Chapter 168 - 168

Far into the south, Sakh'arran was inspecting the surroundings of their now completed task. The Fortress of Vir was now finished, and they only needed to wait for their chieftain to give them further orders on what to do next. It was named as such since Vir would mean star and the Fortress of Vir will become the star of the south to launch their expeditions to the endless sands of Ereia.

"Where are they now?" Sakh'arran asked as he glance at the squad leader of the Verakhs who were shadowing an army of humans for the past few days. "Four days' march to our east, Druu'ghar Vaddash. Their numbers probably over five thousand, but they looked battered from their journey, as many of them were too skinny to be even soldiers. We suspect that they might be deserters or survivors of a defeated army." the Verakh respectfully gave his report.

"Continue on stalking them and try to find out their purpose in coming here." Sakh'arran gave his command, then turned to the messenger that was sent by Gur'kan. "What's the situation with the tribe that you visited?" he asked. "We've won them over, the Skalsser Tribe, that's what they call themselves. Our timely intervention solved one of their inner conflicts as we saved many of them from their own struggles against their fellow tribe members.. We were also able to prevent another warlock from establishing a foothold in their tribe as we slayed all of its followers. But we sustained some casualties, especially from the Amalgamation of Flesh that the strongest shaman of the Skalsser Tribe defeated in exchange for his life." the messenger reported.

"And where are our comrades now?" Sakh'arran asked while marking things down on the map that he had on his table. "Roughly two days behind me, Druu'ghar Vaddash. Their march is slow since there are a lot of old, children and women among them and also our injured comrades." the messenger quickly replied.

"Hmmm... Anything else to report?" the second in command of Xiao Chen asked again, to which the two replied "None..." at the same time. "Alright, you may retire and have your rest." he answered as he turned all his attention on the map that was in front of him. The Verakh and the messenger of Gur'kan saluted, to which Sakh'arran just nodded in acknowledgement before they went out of his office.

*****

A few days' march to the west, Gur'kan was leading his triumphant warriors back to their base, and behind them was a long line of the Skalsser Tribe. They were lucky that Ikrah and his father managed to convince Yukah, Gunn, and Hekoth that Gur'kan and his companions are their friends. "How is Yukah doing?" Gur'kan glanced to the silent Gunn who had a serious look in his eyes while walking. "He will live. Hekoth is with him to tend to his wounds but I think he will find it hard to accept that even Tash'arr is also gone." the shaman replied, then went silent once again.

Far behind their long serpentine line were Haguk and Dug'mhar, leading their respective tribes as they took on the role of rearguards just in case someone or something decided to attack them. With the cover of the vegetations in the surroundings, the Verakhs were moving alongside them while staying hidden.

Pelko and Ikrah were the ones taking the lead for their tribe, as Gunn was with Gur'kan and Hekoth was with Yukah. They left the original location of their tribe with no complaints as they only have been there for two years since they are always relocating their tribe depending on the situation and the decision of their current chieftain.

*****

Xiao Chen was thinking of ways to better secure those under him and the lands around the city of Yohan. And he was also having a dilemma on how to make the rescued women settle in a city filled with different races, but more importantly how is he going to make them lived alongside with the many goblins that are part of his enormous tribe. Sure, many of the goblins are aiding the kobolds in their tasks, but there are still many of them who are inside the city and are working in broad daylight. His last optional mission was something that can't be completed easily.

"You look troubled, chief?" Adhalia muttered as she approached their chieftain and right beside her was Draegh'ana. The two never moved on their own as wherever one of them is at, the other one would be with her. Xiao Chen can't help but shake his head at the actions of the two ladies as they are basically keeping him under surveillance 24/7 and he had a hunch of what caused them to do it, his glances towards the rescued women to appreciate the view.

"Well, we need to settle the women and help them recover, but I don't know how." Xiao Chen muttered as he scratched his face with the palms of his hands. Draegh'ana and Adhalia looked at each other, then at their chief. "Recovering from such experience can't be done quickly. It needs a lot of time and adjusting." Draegh'ana commented. "Yes, it needs time but I think it won't take too long specially in the case of the other rescued women who have found someone that they have taken a fancy to and we know who most of them are set upon." Adhalia added as he stared hard at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen just clicked his tongue softly, then reached for one of the scrolls that contained reports of the progress of those he sent to the south that arrived two days ago. Reading the contents of the scroll, he can't help but knit his brows upon reading the report about an army of dark-skinned humans that were only a few days' march from the Fortress of Vir. 

He went silent for a few moments. Gathering his thoughts, he finally decided on what to do next. He was going to the south and perhaps start his expedition to the land of Ereia. But first he needs to settle a few things and right on time Rakh'ash'ta entered his tent.

"Chief, the treatment of those women is complete ." he reported as he leaned on his staff while looking left and right towards the two ladies who were with their chieftain in confusion. He wasn't expecting them to be here at all.

Rakh'ash'ta was the sole healer of Yohan or doctor if Xiao Chen would give him a modern title. He alone was in charge of the health of his enormous tribe and also had to deal with the other responsibilities that he tossed at him since he was lazy to deal with all of them since it wasn't his forte. After being swamped by too many things to deal with, Rakh'ash'ta accepted apprentices and taught them everything that he knows but it seemed like many of his apprentices also learned his craziness in experimenting and their insatiable curiosity about many things.

"Their treatment consist of medicine and..." Rakh'ash'ta's words were cut short as Xiao Chen raised his hand to signal him that he doesn't have to continue in what he was about to say.

"The women deserve a little privacy. I don't need to hear all the details. I just wanted to know whether any traces of the Bloodpool Goblins remain in them." Xiao Chen muttered as he glanced at the two ladies.

"Hmmmm... Yes chief... Well, they can continue to live normally if they can put their past bad experiences behind them. But some of them are troubled emotionally and are scarred by what they just went through and that is something that even I can't do anything about, it's outside my capabilities." the old orc spoke clearly.

"Appreciate it. Thanks for the hard work. I'll think of a solution for them." Xiao Chen answered. Rakh'ash'ta turned around then went out of his tent as he is probably the busiest of all those under him. He still had a lot of things to deal with.

"Oh right, chief. The women are gathered in the square." Rakh'ash'ta said before fully leaving the tent. 

"I'll go talk to them." he answered as he stood up and headed out. "We are coming with you." Adhalia muttered as they went after him and followed him towards the square.

Upon arriving at the square, Xiao Chen saw all the women that they rescued huddled together as they curiously looked around their surroundings after being led there by Galum'nor and the Yurakks. Xiao Chen headed for the raised platform in front of the square and all eyes automatically turned to him.

Clearing his throat, he breathed in. "I'll look after your lifestyles for the moment and treat you as one of my own tribe members. You all can do what you want as long as you follow the laws that were established, if you want to find out what are the laws, you can go ahead and look at the statues or ask directions from anyone to lead you to where they are at. You are free to do what you want, stay or leave, it is up to you." he announced with a shout as he needed to make his voice loud for all of them to be able to hear him clearly.

Everyone was surprised by his announcement as they never expected it. Besides the change in their expressions and gazes, not one of them moved. 'Will this end poorly?' Xiao Chen thought in his mind, but everything seems to go well.

The women started to make some noise as Xiao Chen could hear their suppressed voices as they spoke with each other. He turned around and take his leave and let the women do what they want with their new lives.