Ivano breathed deep and opened the doors to the central Longhouse of Rangarvellir. He did not know why he expected any of it to have changed but it was the same as when he left it. Rather, when he had been dragged here, half delirious from cold and hunger. He felt none of that now, but his body still remembered.

"I expected it to be bigger." Snakha murmured. "The way you Clansmen go on and on about this place you'd think it would put the Lowlander castles to shame."

Snakha had not spoken of what he had transpired in the Temple. Neither had the twins, standing behind them and clearly more interested in selling the jade Chimera idol than what Ivano had to do. For that he was glad. Harsh measures had to be taken, and Sibbe would disapprove.

"Back here again." Ivano stepped forward, a gust of snow laden wind whistled past them. "Erik?"

The young Clansmen stood just outside the door. He looked anxious, anxious to tell his family of his father's death and of Unina, who’s doting had only become more obvious and heartfelt. They barely left one another’s side, yet his family might have trouble with their relationship. Especially if they took the stupid route and felt they had replaced his father with a Seocurian girl.

"Make sure they don’t go too far. And definitely make sure that no one finds out about the jade idol. And Gavriel too. He’s a Bebbezzarian in Rangarvellir, so…”

“There’s also that Unina girl.” Arlid said. “She's certainly not from here.”

“I’ll make sure they stay safe.” Erik gave a tiny nod before returning to the snow outside.

Ivano took another shallow breath as he looked at the smouldering fire pit at the centre of the room. Though only embers now, it had once been a roaring flame. The simple seats surrounding it were abandoned but he could see where he had been fastened before the Great Clan leaders, bound in chains. More scuff marks adorned the stone next to the metal hoop. He wondered how many had been brought before Arnkel since he left.

“No one’s said much about an Orc being here.” Snakha almost smiled. “Looks like they think that the rest of my people are actually worth the food they eat.” He spun his empty sling. “Not me though. I know I’m useless.”

The reason why Snakha had not returned to the Orc lands, beyond his relationship with Brenna, were still a mystery. Ivano had not inquired further and he doubted he would get the real answer anyway. And he had no desire to inquire. That and he was quite a good warrior too and a decent person, or Orc, to have on their side. His sheer size certainly helped. He didn’t want to lose Brenna either.

A shadow of movement at the very edge of the room caught his eye. It looked like a fur coat, thrown into the corner, but it was alive. A Beast-kin slave. A Wolf, the same one that had offered Ivano a stool rather than sitting on the cold stone. There were more beside the Wolf. A few less than when he left. They had the same hollow and empty look in their eyes, when they dared to look anywhere but the floor.

“Glad to see you’re alive at least.” Ivano muttered. He was certain he saw the Wolf’s ear twitch but he didn’t want to get him in any sort of trouble.

"So where's Arnkel?" Ivano said loudly. "I expected that he would be eager to see me."

The Wolf Beast-kin almost took a step forward but pulled back. A door opened on the opposite side, his head twitched up and his ears drew back in fear. All of the Beast-kin did.

Three Clansmen stepped through the side door, all belonging to the Blood Axe clan. Ivano’s former Clan, not that it really ever meant that much to him. Especially compared to Sibbe and his children.

"Ivano, Chieftain of the Fire Blade Clan." The large bearded warrior proudly proclaimed, though there was something mocking about his toothless smile. "Welcome back to Rangarvellir. Better than the last time you were here, right? Actually a warrior worth his weight now."

"It's good to be back.” Ivano ignored the warrior’s worded barbs. “Is Arnkel here? I've come a very long way to speak with him."

"Out back, by the obelisk." The warrior did not move to usher him out. "He's been out there since he heard you were coming back here."

Back here. Where I belong… At least I used to.

The Warrior did not move, with only the crackling of the tiny embers to fill the air.

“So… Shall we go?” Ivano sighed.

The Warrior folded his arms, trying to stare him down. Ivano took a step forward, the three Warriors moved to block his way. He tried the other side but they closed as well. Snakha rested his hand on his axe, Ivano signalled for him to wait.

So we’re doing this then? I wonder if this is Arnkel’s doing?

Though the three weren’t taller than Ivano he had been travelling for some time and the food was more sparse than he liked. And, most importantly, he did not have the mental strength to deal with this. Not the pushing through, nor stepping around them and walking the entire width of the Longhouse. Behind the Twins and Snakha were glaring at the obvious and sad attempt at intimidation.

Better thank Gavriel for teaching me where to hide coins. Forgot I even had them.

