Where there’s fire, there are people because no other animals can make a fire except humans. Of course, there are exceptions like will-o’-the-wisps and other mysterious phenomena. But who would be lighting a fire here at a time ?
Looking at the light not too far away, Mao thought, calculating. There wasn’t a tribe at that place. He was sure of it.
"Let's go check it out,” Mao decided after eating some dried meat and a little snow, resting briefly. He had no plans to set up camp or make a fire here for a hot meal because lighting a fire would alert those people. If those people were as sinister as the Flying Snake tribe, things could get ugly. After all, they only had five people total, exhausted and hungry. This area was open, and bypassing it to rest elsewhere would waste much time, which was not what Mao wanted to see.
After thinking, he quietly approached the light to check the situation. After years of experience, especially after being followed and ambushed by the Flying Snake tribe, Mao had become much more cautious.
The group quietly approached the light, moving cautiously as they got closer, making smaller and smaller movements. Around the fire were four people roasting, their faces indistinct in the flickering light but feeling vaguely familiar.
Mao's heart skipped a beat with a possible thought. But he quickly suppressed it because the Divine Child tribe wouldn’t know their troubles. Why would there be members of his tribe here now?"
His urgent desire to get closer to see intensified even as he thought that. 'Crack~' A dead branch covered by snow was broken underfoot by one of them, making a sound not loud enough for those by the fire to hear.
Mao's relief turned to panic as a strange, eerie wolf howl echoed from a distance, and several black shapes leaped toward them.
"They were from the tribe!"
The harsh cold and snowstorm hadn’t subdued them; their emotions were overwhelming, almost bringing them to tears. The sudden reaction of the dogs made the sentry, Third Senior Brother, and the others alert. They quickly rose, three with their bronze weapons running toward the direction of the dogs rushing. Third Senior Brother, who lagged a bit, already had his bow out, an arrow nocked, and ready. Once he had the target, he prepared to let it fly if there was danger.
However, the next scene caused the Third Senior Brother to pause in disbelief. The fierce dogs that had charged fiercely toward those people not far from the tents suddenly changed their call, now making that familiar sound they reserved for encounters with familiar faces.
"Is that you? Is that you, Mao?"
Third Senior Brother recognized the voice in shock…
The quiet camp was suddenly filled with activity. Everyone gathered around the newly arrived Mao and his group, bombarding them with questions.
"When you didn’t return, the Divine Child thought you were in danger, so he sent us to bring you back…"
"We thought you were gone, we were so worried… The Divine Child even wanted to come himself…"
"We all drank the Green Sparrow wine together. We’re all from the same tribe. The Divine Child said, people from the same tribe should help each other; when a tribesman is in danger, others should lend a hand…"
After asking about what had happened with Mao's group, the people who had come with the Senior Brother began to talk with them. Meanwhile, someone cooked a meal in a pot filled with dried meat and other provisions.
"Drink some of this to warm up…"
The Eldest Senior Brother handed Mao a small flask, urging them to take turns drinking a bit since it would still take some time for the food to be ready.
Mao and his group, who had been holding back tears, finally couldn’t help but let them fall. The feeling of being cared for was overwhelming, and seeing people from the tribe was indescribable. All the panic, anxiety, and fear of death from before vanished. At that moment, all they felt was immense peace.
Because they knew they were no longer alone. Their dangers, their burdens, these people would share them. Not abandoning anyone!
So this is what a tribe is!
This feeling was something they had never experienced before in their original tribe…
After eating, Mao and his group rested briefly. Before they could get comfortable, they were already discussing leaving that night to find Shang.
The Eldest Senior Brother thought about it momentarily but disagreed. First, night travel would be too cold and dimly lit, which was unsafe. Second, after a day of hurried travel, they had only just rested and would be too tired to continue. Third, Mao told him that Shang's group had enough food to last until tomorrow evening."
Considering the distance, if they both pressed on, they would likely meet around midday tomorrow, so there was no need to rush.
"You guys get some sleep. We’ve got this," the Eldest Senior Brother said firmly, patting them on the shoulders and directing them to a nearby snow hut for rest.
Lying in the snow hut, Mao and the other four trade team members quickly drifted into a deep, restful sleep. It was their most peaceful and secure sleep since leaving the tribe for trade.
Because they had many fellow tribesmen around them, who would guard them, fend off danger…
"The next morning, after eating breakfast, the Senior Brother and others followed the tracks Mao and his group had left behind the day before continuing. As long as they followed the tracks, they would find Shang’s group."
"Mao and his group sat on the sleds, pulled by the reindeer, watching the others trudge through the snow. Mao felt a warm sense of anticipation. They will be in for a big surprise when they finally meet Shang!"
Early in the morning, Shang and his group also set out. Shang's group was far more depleted than the well-rested and cheerful demeanor of the Eldest Senior Brother's group. Some didn’t want to get out of the snow huts, only being dragged out by Shang’s firm commands."