As Anir led me back out of the cavern I could utter a single word. Even though he tried to hide it to a simmering heat, I knew that it was a crimson raging fire no amount of water could quench. Only blood could restrain such wrath but it was his disciple so they will most likely punish and imprison him. He didn’t say much and any animals or monsters fled as far from him as they could. As we reached the cavern entrance and firelight began creeping down the cave walls his steps sped up. Coming out I saw Catox in a prison of beautiful bars that almost looked like the night sky. Next to the starry cage, Adar stood with his hand on the handle of his sheathed sword. While Lotir watched us and seemed delighted at my survival but quickly turned warily towards Anir.

Lotir seemed to have a good reason to worry as within the next breath Anir had broken the cage and held Catox by the neck. Yet, no one made a move to stop him. Hoisting him higher in the air. Anir began his speech, shattering the silence.

“In case any of you may have also forgotten, I shall reiterate what it means to be part of my tribe and part of our clan.” As he spoke he would gesture with his hands, throwing Catox back and forth like a ragdoll. “We are a proud people. We are not cold-blooded like the lizardmen who hid in their swamps. We are not fickle like humans who sell out their own daily for just a little gold. Yet somehow it got into even my own disciple’s head that I wouldn’t find out when he chose to do both of those things.” He emphasized his last statement by showing the face of Catox to the gathered crowd of just over two hundred or so. Followed by slamming his face into the ground with a crack as the top layer of stone splintered. “We respect our brothers within the clan. We are warriors, not cowards. It is the greatest honor to fight and let your horns be seen by your foes. To display them in all their glory. However if one wishes to be like a human why don’t we help them.”

Until this, the crowd had remained silent but a great murmur had spread among them. After pointing at his large curved horns Anir used his free hand and grasped Catox’s left antler firmly. Seemingly having realized Anir’s intention Catox began to scream out in protest which turned to tears as a creaking slinked through the area. With a snap, half of the warriors among the audience looked away and the other seemed to feel part of Catox’s pain. When Anir reached for his other antler he lost all dignity crying out like a newborn. The ensuing snap seemed to make his will crumble as blood drizzled from the stumps. Anir spoke, “Now die like a bug.”

Anir gripped both of Catox’s shoulders and air swirled above their heads. As the air’s speed reached its pinnacle Catox was ripped cleanly in two just as his will had been not but a moment ago. While Lotir seemed uncomfortable with this whole thing he hadn’t interfered with another chief's business but finally tried to intervene with Anir’s next words.

“For my lacking as a teacher allowing my disciple to do such things I too must take responsibility for the shame he wrought.” As he gripped the tip of one of his own horns everyone went deadly silent. The elven chief finally spoke up “Anir, you can’t. We can guide them but it’s not your fault if one turns out bad”. Anir merely shook his head and said “The shame of the tribe is mine. A leader must represent the whole”. With a crackle, he had blunted one horn. The horn shard broke down into a cloud of red dust amongst the air and sunk through his pores.

After a minute for everyone to calm down, the sound of rushed feet hurried down the hall. Two hunters made an appearance. A boy with a long brown fox tail with two furred ears and a woman with blackened leather armor. It was hard to make out the details of her face the only other detail I saw was that her hair was up in a bun and a large longbow at her back. It felt as if this elf would vanish at all times.

The boy began to yell “Chief! We need…” before he finished Lotir had his mouth covered with his magic. “Zuzo, Alyon come with me. It will take a little before Anir is with us. Kane, Adar you two come as well.”

The boy who I will assume is Zuzo seemed to want to scream with all his might at the scene he now started to take in. However with the help of the silencing magic and the elven lady we got him to the war council room. Once inside Lotir told them that “Anir had punished his disciple for attempting to kill the newest clansman”. The woman Alyon understood and looked at me as if checking if I would be fit to be the new disciple. Zuzo however needed further explanation from Adar before he stopped his hateful stare. “Now that you are calm Zuzo, what were you going to tell your chief?”

“Yes! The humans are exploring the forest looking for the tree and any tribes they can find along the way. Alyon said she overheard something important they said” His voice was full of energy. Lotir breathed heavily before looking at Alyon for what she had to add to this unpleasant news.

“We had a mole among the scouts. We don’t anymore, but they are certain of the tree and of Anir”. She was very matter-of-fact and calm.

“How many of them are there?” Lotir asked warily.

“Scouts. A hundred or so.”

“And do we have any clue how long until the battalion marches in here?”

A piece of information I had heard but didn’t care enough about wormed its way into my mind. As soon as it revealed itself I spat it out “The new High King was supposed to be voted upon after the harvest ended. I heard one of the lord’s knights say that Wyley and Abeth were trying to take the crown. So we should have some time since they are likely to cause problems for Baatai as they always have. I only heard a bit and my village didn’t get any news so I don’t have anything certain.”

Lotir looked me in the eyes “well even a little time is good and plus, the essence of humans should assist your growth by a lot. They are very rich with it.”

That smile he gave me at the end was far too devious for an old man like him. It sent chills down my spine and brought my fur on edge.