Aeron ate slowly, then rested as he watched everyone else eating.
"Come with Grandpa. Let's spend some time together," the Snake Chief said with a smile, lifting Ardis and carrying her outside.
Ardis smiled, unaware of how much she would want to cry later.
Then, the training began.
"Move properly! Haven't I told you how you'll move faster?" the Snake Chief shouted as Ardis slithered quickly, already feeling tired.
"Good. Again—strike!" he said, his voice filled with excitement.
Ardis flipped her body upside down and bit into the hanging fur target.
After a while, she looked listless. She glanced at Aeron, but she couldn't speak.
Aeron held her tightly, his heart aching, yet he said nothing. He remembered his father's words.
'Do you know what happens to abducted females? Even if we want to spoil Ardis, we are about to face a dangerous journey. What if something happens? I want her to have the power to protect herself. Remember those females? They were powerless. In the wild, even if they escaped, where could they go? There is only one end—death.'
"Ardis, you will stay here until the journey begins. I'll return today," Aeron said, hugging her.
The Snake Chief had already sent someone to inform Astra, who agreed.
Ardis looked up in shock. Aeron gently explained, "You are smart. You know this training will help you."
Only Aeron knew how badly he wanted to stay. But he had responsibilities—preparing furs, gathering food, and collecting herbs for emergencies.
Ardis understood. She watched his back as he left, tears blurring his figure.
Don't worry, Daddy. I will train hard, she promised herself.
From that moment, her training became hell-level as if she pressed a weird button.
She learned survival skills, herb recognition, and combat. During the day, she trained until exhaustion. At night, she was once again a spoiled snakeling—getting massages and being fed meat.
Time flew by. Soon, it was time to gather at the main area where the chiefs would lead everyone.
Before sunrise, Ardis was lifted onto her grandmother's shoulder.
Only then did she realize how strong Sissira was.
Ardis had grown heavier and longer, as if she had gone through a growth spurt.
A large number of beastmen gathered as the chief announced the rules.
Priestesses could have four beast-husbands.Blessed females could have three.Non-blessed females could have two.Female cubs would stay with their fathers.
After checking on Ardis, Aeron finally smiled and stood beside Astra.
Kaeris, Varek, Varos, Borin, Ravik, and Sylas would rotate their duties. Only Sorin and Aeron would stay fixed—Sorin as Chief, and Aeron as Ardis' father.
The formation reflected hierarchy: priestesses in the center, followed by blessed females, then non-blessed ones.
Having a Chief in the family had its benefits—Ravik, Varos, and Borin stayed nearby.
Everyone transformed and began the long journey.
Chiefs were stationed throughout the group to maintain order. Beastmen carried massive bundles. In the sky, birds flew overhead with supplies.
Ardis was placed inside a fur pouch, only her head visible. Aeron carried her gently in his mouth.
At first, everything felt amazing. Then exhaustion slowly crept in.
When the sun grew harsh, a signal was given to rest.
Everyone gathered under shade. Females were escorted to wash areas. Guards reminded everyone to save water.
The cubs lay weakly after drinking.
Soon, the rest ended.
"No stopping until we reach the next camp," patrol beastmen called.
As evening came, fires were lit—but no meat was cooked. Beastmen ate raw meat and drank blood.
The night was cold.
Astra transformed into a fox, and Ardis curled against her warmth. Beastmen guarded the camp through the night.
Before sunrise, they were already moving again.
"We'll stop only at the river," the patrol announced.
The heat returned quickly.
Some groaned in protest.
"It's close. Just a little more." The patrol beastmen said.
Ardis watched the sweating beastmen carrying heavy loads. Some drank water then sped up, hoping to reach sooner.
I feel like I am one of those people in documentaries, she thought with a laugh. She could even hear the narrator.
Aeron, hearing her broken hiss-laugh, finally smiled too.
Soon, they reached the river.The beastmen first stored water. Only after that was everyone allowed to enter.
Ardis carefully swam around Aeron. Astra sat at the river's edge with only her legs in the water, while Sylas held the cubs back from going too far.
Suddenly, loud shouts rang out.
A horde of feral beastmen crashed into the camp, splitting into groups as they charged.
Varek transformed instantly. Astra was pulled deeper into the water. Kaeris and Sylas looked around vigilantly.
Astra clutched the cubs, and Ardis wrapped her tail around Astra's wrist.Aeron circled them protectively. The water was safer if the worst happened, Kaeris could carry Astra, Ardis, and the cubs away.
For the first time, Ardis witnessed a real battle.
It was brutal.
Beastmen were killing—and dying.
She could smell the blood, which made her feel like throwing up.
A boar beastman rushed toward them. Kaeris and Sylas attacked at once, while Varek and Aeron focused on defense.
The pressure eased as Varos, Borin, and Ravik arrived. Soon, Sorin joined with more beastmen, pushing the ferals back.
Ardis saw a female being dragged roughly by a feral beastman. She was bleeding, crying helplessly.
Thankfully, a team tackled the attacker and killed him.
Sorin quickly reorganized the group, placing cubs and females in the center while the beastmen formed a protective circle.
Cries and shouts echoed through the air.
At last, the battle ended. Some ferals fled, some were killed.
The injured were carried to the healers and priestesses.
Bodies were gathered. The dead were counted and buried.
"The total number of deaths is around fifty, including ten cubs," the Eagle Chief said heavily."No females were lost. Five are injured, and fifty more are seriously wounded."
Silence followed.
"Since we will be walking along the river, we can rest for only one day," the Snake Chief said. "We cannot afford delays."
"The injured will be carried by their families or beastmen," the Tiger Chief added. "If not claimed after one day, they will be left with food."
No one argued.The longer they stayed, the more dangerous it became.
The meeting ended in heavy silence.