The tense nerves of everyone eased slightly as the safety of Astra, Ardis, and the cubs increased with the newly added members.
That night, Sylas and Kaeris took over the duty of watching the fire.
Sorin, however, was overwhelmed with work, arranging patrols, defusing fights, and handling countless other matters. He barely had time to rest. Every day, hunting groups were sent out, bringing back prey that was then dried and stored.
Soon, the final day of the caravan arrived.
The number of stalls had decreased, and everyone dressed in their finest clothes. The atmosphere was festive.
People walked around in groups, chatting and laughing. Beastmen prepared food, cooking in large clay pots. Piles of wood were gathered in advance, ready for the huge bonfire that would be lit at night.
As evening fell, the bonfire was finally lit.
Large leaves were arranged in a circle around the fire for the females. All of them wore flower crowns, even the smaller cubs.
Astra and Ardis also wore flower crowns as they headed toward the bonfire. Astra was dressed in her favorite fur dress, her tail swaying excitedly.
Some beastmen began beating drums, producing deep, rhythmic sounds. Ardis was wrapped around Astra's waist, her eyes sparkling as she looked around in excitement.
The leader of the caravan, a lion beastman, personally handed bowls of alcohol to the females.
Astra drank a little, her face turning slightly red. She held Kaela's hand, and on her other side was a dark-haired female. Everyone was smiling.
The females formed a large circle around the fire and began to dance to the rhythm of the drums. Even those who had only recently gained human forms joined in, awkwardly following the adults.
They swayed their bodies as they moved around the bonfire. Everything looked beautiful.
At the final, faster beat of the drums, each female took a handful of dried flowers and herbs. With a silent wish in their hearts, they threw them into the fire.
Then, tired but happy, they sat back down on the large leaves. Even Ardis had her own little leaf. Their faces were lightly flushed, eyes shining with joy.
Soon, beastmen began serving food to the females in clay bowls and on large leaves used as plates.
Meat was roasted over the bonfire, filling the air with a rich aroma. Food and drink stalls reopened, and everyone ate and drank freely.
There was laughter everywhere, along with playful banter and teasing.
Eventually, pieces of wood were removed from the bonfire, letting it slowly die out. One by one, people began returning to their huts.
Ardis, however, had secretly drunk some alcohol while no one was paying attention. She lay limply on Aeron's shoulder, unable to move properly.
Aeron lightly scolded her, though his tone was helpless rather than angry.
Astra returned to the hut with her family. It was more crowded now with the new members, but since they would soon be leaving on their journey, no one complained. They accepted the warmth and closeness of it all.
Ardis woke up the next day feeling dazed. Without thinking much, she slithers out of her room, the small hole Sylas had made for her.
She saw Aeron talking with Varos. Slowly, she moved toward him and wrapped herself around his leg.
Aeron sighed helplessly and picked her up, placing her on his shoulder."As I said, I'll go for an evening hunt," he told Varos, who nodded.
Astra came out, yawning, looking a little listless."You should have slept more," Aeron said. Ardis was already asleep again on his shoulder, snoring lightly. Was it even possible for a snake to snore?
Astra leaned her head against Varos."I feel so tired," she mumbled.
Borin entered the hut carrying some wood and heard her."Wait, I'll make a bed for you where the sun is shining," he said.
He spread a large bear fur on the floor in a sunny spot. It felt strange to see a bear laying down another bear's skin.
Astra nodded. Seeing Ardis, she carefully took her into her arms. After lying down, she transformed into a fox.
"Bring the cubs too. It feels warm and nice," she said, enjoying the morning sunlight.
Ardis lay flat on the fur, also enjoying the warmth. Varos brought the sleeping cubs and placed them beside her.
Since they were traveling, the cubs' learning had stopped until they reached the Great Cliff Mountain.
As the name suggested, the Great Cliff Mountain was surrounded by towering mountains, unlike the flat plains they lived on now. At its center stood a massive cliff, where legends said a great battle between two Divine Beasts had once occurred.
Both had perished in the end.One was said to have been pushed down the cliff.The other died from fatal injuries.
Another meeting was being held inside a hut.
A map made from animal skin lay spread across the table.
"The most important thing is whether we will unite the tribes or not," the Eagle Chief said."If we do, who will be the chief? If not, how will the territory be divided?"
"For the cold season — at least until we understand the situation there — I think we should stay together," the Wolf Chief said, studying the map.
"I agree," the Snake Chief said calmly. "It has been too long. We don't know what changes may have occurred."
"Yes. Some tribes might already exist there," the Tiger Chief added. "We can only decide after reaching the place."
"How many are leaving with us?" Sorin asked. "We need to know how large a territory we'll need."
"Give me the lists," the Snake Chief said, collecting them.
After calculating, he spoke.
"Two thousand five hundred forty-nine beastmen. One hundred twenty adult females. Fifty young females. One thousand four hundred fifty-five are staying or leaving with the caravan."
"That's more than I expected," the Eagle Chief said, frowning.
"It's fine," the Snake Chief replied indifferently. "We don't even know how many will survive the journey."
The Eagle Chief shot him a glare.
"Now," the Tiger Chief said, cutting in, "we need to discuss the positioning of the beastmen."
That sentence landed like a bomb. The elders, who stood like statues behind their respective chiefs, suddenly stepped forward and began shouting.
They hurled curses, argued loudly, and some hot-headed elders even threw punches.