"Hmm... what an impoverished tribe! Although the Mountain Part is poor, at least they have herds of deer... But these Ainu Island tribes are as poor as those in the far north of the Northern Continent... Yet, we must be cautious, they're quite hostile, not friendly or hospitable at all!... "
Zuwaro soon found another makeshift "altar" beside the black bear. It was actually just a platform built with stones, without any emblems or statues of the Divine, nor any offerings of tribute. Yet, relying on his priestly intuition, he astutely identified it as an altar from the bones and traces of blood surrounding it!
"An altar that worships nature... not tied to fixed Divine, but everything possesses a spirit... or can all beco divine might for protection... "
Zuwaro squinted, recalling the beliefs in Ainu faith as told by Thousand Island Shell. Then, he shifted his gaze from the impoverished village to the gathered villagers. So of these villagers were wearing woven grass clothes, others rough furs, and there was no sign of any "cloth garnts". It seed there was no "cloth" in this village. Almost all of these villagers were males, both the young and old, brandishing Wooden Spears and Stone Spears, with a few Iron Spears whose origins were unknown...
"Without fabric, their clothes are only made of woven grass and furs... their tools are primarily stone and wood, lacking in copper and iron... but they manage to obtain ironware from surrounding tribes... Most are males, the won and children should be hidden away, or have gone to familiar, more inland tribes for safety... The entire tribe is very primitive, yet they seem quite accustod to skirmishes, with high vigilance... Hmm, the island is indeed not peaceful, there are bound to be many conflicts around! There must be larger and more formidable tribes surrounding this village!... "
From the details of his observation, Zuwaro made his judgnt once more. Finally, he looked at the leading Ainu chieftain. The chieftain wore a long garnt sewn from fishskin and a short hat made from deer hide, his face full of anger and unease.
"The divine might of the spirits of the sea protects our Fishskin village!... Why have you tribes from across the northern sea invaded our village territory?... We've already tolerated your fishing in our waters and hunting in our deer herds... But why do you bring your tribes' warriors to our camp? What more do you want to take? As you can see, we are an impoverished tribe, we have no surplus food, nor many furs to offer you!... "
Zuwaro furrowed his brows, trying hard to listen to the Ainu Language of the other party. Unfortunately, despite his linguistic talents and his efforts to learn basic Ainu Language, the other party spoke too fast and urgently, making it difficult to understand. Fortunately, with the help of Thousand Island Shell as the translator, who had been taught by him to understand so xica Language... Indeed, dual cultivation fosters mutual advancent...
"Chief Divine bless! The divine might of the ocean and storms protect us! We are the Sea Tribe from the Northern Thousand Islands, with no ill intentions, rely seeking to trade and resupply with you!... "
Thousand Island Shell's voice rang as clear as a nightingale. And with this familiar native accent, the expression of the Fish-skin chieftain finally eased sowhat. He kept a tight grip on his Iron Spear, vigilantly eyeing the fully ard over a hundred warriors, observing those whose appearances and physiques differed from the tribe, suspiciously asking.
"The divine might of the ocean and storms? From the North?... Are you tribes from the Thousand Islands?... "
"Indeed! We are tribes from the Thousand Islands, your friends, your long-lost brothers!... "
Hearing Zuwaro's blatant nonsense, the Fish-skin chieftain snorted in disdain. However, the opponent's force was too intimidating, making him consider that if the other party could be persuaded to leave, calling them brothers was no problem, even calling them father wouldn't be an issue.
"Ah! Our long-lost brother tribes from afar... we have no supplies to trade with you... Hmm... We could host you for a al, and give you all our furs!... "
"As for supplies... you'd better head west! At the far end of the Great Island to the west, there is a truly Great Tribe, vast and prosperous, surely possessing everything you desire!... "
User Comments
0 comments from readers