Chapter 168: The Fury of the Bear God
"We accept the ratio and the price adjustment, Great Shaman," Varis conceded. "May we also include beast cores in this trade?"
"No," Kellar cut in immediately, shaking his head. "Beast cores are completely off the table for this first deal. We do not yet know their true value or the exact use you give them in the north, so I will not sell a single one today."
Varis and Caelen exchanged a look of resignation, but the old trader decided not to push that point. Instead, Varis reached into his side pouch and pulled out a small leather bag, retrieving a sample of a dried plant with yellowish flowers and placing it on the table.
"We understand your position, Great Shaman," Varis said. "But there is something else we would like to ask of you. The Black Skull Tribe used to source this herb for us in large quantities. If your tribe can supply it, we would pay a generous price."
Kellar took the plant and examined it carefully under the light of the brazier. To the naked eye, it appeared to be a common wild plant with no obvious magical traits. However, for an experienced northern trader to request it specifically set off all his mental alarm bells: there had to be a valuable secret or a hidden medical/alchemical use behind that simple flower.
Kellar pocketed the sample into his tunic without giving the slightest hint of doubt or surprise.
"I do not know the exact part of the forest where the former owners gathered it," Kellar said with absolute serenity. "But I will look into the matter with the Black Skull Tribe survivors and captives. If we find it, the next time you come to trade I will try to have as much of it stored for you as possible."
"We would be immensely grateful," Varis replied, bowing his head with genuine respect for the leader’s cunning. "We have a deal, Great Shaman."
Kellar leaned back into his wooden throne, observing the satisfaction on Varis’s face after closing the metal deal. The atmosphere in the room, though still imposing, had lightened slightly.
"There is no rush," Kellar said in a serene voice that immediately caught the merchants’ attention. "We have a few things that might interest you before you prepare your return to the north."
For a moment, Kellar had considered keeping his firearms and gunpowder in absolute secrecy. However, analyzing the situation with a cold head, he realized it was futile. The artillery, the patrols along the roads, and the thunder of training sessions were far too obvious throughout the territory. Trying to hide the rifles would only sow distrust and suspicion among the traders, making them think the Overlord Tribe was plotting against them. Taking a step forward and displaying them openly as a demonstration of strength and trade was the best strategy.
"Other goods, Great Shaman?" Varis asked, narrowing his eyes with genuine curiosity.
"Sacred artifacts," Kellar replied, framing an enigmatic smile. "I will present to you the weapons of the Fire of the Great Bear God. It is the fury of our Bear God compacted into steel tubes, capable of piercing the thickest armor from incredible distances."
Caelen and Varis exchanged a glance of intrigue. Although they had seen guards holding those dark tubes atop the watchtowers at the border post, they had never witnessed their actual operation. Driven by curiosity and commercial instinct, they accepted immediately.
"It would be an honor to witness the blessing of your god, Great Shaman," Varis said with a respectful bow.
Kellar stood up, the furs of his tunic rustling, and looked at Mentz, who remained attentive at the side of the hall.
"Mentz," Kellar ordered in a firm tone. "Prepare a demonstration field in the rear courtyard. And go to the central storehouse for a few brand-new rifles... we cannot give used rifles to such esteemed guests."
Mentz bowed deeply, understanding Kellar’s tactical move perfectly.
"It shall be done immediately, Great Shaman," Mentz replied before departing at a swift pace to coordinate the armorers and the guard.
Kellar gestured toward the hall’s exit, inviting the two merchants to follow him toward the parade ground.
Upon stepping out of the administrative building and feeling the fresh afternoon air, Kellar paused for a moment to observe the procession. A group of the tribe’s soldiers passed by to one side carrying heavy canvas sacks containing gunpowder and fine gravel; they were heading toward the rear of the camp, the testing grounds where they usually assembled and detonated landmines.
Kellar looked at Varis and Caelen, gesturing toward the dense grove of trees along the southern perimeter.
"On second thought, I will take you to the forest to test the rifles only," Kellar said in a calm tone. "It will be a better location for a clean shooting test while my men finish preparing the testing grounds back there."
The two merchants, drawn by curiosity to see the steel tubes’ actual range, accepted without hesitation.
"It will be a pleasure to accompany you, Great Shaman," Varis replied, adjusting his tunic.
As they walked toward the treeline, Kellar maintained a calculating smile. At the rear of the tribe’s grounds, Mentz and the armorers were setting up a massive mine charge to detonate right after the rifle demonstration. Kellar knew the rifles’ precision would impress the merchants, but the thunderous roar of a large-scale underground explosion would permanently engrave respectful dread into their minds.
The group ventured a few meters into the forest. At a considerable distance, a thick oak trunk served as a training target.
A few minutes later, two guards from the personal escort arrived at a quick pace carrying two gleaming rifles freshly unboxed from the storehouse, along with a powder horn and pouches of polished steel balls.
One of the soldiers stepped forward to demonstrate the laborious loading process to the guests. With slow, precise movements, he measured the powder dose, poured it down the muzzle, and placed the steel ball, ramming it firmly to the bottom with the ramrod before priming the pan.
Immediately after, the guards handed a loaded rifle to Caelen and another to Varis. The young heir took it with curiosity and a touch of clumsiness, while Varis held it cautiously, feeling the solidity of the heavy iron mechanism.
Kellar stepped closer to them, adjusting Caelen’s hands over the stock and firing mechanism to teach him the proper shooting stance.
"Keep your arm steady, brace the wood against your shoulder, and align your sight with the iron sights," Kellar instructed in a measured voice, adjusting Varis’s grip as well.
At that exact moment, through the thick undergrowth about sixty meters away, an imposing creature emerged. It was a giant deer standing three meters tall, sporting a double rack of antlers branching into razor-sharp tines. The beast sniffed the air uneasily, ready to bolt at the slightest movement.
"These beasts are extremely fast," Kellar whispered in a low tone, positioning himself right behind the two merchants. "They usually flee before a hunter can even get close with a bow or a spear. But with our tribe’s blessing, there is no way to escape."
Caelen and Varis held their breath, feeling the pressure of the metallic barrel beneath their fingers as they lined up their sights on the deer’s massive frame.
"Now..." Kellar whispered in their ears, framing an icy smile of satisfaction. "Feel the fury of the Bear God."