The grand hall of the Chakma Clan council was quiet, except for the soft murmurs of the elders. Each one's eyes flicked to the report in front of them — the boy, Pramit Chakma, had appeared outside the clan without a permit, and the verification orb had briefly shown multiple symbols.
The elders exchanged glances.
"This… cannot be ignored," one said finally. "But…" He frowned. "It is impossible. No one carries multiple clan symbols. Perhaps there is a fault in the orb."
Another elder nodded. "It is… unusual. But unusual does not mean dangerous. We have too many false alarms already."
A third elder leaned back, tapping the table. "What do the guards report?"
"Confirmed: the boy carried no pass, no merchant card, and traveled through the teleportation array from outside," the captain replied. "He has a companion — one Lyria, who escorted him."
The council fell silent.
Finally, the eldest spoke. "Very well. We will conduct a brief inquiry to verify the facts. If there is no deception, no threat, the boy and his companion may move freely within the clan."
A clerk quickly summoned them. Lyria and Pramit were escorted to a smaller chamber.
"Your names and identities?" the elder asked calmly.
Pramit yawned, stretching lazily. "Pramit. And that's my friend. I like to sleep."
Lyria groaned, muttering, "Please don't say that in front of the elders."
The elders exchanged another look. Then, after a short discussion, they nodded.
"Very well," the eldest said. "There seems to be no trickery. Issue them proper travel cards — silver cards for freedom within the clan. Let them walk as they please, but keep an eye on them."
The clerk quickly prepared the cards, stamping them with the clan seal.
Pramit took his card, looked at it for two seconds, and immediately pocketed it."Mm… useful. Now, can I sleep?"
Lyria slapped his back lightly. "You almost caused a political incident, and all you think about is napping!"
Pramit smiled faintly. "Mm… peace is more important."
The elders shook their heads, muttering among themselves.Strange boy… but harmless… for now.
With the silver cards stamped and their permissions confirmed, Pramit and Lyria finally stepped out into the heart of the Chakma city.
The streets were wide and lined with stone buildings, banners bearing the golden-and-silver clan symbol fluttering in the wind. Soldiers patrolled casually, and merchants shouted over the hum of city life.
"See?" Lyria said, nudging him. "Now you can go anywhere in the city. But don't get into trouble."
Pramit yawned. "Mm… anywhere, huh? Good. Let's see… maybe a soft bench somewhere…"
Lyria groaned. "I swear, if you fall asleep in a busy square again, I'll drag you myself."
But Pramit was already halfway down the street, eyes half-closed, walking like he owned the place.
At the first food stall, his nose twitched. A fresh smell of roasted meat. He paused, unashamed."Food," he said simply.
Before Lyria could protest, he grabbed a skewer, bit into it, and sat cross-legged on the sidewalk. People stared. Some chuckled. Others whispered, "Isn't that Pramit Chakma? From outside the city?"
A small child approached curiously. Pramit offered the skewer without hesitation."Want some?" he said lazily.The child nodded, and within seconds, Pramit had shared half his snack.
Meanwhile, Lyria's patience was wearing thin."Do you even know where you're going?" she snapped.Pramit yawned, leaning against a stall. "Mm… somewhere soft."
As they walked further, Pramit's casual presence started drawing attention. Soldiers whispered to each other. Merchants peeked around corners. Somehow, even though he seemed harmless and sleepy, the aura around him felt… unusual.
A guard leaned over to another."Keep an eye on him. Something about that boy… it doesn't feel normal."
Pramit, of course, remained oblivious. He sniffed the air again, stretching dramatically."Mm… maybe a nap under that tree," he muttered.
Lyria groaned, muttering under her breath. "I'm going to lose my mind babysitting this 'dangerous hero.'"
And so, Pramit wandered freely in the Chakma city, eating, napping, and leaving a trail of subtle confusion behind him — blissfully unaware that the clan's eyes were quietly following his every move.