He turned his head toward the trembling native woman, and his voice dropped into a command. "Apologize for your mistake."

Taigi's entire body flinched at his tone. The trembling in her hands spread through her shoulders as she sank to her knees and bowed deep on all fours before Kaiden and his women, forehead touching the floor.

"I-I… I beg forgiveness. It was my fault. Please… forgive my ignorance…"

Kaiden could feel the weight of the entire hall pressing down on him. The eyes, the silence, the tension.

Taigi remained prostrated on the floor, trembling from head to toe. Every breath she took was shallow, fearful.

And then he felt Naira's gaze on him.

The teen's eyes were pleading. 'Please don't make this worse for her…'

Kaiden understood.

If he made a scene now, if he lectured Varek or demanded answers, it wouldn't be him who paid the price afterward. It would be her.

The girl, already humiliated, stripped of dignity before her own people, would bear the wrath of Varek once the outsiders left.

He hated it. Every instinct in him screamed to put the smug bastard in his place, to crush the poisonous authority dripping from that throne. But he knew better. Varek wasn't a man who could be argued into decency.

So Kaiden exhaled slowly. His fingers curled around the wooden cup before him. He lifted it with a calm that felt forced even to himself, and took a sip of the strong, bitter wine. Then, with quiet composure, he raised the cup toward the genuflecting woman.

"I'm not angry with you. You've done nothing wrong."

He then smiled.

"But… if you still feel the need to make it up to me, then perhaps you could bring me a refill."

For a heartbeat, there was only silence.

Then Taigi gasped. Her head jerked up, eyes wide and disbelieving.

Most men in his position would've demanded she "apologize properly," not just with a lap dance. Others would've taken it as an invitation to claim ownership of her away from Varek, saying she needed proper disciplining. She'd expected to be claimed or punished, not… forgiven.

And certainly not to be asked for something as mundane as refilling a cup.

Her lips parted soundlessly as she stared at him.

Across the hall, Varek's expression soured. The look he cast Kaiden was one of thinly veiled irritation; this wasn't the scene he'd wanted. He'd expected entertainment. Conflict, dominance, submission. A drama.

Instead, the foreigner defused it all with a single line.

For a long second, Varek didn't move.

Then, reluctantly, he nodded once. "... Go on, then."

Taigi's breath caught, but this time it wasn't from fear. Color returned to her face as she scrambled to her feet with near inhuman quickness.

She bowed - once, twice, again - her gestures growing faster until she'd bowed ten times in succession, each one nearly toppling her over from haste.

"Y-yes! Right away!"

And before anyone could stop her, she turned and almost sprinted toward the back of the longhouse, vanishing behind the curtain that led to the kitchen.

Kaiden's gaze lingered on the curtain through which Taigi had vanished. The tension still hung thick in the air, but the sharp edge of it had dulled.

He turned his eyes, catching a glimpse of Aria.

She stood tall, her expression as composed as ever. But as she returned to her seat next to him, awareness passed between them.

She'd acted before him on purpose.

If Kaiden had been the one to reject Taigi, it would have been seen as the girl failing her task of seduction.

But Aria… she'd stepped in under the guise of cultural formality, making everyone better off.

Smart girl.

Varek clapped his hands once, loud and sharp.

The sound cracked through the air like a whip, and the spell of tension that had paralyzed the hall finally broke in full. The musicians jolted at the signal, then hastily resumed their drumming and flute-playing. The rhythm returned, slower at first, uncertain, before finding its pace again. The women who'd been frozen mid-dance picked up where they'd left off, moving with renewed, if slightly forced, vigor.

Just like that, the tribe pretended nothing had happened so that their leader could save face without having to kill the outsiders.

From the far side of the longhouse, a group of servants stepped in through a side entrance, each carrying carved wooden trays and steaming clay pots. Unlike the dancers, these women were clothed more modestly. Leather vests and woven skirts adorned their bodies while their hair was bound neatly with cords of dyed fiber. They moved with practiced grace, forming a line that circled inward toward the center of the gathering.

Kaiden noticed it immediately: the order of things.

Those seated in the innermost circle, where Kaiden's group, Caitlyn's team, and Varek's entourage sat, were the first to be served.

