Eve jolted as one of her illusions heard the shout. What lousy timing, she thought, focusing her attention. She quickened her pace and entered the tribal encampnt. The six guards paid her no mind, [Scotomization] forcing them to unconsciously reject her presence. Their imdiate mory was rewritten, preventing them from seeing or rembering her.
Inside the camp, a child mounted on a pack animal stared at her. Ève grimaced, realizing she had been spotted. [Scotomization] had prioritized the guards to avoid awkward questions. Priam’s yell had shattered her focus, allowing the child to catch a glimpse of her. Kids could focus on strange things, and she happened to be Eve's focus. If she talks to , I'm done...
Reluctantly, Ève began to summon her aether.
"Tymile, look ahead or you'll fall!"
Her mother's call diverted the child's attention, and she turned with a clownish grace. Ève sighed in relief. She wouldn't have to trap the child in an illusion. At that age, the long-term consequences could be dramatic.
What am I saying... What kind of hypocrite worried about a child's brain developnt just before committing an act of terrorism?
The young woman continued on her way, all the while thinking about Priam. Was there a problem? As a fanatic following Sumstreh's orders, his issues probably involved the Fallen. If she failed to resolve them, her head would roll.
Yet, she couldn't join him right now. She had an attack to carry out, and the eting of the Chiefs of the three tribes was the only ti she could act. After that, the Tier 4s would disperse in the camp, making infiltration much more challenging. Her Talents, Titles, rits, and skills synergized to erase her presence, but a Tier 4's Domain could detect her.
At their level, their ntal attributes were sufficient to know the identity of every tribe mber. An outsider like Ève, even disguised, would stand out instantly.
Quickening her pace, a fresh boar carcass on her shoulder, Ève continued down one of the main arteries of the camp. Around her, hundreds of tribespeople strolled, regularly exchanging dark glances. Now that their journey was over, and the most dangerous creatures were behind them, tensions were rising. Under the haughty gaze of the proud Aelbes, the strong Gaeserts despised the cunning Snaherts.
The grand alliance would soon co to an end.
With her face painted with Aelbes marks and her features slightly altered by her illusions, Ève looked straight ahead, passing by two Gaeserts won. The elder one wore leather and bone armor crafted by a master artisan. The materials were from a powerful beast, indicating she was a huntress. The younger one was clad in plant-based fabric and sported multicolored feathers and magical beads. The absence of calluses on her hands revealed she was an apprentice apothecary.
The fighter didn't spare Ève a glance, busy calming the frustrated teenager.
"Laepa, let at least search for so antidote among the local plants. The Snaherts will poison us when it's ti to choose the best settlent location!"
"Certainly not. There are millions of corrupted outside; you'd get torn apart. And watch your words; we are still allies."
"Not for long," the teenager spat. "Old rivalries are resurfacing."
"Nonsense. The opinion of the powerful is the only one that matters."
"If two youths kill each other, the Chiefs won't be able to contain the clan's wrath. Sooner or later, it will explode."
Eve wholeheartedly agreed. She had been studying the tribes for days, learning their language, customs, and habits. Only a spark was needed to ignite a war. And I could be that spark.
The huntress sighed loudly. "That's enough, Gabrielle. I'll go fetch herbs while visiting the Champions. You find Broli and pacify his friends. The Chiefs are discussing a peaceful way to choose our future territories, and they wouldn't be pleased if a kid ruined everything."
Gabrielle sniffed. "The day the Snaherts choose a peaceful outco, I'll kiss a dragon’s ass."
"Language!"
Eve left the two tribeswon behind and ventured on her right, into the Gaesert quarter. She had long thought about her target. The attack ordered by Sumstreh was ant to divide the tribes. Using poison, the Snaherts' weapon, to reach the Gaeserts was the idea she had settled on. In the long run, the political consequences would be the most interesting.
Passing by a large tent, Ève heard youthful laughter. A nursery... The most effective way to trigger a war was to target children, but she refused. Sumstreh controlled her life, not her thoughts. If she stooped to massacring kids, she would have to bear that weight on her conscience.
Selling Sphinx and Priam was tough enough without adding to it. Their sacrifice had been necessary, but Ève still had remorse.
Resuming her journey, she soon reached a large tent. The sll of blood and the shouts of the cooks left no doubt; she had found the kitchens. Placing the boar in front of a surprised apprentice, she smiled.
"A gift."
"This is the Gaesert ss hall, not the Aelbes'," he said respectfully. The marks on Eve's face designated her as a Tier 2 huntress—not too powerful to be recognized, not too weak to be easily accosted.
"One of your warriors saved my life during the journey. A gift to thank your fighters."
Instantly, the apprentice chef puffed up his chest. If the Aelbes were the most powerful, the Gaeserts were the most united. The glory of one reflected on the entire clan.
"I'll prepare it personally," smiled the teenager.
"Very well, but it's for your warriors. I treated it against necro-corruption, but one can never be too cautious."
The apprentice nodded, and Ève hoped he would listen. She didn't want the soul of a teenager weighing on her conscience.
Leaving behind a boar poisoned to the bone, Ève hurried to leave the camp. The First was waiting.
Status:
PHYSICAL:
Strength 557
Constitution 860
Agility 552
Vitality 840
Perception 714
NTAL:
Vivacity 505
Dexterity 587
mory 385
Willpower 1 028 ( 30)
Charisma 631 ( 16)
TA:
ta-affinity 430 ( 4)
ta-focus 350
ta-endurance 354
ta-perception 221 ( 7)
ta-chance 230
ta-authority 33
Potential: 5 268 ( 9)
Tier 0
Sun points: 115 031 ( 53 689)
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRID.
[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Ti: 164 days 21 hours 34 minutes 43 seconds.
Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200
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