“It has been quite a long journey,” Ivano rummaged through his thick furs. “And I’m sure that you three haven’t had much opportunity to have some fun, nor raid the Lowlands with us.”

“So how about these?” He produced three gold coins. Coins from Bebbezzar, payment from a drunken Gavriel for saving him from a shouting match with some Clansmen, but gold nevertheless. “One for each of you. Just to… Smooth things over.”

The three Warriors seriously considered the offer.

“Make sure you don’t spend them all at once, okay?”

Ivano tossed a coin at the Warriors to the left and the right. They caught it with near reverence, gripping the coin tight in their hands. The last Warrior’s eyes widened as the coin floated high in the air. With his arms outstretched upwards, Ivano balled his hand into a fist and struck with all his might. His fist connected with the right of his jaw, throwing spittle, blood and a tooth onto the leftmost Warrior. Ivano followed up with a heavy kick to the groin and threw him back with all his might. The other two Warriors barely could react before they were set upon by those behind him. Arlid and Arvid charged and shoved the Warrior back, landing onto the stone floor with a worrying crack, the other crumpled after Snakha punched him straight in the chest.

“W-What did you do?” The Wolf Beast-kin asked, his voice was extremely soft and gentle. “You just struck Arnkel’s Warriors?!”

“I'm too old to be dealing with this shit.” Ivano shook his hand. The man’s skull was very thick. “And they're old enough to know better. If they don't it just means they've learnt something very important. This is normal during raids. Enforcing discipline. Always someone trying to be a stupid idiot.”

Snakha spat on the whimpering Warrior he had struck. “I’ve killed for less.”

“They won’t be getting up anytime soon. But make sure they don’t move.” Ivano walked towards the door leading outside. “Moving after being hit like that isn’t a good idea."

Sibbe said not to trust him, and they were clearly being more stupid than necessary. Or believable…

The tiniest thought of how Sibbe had been threatened on their journey to him while under Arnkel’s protection made his blood boil and the thought of using his axe was very comforting. The next breath and it was gone.

Ivano walked outside and walked up the snow covered steps towards the obelisk, Snakha, Arlid and Arvid right behind. It was a simple black, stone pillar. A memento of the United Empire. To glorify some ancient battle or act, not that it really mattered anymore. Beside it stood a large man, larger than Ivano, staring not at the pillar but overlooking the expanse beyond Rangarvellir. Such as an unimpeded view of a large convoy approaching the city.

"Lovely view." Ivano said as he neared. "The snow hasn't really changed much since I left."

Arnkel, Ivano’s former Chieftain, smiled through his thick brown beard. He gently swung his arms, stepped back from the Obelisk and brushed away the snow building on his head.

“It has. Not the way you came in, of course.” Arnkel waved him closer. “Another ten families have left the farms. Took all their tools, equipment and knowledge and left.”

“Which way?”

“Towards Qaiviel, I believe. Not below the snows, but closer. Where it’s warmer.”

Arnkel frowned when he saw Snakha, not even noticing or caring about Arlid and Arvid.

“Didn't think the Orcs would be very friendly with you after what happened down there."

Ivano wanted to rebuke him but he'd had little contact with the Orcs at the best of times. Snakha was the exception, but only because he wanted him to witness him killing another Orc for an axe. And finding it humorous. At least in the beginning.

"I didn't send an Orc, nor two one armed Warriors."

"They're still inside." Ivano flexed his hand. "They could be a while."

Arnkel sighed. “I trust that they’re not dead? We don’t exactly have too many men to spare.”

“They… They’ll recover.”

Arnkel sighed again. Ivano was still not sure if it was a deliberate act on his part. Arnkel had unsubtly threatened his wife and children, probably necessary for him to actually kill Mord.

Arnkel clapped his hands. “Oh well. They’re just incredibly stupid to be trying to threaten another Clansman, a Chieftain at that, and expecting not to get their head clobbered. I heard that my son is doing well.”

Ivano was not surprised at the sudden shift in conversation.

“He is. The Wind WalkersClan will no longer try and raid the Lowlands, so long as we can get this whole peaceful trade thing working."

"Peace…" Arnkel slowly nodded. "I don't think that's a word that's meant anything in our lands for a very, very long time. We'd rather run away and try again than admit true defeat."

Arnkel looked behind Ivano. "I imagine that it's the last thing you three would expect to hear from me."

