Arthur instantly understood Kopi's meaning: they were all relatives, so internal marriage was not possible.
He hadn't expected these wildlings to have such a strange moral standard in this inexplicable area… He looked at Brin and casually asked: "Brin, would you be willing to marry his daughter?"
Brin looked up, his eyes wide, his voice deep and hoarse: "My Lord, my wife and children are dead.
I will never marry again in this life.
I have only one purpose for living: revenge."
Arthur nodded, indicating understanding.
His gaze then turned to Rosso on the other side: "Rosso, are you married?"
This question was like a spark, instantly igniting the dignity of Rosso, this middle-aged knight.
His face instantly flushed crimson, not from shyness, but from anger and humiliation.
He suddenly stood up, looking at Arthur with shock, as if he had heard the most incredible insult in the world: "My Lord!"
"Although I do not have my own fiefdom, I am a knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a nobleman, who has been knighted!"
"How could I!!… How could I marry a female wildling who eats raw meat and drinks blood like an animal!!!"
Kopi also jumped up suddenly.
He was already embarrassed by the rejection, and Rosso's words were undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire: "What did you say!"
He pointed at Rosso's nose and roared: "You damned Flatlanders sheep! Dare to challenge Kopi, son of Gern, to a duel!
I'll show you if a wildling's fist is harder than your tin can!"
Rosso was not to be outdone, his hand already on his sword hilt: "Come and try it! You shameless traitor to your own people!"
"Enough!" Arthur whispered, his voice not loud.
Silence instantly fell by the bonfire.
Rosso and Kopi glared at each other, their chests heaving violently, but under Arthur's authoritative gaze, both moved away and sat down.
Kopi, seeing his plan for marriage alliance completely fall through, was somewhat anxious.
With twenty-odd burdens remaining, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of a brilliant idea, and he jumped in front of Arthur again.
He spoke eagerly, wanting to cast off the burden: "Chieftain! Leader!"
"Since you are unwilling to marry my daughter, let's try another way! My daughter is very strong, very strong! Many strong men in our tribe are no match for her!"
"Female warriors of the tribe are no less than men! Let her and the female warriors of our tribe be your bodyguards! They are absolutely loyal, absolutely brave!"
This suggestion actually sparked a bit of interest in Arthur.
He had witnessed the ferocity, brutality, and fearlessness of wildling warriors.
Although they were women, a personal guard composed of them would be a good choice.
"Bring her for me to see." Arthur nodded in agreement.
Kopi excitedly ran off, and soon returned to the bonfire with a tall figure.
When that figure emerged from the shadows into the firelight, even Arthur couldn't help but widen his eyes and take a deep breath.
What an exaggerated woman.
A female wildling at least 1.8 meters tall, with distinct facial features, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eyes that gave her a unique exotic beauty.
She lacked the common stockiness and plumpness of the wildling women Arthur had seen, instead possessing bronze-colored skin that glowed with a healthy luster in the firelight.
Her limbs were long and powerful, her muscles lean and graceful, full of explosive power, like a leopard poised to strike, full of untamed wildness.
Arthur subconsciously wanted to blurt out to Kopi, son of Gern: "Is this really your biological daughter?"
Brin also looked at the woman with some shock; he had never seen such a tall woman in Westeros.
Only Rosso still curled his lip in disdain, muttering: "Still just a wildling who eats raw meat and drinks blood."
Arthur ignored him.
He looked at the female warrior and asked: "Are you willing to be my bodyguard?"
The female warrior looked at Arthur, her eyes showing no fear, merely nodding without speaking.
Kopi, seeing this from the side, awkwardly rubbed his hands and added: "Chieftain, my daughter… she cannot speak."
Arthur scrutinized her again.
A mute?
Sometimes, being mute might even be an advantage.
He made a decisive choice: "Very well."
"These twenty tribal female warriors, from today on, will be my guard."
After discussing a few more matters, Kopi, beaming with joy, departed with Rosso and Brin.
With the tribe's population now greatly increased, there was no shortage of people, so being able to get rid of the burden of these marriageable tribal women who couldn't be traded or married off was a great thing.
It was late at night.
The noisy camp finally fell completely silent, with only the footsteps of patrolling soldiers and the night calls of animals from the distant mountains.
Arthur sat alone in his tent.
He slowly spread out his right hand, his gaze intently fixed on his palm.
The surrounding air seemed to show a barely perceptible distortion.
The next second, a bright flame, rising out of nowhere in his palm, quietly danced, illuminating his stern face with alternating light and shadow.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"