Chapter (11):wrath of north part 1
Oh we haven't seen each other in a while, right? Well looks like Ashث has set her own path, oh she wants to know about the other one, well let's not wait let's get started!
After a certain period in the clouds...
There was a falcon soaring high above, staring down at the snow-covered land of Freljord. Its eyes were fixed on a particular village near the outskirts. It glided quietly among the buildings, where warriors hammered weapons on anvils, smelted iron, and dragged ships with chains, tying them down. The ships bore the emblem of a spear. When the bird reached the center of the village, at the tribal hall, it landed on the roof.
It slipped through a gap between the pillars and entered the hall, perching high up in a distant spot, gazing at what lay inside. Within the hall, people sat on wooden chairs around a round table with a map.
These individuals were warrior women, clad in coats and bones, wielding iron weapons. They sat in the center of the hall, exchanging sharp and uneasy glances. The atmosphere around them was heavy. These were no ordinary warriors-they were the War Mothers of the five different tribes.
Muna, War Mother of the Winter's Dagger Tribe
Riran, War Mother of the Winter's Children Tribe
Zataya, War Mother of the Winter's Foot Tribe
Garia, War Mother of the Winter's Fang Tribe
Raga, War Mother of the Winter's Spear Tribe
They had gathered here for one reason...
"That new War Mother must be hanged today!" Garia shouted angrily.
She was referring to the new War Mother, Siguani, of the Winter's Claw Tribe-a thorn in their side.
"We must put her in her place," declared Zataya.
"No, we must make an example of her for the rest of the Winter's Claw Tribe," Muna retorted.
"An example? We should kill her and her entire tribe! This was clearly a declaration of war!" Riran yelled.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's gather our tribes and attack!" Garia screamed.
"Everyone, calm down," Raga interjected, trying to soothe them.
"I agree with Zataya on this. We must make the Winter's Claw know their place. We were already planning to eliminate them if they ceased to be useful."
"If it weren't for Kalkia's usefulness, we wouldn't be sitting around waiting."
"Then we must kill her!" Garia said furiously.
"But if we gather our forces and move against her together, Siguani will surely notice. She may be young, but she's not blind to our movements."
The hall fell silent because Raga's words were entirely true. No fool would fail to notice if all five tribes moved at once. Siguani would see it coming. Moreover, they knew that if five tribes united against one weak tribe, it would damage their reputation among the other tribes.
"So, what do you suggest?" Riran asked curiously.
"I propose that each of us sends our forces separately, then we regroup at that hill. Zataya, Muna, Riran, Garia-these are the locations each of you must go to before we all gather and attack without her noticing."
"This way, that fool won't know what hit her, and we'll wipe out the Winter's Claw Tribe completely. Each of you will get your share of them. What do you think?" Raga asked.
"Hmm... Your plan sounds good to me," Muna said.
"I'll agree to your plan only because I want that bit*h head," Garia growled.
"I agree as well," Zataya added.
"Wait! You mentioned where each of us should go, but what about you?" Riran pointed at Raga. "I don't see your tribe's location on the map!"
"Because I'll be heading here," Raga said, sliding her finger across the map. "This is an open field. She'll see me as the enemy and won't focus on you."
"Once she comes after me, I'll retreat and join our gathering point, and we'll finish her off directly," Raga said, staring at Riran.
"Hmph, fine," Riran snorted, dissatisfied.
"Oh, that's a clever move. She'll notice you but not us, allowing us to sneak up on her. I must say, you're like a fox," Muna remarked.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Raga replied.
"So, when does the plan begin?" Zataya asked.
"We'll all gather at that hill within the next two months."
"Good. I can't wait to see the look on that stupid girl's face when we come for her!" Garia said with a twisted smile.
"Well, since we've agreed, we shall-"
Suddenly, Raga fell silent. She looked up and saw a bird staring at her. Without wasting a second, she hurled her axe-made of True Ice-at the bird. It turned into a small ice statue and landed on the table, shattering like glass.
"Oho! What was that?" Garia asked.
"It was just a bird, Raga. Was it really necessary to use a True Ice weapon?" Muna said, adjusting her own True Ice daggers. "For a moment, I thought it was an intruder. You didn't have to be so impulsive."
"You're right. Maybe I overthought it," Raga admitted.
