Chapter 166: The Great Shaman’s territory
The convoy moved forward at a steady pace along the main trail crossing the heart of the Red Forest. On both sides of the path, the view was far from the wild territory the merchants remembered. Dozens of Overlord Tribe soldiers patrolled the area with discipline, while groups of laborers felled selected logs and harvested a thick crimson sap flowing from the bark.
Caelen, intrigued by the harvesting procedure, leaned out of the wagon to speak to one of the guards watching the road.
"Excuse me, soldier," said Caelen. "What are you extracting that sap for? Is it a type of resin or an ingredient for alchemy?"
The young soldier was on the verge of answering.
"Ah, the sap is used to mix with the compound for—" the guard began, but cut himself off.
Lennis, walking a few meters away, turned his head and locked an icy glare onto him. The soldier swallowed hard, shut his mouth, and snapped back to attention in silence.
"It is by order of the Great Shaman," said Lennis, turning back to Caelen. "We merely execute the harvesting tasks. What is done with the materials in the workshops is the exclusive business of our leader."
Varis pressed his lips together, noting the absolute control the officers held over the troops.
A few hundred meters further, an imposing figure emerged from the underbrush. Brak marched toward the procession, adjusting his battle axe behind his back after inspecting the riverbank.
"Lennis," said Brak, raising a hand to halt the march. "The caiman zone is calm. The perimeter was cleared after the morning patrol. You can proceed to the high pass without trouble."
"Good work, Brak. We continue the march," said Lennis.
The Golden Rose merchants exchanged uneasy glances upon hearing the warning. They had traveled this route many times in the past and knew precisely what kind of creatures were being referenced. Although their armed escorts could handle those beasts, they knew the giant caimans in this area were fierce and territorial. Knowing that the Overlord Tribe patrolled and pacified the riverbanks so easily gave them a clear picture of the tribe’s dominance.
As the convoy left the river section behind and ventured into the stretch of the half-destroyed forest, Caelen and Varis’s astonishment reached a new level.
In their previous journeys during the Black Skull Tribe’s reign, the caravan always preferred to detour along the high hills to avoid the ambushes of venomous beasts infesting the undergrowth. However, the current landscape was unrecognizable: the new tribe had systematically slaughtered the creatures and cleared the terrain, even digging up the roots of infected trees to open a wide, safe thoroughfare.
"It’s amazing..." said Varis in a low voice, staring at the massive uprooted stumps along the roadside. "They didn’t just eradicate the venomous beasts; they pulled the danger out by the roots. The Black Skull would never have had the vision or discipline for a job like this."
Upon cresting the final hill, the procession caught sight of the central settlement. The enclosure was protected by a solid timber wall reinforced with stone and strategically aligned watchtowers, where dark banners bearing the Great Shaman’s emblem fluttered.
The main gate opened with a heavy creak to allow the convoy passage. Caelen watched in awe at the organized streets: forge workshops where smoke rose through brick chimneys, training grounds, and residential areas where families lived in peace.
Lennis guided the wagons to the parade ground in front of the administration building.
"Wait here," said Lennis, dismounting. "I will inform the Great Shaman of your arrival."
Inside the residence, Kellar sat at the main table reviewing territorial expansion blueprints. Beside him, Maya and Mila attended to administrative details, while an atmosphere of peace hovered in the air.
Lennis entered, bowing his head with respect.
"Great Shaman, the merchant caravan from the Golden Rose Company has arrived from the Red Forest outpost under our escort," said Lennis. "They bring goods from the north and request an official audience to negotiate the exchange of minerals, cores, and resources."
Kellar raised his gaze; his golden eyes reflected a cold clarity. He stood up and settled his dark cloak over his shoulders.
"Show them in," said Kellar. "Let us see what the northern merchants have to offer... and how much they are willing to yield before the Overlord Tribe."
Kellar gazed at the blueprint on the table for a couple more seconds before folding the parchment with serenity. He looked at Lennis and set the wooden tankard down on the table with a firm thud.
"Before showing them in, call Mentz," said Kellar, a slight smirk forming on his face. "Have them prepare good wine and roasted meat. I will receive them personally. Tell him to execute exactly what we had planned for them."
Lennis bowed his torso, understanding the message without needing explanation.
"Understood, Great Shaman. I’ll see to it right away," said Lennis before stepping out of the residence.
In the outer courtyard, Caelen and Varis waited alongside the main wagon. The young heir tried to conceal his tension by adjusting the golden clasp of his cloak, while Varis mentally reviewed the price list and profit margins.
After a few minutes, the doors of the timber residence swung open. Mentz appeared at the threshold escorted by two guards, wearing a hospitable yet imposing expression.
"Welcome to the main village of the Overlord Tribe," said Mentz. "The Great Shaman awaits you. Please, follow us."
Caelen and Varis exchanged a quick glance and stepped inside. Crossing the hallway of oak beams, they entered a spacious hall illuminated by torches and a large central brazier. Upon a solid wooden table lay an appetizing banquet: clay jugs filled with aromatic wine and trays of steaming roasted meat emitting an exquisite aroma.
At the far end of the hall, seated on a carved wooden throne draped in beast furs, sat Kellar. The glow of the brazier accentuated his sharp features and the golden gleam in his eyes, which inspected the visitors with penetrating clarity. At his sides, Maya and Mila stood upright and attentive, projecting the seriousness and order of the household.
"Take a seat," said Kellar, his deep voice echoing throughout the chamber as he gestured to the chairs across from the banquet. "Traveling from the north through the Shadow Forest requires courage... or great ambition. Eat, drink, and let us discuss business."
Varis and Caelen felt the weight of Kellar’s presence in the room. Receiving them with wine and meat seemed like a gesture of courtesy, but both knew that beneath the Great Shaman’s hospitality lay a well-laid trap.