seemed angrier than most, glaring at her as if he would flay her alive.
"Crowshade Clan?" Linnea sneered. "When did a woman start speaking for them? Where's Ruin, the clan chief?"
Without a hint of fear, the woman, Nara, gave a slight smile. "My husband returned to the gods three months ago. Now, Crowshade warriors follow my lead."
"So your husband's dead? What, are all the other men of the Crowshades dead too, that they bow to a woman?"
At Linnea's insult, two wildling warriors beside Nara shot to their feet, ready to draw their swords to defend her honor. But Nara calmly raised a hand to stop them and replied, unruffled:
"Linnea, the Crowshade Clan won't join you in this, but neither will we kneel to the Riverlanders. We follow only the Old Gods, their every command and decree."
With that, she turned to leave.
"Not so fast!" Linnea barked. He wasn't about to let her leave; otherwise, the alliance would fall apart before it even began.
As Bluehide warriors barred her way, Nara frowned and asked, "Linnea, we've eaten your bread and salt. Do you dare violate guest rights? Are you not afraid of the gods' wrath?"
Linnea snorted. "Don't pretend to be innocent. I've heard that warriors from Fang Clan were looking for you, saying the Riverlander lord wanted to meet with you. If I let you go, who's to say you won't run off and tell him our plans?"
Nara sighed. "Yes, that Riverlander did seek a meeting with us, but I declined. If you're still concerned, I can swear to the Old Gods not to betray your plans."
"I don't trust women's oaths," Linnea scoffed. "You'll remain my 'guest' until the war ends. Then, I'll set you free."
Left with no other option, Nara returned to her seat.
Linnea took a deep breath, preparing to rally the remaining leaders. But just then, another figure appeared at the door.
"Apologies for the delay. I hope I'm not too late."
Everyone turned to look, and shock rippled through the crowd.
The newcomer was none other than Fang Clan's own chief—Chiman!
Linnea rushed to the doorway, wrapping a friendly arm around Chiman's shoulders with a hearty laugh. "My dear nephew! I knew you wouldn't truly submit to the Riverlanders!"
After all, the previous Fang chieftain had married Linnea's sister, though her early death had strained ties between the clans. But family blood still bound them together.
"Yes, uncle," Chiman said. "When I pledged loyalty to the Riverlanders, it was forced upon me, yet I never forgot my father's and brothers' deaths. Now is the perfect time for revenge."
"Exactly!" Linnea, holding Chiman's arm, led him to the center of the gathering. His eyes scanned the faces around them. "What are you all afraid of? With Fang Clan warriors as our allies, Eagle's Rest is no longer an impenetrable fortress! Or have you no courage to avenge our humiliation?"
The presence of Chiman gave heart to the others. Where before they'd been hesitant, now their spirits flared with new resolve.
"Alright! The Longbeard Clan will send two hundred warriors to break Eagle's Rest and restore our honor!"
"We'll send one hundred fifty!"
"We'll send seventy!"
The atmosphere in the hall grew frenzied, and each clan's leader now eagerly promised every warrior they could muster. They were ready for war.
Amidst the clamor, Linnea and Chiman stood proudly, basking in the cheers and praise, looking every bit as if victory was already within their grasp.
(End of Chapter)
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