Chapter 81: Surprise.
Ayra didn’t leave her cave room after she got back with the cub. Not necessarily because she didn’t wish to leave at all, but the beastmen strangely didn’t let her leave at all.
While Ayra wanted to go out and get some meal for the cub, the beastmen were already standing outside with Commander Lynn.
"What do you want to get?"
"Eh... Some food...?"
"Don’t worry, rest in there. We’ll get it for you." And so they left to get it for her.
She would go back in. The same when she wanted to get some water and fruits for her and the cub.
Everything she wanted to get was gotten by them while they deliberately kept her inside. And Ayra could tell something was up.
She sat down in bed as she thought to herself. They were pretty much bad at acting so she knew they were keeping something from her by keeping her in there.
But she didn’t know what it could possibly be. "Are they trying to kill me?" She thought to herself as she stared at Ally.
Ally was just laying there, staring at her with big pretty eyes without saying anything. Soon, she smiled as she stretched out her hands to Ayra.
Ayra smiled back as she leaned in to play with her. "They couldn’t possibly do anything to this cutie."
---
Ayra stayed there till night when Lord Ash finally came inside to see her.
She stared at him. "Now you’re finally coming. Where did you leave for so long that you didn’t even come to visit?"
He smiled as he stared at her. He walked up to the cub, leaned closer to kiss Ally by the cheeks as he gently carried her in his arms. "Nothing really. I was just busy with work and all.. that’s it..."
But Ayra stared at him knowing that he was probably lying. She slowly nodded as she said, "Okay then.. let’s buy that at least."
Lord Ash had the cub in his hands with a smile as he said, "Okay then. I guess I’ve kept you in here for a long time now. Why don’t we go outside and take a stroll?"
Ayra smiled. She had a lot running through her mind as to what he could be up to. Or what they could all be up to. But she casually smiled with a nod as she said, "Okay then. Sure. Let’s go out on a stroll."
---
As Ayra walked out of the house with Ash, the guards stepped aside for them to walk past. They stood aside as the two of them walked through with little Ally in Ash’s hands.
Ash carried Ally so cautiously like one holding a breakable treasure. Holding it firmly while he moved as though any slight mistake she would fall off.
Ayra smiled. "Why are you holding her like some egg or something?" She asked with a smile as they strolled through the paths of the tribe.
The tribe looked ordinary that night. And strangely few people were actually outside. Few warriors were strolling around on patrol while some young teens were moving around in discussion.
While they walked past, they turned and stared at Ayra and Ash and then walked off almost immediately as though something had happened.
Ayra couldn’t help but wonder what was up with the awkward atmosphere. She guessed she couldn’t ask Ash because he certainly wouldn’t tell.
"I have to be careful so she doesn’t fall," Ash said with a smile while staring at Ally. "She looks so fragile and little, anything could make her fall."
She smiled as she shook her head. "If you say so." She watched him handle the cub with immense care. "First time holding a cub?"
He smiled as he said, "As long as I can remember.. yes.." he smiled, his eyes on the cub.
Ayra looked around with a deep sigh. "I wonder where everyone ran off to. What’s happening?" she stared at him. "Anything special?"
Ash shrugged. "I don’t know? Maybe they all went to sleep early?"
Ayra smiled as she shook her head. She definitely wasn’t believing that at all.
The two strolled for a while as she asked, "Where are we headed to?"
"Mmm.. somewhere. Somewhere fun," he smiled at her. "I have a surprise for you... And little Ally too."
Ayra slowly nodded as she followed along. "I see.. then I’m excited to see what it is."
---
Soon, they had arrived at their destination. At the other jurisdiction which Ayra couldn’t remember the last time she went to.
And as she stood there staring at what was before her, she was simply stunned.
It was a whole festival right before her eyes. Primitive and tribal at its core.
There were primitive decorations made at the spot where it was held.
The once-empty clearing had been transformed with wooden poles wrapped in vines, colorful wildflowers, fluttering feathers, and handmade decorations crafted from wood, bone, and woven grass. Tribal patterns painted with clay and charcoal covered the ground, while a large bonfire stood proudly at the center. Long wooden tables had already been prepared with a feast, and banners made from fur and feathers swayed gently in the breeze.
Simple, rustic, and unmistakably handmade... yet every corner of the celebration reflected the tribe’s joy and excitement.
Ayra couldn’t hide the shock that ran through her face as she stared at the burning fire that illuminated the space along with the number of beastmen there.
All stood there, prepared and ready in their fine loincloth and animal skin clothing. They stared in her direction as she smiled at the festive tribal decorations before her eyes.
She couldn’t help but smile with her eyes glued to the scene before her. "This... What are all these...?" She asked with a smile as she slowly approached the scene.
Ash smiled, following behind. "It’s for you and little Ally. All for the two of you..." Ash said as he smiled at the little cub who was kicking and giggling in his arms.