The servants placed before them the finest portions: roasted venison brushed with herbs, thick slabs of smoked fish glistening with oil, and small bowls filled with mashed beans mixed with chili and corn. Steam rose from each dish, carrying the mouthwatering aroma of wild spices and woodfire.

There were skewers of river shrimp roasted in their shells, sprinkled with ground pepperleaf; flatbread made from cornmeal, baked until golden and soft; and even what looked like roasted squash stuffed with nuts and wild berries. The colors, namely orange, gold, and deep brown, were earthy and vibrant. It felt as if the land itself had been served on the plate.

Across the table from Kaiden, Varek's own group - consisting of the man himself, four elders, and six harem members - received similar treatment. Except for his six women.

They remained kneeling behind him, heads bowed, eyes lowered, their hands resting on their thighs. No plates were set before them. Not even a cup of water.

They were not guests. They were ornaments, proof of the chieftain's "wealth."

In the second ring sat the warriors and hunters, men with painted chests and proud expressions. Their food came next: lean cuts of meat, bone stew, and roasted corn. Still rich, but noticeably less diverse, less fragrant.

And finally, in the outermost circle - the women, children, and artisans - the portions grew meager.

Boiled grains. Flatbread without filling. Thin soup that smelled mostly of water and salt.

Kaiden's eyes moved briefly toward the edges of the room. He caught glimpses of small, tired faces, eyes watching the inner tables with a mix of hunger and envy.

The contrast was stark.

But before he could dwell too much on it, Varek's booming voice rolled across the hall once more. The chieftain raised his own cup, which was a crude, bone-carved vessel, toward the ceiling.

"Let us eat and drink to welcome the Pale Ones!" his voice thundered, echoing against the clay walls and wooden beams. "I welcomed them into my home out of respect for who they are, and for what they have done. You all know the stories: the world beyond our forests is not kind, and yet these warriors carved their place in it!"

The crowd stirred.

Varek turned, gesturing toward Kaiden with an open palm. "This man, Kaiden Grey… I have learned much about him through 'that thing.' A warrior who does not bend, a leader who protects his kin. He does not speak with deceit, nor hide behind false honor. A family man… and a conqueror."

Some of the elders nodded approvingly, while others shared uncertain glances.

Varek's grin widened. "So hear me now, my people. Valhalla's Sinners, Runewoven, Nova Circuit, and our tribe… we will not treat them as strangers. We will share our drink, our meat, and our trust. These are our guests, and you are to welcome them as you would your own blood!"

A thunderous cheer erupted from the warriors' ring. Cups were lifted, spears slammed against the floor, and voices boomed:

"WELCOME! WELCOME!"

Kaiden was finally starting to understand the game of the leader… It took a long while due to Varek being quite the evil scumbag.

But it seemed the man wished to make allies with the outside world. It wasn't quite the surprise considering the circumstances of his tribe… Or maybe the man just got bored.

Who knew what this lunatic was up to?

Nevertheless, Kaiden rose slowly. He lifted his own cup, now refilled by the teary-eyed Taigi.

"Your words honor me, Chieftain Varek," Kaiden said clearly in a diplomatic tone. He didn't know if an alliance with the tribe was possible or if it was even worthwhile for their side, considering this was a 'one-man army' here, led by a cruel bastard. Honestly, his only concern right now was how to kill this man and save Naira, her mother, and her friend.

But nevertheless, he was tasked with being a diplomat, so he would do just that.

"I am grateful to share your fire, your food, and your faith in peace. I hope that what begins tonight will be remembered long after we part."

A chorus of agreement spread through the hall. Even the outer rings seemed to relax; laughter and clinking cups followed as the feast truly began.

Meat was passed, horns of ale poured, and roasted scents filled the air.

A few minutes later, Varek leaned closer. His tone was lowered so only Kaiden and his group could hear.

His eyes slid toward Naira, lingering openly on her dusky skin and the way her modest tribal wrap hugged her shape. "I have a gift for you, Kaiden Grey. Something… I think you will like."

Kaiden met his eyes in silence and sighed inwardly once again.

It seemed that Varek was intent on making his life harder than it had to be.

...

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