Tribal

8

(Warning, this chapter has sensitive subjects, proceed with caution.)

Ash was on his return trip; the meeting had been successful. The king had approved of opening the Mantis Village for trade routes and protection. Ash was on his way back when he accidentally bumped into the knight at the stag station. "Oh, apologies sir."

"You are one of the mantis lords, aren't you?" Ghost asked.

"Why yes, I am." Ash was confused at the question.

"Your fellow lord is one of the strongest warriors I have ever faced in my entire life; she should feel very proud." The knight took a deep bow to Ash and walked off towards the palace. Ash was impressed at the compliment that the knight had given and rushed home to the village as fast as he could. When he entered the village, many merchants had already been inside, much to his surprise. He had assumed that merchants would take time to arrive, but they took advantage of their new potential customers as soon as they could. The village was likely to expand greatly in the coming years. Ash could not be more prideful in this accomplishment, and Clover soon approached him, she was very upset, and he could tell from such a long distance. She was not a fan of opening the village to outsiders; she believed that the village was better off secluded.

"What are all these weak insects doing in the village, Ash?" Clover was immediately confrontational and demanded answers.

"They are guests, merchants from all over Hallownest. They have permission to be here; I have made an agreement with the king and allowed merchants to peddle their wares here, along with safe transportation through the wastes and the village. In return, the village will likely be expanding in the upcoming years." Ash was quick to defend his position.

"Why does the village need expansion? We were just fine before." Clover was still opposing the new developments of the village.

"Clover, please be true to yourself. The village was dying. It is likely that in a few years, the village would be dead, with a population in the single digits. I had to do what was best for the tribe." Ash thought that Clover was aware of their dwindling population.

"What would the elders say?" Typical Clover, looking for approval of the elders rather than seeking it from her citizens.

"The elders will have to deal with it. Allowing more people to be allowed into the village could result in a growing population; we can share our culture and keep the pride of the mantis alive." Ash was beginning to become agitated. Clover always sought the approval of the elders when those old fools never cared for the next generation or the future of the tribe, only upholding tradition and their own interests. He no longer cared for their opinion. He was lord now, and he would do whatever it took to keep the tribe safe, healthy, and alive.

"You would allow these lowly insects to interbreed with the purity of the Mantis Village? You have lost it." Clover was disgusted at the thought of crossbreed children in the village. She was more alike with the elders than Ash had liked.

"Clover dear, perhaps it isn't so bad. Look at your citizens." Reed pointed to all the mantises who were enjoying themselves and the children who were playing with the children of the merchants.

"It seems to me, Clover, that you are the only one who is upset with this development." Ash's pridefulness was showing, but he did not care.

"Reed, sweetheart, I love you, but I fear for the purity of the tribe. What would our elders say?" Clover was hoping that she could reach her husband.

"My dear, surely you remember that my mother is not a mantis; my mother is a dragonfly. By definition, I am not pure. And it is likely that our children will not be either." Reed was slightly hurt, but his love for Clover surpassed her opinions. Clover had a horrified look on her face. She hugged Reed and almost began crying.