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Chapter 25: Gedhe\'s will

In the middle of the crumbled village, snow covered a quaint and simple wooden house, that had its walls partially torn down, allowing the residents to see through the rough-hewn planks that braved the harsh and endless cold for years. Miraculously, the thick thatch of interwoven straw and reeds managed to withstand the rampage of the Winter Orcs, offering the residents a somewhat warm and cozy interior that was reinforced by a fire pit in the middle of the house.

Inside the house, Henry, Luther, Gedhe, and a seasoned barbarian with scars crisscrossing his body, gathered around the fire pit. The king\'s sharp eyes studied the old man, noting the faint tattoos on his arms. The retired hunter was the eldest among the barbarians, who now oversaw all the community\'s rituals, like a priest. In sum, although he wasn\'t the strongest, he held a great influence over the workforce that Henry deeply needed.

While Henry was studying the old man, the latter was equally observing him. The young man in front of him, in his early twenties, sat on the ground with him and Gedhe but an overwhelming and authoritative aura filled the house. The old man couldn\'t tell if it was due to the white-haired soldiers behind the young man, whose hand rested on his sheathed sword, or the king himself, who wore a friendly and welcoming smile.

Henry reached for a small wooden branch lying nearby and began to stir the embers in the fire pit, causing the flames to dance and grow brighter.

"I don\'t wish to stretch this conversation, since I don\'t have much time to waste in these frozen lands" – Henry calmly began, his eyes resting on Gedhe and the old man – "I plan on bringing your people under my throne and become my people. This offer is not restricted to your village, but all the barbarian tribes residing in this forest. It\'s an opportunity to move to more hospitable lands."

The long-lived man could be considered the one with the most knowledge on the Common Language among the barbarians. He was the one who taught Gedhe, the current leader, and the leaders of the other tribes. He was a priest and a teacher.

"We refuse!" - The old man firmly stated, his expression unyielding. He was a man who refused to betray his ancestors by aligning himself with their long-standing enemies. - "For generations, we have sought to leave these lands, but your people have consistently prevented and blocked our way out. Your forces have murdered our mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, trapping us here to suffer and die. We had no other options but to abandon our young children in the forest to die or grow stronger."

The old man was about to get up and split the young man\'s head, but Gedhe\'s powerful hand kept him in place. Gedhe murmured some incomprehensible words in his hears, making the man calm down. However, fury was still present in his eyes, which alternated between Henry and Luther, who was ready to kill him.

Henry didn\'t mind the old man\'s words as he continued to stir up the fire. He knew that he would still face some resistance.

"I sympathize with your feelings, truly"- Henry calmly said – "However, I don\'t see a way out of this situation. Your army has been completely defeated by us, leaving you without enough hunters and warriors to provide and protect your village. In fact, if not for my aid, your tribe wouldn\'t be here right now."

"I have brought half of the survivors as an act of good faith. I don\'t wish to cultivate the sentiment of vengeance anymore, but a sentiment of union between Stahl and the barbarians" – Henry stated as he threw the piece of kindling into the fire and got up while looking directly at Gedhe – "I am giving you and the other tribes a choice to survive, to maintain your rituals and freedom. Because Stahl can\'t continue to exist with a threat near its borders. I hope you take this chance."

After those words, Henry, accompanied by Luther, stepped out of the partially wooden house, ignoring the hostile gaze aimed at his back. He knew that nothing he said would change the old man\'s mind. He was too deep inside the well of hatred and proud. In the end, Gedhe was the leader of this tribe, the one to decide which side they would stand.

Gedhe emerged from the dwelling shortly after, alone and with hands shaking uncontrollably. Disgust and guilt were evident in his eyes as he walked past Henry and approached those who were collecting the bodies.

"Great choice" – Henry commented with a satisfied smile.

-x-

In the span of three days, Henry, Luther, and Gedhe visited seven tribes, two of which were already in ruins, reduced to nothing but desolate wooden homes. The residents killed by the attack of wild beasts.

"It\'s time for us to return and settle them."- Henry thought, surveying the three thousand people who had been following him, all carrying whatever they could to survive the harsh conditions of the Frozen Forest and to settle in their new home.

Henry could see a mix of emotions in their eyes, but the most common was fear, present in the women, elderly, children and men. They were afraid of the soldiers surrounding them and afraid of their destiny. They had been taken away from their home in a hurry, convinced by Gedhe\'s talk and knowing that they had no way to survive without powerful hunters and soldiers.

"It was faster than I thought. Right?" – Henry asked, turning to look at Luther who silently nodded. – "Luckily, we didn\'t come across a huge tribe of Orcs or the Death Spider\'s nest."

"Indeed, my Liege!" – Luther answered with a relieve tone.

"Now, let\'s go home! We have work to do."