Aeonia Days Before.....

In the heart of a primordial wilderness, where towering trees pierced the sky and untamed beasts roamed freely, the barbarian tribe of Aeonia had carved out their existence. At the center of their makeshift village, a grand tent stood apart from the rest, its hide walls adorned with intricate symbols and trophies of conquest.

Within this dwelling of power, the tribe's formidable leader, reclined upon a throne fashioned from layers of pelts and adorned with bones. His frame, a testament to years of battle and survival, was barely contained by the bestial hide armor that clung to his muscled form. A necklace of animal bones encircled his thick neck, each one a silent testimony to his prowess as a hunter and warrior.

Behind him, propped against the tent's support, rested a massive double-edged axe – a weapon that seemed to hunger for battle even in its dormant state. His eyes, which had been closed in contemplation, suddenly snapped open as the tent's entrance was pulled aside.

A young man, no more than twenty-four summers old, strode in. Despite his youth, his build rivaled that of his leader, speaking to the harsh life that forged the men of Aeonia. He wore the tribe's signature fur and hide armor, his feet clad in light sandals that left most of his legs exposed. A short but deadly double-edged sword hung at his side, and his unkempt beard and scar-riddled skin marked him as a seasoned warrior.

"I salute you, tribe leader Thranak," the young man intoned, dropping to one knee in deference.

Thranak's head tilted slightly, his gaze piercing. "What is it this time?" His voice, though calm, carried the weight of command.

The warrior's response was terse, laden with unspoken implications. "Kaelis, my lord."

A heavy sigh escaped Thranak's lips, his expression darkening like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. With fluid grace that belied his size, he rose from his throne and descended the short steps before him. The kneeling warrior stood, retrieving a fur mantle and draping it over his leader's broad shoulders.

Thranak raised his arms, and the young man moved behind the throne, struggling to lift the enormous axe. His muscles strained, face contorted with effort as he carried the weapon to his leader. Thranak, in a display of strength that never failed to awe his followers, hefted the axe with one hand and rested it casually on his shoulder.

As Thranak ducked through the tent's entrance, the village beyond came into sharp focus. Children, dressed in miniature versions of their parents' attire, darted between tents that stretched as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the sounds of daily life – the rhythmic pounding of hides being tanned, the clang of metal on metal from the smithy, and the constant murmur of voices.

Everywhere Thranak walked, his people bowed in respect, their faces etched with admiration bordering on reverence. He acknowledged them with brief nods but did not break his stride, purpose driving him forward.

His destination was another tent, outside of which stood a woman whose very presence seemed to command attention. Her body, curvaceous and alluring, was barely contained by her fur and hide garments. Long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back, and though she was smaller in stature compared to the men around her, her presence was no less imposing.

This was Kaelis, and before her knelt a man whose vacant eyes suggested a soul stripped bare. Thranak's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "What is wrong, Kaelis?"

In response, Kaelis delivered a sharp slap to the kneeling man's head. "She cheated once more. With this bastard."

Thranak's outward calm never wavered as he approached the trembling man. Crouching down, he grasped a fistful of the offender's hair, forcing their eyes to meet. The contact seemed to jolt life back into the accused, who scrambled backward only to collide with Kaelis' legs. Her smile was viscous, predatory.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Bring him," Thranak commanded, turning away. Two warriors materialized from the crowd, seizing the prisoner by his arms. His desperate pleas echoed through the village as he was dragged away. "It was her! She tricked me! I had no choice!"

Thranak's next words rang out clear and ominous. "Convoke the tribe." He made his way to an elevated stone platform, the tribe's gathering place for momentous occasions. Within minutes, every member of the tribe – from wizened elders to newborn babes – had assembled beneath the imposing rock.

"Have I ever treated you badly?" Thranak's question hung in the air for a moment before the response came, a thunderous roar as hundreds of fists pounded against chests.

"Never, tribe leader! We would split our throats for you!" The unified cry reverberated through the clearing.

Thranak nodded solemnly. "So, you agree with the punishment." It wasn't a question. The accused was brought forward, his head pressed against the stone. Thranak took his position, axe at the ready. "For cheating with your tribe leader's wife, you shall face the ultimate punishment. Do you have any last words?"

The condemned man's voice shook, but his words were clear. "Yes. Your devil of a sister – she must stop using her body to manipulate us. She is nothing. The only reason she's still alive and not chained to a pole like the whore she is, is because of the respect we have for you. Many agree but will never dare to speak to you. I am sorry for what I did, my lord. I accept my punishment." With that, he willingly placed his neck upon the stone.

Thranak's expression remained impassive. "So shall it be." The axe rose, glinting in the sunlight, then fell with a sickening thud. Blood fountained from the severed neck, the head rolling to one side. "Hoist it at the tribe entrance as a warning for the daredevils," Thranak ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. He swung the axe, sending an arc of blood spattering across the ground, before returning it to his shoulder and striding away. "Kaelis, follow me."

Back in the privacy of his tent, Thranak dismissed his attendants with a curt wave. Once alone with Kaelis, his composure finally cracked. "What do you have in mind? Are you crazy?" he bellowed, his face contorted with fury.

Kaelis met his anger with her own. "I am protecting you. You should be glad. That bitch has no respect for you!"

The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed through the tent as Thranak's hand connected with Kaelis' cheek. She spat blood, her eyes burning with a mixture of pain and defiance. "She is the wife of your lord. Be careful with your words," Thranak growled.

"I am your sister," Kaelis retorted, her voice trembling with barely contained rage.

Thranak's shoulders sagged, the weight of leadership evident in every line of his body. "You know how important she is. No matter what she does, we have to cope with it for now."

Kaelis' next words were laced with bitterness. "Whether you like it or not, we are alone. Since those bastard travelers took our father, we are alone. Whoever threatens you threatens me." With that, she stormed out of the tent, leaving Thranak to his troubled thoughts.

He knew of his wife's infidelities, had chosen to turn a blind eye for the sake of his people. The barbarians were a volatile lot; one misstep could lead to unpredictable and disastrous consequences.

His brooding was interrupted by the entrance of another woman – Sornath, his wife. She was a vision of barbarian beauty, her mature features still at the peak of their allure, clothed in a thin fur dress and adorned with a golden necklace.

"I did it for you," she stated without preamble.

Thranak's gaze found her face, his voice weary. "Sornath, have I ever been ugly to you?"

"Never, my wolf," she murmured, kneeling beside him and cradling his face in her hands. "All I have done is for you. We have been married for years, but we barely—"

Thranak abruptly stood, cutting her off. He despised the pet name she insisted on using. "You are warned. Next time you cheat on me, you will bear the consequences."

Sornath's voice turned sharp, accusatory. "If you didn't act like a stone, things would be different. I can't believe a little boy like you could become lord. Your body might have grown, but you're still a child who doesn't know how to satisfy a woman."

Thranak's hand rose, reflexively, but Sornath's challenge stopped him cold. "What are you going to do, hit me like your sister? Give it a try if you dare." Despite her smaller frame, her defiance was palpable, leaving Thranak momentarily stunned.

His face smoothed over, and without another word, he left the tent. Sornath remained rooted to the spot, shock evident in her wide eyes.

Seeking solitude, Thranak made his way through the dense forest that surrounded their encampment. Massive trees stretched toward the sky, their canopy so thick it nearly blotted out the sun. The sound of rushing water grew louder with each step until he emerged at the banks of a river.

There, beneath a thundering waterfall, a lone figure stood. Thranak paused, watching the silhouette move through the cascading water, finding a moment of peace in the midst of the tribe's tempestuous politics.