“Peace isn’t so bad.” Arlid said, his brother readily agreeing. “Nothing like travelling the world, eating and drinking without having to worry about having to kill everyone you meet. And it’s not like every bandit and raider is just going to stop because you Chieftains said we’re going to play peacefully.”

Snakha shrugged. “So long as it doesn’t become boring. Besides, there’s always going to be Beasts and Monsters to fight.” Snakha smirked. “Even if those Monsters are pink and stand on two legs.”

Arnkel silently looked at them, finally cracking a smile. “Seems you found some odd people during your travels. But…” He sighed. “My three idiots, that couldn’t even follow a basic instruction.”

Arnkel flexed his hand. “But I suppose that I'm just as strange, setting this all into motion."

If only you hadn't dragged Sibbe and my kids along for the ride.

"Enough of standing out here in the cold." Arnkel motioned towards the rear of the Longhouse, to a small recently built extension. "Since you're here we should plan the next steps."

Arnkel stopped after a single pace. "Not that I can actually force you to follow me. You are a Chieftain in your own right, you know?"

"Never my intention. I just wanted a good life for my children."

Arnkel nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. But don't forget… Well, I've already said it, haven't I?"

Ivano noted that he didn't have anything good to say about Borstig, not even a passing empty platitude. Borstig was a little strange but a good kid. Certainly didn't fit with what a Clansman was supposed to be.

A wave of warm air washed over Ivano’s chilled exterior. Inside lay a crackling fire, next to it sat a heavy breasted woman nursing two suckling children beside a large cluttered table. She barely lifted her eyes from beneath long brown locks but faintly smiled when she saw Arnkel.

“They’ve just stopped screaming.” The woman sighed, bouncing both babies. “Getting a full belly certainly stopped them… Who are they?”

The woman did not seem to care that she was mostly exposed, especially when one of the babies stopped their suckling.

“Friends? You have friends to show me?”

Arnkel almost rolled his eyes. “Ivano, meet Joerid. My first wife.”

Joerid gave a curt nod and began to dress herself. “I take it that you boys are about to discuss something important, and don’t want two mewling children ringing in your ears.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I’ve had to deal with far worse.” Ivano said.

Joerid smiled. “I’m sure your wife doesn’t think the same. You men, always so eager to put children in us and run off towards the next adventure, leaving us to raise the next generation.” She sighed, swaddling the children and ensuring her top was properly fastened. “Is she with the rest of your caravan? It’s not often the wife of a Chieftain gets to speak with another.”

“Sibbe probably wouldn’t mind having a talk. Not many mothers travelling with us.”

“I’ve given birth to over eight children. I might actually have a few things to teach her, especially if you’re planning to have any more.”

Joerid stopped at Ivano’s side. “Thank you for giving Borstig a chance. I know he isn’t the easiest child to work with… But so long as he’s happy and doing well.”

Ivano smiled, knowing exactly how he was being treated. “He’s doing great. I’ll be sure to tell him to write you a letter the moment he can.”

Joerid’s shoulders relaxed, her smile widened before she walked outside, sparing Snakha a quick glance.

“She’s not normally this well behaved.” Arnkel shook his head. “Trying to look good for others…” His hand drifted towards an empty bottle on the table corner. “Didn’t finish the bottle, that’s surprising…”

Ivano had seen what happened to the children of mothers who drank during their pregnancies. They weren’t right, in more ways than one. More than not they would simply disappear in the night. The only night when the wolves wouldn’t howl.

“So what’s the plan?”

Arnkel waved them closer to the table. On it lay an old map of the Shattered Kingdoms, judging by the lines it was made very soon after the collapse of the United Empire.

“We’re here, in the centre. Surrounded by everyone.” Arnkel waved his hands in a way that told him he’d practised this many times in his head. “And hated by them. If we’re going to make a better life for our people we need their land-”

Ivano slammed his hand on the table, Arlid and Arvid readied to draw their blades. “If this is all some ridiculous ploy to gather everyone for one last raid-”

“No.” Arnkel said firmly. He had not moved for any of his weapons. “No. Thatwould have been my father. And Mord. But not me. With everyone united we won’t be attacking the Lowlands ever again. But it will take considerable time and effort for the Lowlands to even begin trusting us, let alone forgive us for generations of war and depredations.”

“Right…”

“So we need something to simultaneously distract the more aggressive Clansmen, something other than trade, while we shift towards a more peaceful existence. And that’s not going to be easy or quick.” Arnkel cleared his throat. “So here’s my plan.”

Arnkel pointed to a land below the Deweth Clansmen territory. A territory that made Ivano’s blood run colder than the snow ever could.

