Just as Stranger was about to pull the handle then he heard some voices from outside. He opened the door on ajar and looked through it. There he saw Thunder and another Steef; with larger horns than the Steef guardian and wore a light poncho over his shoulders. The Steef was a bit plump, but still very muscular and he had red-orange coloured eyes, that shined in the early morning dark.
- Stranger! What are you doing, the Grubb asked with a weird look on her face.
- Come and have a look at this, Stranger said as he beckoned for her.
- What is it? Oh, there was a pause, Stranger I think we’re about to say hello to the leader…
- That’s the leader Vivay? I thought he’d be much more evil looking than chubby, oh well can’t have right all time I guess.
- “Right all time?” you DON’T have right all time, nobody’s that perfect!
- Ah c’mon I jus’ played a joke, don’t get upset. But if that’s the leader then whose with him? I can barley see in this darkness... is it Thunder?
- I don’t know… he looks like, oh no…
- What?
- It is Thunder! But what is he doing?
- I’ve no clue, but whatever they’re up to, then we are not supposed to join ‘em. C’mon lets get dressed up and then we’ll see Vivay.
The Grubb Leader agreed and Stranger closed the door carefully, to be aware of that they shouldn’t hear.
Back at the hut…
Stormous had just woke up when he heard someone opened and closed the door.
- Stormous, a familiar voice said.
- Stranger is it you, Stormous asked as he went out from his room.
- Yes it’s my friend, and I said Stranger.
- Oh have you slept well? I was wondering if you ever would get up in time…
- In time for what, the Grubb Leader asked.
- In time to meet the leader and I’m going to show you the way to him.
- Meet the leader? When, Stranger asked with curiosity.
- As fast as we’ve got something to eat and got dressed up, then we might go to see him. But when I’m thinking you guys do have to get some clean clothes, don’t you? Thunder and I don’t have that many clothes, but I know someone who might be able to give you some.
- Thanks a lot Stormous; we really appreciate your hospitality and generosity, the Grubb said with happiness.
- You’re welcome guys, I jus’ want you to feel like home… oh and by the way where are you guys from anyway?
Stranger felt a lump of saliva in his throat and he felt warm, too warm and too unsure to answer. He saw Stormous painful look in his eyes and didn’t know how to began.
- Well, Stormous asked.
- Err… well, um…Stranger tried to speak, but then the Grubb took the lead and said:
- He’s from Alca’s tribe, which he first thought, was the only and the last Steef tribe in the whole world. But the tribe got terrorised and destroyed by some nasty Wolwarks and Stranger was the only one who survived the attack against them.
- Oh really… but that’s impossible!
- What do you mean, the Grubb asked.
- I knew that the tribe got destroyed… I was there when it all had stopped, together with my brother and Quizy.
- But how could you know? I mean why were you there, Stranger asked a bit confused.
- It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you the short version. Before Vivay and his brothers, Noka and Carak went separated ways then Noka and Vivay decided in secret that they still would see each other, by sending their messengers between the villages. And as time went, they decided to see the others as well, but still in secret. So they send their guardians to their brothers’ places and watched over them for a couple of days. Till the day we discovered that Alca’s tribe had been destroyed. We searched all over the village, but we didn’t find any survivors, only dead bodies. Some without their heads.
- Without their heads?
- Yes. The rumour says, that a guy named Sekto had send his men, the Wolwarks to get some of the bodies, but most of the bodies were to heavy for them so they decided to just take the heads, because of the horns sake. Other says that Alca himself became a host for the Oktigi. But who knows, it’s just rumours.
- An Oktigi, Stranger said with amazement.
- Yes an Oktigi…and I’m afraid that he still hunts us.
- Excuse me Stormous, but this Steef here has defeated the Sekto-demon’s forces and Sekto himself, so there’s no need to worry anymore, the Grubb said with comfort.
Stormous eyes went wide and looked at the young Steef with shock. Stranger didn’t say anything or didn’t smile; he just stood there looking at the older Steef, but with pride and relief in his chest. The Steef guardian stuttered:
- Y…You killed Sekto? And his armies? But you are just a young Steef, too young to make through that kind of adventure… how?
- Maybe I’m the only one who tried and succeeded, Stranger answered.
- You’re an odd fellow; you know that, Stormous asked as he grinned.
- Yeah I know and I guess I’ll be it the rest of my life, Stranger said as he smiled.
- Hrrm…well I guess you should be off now, getting new and clean clothes before seeing Vivay.
- Okay, but I don’t know the place yet can you help me find this guy?
- Of course, but don’t make any sounds, the inhabitants might still sleep.
- Sure, the Grubb said as she opened the door and went out.
~DS~
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