As Thranak approached the bed, the tent flap rustled open, revealing a shadowy figure that stepped inside. She moved closer, her delicate fingers deftly removing his fur armor, her touch igniting a spark of warmth against his skin. Circling around him, she stood mere inches away, draped in a sheer, translucent garment that clung to her curves, inviting his gaze to explore every contour of her body.
Yet, despite the intimate atmosphere, a frown creased his brow. “Why is your father here, Sornath?” he asked, his voice laced with concern as she continued to disrobe him. “Does he have a reason to visit his daughter?”
With a hint of defiance in her tone, she replied, “It’s not as if my husband mistreats me.” Beneath her words, an undercurrent of frustration simmered just below the surface.
He brushed past her and climbed onto the bed, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders. “I have obligations. I am the tribe leader,” he said, his gaze drifting to the tent's ceiling, lost in memories of loss—Kaelis and other brave warriors who had fallen. Impulsiveness had cost him dearly; he hadn’t anticipated the travelers’ preparedness. If only he had waited—would the outcome have been different? The questions swirled in his mind, consuming him.
Unbeknownst to him, she had joined him on the bed, settling onto his lap. “When will you stop treating me like I’m nothing?” Her voice was soft yet compelling, a melody that tugged at his heartstrings. She was undeniably one of the most beautiful women he had ever encountered, but despite her allure, he struggled to see her as more than a fleeting distraction.
She leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender kiss that sent a jolt of electricity through him—soft and warm, drawing him into a maelstrom of emotions. When they finally broke apart, her eyes glimmered with vulnerability. “You have no idea what’s being said about me… about us.”
His expression shifted, hunger igniting within him like a wolf starved for years. He flipped her onto the bed, positioning himself above her. “I don’t care about what people say,” he declared fiercely, sealing their lips once more with a passionate kiss.
She tilted her head slightly, her cheeks flushed with heat. “You may not care, but I do. They call me infertile. They say I’m unworthy of being your wife. I’m not asking for your love—just for you to give me an heir.” Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken pain, punctuated by soft moans as he kissed down her chest.
Understanding dawned on him—this was why she sought solace elsewhere. In a world where a woman’s worth was often measured by her ability to bear children, he felt a pang of empathy for her plight. “So be it,” he murmured, surrendering himself to the waves of pleasure that enveloped them.
The rhythmic creaking of the bed mingled with their shared gasps and moans as the night stretched on, each moment steeped in passion and longing—a fleeting escape from the burdens they both carried.
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Thranak stirred from his slumber. He rose from the bed, his muscles aching from the previous day's exertions. Casting a glance at the woman beside him, he noticed her serene expression, her face aglow with contentment in the soft morning light.
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"I will need your help," Thranak stated, his voice gruff from sleep as he forced himself to stand. The woman sat up, drawing the furs blankets around her form. "Anything you want, my wolf," she replied, her tone reverent.
Thranak's brow furrowed at the endearment, but he chose not to comment. Of the two, she had always been the more persistent one. "Start by getting dressed, then meet me with everyone in the great hall," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
With practiced movements, Thranak donned his fur attire and mantle, the weight of leadership settling on his shoulders once more. He strode from the tent, his steps purposeful as he made his way towards the great hall - a massive rock formation anchored in the mountainside. As he approached, he noticed a few elders entering the cavernous structure, their backs bent with age and wisdom.
Upon seeing Thranak, the elders bowed deeply. He acknowledged them with a nod before stepping into the stone cave. The air inside was thick and heavy, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. As he advanced, the ground seemed to flatten beneath his feet, as if recognizing the weight of his presence. The walls were adorned with intricate glyphs, reminiscent of the tattoos that marked their people.
At the center of the cavern stood a table hewn from solid rock. Flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the walls, barely illuminating the dim space. Some of the tribal leaders sat around the table, while others stood, their postures tense with anticipation. Sornath waited behind the main seat, her eyes fixed on Thranak. As he approached, she stepped forward and kissed him, a public display that did not go unnoticed by the gathered elders.
Thranak, understanding her intent, played along before taking his seat at the head of the table. "I apologize for summoning all of you so early," he began, his voice echoing in the cavernous space, "but the matter at hand is of utmost importance, not just for us, but for all barbarians."
An elder spoke up, his voice weathered by time, "It is fine, my lord. We have sworn to serve you, and we always will. What is the matter at hand?"
Thranak took a moment, his gaze sweeping over each face gathered around the table. The silence stretched, tension building with each passing heartbeat. Finally, he spoke, his words falling like stones into still water: "The travelers are back."
Gasps of horror rippled through the assembly. "Impossible," someone exclaimed, disbelief etched in their voice.
"I have seen it with my own eyes," Thranak continued, his fist clenching as he spoke. "They are back, and far more prepared than we could have ever imagined. My sister and her warriors have already faced their might."
Sornath's father, his voice dripping with sarcasm, interjected, "If you had not acted on your own, things might have been different. This is what happens when you give a child more responsibility than he can handle." The other elders frowned but remained seated, acknowledging the older man's right to voice his opinion, given his age and experience.
Thranak's eyes flashed dangerously. "I never asked for this position," he said, his palms flat against the stone table. "But I do not regret having it. If any of you feel I am not competent enough, you know the rules. The Trial of the Axe can speak for me. Any volunteers?" His voice boomed through the cave, causing some of the elders to flinch.
Seconds ticked by, but no one dared to step forward. Thranak continued, his voice low and intense, "We do not know when the travelers will decide our existence has become too bothersome. I propose we strike first, but for that, we need an army. I will invoke the Barbarian Order of Rulers."
"Are you mad?" Sornath's father leapt to his feet, his face contorted with anger. "It has been forgotten for centuries! I vehemently oppose this course of action!"
The cave erupted into chaos as the elders began to argue amongst themselves, their voices echoing off the stone walls. Thranak sat silently, his eyes never leaving Sornath's father, as the weight of his decision settled over the assembly like a heavy cloak.