“Qaiviel, Bebbezzar, Seocuria and Graterious are full of people that hate us, and I’m sure that the Seocurian Beast-kin would hate us too. But this land, the dead Kar Kingdom. That entire land is open. Why Qaiviel and Graterious haven’t taken it, I don’t know. Do you think there’s a reason they haven’t?”

Arnkel stroked his beard, waiting for a response that Ivano knew wasn’t coming. His mind was clouded with memories of Qaiviel, of Fire and Lightning raining down upon them as they ran through narrow city streets. Of the thundering hooves of armoured knights riding hard on cobblestone. Huddling in a mansion and being blinded by magic. Then, after being healed by the plain looking Mage he had been given a warning.

“Ivano?” Arnkel frowned, leaning forward. He gave the other three a slightly worried look before lightly tapping Ivano’s shoulder. “What’s wrong? Do you need to sit for a moment? You have had a long journey.”

He motioned to where Joerid had been sitting.

“I.” Ivano blinked, forcibly brining himself back to the present. “I just… Where would be going?”

Arnkel frowned but returned his attention to the map. “Well, I suspect that Qaiviel hasn’t retaken the land because they can’t get their vaunted Knights safely through the forest. Monsters and Beasts infest it. You weren’t attacked due to the size of your force.”

“Just other things.” Ivano mused.

“Indeed… But as Qaiviel is quite similar to us, structurally. I suspect that it wouldn’t be the entire Kingdom, rather wealthier nobles funding small expeditions that were destroyed. So they gave up. As for Graterious, I have no idea.”

Probably the same reason, just on a much larger scale.

“So I was thinking here.” Arnkel pointed to Mount Aspire, a solitary mountain just beyond the border. “Close to Qaiviel, our Orc allies and where you briefly entered their lands. Tell me, and I don’t believe anyone asked during your imprisonment, how were they?”

Ivano blinked. “Open and green. We saw grasslands as far as the eye could see. Except for that forest and the mountain.”

“Well, that’s going to be where we will begin our new settlements.” Arnkel folded his arms, wearing a proud expression. “Where we can farm without having to scrounge on the side of a presumably dead volcano, or digging for roots and tubers in summer, which is a mild winter for the Lowlanders. I’d like for you to bring some of your Fire Blades and settle there, along with my own Clansmen… What’s wrong?”

The worry must have been clear as day on Ivano’s face, as Arnkel was not a fool. He was the one who mentored Ivano after all.

"We should not go anywhere near that mountain."

"Cursed?" Arlid asked. He quickly realised he was the centre of attention. "We've been through a fair few things together. Anything like that Dragon?"

Arnkel looked very surprised. He would probably be relieved to hear that Snakha had dealt with the issue.

"The Mage that defeated us." Ivano tapped the mountain. "The Qaiviel one. Said never to go there. I think that's where he lives. Him and the Silver Eagle girl."

Arnkel stroked his beard. "That's a long way to get a wife. Even more so to bring her back.”

“I don’t think it was that. But I know that he helped Qaiviel and that was the warning. That if we go there and if it even looks like we’re going to attack, he’s going to kill us.” Ivano took a short breath as Arnkel stepped back. “There was an archer girl he had with him too. Very, very good. Who knows what else they’ve got there. If they can survive in that place-”

“Closer to Graterious it is then.” Arnkel tapped next to the border. “Somewhere between the two, closer to their border. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

“Graterious or the Mage?” Snakha asked.

“We should at least talk to them then.” Arnkel leant against the table. “Not like they’re building a hideout for criminals and cults. No. Probably just somewhere remote where they don’t have to deal with the mess that Qaiviel must be for a Mage.”

“And who would talk to them?”

“I think that’s a pretty obvious answer.”

“Me?” Ivano let out a single chuckle. “I suppose… But I can make up my own decision about this.”

His words sounded like they were to convince himself of his true authority.

“Indeed.” Arnkel nodded. “But, I don’t see another way. The Clans are not just going to change because we two want them to. The others agreed, but that could change if we don’t get some results. Maybe not them, but someone who’d want to relive the glory days of raiding and pillaging. Then-”

“We’re back to where we started.”

“Worse, actually. Any notion of peace would be forever tainted.”

“I’ll go. My home probably has squatters in it by now.”

“I sent some older warriors to keep an eye on it. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Though you have your wife and children to consider.”

Ivano sighed. He wanted to give them some time to stop. To settle down, even if it was for a few days. Sibbe was going to be very, very angry.