......
In the Winter's Claw Tribe...
Inside the hall, Sejuani sat on Kalkia's throne, while urkath leaned against the wall. They both watched as a shaman knelt before them, coughing up blood.
"Ugggh!... That's all I could uncover, War Mother. The animal I was bonded to is dead," the shaman said, blood dripping from his lips.
"Wow!, you really have a talent for angering WarMothers," Orkath remarked, leaning against the wall with a smirk.
"I refuse to bow to anyone, urkath. Even if it means starting a war," Sejuani replied.
"Such confidence. I love that. But we still have a big problem," urkath said, his playful expression turning serious.
"Even if they split up across different territories, their numbers are still vast. This isn't like the ship raid-this time, we don't have the element of surprise. They'll be prepared, not to mention they have shamans on their side."
"You're right... By the way, where did you find this shaman?" Sejuani asked.
" Oh, this person, just a whim from me. saved him while hunting, and now he owes me," urkath said dismissively.
"Good. If he weren't your friend, I'd have cut off his head the moment he stepped into the hall. You can return to your Frostguard friends," Sejuani said indifferently.
"I'm not with the Frostguard, WarMother Sejuani," the shaman interjected.
"What? You're not with them? But you're a shaman?"
"Not all shamans serve the Frostguard," the shaman replied, lowering his head.
"I belonged to a tribe. They respected me, but rumors of my madness got me exiled. I wandered the wilds of Freljord until Orkath found me and gave me food."
"And it's not just me. There are many outcast shamans or those who left their tribes, wandering Freljord, doing their best to survive."
"...What's your name?" Sejuani asked.
"What?" The shaman was confused.
"I asked for your name," Sejuani repeated.
"My name is Floki, War Mother," he said nervously.
"Good... From now on, you'll follow me, Floki. Now leave."
"You're letting someone like me join your side, WarMother?" Floki asked in shock.
"Don't make me repeat myself,"sejuani said.
"Thank you... Thank you for your mercy, WarMother," Floki said before quietly leaving the hall.
Once he was gone, only Siguani and Orkath remained.
"So, what's your plan?" Urkath asked.
"What do you mean?"sejuani replied.
"Come on, Sejuani. I know you well. You wouldn't keep him around unless he was useful. The only useful thing is-"
"The other shamans he mentioned. We can recruit them to our side."
"Yes, but we still have a numbers problem. They have a massive army. We need to-"
"...urkath, do you know any warriors unaffiliated with them that we can recruit?" Sejuani asked.
"What? There aren't any... Oh damn, unfortunately, there is one."
"Tell me who they are."Sejuani speak
"I know a group led by a terrifying warrior named Scarthane Steffen."
"I've never heard of him. Which tribe is he from?"Sejuani said
"No, they're not a tribe. They're just warriors who live by pillaging. They don't have a War Mother and are led by their chieftain."urkath reply
"They don't have a WarMother? I've never heard of such a thing. Only weak villages lack a War Mother. Is this Steffen strong?"Sejuani asked
"Strong? Haha...ha! I faced him once, Sejuani, and trust me when I say you don't want to fight him while he's riding that ugly wolf. His attacks feel like being rammed by a mammoth's tusk. I barely escaped alive last time."urkath's hand trembled as he spoke.
"Where are they now?"Sejuani asked
"They usually stay in the Ramfarg Woods. No sane person would even think of going there." urkath said
"Interesting," Sejuani mused.
"Siguani, what are you- Wait, you're not thinking what I fear you are doing..." Urkath said with dread.
"Gather the men, urkath. We're going to meet these people," Sejuani said, putting on her helmet.
"Sejuani!" Urkath shouted.
"Call me as War Mother, urkath" she said coldly.
"Listen to me, Sej- WarMother! These people only understand the language of strength! They don't care if you're a War Mother or not! It's nearly impossible to reason with them!" Urkath pleaded.
"Then this will be even better," Sejuani said.
"Huh?" Urkath was stunned.
"People like this are the easiest to bring to my side. Trust me on this, urkath," Sejuani said, strapping her ice blade to her belt.
As Sejuani walked out, urkath was left scratching his head in frustration.
"Fine, let's go recruit those bandits."
"I knew you'd say that," sejuani said with a smile.