The Caravan of the Allied Tribes continued their travel Northwest.
On the second day of their journey, they came across the survivors of the Nomad Tribe who had been attacked by Goblins.
The Nomad Tribe was a Tribe with a level equivalent to one among the Three Great Tribes. Their population was in the three to four thousand. However, the Monster raid had caught them completely by surprise.
According to their Chieftain, they didn’t just face goblins. They also faced Skeleton Warriors, which served as the Vanguard.
“Most of our warriors died,” Great Chieftain Falkor said with an anguished look on his face. “Now, less than half of our tribe remains.
“We thought of migrating West, past the Salba Plains, and heading to the Revolo River near Atranto Keep. But seeing all of you here makes me think that it’s no longer an option. Why have you abandoned your Hunting Grounds?”
Great Chieftain Adrian sighed before sharing their troubles with his fellow chieftain. Great Chieftain Falkor’s expression turned grim after hearing his explanation.
“The Three Great Tribes allied with the Orcs and attacked you and the Eagle Tribe?” Great Chieftain Falkor inquired. “Just how did this alliance form?”
Great Chieftain Adrian shook his head. “I have no idea. Originally, we planned to migrate to your location, but we heard the news that your Tribe has also been attacked by Goblins. Because of this, we decided to head Northwest, taking the path near the Zlato Mine.”
Great Chieftain Falkor thought for a bit before a frown appeared on his face.
“You are headed to the White Road, which leads to the White Forest?” Great Chieftain Falkor arched an eyebrow. “Is that your final destination?”
“Yes and no,” Great Chieftain Adrian replied. “We plan to go beyond the White Forest.”
Great Chieftain Falkor’s eyes widened in shock. “Beyond the White Forest is… I see, so you are going to that place. But can you pass the Natural Barrier?”
“We will know once we get there.”
“…Can we come with all of you? Right now, no place is safe in these lands. There is also safety in numbers.”
Great Chieftain Adrian and the other Great Chieftains of the Allied Tribes eyed each other.
The remnants of the Nomad Tribe numbered less than two thousand. If they were to join them, they would indeed benefit due to the increase in the number of warriors that could help defend them if their pursuers decided to follow their caravan.
“You can come with us.”
It was the Head Shaman, Safiya, who spoke, making everyone’s attention fall on her. 𝑶𝔳𝑳xt.𝓒𝗈𝓂
“These are dire times, and all of us might be sharing a common enemy,” Safiya stated. “Although I am uncertain about the connection between the sudden alliance of the Three Great Tribes and the Orcs, there is also a possibility that the Goblin Raid in your Tribe is related to them.
“Even if we don’t manage to cross the natural barrier of the White Forest, it is still spacious enough to house all of us. Right now, we need all able-bodied men to make a stand and repel our foes. Is the Nomad Tribe willing to ally with us?”
Great Chieftain Falkor nodded. “I am willing to ally with the Allied Tribes. We can perform the blood rites once we all make camp.”
Safiya nodded. “We can do that in two days. Tonight, we will travel continuously without rest. The farther we are from the Triolo Stronghold, the better it is for all of us.”
(A/N: The Triolo Stronghold is the Stronghold of the Allied Tribes where they battled the Three Great Tribes and the Orc.)
And with that, the Nomad Tribe joined the Allied Tribes on their journey.
Having thought about Ethan’s current state, the Great Chieftains and the Shamans of the Allied Tribes didn’t inform their new ally about his existence.
Truth be told, they weren’t certain if Ethan could help them pass through the Natural Barrier of the White Forest.
The only one that was capable of doing it was the Tide Bringer, who had escorted their Tribes 300 years ago.
“The Nomad Tribe has decided to ally with us and is now traveling with us to the White Forest,” Safiya told Lily and Ethan, who were inside her wagon.
The Head Shaman would glance at Ethan from time to time, but the young man was meditating with his eyes closed.
‘He looks so tired,’ Safiya thought. ‘But we need his strength.’
Safiya had seen how Ethan fought before everyone retreated. He was like a monster who fought many opponents at the same time, killing the enemy front liners and slowing the momentum of those behind them.
Because of his presence, the Orcs had retreated from the battle after the death of their leader, allowing their warriors to resist the brunt of the Three Great Tribe’s assault.
But after the battle, Ethan had become very ill to the point that his screams would reverberate throughout the surroundings whenever he had a nightmare.
Everyone looked up to him as their Savior and Protector.
Seeing him in such a state had lowered the morale of the warriors, who had fought alongside him during the siege of the Triolo Stronghold.
In order to prevent the morale from sinking lower, they isolated him to a place where his screams wouldn’t reach anyone.
Fortunately, after leaving the Weeping Shrine, Ethan no longer had nightmares. Whenever he slept, Lily would be there to hold him and ensure that he felt safe and protected.
This was why the respect of the Great Chieftains, as well as the Shamans, for the beautiful young lady had risen to the point that they thought of her as their equal.
After all, the wife of the Tide Bringer was an existence that couldn’t be ignored.
Suddenly, Lily and Safiya both felt a tingling sensation washing over their bodies. They gave each other a knowing glance and remained silent.
Both of them had erected a powerful Spiritual Barrier inside the Wagon, preventing anyone from scrying on them.
After nearly a minute, the tingling sensation vanished, which meant that the one who was trying to observe them from afar had left.
“Unless it is absolutely necessary, keep Ethan inside the Wagon,” Safiya said. “There is someone powerful at work, and they seem to be looking for something. I’ll try to make a charm that will shield him from detection whenever he leaves the wagon.
Lily nodded in understanding.
Right now, her priority was to stabilize Ethan’s mind. She believed that as long as Ethan could overcome his trauma, he would become stronger in both mind and body.
Right now, their survival was uncertain.
If Lily really couldn’t help the Allied Tribes in overcoming their enemies, she would take Ethan with her and escape somewhere safe until the wars in the Lands of Alastor were over.