“I’ll need supplies, and whomever you can spare for the settlement.”

“Of course.” Arnkel nodded. “We’ll follow later with more. I’m sure the Orcs will let us pass, but I’ll make sure they know you’re coming.”

“Didn’t think I’d be going home.” Snakha stroked his oversized jaw. Arnkel found it amusing, somehow.

Something tugged at Ivano’s mind. “Oh. And I’ll take those Beast-kin slaves you have in this Longhouse.”

“...Why would you want them?”

“I just do. Besides, they’ve got good noses. And you never know when that’s going to come in handy.”

Arnkel studied him for a moment. Just as quickly he gave up.

“Fine. There wasn’t much for them to do anyway. Just make sure that you get your wife to go with you. Doubt that you’d be as effective without her.”

Ivano smiled but he knew his eyes weren’t. There wasn’t a verbal threat, but it was still there. From when he escorted Sibbe and the children. Regardless, it would be nice to show them the Lowlands without worrying about being killed by everyone they met.

“I’m sure I can convince her. This is about giving all of our children a better life.”

---[]---

“Are you fucking serious?”

Ivano nearly winced at Sibbe’s immediate rebuttal. Her eyes had narrowed to pinpricks, her arms folded with her index fingers tapping her arms. It was not a good sign.

“Yes.”

Sibbe sighed at his frank reply. She scratched her hair and relaxed her stance.

“I’m just telling you that I’m not happy with this.”

“Happy with what?” Gavriel asked. The Bebbezzarian looked even more depressed than usual. Though it was probably just the cold, and being in the capital of his people’s most hated enemy.

“You’re not going to like this.”

Gavriel groaned, scrunched his eyes tight and stomped his feet. “I’m already not liking this. I’m not liking anything, dammit. So, what’s going on? Does it have something to do with that woman? What did she want with you anyway, Sibbe?”

“To tell me how to raise our children.” Sibbe shook her head, softly sighing. “She didn’t seem bad, just lonely.”

“So what awful thing did you want to tell me?”

“We’re heading south, beyond the mountains.”

Gavriel did not shout in anger, like Ivano and Sibbe expected. Even Arlid and Erik, both chatting nearby and listening in, were worried. Instead Gavriel simply closed his eyes and took a long breath, taking in the cooling and calming air.

“Okay.”

“There is some good news.” Ivano received a look from Sibbe.

“Other than continuing to travel with all of these fine people?”

“We can send you to Graterious or Qaiviel for your journey back.” Ivano received a genuine sign of curiosity. “Pay you enough to make the journey safely.”

“Now you’re just trying to make me feel better. So I don’t’ look so depressed in front of you.” Behind Gavriel’s self-deprecation was a fleeting sense of hope.

“We’re travelling to settle the old Kar Kingdom. To settle, so we can have some decent farmland and convince the more aggressive Clansmen that we’re actually worth following."

Gavriel blinked. "You're serious. You're serious, aren't you?"

“Yes.” Ivano nodded. “It’s about time you got sent home. You’ve been through enough with us. So, which way do you want to go? Graterious or Qaiviel?”

Gavriel held his chin and pondered. It was the first time in a while Ivano had seen him full of life.

“Qaiviel. No, Graterious. Yes. Definitely there. It may be a little longer to get back home…" Gavriel drew a map in the air. "But I can get a ship. Much faster than going around The Conflagration and Mycea. Not to mention the civil war's probably still raging."

We failed against a Border Fort of a country wrapped in a civil war? What choice do we have but to change?

"You are serious." Gavriel leant forward. "Right?"

Ivano produced a small pouch of gold coins, one looted from the cult the Blue Dragon destroyed.

"This will certainly cover the journey. If you think it's a little light, I'll throw in some more."

Gavriel hesitantly looked inside and sighed. "This is far too much-"

"You've been through too much." Sibbe spoke sternly. "And your wife will be looking for someone new if you don't go back soon. How many Bebbezzarians have been taken by us for this long and come back?"

Gavriel held the pouch tight. "Thank you. I won't forget this."

We're not throwing you to the wolves just yet.

"Oh, Gavriel! Tell those idiots to break the jade apart before they sell it. We'll use that money for supplies."

Another sight caught his attention; the Beast-kin slaves he now owned. Their manacles were heavy and extremely cold, covered in a thin veneer of frost, but their fur would keep them safe for a time. They had no direction other than to join their caravan and looked completely lost, like little shivering children. Ivano waved them over. The Wolf Beastkin that had gently handled his own manacles led the small group.

