Chapter 324 – Tribal Life, and Journey to the Deathless Tomb - Part 2
Men and women formed a ring around the bonfire and burst into dance. Scarlet flames and whirling silhouettes wove an ancient tapestry of heat and rhythm.
Li Yuan donned a fur vest and short kilt, braided his long hair into wild little plaits, and joined them. Eyes bright, he leapt and stamped beside the Trueflame Tribe as though born among them.
Around him loomed the Evernight. Outside was a dark sky and an endless blizzard, washing the colors of the world away. Only this small flame clung to life, a lone skiff on a frozen ocean, yet inside it burned the full vigor of humanity.
Li Yuan surrendered to that vigor, laughing as he spun Snow beneath the sparks. The tribal steps were simple—huge, swaggering motions meant to scare off beasts. So he picked them up at once, adding his own exuberant flair.
Suljagar, seated on a great throne by the fire, watched with quiet satisfaction. In dress, bearing, and heart, this newcomer had truly become one of theirs.
For Li Yuan himself, the joy was real. Blending into the tribe was necessary, yes. But the sheer novelty of it thrilled him. He forgot he was far from home on a frozen frontier; for this one night, he knew only the warmth of flame and the pulse of drums.
A fair skinned girl with crimson eyes sidled up to him.
With a playful twirl she looped an arm around his, lifted her hand toward his in salute, and purred, “Grand Elder~”
Li Yuan chuckled, closing his hand around that soft, outstretched palm and slipping an arm around the girl’s waist.
She brushed her lips to his ear and murmured, “My name is Shen’dai Nar. I’ve never had a man before... Do you like me?”
He simply responded with a polite smile. After two quick steps of the dance, he let her spin away and then promptly drew Snow into his arms instead.
A glance around the fire showed several women watching him, eyes warm and hungry, bold as the flames themselves.