As they walked through the city they saw many grey skins. Unlike the rural town of the Dechen tribe, Lehasa was an actual city. Lehasa easily rivaled Jacobstadt and had tens of thousands of inhabitants living in it.

A small pond was the center of the city that was slightly frozen. The buildings were all made from white stone with roof tiles made from bright red clay.

"To what tribe does this city belong?" Doreen asked.

"It belongs to all of us. The elders rule Lehasa, but the city is for all grey skins. Three wise grey skins, but in my opinion, they just are three old geezers who do not care what happens to the other grey skins," Tenzin explained.

Corruption can be found in every society. It is like a disease that infects a country or a nation without caring are they humans, grey skins, or any other race.

As they walked through the streets, they realized that people in the city either didn't have much food. No markets or forums where food could be sold. The city´s streets were covered in stinky mud and the grey skies of the city looked much worse than the ones who lived in the smaller settlements.

The city was heavily dependent on the other cities that the grey skins used to have in the flatlands. Without them, the city was unable to sustain itself. Its only importance now was as the political center of the grey skin race.

Before the grey skins were forced out of the flatlands the city of Lehasa was an extremely rich city with its vast mineral mines making the inhabitants of the city rich. Now the mines are worthless and the old glorious buildings were just a painful memory of the golden age.

"Every time I'm in the capital I feel disgusted. Grey skins shouldn't be living like this," Amala said while looking disgusted at how the streets looked.

"I agree. They really shouldn't. Also, real grey skins wouldn't hang with a bunch of pig skins," said a large and mean-looking grey skin.

The grey skin had many more strong-looking grey skin accompanying. They all were tall and had weapons with them already drawn out. The grey skins had scars all over their bodies and looked like they were all veterans of many raids.

"If I had the chance I'd flay them right here right now. Maybe I should," said the grey skin and took out a sharp knife.

Pema came in between them. He was taller than the other grey skins. He grabbed the grey skin's hand and squeezed it so hard forcing him to drop the knife.

"You bastard!" yelled the grey skin at Pema being ready to strike Pema

He was just about to punch Pema but was stopped by an enormous grey skin. He grabbed the grey skin's fist and looked at him straight into the eyes.

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"Do not shame the Gar Tsenye tribe," said the grey skin looking mad at the grey skin that was about to punch Pema.

"Tride….I...I am sorry," the grey skin said with a whimpering voice.

The large grey skin then placed his hand on the head of the grey skin. He then squeezed his head as the grey skin yelled in agony. None of his friends were willing to help him. They looked terrified and didn't want to aggravate the enormous grey skin.

"Tride. Remember violence is prohibited in the capital. Even towards your tribesmen," Tenzin said trying to save the grey skin.

The large grey skin then stopped squeezing the head and walked towards Tenzin.

"Tell me Tenzin. What is your plan for bringing them here? You know already what all of us want. Don't you dare stop us this time," The large grey skin said glaring at Tenzin.

"The tribes will themselves decide what to do. You don't command us. You are not Raja," Tenzin said and glared back.

The large grey skin smiled menacingly.

"Not yet, but we will see later. The tribes are unhappy with the status quo. We will reclaim our destiny," The large grey skin said and walked away.

With him, the rest of the grey skins left including the one who had almost his head crushed.

"Who was that?" Rufus asked from Tenzin.

"That was Tride Songtsen of the Gar Tsenye tribe. Tride rules with fear and intimidation and only recognizes strength. He holds an immense hatred towards humans. Many times he has gone to raid different human nations.

"He brought no loot or provisions back. He only left a huge carnage and devastation behind. After his wars with the humans, he gained a cult-like following and took the leadership position of the Gar Tsenye. I would stay clear of him. He is dangerous beyond imagination," Tenzin explained while looking at Tride walking away.

They then entered the large building that was at the center of Lehasa. Made from white marble with large windows and columns decorating the sides of the house. Inside it was a large hall and with a parliament-like hall with seats gathered around in a circle around the room. In the center were the three elders. Every grey skin was supposed to kneel before them.

They saw Tride enter the building. He walked straight past the elders. He obviously showed no respect to them and shared his feelings about them like Tenzin. Tenzin himself also ignored them and walked past them.

There were at least a hundred grey skins inside the hall. When the elders saw Rufus and the three others they sent a few grey skins to them.

"They are allowed to be in the city, but not in the hall. This is for grey skins to decide their fate and not for humans to decide for us," said a grey skin guard.

"They are important for me. I hope you understand," Tenzin protested and grabbed the grey skin tightly by his shoulders.

"Fine, but they must stay in the upper balcony and they are not allowed to utter one word during this gathering," said the grey skin guard.

A grey skin tribal leader rushed towards Tenzin.

"Tenzin. My good friend. Haven't seen you in years," the grey skin tribal leader said with a big smile.

"Tashi. Great to see you too," Tenzin said and hugged the other grey skin tightly.

Rufus and his friends looked as the two grey skins were extremely chummy.

"Who is that?" Rufus asked Amala.

"That is Tashi Rygadre, the tribal leader of the Spyang Ki tribe. He is an old friend of Tenzin. They used to have their differences, but Tashi owes his life to Tenzin. Because of that, the Spyang Ki tribe is an old ally of the Dechen tribe. Tashi believes with all his heart that Tenzin wants what is the best for our people so we can at least count on his help for us," Amala explained.

Tashi looked at Rufus and the rest of the humans.

"Those are the humans? Can they be trusted?" Tashi asked Tenzin asking about Rufus.

"I would trust them with my life," Tenzin said and smiled.

Tashi felt relieved.

"That is all I need," Tashi said and smiled and joined in with all the other tribal leaders.

The meeting was about to start. The hall went silent.