Chapter eleven

The Chief's first reaction was denial. The Desert capital was a week's journey from Samra village; it didn’t make sense for Arin Jaha to be laying here. Also, why would he be here alone with not even a single guard? Yet he was sure that he had heard that the son of the Jaha tribe had red hair but..but...

Confused at the thoughts that he was having, Chief Rahai felt a headache arising.

“Yomel,” The chief inquired "where is the child that you said had discovered these two?" Perhaps he could shed some light on this issue.

"Yes, his name is Feci "Yomel replied respectfully" I'll go and get him "

In a moment Yomel went outside and brought back a small boy that was had wrapped himself in a cloth due to his tattered clothes. On seeing the Chief, Feci seemed to recognize him as delight shone in his eyes before it was quickly replaced by fear as he realized the situation he was in.

“He is the son of the shepherd Laege “With a short introduction, Yomel gave Feci a nudge to encourage him to speak." Tell the Chief what you saw. "

" Well, i had woken up this morning and it was really cold so i hesitated if i should really go out, " Feci got braver the more he talked " but then i thought how Gare and his friends teased the entire week, i decide it was really going to be worth it--."

“Feci !, I think the chief only wants to know about what happened at Devils Abode “ Yomel felt a bit embarrassed, he could see the Chief grow annoyed.

“ahem, it’s okay Yomel let the boy tell his tale “ Chief Rahai wanted to retain his image and gave a perfunctory scolding. Fortunately Feci was smart enough to realize his mistake and instead told then what he had seen.

“It was only after Uncle Yomel found me and woke me up that I realized that it was just two strangers and not a monster. “

“That’s it huh? “ It seemed he couldn’t find any additional clues from Feci’s story either. Although they were a few strange points that didn’t make sense, did the small kid carry Arin Jaha out of the cave.

Wait, out of the cave? , according to Feci they came from within the cave of Devils Abode, but. “Yomel, isn’t the cave blocked from within? “

Obviously the cave had been searched before, the records stated that it was wasn’t that large as the cave was blocked about five meters in.

“Yes-, it is Chief “Yomel also noticed the anomaly in the incident and turned to Feci. If this brat had lied to the chief then Yomel would not mind teaching him a lesson. Besides he knew his father, Laege personally. However Feci confused expression at this fact didn’t make it seem like he lied.

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Unfortunately the moment was interrupted by a noise outside the house. In a few moments a lady burst into the house with red eyes.

“My son! What happened are you hurt,” she immediately hugged Feci tightly before examining him for any wounds.

“Mother, wuuu!”Perhaps it was the safety a child feels in his mother’s embrace, but Feci started to cry. The scare that he had gone through had been a bit too much for him mentally.

At this sight Chief Rahai looked irritatingly at Yomel who was feeling quite awkward. Inwardly he was cursing the gossip network within the village. It hadn’t even been a full hour yet news had already reached the ears of Feci’s mother who rushed here.

“It’s alright, it’s alright “Feci’s mother gently comforted him, this morning when she realized that Feci was not in bed her heart couldn’t help but worry. When she heard that Feci was seen carried into the village by the guard she abandoned everything and ran here fearing for the worst.

However the moment didn't last as Feci's mother's sight landed on his tattered clothes and she put on a cold smile " Feci, what happened to your clothes? "

At that moment a cold shiver ran down not only Feci's spine but Yomel and Chief Rahai sensed it as well. Feci looked up to see the dangerous glint that had appeared in his mothers eye. Suddenly her embrace lost its comfort and became a scary prison that confined him.

" I-i, uh went to the toilet and i, you know i-" Feci fumbled as his mind went blank.

" Outside the village ?" It was in critical moments like this that the true intellect of a women is revealed. Suddenly, without receiving any explanation, Feci's mother already connected the dots and had a very good grasp of what happened.

Chief Rahai knew this feeling very well. It was the same as when he was about to tell his wife his decision on taking his second wife, somehow this cold demeanor reminded him of the disaster he faced that day. Thus somehow he developed sympathy for a comrade (Feci) facing the same disaster as he did.

" Ahem, Miss ah- Laege i take it, "Chief Rahai swung his robes boldly in a show of power. The action was not in vain as Feci's mother's attention was diverted. Her sharp gazed turned from Feci to the stranger that just addressed her. Because she had entered the room in haste, she did not bother to notice the other people present as well.

" Who are you-" Before she finished her sentence, Feci's mother realized the person before her. She had lived in Samra village close to fifteen years now after she was wed to Laege from the one of the neighboring villages. One had to be an idiot to reside that long and not know the Chief of the village.

Satisfied at his reputation still meant something Chief Rahai carried on " Although Feci has broken the rules by going out of the village without any permission at his age, the punishment shall be meted out by me"

Hearing Feci felt as if the executioner laid down the blade just to raise the ax.(just thought of the metaphor ;) )

" These strangers shall need some care taking till they wake up" Chief Rahai announced " Since Yomel still has guard duties, Feci shall tend to them."

" i see," Although it was a bit suspicious, Feci's mother had no choice but to allow it.

" Then i shall take my leave." Chief Rahai gave a Feci a hidden wink before leaving with Yomel following shortly, if the boy was intelligent then he would be grateful for his(CR) help to him(F).

The sun had already taken its rightful position in the sky along with the vast sky and floating clouds. Chief Rhai let out a sigh, he could not grasp the situation still yet. Whether it was about Devils Abode or about the boy with red hair.

" Yomel " Suddenly Chief Rahai spoke out " Isn't the Jaha's tribute ceremony coming up soon? "

" Yes sir, its due in about two and a half months time " Yomel felt puzzled, why was the chief asking about that.

" Good. " Perhaps he would have to wait till then for the pieces to come together, but it would be best if they woke up before that.