"Wondered where you lot got to." Ivano put on his friendliest smile. "Thought I'd have to go back to Arnkel to get you."

"Please forgive us, Master Ivano." The Wolf Beast-kin bowed his head deeply, scars emerged on the back of his neck from the collar and lashings. "We will not be so disrespectful again."

Sibbe pulled a worried expression. “Why did you want these Beast-kin servants? While having some when the kids were growing up would have been nice, they’re more than capable of taking care of themselves.”

I don’t think I’ve ever asked you what you think about them. Never met any back home. But servants is so much better than slave.

“I felt sorry for them.” Ivano noticed all of the Beast-kin were listening intently, despite their meek appearance. A necessary survival trait for their position. “Not to mention this one,”

The Wolf Beast-kin glanced up but did not hold contact.

“Treated me pretty fairly when I was imprisoned here."

The Wolf Beastkin almost smiled. "I merely fastened your chains to the floor, at my former Master's request."

"I don't know what you've been taught," Sibbe began. "But you're going to have to drop the whole Master thing. We aren't like that. None of us are."

He did not immediately respond. Ivano knew it was him that was his Master, not Sibbe. Something which irked her slightly.

"There's no need for those sorts of names. Just call me Ivano. And what do I call you?"

"Laika." His voice almost trembled. Like he never been asked, only ordered.

Laika scratched his forearm, stopped and snapped his hands back to his side. Patches of scarred skin poked through his fur. Ivano pretended not to see.

"Laika. A pleasure to meet you. I'm sure that we'll get to know each other better during our journey. Just know that I don't like the idea of slaves, but you'll still have to pull your weight. So don't listen to anyone that orders you to do something you know you shouldn't."

"Does…" A different Wolf Beast-kin spoke, her voice barely a whisper against the falling snow. "Does that mean we are free?"

Laika threw her a glare, not based in anger but concern and fear.

"A place to be free?" Ivano scratched his beard. "I guess you could call it that. Certainly no slavery, since it's so damned inefficient. And dangerous, if you want them strong enough to be useful. At least that's what Gavriel keeps telling me."

The Bebbezzarian was out of earshot, the Beast-kin did not know who to look for.

"So consider yourselves free, if it makes you feel any better. But I wouldn't recommend running away just yet. There's a lot of snow between here and… wherever you might begin to think a Beast-kin will be safe. Better to stick with us, for the moment. We have food, shelter, and a long journey ahead of us. A long time to think."

"We shall," Laika bowed. "...Ivano. We shall assist in preparing for the journey."

The female Beast-kin tried to ask something again but Laika ushered her away.

“A place where they can be free?” Sibbe raised a brow as she stood before him. “I… I don’t know about that. They’re kind of strange. Their tails are always tucked between their legs. Those claws… And they smell funny too.”

“Only because they haven’t washed in a while. It smells a hell of a lot worse when we're raiding the Lowlands, I can assure you of that. But they’ll come around, don’t you worry.” Ivano nodded towards the cart the Beast-kin had settled on taking. “I think they’ll be good hunters. Just from the size of their noses alone. And anything trying to sneak up on our settlement.”

“I suppose it’s no real difference compared to the Orcs.” Sibbe laughed. “Could you imagine it though? Our little settlement, the only place where the Beast-kin aren’t slaves or killed on sight? Certainly won’t be worse than Seocuria for them. Poor things.”

“I just hope that Mage doesn’t have an issue with them.” Ivano sighed. “We are going to be right on his doorstep.”

“Well, we’ll get to it…” Sibbe frowned and folded her arms. “Since when am I giving the little talks instead of you? Does this mean I get to command a whole Clan now?”

Ivano wrapped his arm around his wife and ushered him towards their cart. Erik and Unina waved them closer, Snakha stood to the side demonstrating how to use a knife and where to strike a larger opponent.

“Snakha will help us through their lands, I’m sure of it. At least I bloody well hope so.”

“Oh gods.” Sibbe rubbed her face harshly, until her pale skin began to turn pink. “All for our children, right?”

“For what other reason would we do anything?”

Sibbe smiled and raced to gather their children. Ivano knew it wasn’t the entire truth, almost nothing he’d witnessed was done for the betterment of the next generation. But this latest endeavour might just be what the Deweth Clans needed. A fresh start in verdant lands to drag them away from their marauding present. So long as a small group of exceedingly powerful Mages, living in the shadow of a mountain, didn’t stop them. He could only hope.