Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 110: Jungle Safari (1)

Chapter 110: Jungle Safari (1)

"I’m sorry, but the chieftain is in no position to entertain visitors," the guard stationed outside Ahuli’s hut informed. "Not until his wounds have healed."

"Be as it may, I can’t leave without having a meeting first," Vincent argued again, his voice filled with urgency. "We are on a deadline here! The Banurs need to be stopped. We can’t keep hanging around here aimlessly!"

It had been ten days since the heroes arrived in the settlement, seeking help from the Tulkas to deal with the Banurs. However, despite their plans and reassurances, their discussion was fruitless, and they were still stuck within the tribe.

It almost felt like the tribe had been instructed to keep the heroes occupied and not allow them to ’prove’ themselves like the Pope wanted. However, the heroes were determined to deal with the tribe and return to Nexaria before the Ravens could do more harm to their image.

Today was the day when Ahuli, the tribe’s Chieftain, was supposed to help them locate the Banurs. The heroes eagerly awaited meeting the Chieftain and get going. But he got ’injured’ a couple of days ago and refused any guests, including Vincent and his group.

"Once again, I apologise, but our Chieftain’s health is of utmost importance to us, and I can’t allow you inside," the guard calmly explained. "Further insistence on the matter will not be entertained-"

"What’s with the ruckus here?" Suddenly, a voice interjected in the conversation.

The guards noticed Skaha and immediately bowed before him. Sophia and her crew did the same, showing respect to the tribe’s elders. Within hours of living with the tulkas, the heroes had understood the importance of showing respect and how important it was within the community to show respect to the tribe.

"The outsiders are seeking an audience with the Chieftain," the guard replied, his eyes staring at his feet. "I informed them about his condition-"

"It’s fine."

"Sir?"

"They don’t need to meet with Ahuli; I’ll deal with them as the former Chieftain," Skaha smiled towards the heroes before handing a small pot to the guard. "Make sure Ahuli drinks it in one go."

The guard nodded and left while Skaha approached the heroes, "Please, come inside, and I’ll try to solve your queries."

The heroes looked at each other before following the former Chieftain inside the hut beside Ahuli’s.

Unlike the rest of the tribe, Skaha’s house had remained untouched by the advancements that the outsiders brought with him. The building had a simple base made of stone with several pillars supporting a wooden roof five meters high.

Upon entering, the heroes were seated in a hallroom with some stools and a carpet. That was the only room in the house with all the furniture. On the farther side was a gate that led to a tent-like structure where Skaha lived. It was a way for him to link the tribe’s past with the present.

Besides this, his only luxury was a beautiful garden where his familiar, a pristine white direwolf, slept peacefully on the soft grass and enjoyed the rest of its days peacefully.

"Go back to sleep, Sully. These are our friends," Skaha commented as the direwolf woke up in the presence of strangers but went back to sleep upon his master’s command. "Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you," Amelia replied, grabbing a stool.

The rest followed her lead, but Vincent remained standing. Skaha smiled, noticing the young blood boiling within the elf’s veins. He was once like that, all hot-blooded and ready to fight at the slightest provocations.

But in time, he learned to admire the beauty of silence and peace. That’s why he lived on the edge of the tribe, separate from the daily drama. However, due to Ahuli’s attachment, he decided to reside beside his nephew’s hut.

"Now then, how can I be of service?" Skaha asked the heroes with a smile.

"Fulfilling your promise would be a good start," Vincent commented. "We need the location of the Banur tribe. The sooner you give it to us, the faster we’ll be able to go back."

"I see," Skaha muttered, scratching his beard. "I’ll tell you where they are, but what do we get out of it?"

"We get rid of your enemies for you. What more do you need?" Marcus scoffed. "You get their territory, and we’ll complete our task. Shouldn’t that be plenty?"

Skaha’s smile got wider as he stood and walked over to the dwarven hero, holding out his hand. Marcus glanced at his team, then back at the old man, before taking his hand, thinking he was accepting the deal.

But suddenly, Marcus was lifted into the air and thrown down hard, all with just one of Skaha’s arms. The rest of the Heroes quickly drew their weapons, ready to attack the old man, but Sophia raised her arm, gesturing for them to stop.

"What is the meaning of this elder?" She asked politely.

"A lesson," Skaha mumbled before resuming his seat. "We are not as weak as your kind tends to think. If we fancied getting rid of the Banurs, we could’ve done it by now. But we didn’t. Why do you think that is?"

"Because they are just as strong?" Amelia replied.

"Just as strong she says," Skaha chuckled. "That was the case ten years back, more or less. But no, that’s not the reason anymore. It’s because they’ve gotten too clever.

He continued, "Sixteen, that’s how many times they have been invaded, and each time, they’ve come out victorious. What makes you think the seventeenth invasion would be any different?"

Vincent raised an eyebrow as he spoke, "We can deal with them if intelligence is all they have going for them-"

"Overconfidence is the bridge to humility, often crossed by a humbling fall," Skaha mumbled as if it were a mantra. "Once upon a time, I committed the mistake of looking down upon them, just like you are doing right now and lost my family in the process."

Skaha sighed heavily, brushing away a tear that slipped from the corner of his eye. Memories of his happy family flooded back, reminding him of what he used to have.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to proceed with your suicidal plan," Skaha eventually broke the silence. "The Church has asked us to look after you. However, if you’re ready to show us you’re worth it, maybe I can lend a hand."

Vincent’s hand clenched into a tight fist as he heard those words. First, it was the Pope, and now this guy wanted them to ’prove their worth’. But he calmed himself. It was just another test. What could go wrong?

Little did he know, everything he could imagine and more would go wrong...