Chapter 68: The outrage

Kanan braced himself before saying the message from their god. He expected the people to be angry regardless of where the message came from, and he wouldn’t blame them for their negative reaction, if they had one, that is.

"A few days ago, as I was speaking with the Council, I suddenly had a vision. In that vision, Lord Nemean had spoken to me and delivered his verdict on what we need to do with the Typhon Tribe."

The nerves were so intense that Kanan didn’t even notice himself repeating words he had already spoken mere moments ago.

"His verdict is to take the Typhon Tribe into our village, making them part of our own."

Hundreds of gasps struck Kanan like a truck, the shock and disgust on their faces making him want to curl up in a corner. But he held on, kept a straight face, and didn’t waver at the anger that was about to explode from the people.

"What?!"

"T-There’s no way, right?"

"Shaman Kanan, please do not joke around."

"Take in the Typhon Tribe? Those bastards murdered my father! There’s no way we can take them in!"

"Yeah!"

"This is outrageous!"

"There has to be some kind of mistake!"

"Please, Shaman Kanan, speak to Lord Nemean again."

"Yes! Please speak to him! You’re his blood, right? Maybe he’ll listen to your pleas."

"Everyone! Everyone! Calm down!" Solan bellowed. "I understand how you all might feel, but please, let Kanan finish."

With a sigh, Kanan continued. "I, too, do not wish to adopt the Typhon Tribe. My mother, father, aunt, uncle, and cousin were all lost to them. The pain I share with you all is more than just a fellow tribesman."

That’s when everyone remembered Kanan’s upbringing. The hurt he must be feeling right now wasn’t something they considered. It made them feel bad, made those who hadn’t lost anyone feel worse than bad.

"I begged Lord Nemean to reconsider, but it was to no avail. And when I challenged his authority, I was told that it was only because of my blood connection to him and my role as the Shaman that I wasn’t punished. So please understand my position."

"If Shaman Kanan couldn’t change Lord Nemean’s mind, then no one else could."

"Do we really have to adopt those Typhon Bastards?"

"We may have to take them in, but I’ll never forgive them for their actions."

After letting the people get out their frustrations, Kanan spoke once more.

"I have been informed by Lord Nemean that the next threat we face will require the aid of the Typhon Tribe. Therefore, we will be making preperations for their permanent stay once this gathering is over. I do not expect you to like them or respect them, but please, I beg all of you not to anger our gods. I do not wish to learn what their punishment will be if we defy them."

Since that was all of Kanan’s speech, Solan took over from there, informing the people of the changes that would be made going further.

---

"You think they’ll talk?" Kanan asked Elder Hal.

"They have no choice. Besides, once they learn that we aren’t killing them, I’m sure they’ll cooperate."

Kanan sighed. "I sure hope so."

Since it was Kanan who could ’predict’ threats with the aid of Lord Nemean, the council decided that it was only fitting for him to speak to the prisoners to learn what future threat the village would face.

Therefore, Elder Hal led him to the prison cells, a place that was rarely used. It had been renovated at Kanan’s request since he had assumed something like this would happen, and thankfully he was correct.

The previous holding cells weren’t large enough to hold over a hundred people, while the current one held that number comfortably.

One warrior had spotted Kanan and Hal walking into the room and got up. "Look, everyone, the Nemean bastards have come to grace our presence!"

"Have you come to kill us?"

"Of course they have. I bet they were planning a way to end us in the most brutal way possible."

Kanan ignored all of them and scanned the room until he met eyes with Telah. The reason why he looked for her was that she was the most familiar face out of the prisoners.

Sure, she tried to kill him, but he would rather deal with a threat he’s comfortable with than one he has no information on.

"You, what’s your name?" He asked

"Why? Am I the first one to be executed?"

"No. We met in the forest some months ago, but we never exchanged names. I’m Kanan, the Shaman of this village."

Her eyes widened. "No wonder we lost. I’ve heard the stories of your tribe’s shamans. Thought they were extinct."

"I’m new to the job."

"Hmph. I’m Telah, head warrior of the Typhon Tribe. Why have you come here if not to kill me?"

"I wish to know the reason for your assault."

"So you can insult us?"

"So I can save my people, and yours."

All of the prisoners turned their heads to Kanan, shock and confusion riddling their faces.

Save them, after everything that had just happened? They weren’t stupid and knew that it was just a ploy to get information out of them. Or at least that’s what they thought.

"Hahahahaha! Save us? Don’t make me laugh."

’But you already did.’

"I know how this works. I’ve interrogated people before, child. Most weren’t pretty."

"Do you not believe me?"

"Do you take me as a fool?"

Kanan nodded. He didn’t blame her for assuming such a thing. "I can speak with our gods. It was they who told me of the threat that would be coming. The threat being your tribe. This is why the wall was built, and weapons were improved."

"Your god has nothing to do with me or my people." Telah hissed.

"I agree, but just recently, I was told by my gods to set you all free."

"W-What?" Those weren’t the words Telah were expecting. She, and everyone impsioned were waiting for their deaths, prepared for it even. They didn’t even entertain the thought of living.

"That’s right. But there’s more to it. We’re to adopt you into our tribe. Now, I’m sure there will be some pushback, but there’s no going against our god. Therefore, all of you will be spared and will be given a place to stay in our village."

"Hmph, you expect us to believe that?"

So, Kanan did the unthinkable. He opened her cell door.

"Walk down the hall until you reach the door. The guards will not stop you. Once you reach outside, walk around the village. You will be looked at and scorned, but no one will stop you. You’re also free to leave and go back to your home, but just know that everyone here will die if you do. So, do you wish to test my honesty?"