THE RED STOICHI TRIBE.
IN THE CASTLE KEEP OF THE TAL DANE; THE GREAT HALL.

The westerners had arrived at the Red Stoichi Tribe about a fortnight ago. They settled in the Tal Dane's castle, like they usually do, preparing for the raid which was set to happen today, on the third day of Dwokaan. The fire Stoichi Dakyres in all the villages of the Blazing Sun had all been in their places of abode since the arrival of the westerners. So was the rule: no Fire Dakyre with an affinity for fire was to be seen outside or on the streets of the villages.

Flame Breathers patrolled every nook and cranny of the Blazing Sun Villages to enforce this rule, making sure it was strictly obeyed. The penalty for recalcitrance in the Red Stoichi Tribe was uncompromising and incredibly astringent.

"The Westian Soldiers and the army of Flame Breathers have departed in the floating metal crafts. They must've made it across the Lava Sea by now." Kuzaan, the commander of the Flame Breathers informed the Tal Dane and his council the instant he walked into the Great hall.

The Tal Dane, his council which comprised of the chiefs and Lords of every village in the Tribe, Ursa, his special advisor and the children of the Tal Dane were all in the Great hall. Awaiting the arrival of the Westian Soldiers and the new hoists from the other Stoichi Tribes.

The leaders of the westerners were also in the Great hall, a table littered with the freshest of foods and the tastiest of ales in the Tribe was reserved for them. They came with Mages who were capable of preposterous things; séances, reanimation of the dead, clairvoyance, mind invasion, complete possession and worst of all they could invoke unknown spirits and forces from the Otherrealm.

Goliath a Mage who stayed back after the very first raid to learn the language of the Dakyres, translated for the westerners. He'd since been around from the very first hoist, finding a way to use Dakyre lifeforce as replenishment, he'd lived for almost a millennium.

"That's great news," he cheered, "let's all eat and make merry for it'll be a very fruitful hoist." He looked over to Goliath who proceeded to translate to the westerners. Their faces held vague expressions.

All the Lords in the throne room joined in the jocundity the westerners didn't seem to partake in. That was expected to be the case, being in the midst of people whose language you did not understand.

Kuzaan often came in and out of the Great Hall, announcing the information given to him by the Mage who telepathically conversed with the Mages at the raid front.

"Must it be this way?" Eren who sat at his father's right hand side uttered suddenly, making every single person in the room fall silent.

"Don't embarrass yourself, Eren." Zeldrius tried to remain calm, but sent his son a stern look, which he ignored and continued.

"Do we have to let these Westies abduct our innocent Dakyre brothers and sisters, taking our own kind back with them to the west and doing only Zaal knows what to them." Eren enunciated, he was trying his best to be loud enough for everyone in the Blazing Keep to hear.

He knew the westerners did not understand their language, only Goliath did. The horrendous Mage who'd been around for as long as he could remember. Goliath knew more about their Tribe even more than Eren did.

All the Lords in the room remained mute. Goliath, Metsumi, including Ursa, who Eren looked at with pleading eyes. They all said nothing.

"If only I can get you Lords to reason," he stood up, descending the stairs that led up to the royal table, "look past your fear of these foreigners and think about our brothers across the lava sea."

Silence.

The only sound that was heard was the sound of the Tal Dane's cup hit the floor. He stared at his son in utter disbelief. Everyone stared at Eren, stupefied.

"Bollocks! I can't believe this!" Eren turned to Ursa, "Ursa? Please say something." He begged, taking short steps to where he sat.

The Tal Dane sent his glare from his son to his special advisor. If Ursa had been putting these ideas in Eren's head he wasn't sure he could find anywhere in his heart to forgive him. Teaching his son treason, that was beyond treasonous. Just death wouldn't be an equal punishment.

Ursa knew Zeldrius was watching him, but at the same time he felt pity for Eren. He'd just started something that if he was any wiser, he would wish he hadn't. But Eren was one with a big heart, he took after his mother's kindness.

Berileth saw the good in everything and everyone, despite being forced into marriage with the Tal Dane she found happiness with where she was. Ursa still wished he ended up with his lover, maybe then he would've protected her and she would still be alive.

Eren had a weakness, his weakness was his kindness. But to him, kindness made a person strong, stronger than all the Westian Mages.

"I'm afraid you're greatly mistaken young Tal Dane," he spoke with a calming voice, attempting to lessen the tension in the room. "Our Westian friends brought gifts, they only want the best for our tribe." He finished with a smile.

"What about other tribes, do they also want the best for them?"

"Perhaps you should change the way you perceive the Westies, they are kind, lovely people-"

"That's some piece of shite!"

Ursa was interrupted by Eren's fit.

"Take a seat now, young Pendragon." Goliath used his magick to amplify the sound of his voice. Despite speaking with a relaxed tone his words thundered across the room.

Eren turned over to where the Westian leaders were seated only to find them amused, smug looks plastered all over their faces. His gaze slowly hovered across each of their faces before finally landing on Goliath's.

"You're causing a nuisance." He finished, looking straight into Eren's eyes now he'd met his fixed stare.

Eren furrowed his brows, anger rising within him causing his iris to turn to an incandescent yellow. He involuntarily influenced the fire torches, their blaze grew intense. Swelling and growing with his anger.

"Stop that Eren," Zeldrius almost whispered.

He sounded so frustrated, the complete disappointment he had in his son was palpable. Soaring through the room and getting to everyone. Goliath didn't need his outward expression to confirm Zeldrius's true emotions, he could psychically probe around his mind for answers if he pleased. But that wasn't necessary, he was storming.

Eren turned to face his father, opening his mouth to speak.

"Not another word from you, Eren. Get up here!" His father commanded stopping him before he could speak.

"Father I-"

Zeldrius threw out his dominant hand, sending a fire ball straight to his son's face. Everything happened so fast, in a split second Eren fell to the plastered floor of the Great Hall. He coiled up on the incised dragon figures, with his hands over his mouth. His screams of pain were muffled.

The Tal Dane's action had everyone in the Great Hall taken aback, except Goliath and the westerners who stared at the boy in agony with perverse satisfaction. At last he'd been shut up.

Eren had been burnt by his father's flames, he felt pain sear across his face more intense on his lips and all over his jaw. The lower part of his face had received a third degree burn, from his upper lip all the way down to his chin.

"Cease that irritating sound and come up here!"

Zeldrius ordered his son who slowly got up from the floor and walked back to his chair, with his hand still over his new, fresh flame burn.

"I'm sorry for my son's disrespectful behaviour." He apologised to the Westian leaders.

"You have punished him appropriately for his childish rambling. We accept your apology." Goliath translated and spoke for the westerners.

"Seh dfürtz öteb vuünitchs," (he's going to be a problem,) one of the westerners said to Goliath.

"Öuy tnot evah öt yrrøw tuöba táht." (You don't have to worry about that.) Goliath replied quite ostentatiously.

Just then Kuzaan marched into the Great hall again, getting everyone's attention.

"Great news, my liege."

"Speak," Zeldrius behested.

"The hoist was successful, the Westian Soldiers and the army of Flame Breathers are on their way back as we speak."

There were cheers and chants from the Lords and chiefs in the room.

"That is indeed great news." Ursa called out.

"Ready the dungeons for our guests," the Tal Dane instructed the commander of the Flame Breathers, who bowed and marched out of the room to carry out his instructions. Turning to Goliath he said, "only the best for our Westian friends."

(Play the song.)

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