Blood Pact

"We've arrived, Avarosa Tribe."

Even Tryndamere, far to the east, had heard of the Avarosa's name.

This tribe had recently risen to prominence, their reputation spreading far and wide.

Their leader, Ashe, inherited the will of Avarosa, one of the Frost Sisters from ten thousand years ago, attracting many to join them. The tribe's size had already surpassed a hundred people.

"Will they accept us?" Rugg looked at the flourishing new tribe, comparing it to his own dwindling one, feeling a strong sense of disparity.

"I'll go talk to them first. You all wait here."

Tryndamere tidied his appearance slightly, trying not to look so down-and-out. He slung his long saber across his back, preparing for potential conflict, and slowly walked towards the village.

At the village entrance, a short man with a beard reaching his chest, a smith, noticed Tryndamere approaching.

He was first shocked by Tryndamere's robust physique. With a wary expression, he stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? What business do you have with the Avarosa Tribe?"

At the same time, a shadow slipped into the village while the smith and Tryndamere were talking. With an agile leap, it climbed onto the roof of a house.

"The show is about to begin." Ato completely concealed his presence. "You can't see me, you can't see me."

Tryndamere used his prepared speech. "My tribe suffered a devastating blow. Less than ten of us survived. We wish to join the Avarosa Tribe and are willing to contribute our strength."

The smith frowned. "So you wish to join us. But this is not something I can decide. The War Mother must make the judgment."

"I will report to the War Mother. Have your people wait at the village entrance. You are very lucky; the War Mother just returned from a Hunt."

With that, the smith entered the village, heading straight for the largest house in the center. Tryndamere, as instructed, called the other survivors and brought the three large carts of meat to the village entrance.

Just then, five people emerged from the village, followed by many curious onlookers.

Among the five, four were relatively strong young men from the tribe, though slightly less imposing than Tryndamere.

In stark contrast to the strong young men was the somewhat slender woman in the middle.

She had exquisite features, with long white hair neatly tied to both sides. A blue cloak with a hood was draped over her shoulders, and on her back was a transparent, crystal-like longbow that emanated a faint chill.

She regarded Tryndamere with a scrutinizing gaze, and he likewise appraised her.

"Just because I glanced at you in the crowd..." Ato, hidden in the shadows, smacked his lips, excited by the prospect of a good show.

Tryndamere took two steps forward and, in his tribe's custom, clenched his right fist to his chest, bowed slightly, and greeted the woman, "Greetings, respected War Mother. We are..."

"Kurk has already told me. You wish to join the Avarosa Tribe?" the woman said with an ethereal voice. Kurk was the bearded smith from earlier.

"Yes, we are willing to fight for the Avarosa. This food is our sincerity; we are willing to share it with the Avarosa people." Tryndamere gestured to the three carts of wild boar meat behind them.

"So much food? If smoked into jerky, it will be enough for the tribe to eat for a month! This will be a great help in surviving the winter!" a surrounding villager exclaimed.

The four burly men offered no opinion. It wasn't the first time someone had joined them; such decisions were always made by the War Mother.

The War Mother was naturally kind and never refused anyone, usually agreeing to their requests.

But this time, the War Mother's gaze remained fixed on the barbarian leading the group, not even glancing at the food behind him.

Tryndamere felt extremely uncomfortable.

The War Mother had been staring at him since they arrived at the village entrance. He felt uneasy that she hadn't responded to his introduction.

Could she be refusing us entry into the tribe?

The atmosphere fell into silence.

Suddenly, the War Mother, Ashe, as if having made up her mind, walked up to Tryndamere, close enough to feel each other's breath.

She looked up at Tryndamere, who was much taller than her, and said in a level tone, "If you wish to join the Avarosa Tribe, you must agree to one condition."

"What condition?" At such close proximity, Tryndamere's heart pounded, but he didn't shy away from Ashe's gaze.

Ashe said, word by word, "Become my Blood Pact."

Boom!

Tryndamere's mind exploded.

Recalling his knowledge of Blood Pacts, he felt at a loss.

In Freljord, women were the core of a tribe, and the vast majority of tribal leaders were women.

A woman could form a family with multiple men, and her male partners were called Blood Pacts.

Like Ashe's mother, Grelna, who had five Blood Pacts.

For a female leader, Blood Pacts were both a means to bear offspring and warriors to defend the tribe.

As for how much genuine affection they had for their Blood Pacts, it varied from person to person.

"Hehehe... hehehe..." Ato, hidden on the rooftop, couldn't help but laugh. "This ship sailing is such a beautiful thing!"

While Tryndamere was still in a daze, the four tribal youths who had come out with Ashe widened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.

"No, War Mother, you've never accepted me as your Blood Pact, why choose this barbarian you've just met?"

"What's so special about him? Please believe me, War Mother, let me be your Blood Pact, and our tribe will become even stronger!"

"I can't understand, War Mother. You know my feelings, I will protect the Avarosa and you with my life!"

Ashe turned around, her expression cold, and said, "Who I choose as my Blood Pact is not for you to decide!"

"I promise you." Tryndamere's firm and powerful voice reached her ears.

Ashe turned again, only to find Tryndamere wasn't looking at her, but at his own tribesmen.

Tryndamere had hesitated earlier. Once one became a leader's Blood Pact, they would lose many things, like freedom and dignity, and could not do anything to betray the leader or the tribe, or they would face the most severe punishment.

However, looking at the expectant eyes of his tribesmen, he knew he had to make a choice.

Ashe said softly, "Then I welcome you, New Citizens of Avalosan."

"Please forgive me, War Mother, but I cannot accept this." A young man stepped forward, drawing the great saber at his waist. "I still can't understand, what right does this barbarian have to become your Blood Pact!"

"Step down!" Ashe shouted loudly. "Are you going to disobey my orders?"

"It's alright." Tryndamere placed his broad palm on Ashe's shoulder, pulling her behind him. His gaze turned sharp. "They want proof of qualification, and I will show everyone."

"The four of you, come at me together."