The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo (Books 1-3)

Lupine Lake Chapter 3&4

~Chapter 3- The Tribe~

After Borjo heard that Aero and the other kids protected Oopa, he insisted they join the tribe for a meal. They traveled across the bridge and down a path that led to Lupine Lake. Around the periphery of the lake were men with spears, trying to catch fish. Trees surrounded the tribe's settlement.

Oopa's lakeside tribe had several tents woven together with animal pelts. Their clothing was stitched together with animal pelts as well. A skinned squirrel was being roasted on a fire for the tribe to eat.

Seeing this many dead animals made Nout nauseous. Phantines were herbivores, and seeing cooked meat was... unappetizing to him. Aero and the others weren't bothered by it whatsoever.

At the center of the tribe was a tiny floating green orb. Aero thought it looked familiar. He saw a similar yellow orb in the caverns of Platt Mountain, the same one that Masked Kid disappeared with. He couldn't help but wonder where that kid took off too.

"What is that thing?" Corri asked.

Borjo stood next to the floating orb, "This provides our people with luck and good fortune," he declared.

The men of the tribe sat together and waited while the women prepared food for everyone. Oopa asked Corri, "Would you like to help us prepare the food?"

Corri raised an eyebrow when she was singled out to help. She pointedly answered, "I'd rather not."

Oopa looked surprised but didn't pay it much mind. When Oopa walked away, Corri whispered to Ruben, "I'm not sure I like her anymore."

One by one, the women served the men. When Ocaha brought Nout a platter of squirrel meat, Nout waved his hand, "I'm sorry, I don't eat meat."

Ocaha looked at Nout peculiarly but smiled and took the platter away. Moments later, she returned with an assortment of berries instead.

Some of the tribespeople eyed the boulder-child Ruben. As a Densius, it didn't need to eat, drink, or even sleep, so it simply sat while everyone else ate. Ruben didn't wear any clothes, there was no need. The tribe found it peculiar.

One member of the tribe approached Ruben with a question in mind, "We'd like to ask you something. Are you a male or female Densius?"

Ruben smiled, "Densius actually don't have gender."

The tribe's people didn't seem to comprehend the concept, "Yes, but your mother gave birth to you, didn't she?" They questioned.

"Actually, Densius are created during a Heartstone ritual. We don't really have parents like you Ralosians do."

The tribespeople gave Ruben blank stares. They must've thought the red-eyed Densius was messing with them.

After eating, Borjo showed Aero and Jirro his giant bow and his log-sized arrows. "My daughter says you're strong. Give my bow a try."

Aero took the bow in hand. His arms were barely long enough to grip it properly. He struggled at first, but Borjo was surprised to see Aero had the strength to pull back the drawstring and launch the oversized arrow at a tree acting as a target.

Jirro tried using the bow as well and quickly adjusted to it, much faster than his cousin. Aero told himself it was only because he got to watch him first.

Borjo placed a hand on Aero's shoulder, "You two are very strong! Would you like to join us in our hunt tomorrow?"

Before Aero could volunteer for them again, Jirro hastily said, "I'm sorry, we'll probably be leaving in the morning. We need to get to Titus Forest soon."