13 Meeting

"You don't have to worry so much. Before the losses become very high the rulers of the world will interfere and put an end to it."

Unable to respond to that, Blag grunted. After that forceful statement, Goro took a step forward from his desk. Though Blag was a hardened veteran of many battles from his time as a hunter, that looming sense of pressure, like an encroaching wall, made even someone like him want to back off. Goro kept his hand on Blag's shoulder, if anyone looked at this scene they would think some big fight is going to break out.

"You can leave the tribe if you want and will not be branded a traitor due to your contribution but you can't stop the war. You have neither the strength nor the influence. Stop daydreaming, the grudges accumulated on either side cannot be resolved that simply." Goro said in a serious tone.

Blag can only leave the chief's quarters with resignation. He hoped that the chief would have enough power in the alliance to make the meeting with dragons happen but alas an individual strength is insignificant against the will of the group. Goro is among the top 10 in terms of his fighting prowess but their tribe's strength is lacking to have any say in the alliance.

"He would make a great chief."

Goro murmured his praise as he looked at the retreating figure, his voice contained undertones of various emotions blending together. Blag could leave the tribe and not participate in the war but instead chose to defend the tribe. Even Goro did not like the way things are proceeding.

Most tribe chiefs are veterans in the previous war who lost someone important to them in the war and are consumed by revenge. Even at the cost of many lives they are willing to hunt the dragons and make them pay a serious price. Though Goro lost many whom he considered important but he wants all this to stop and chiefs like him are not in majority.

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On his way home Blag was in low spirits and took a scenic route along the lake to calm his mind. The glowing plants and weeds in the lake would be a breath taking view to anyone on Earth and occasionally one could see small glowing fishes blinking in and out of existence among the weeds. These fishes are very small and difficult to catch in large quantities making them unfit for consumption. Only someone who is starving would go after them.

When the Lizardmen first arrived here they would even hunt them but now they would go to the Great Lake to hunt bigger fishes even if it is dangerous. They tried growing the big fish in these underground lake but they quickly become sick and die. They came to the conclusion that they require sunlight for their survival based on their activity, they come to the surface of the lake in the morning and go deep into the lake at night. This forced the Lizardmen to hunt during the day even though they held advantage at night with their night vision. There were other sources of food like birds, rodents…etc., but they can't sustain the large number of their tribe.

Clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop.

While Blag was lost in his contemplation he started hearing faint but distinct sound of footsteps coming from the unexplored tunnel system away from the marshes. He went into alert fearing some danger to their tribe.

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Alyx was lucky to meet an understanding type. He learnt his name as Blag. At first he was suspicious of Alyx as there was no branding of a deserter on him. Alyx took a gamble and explained how he flee from his tribe by faking his death on a hunting trip. Alyx was ready to be despised and leave this tribe but to his surprise Blag sympathized with him and invited him to his house.

'It appears that he is against the war. We are so lucky to meet someone with whom we can work with.'

*There is no surprise in that nobody wants to give up their life in vain when they can have a life with abundant food.*

'Anyways we should use him to get as much information as we can. Looks like he should be some bigshot in the tribe.'

On their way Alyx learnt that Blag was respected in the tribe as a great hunter.

After reaching Blag's house he was curious to find a small artificial lake behind his house. Seeing the curious look on Alyx's face Blag replied, "I constructed it for my pet. Come let's go inside.

The interior of the house was simple without any decorations. It was a double bedroom house with a hall, kitchen and storage room. The entire house is made up of wood and mud. Both of them sat down on mat and after a few pleasantries started to discuss serious matters.

"I can understand your situation and empathize with you but you can't join our tribe as we are also going to war. As far as I know all tribes are being forced to participate this time. You can try to lay low till the war ends and join any tribe, as many tribes will be destroyed in this war and you can act as a survivor and join the surviving tribes." Blag got straight to the point.

"You are lucky to escape your tribe without being branded as they will make an example out of you to prevent others. Did you encounter any danger while in those tunnels? Which tribe are you from?" continued Blag.

Alyx knew that those who are branded will not be treated as equals and are not welcomed by many tribes. They would be forced to live as a servant to others for the rest of their lives and mistreated.

"Well I belong to...…" Seeing the reluctance on Alyx face. Blag threw him a lifeline by saying, "It's alright if you don't want to say. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. We just met and you don't trust me. I should not have asked such question."

"Thank you, I'm afraid that if my tribe finds out about me, they will hunt me down and I'm lucky to not encounter any danger in the tunnels." Alyx felt relieved.

'For a moment there I thought our cover will be blown.'

*This is what I meant when I said you are dumb you don't plan anything and just go with the flow*

'....'