Chapter 104: New law - Touching grass is forbidden

News had already traveled to the council by the time Kanan and Omula had arrived at the place.

"That ought to shut them up." Nala loved how Kanan used his status to force the people into compliance. It was something she would do. In fact, she assumed Kanan learned it from her.

"Do you think threatening everyone with death was the right option, Kanan? We don’t want to use aggression to force compliance." Solan didn’t even want to go to war with the Typhon Tribe, so the last thing he planned on doing was forcing them to submit.

"It wasn’t a threat; it was a promise. I understand their hatred, but not their unwillingness to listen to Lord Nemean’s demands. His word is law. Besides, we were being kind for far too long. It’s time we set boundaries."

"Kanan’s right. We’ve let this little dispute go on for long enough. Since it was Lord Nemean’s decree for us to become one tribe, these constant disputes are akin to going against his will. This will keep both of our peoples in check." Elder Hal spoke.

"Very well. I will consider this matter closed, then. Elder Telah, do you have any issues with this?"

Telah shook her head. "I do not. I will talk with them later."

"Good. Now, Kanan, tell us what you have discovered."

"Yes. After searching the forest, Risha and I were able to locate Verminus Plant activity. While I could not find the source, I was able to learn something just as important."

"I hope she wasn’t too much for you." Telah sighed. "Risha is very gifted, but she’s often times out of touch with reality."

"She was great; do not worry. I wouldn’t mind working with her again."

"Is that so? Then how about I have her work under you? Maybe as a servant?"

Kanan didn’t know how he felt about that. Anna and Nia were already adamant about being his servants, regardless of his feelings, and having another one would make him feel some type of way.

However, Kanan understood what Telah was asking for. It was a way to strengthen the ties between tribes. Though Risha would be a servant, she was the servant of the village Shaman, the most important figure in the village.

Coupled with Telah being a council member, the Typhon Tribe might start seeing this place as their new home.

"If that is what you wish, then I will not decline."

"I will inform her about her new role later today."

"What have you found today, Kanan?" Chief Solan asked

"First, the Verminus Plant is controlling dead animals. Today, it was controlling a fox."

Elder Lars and Trena perked up and asked Kanan to repeat himself. Once he did, they had grim looks on their faces.

"What’s wrong?" Kanan asked

"We found the missing children. Thankfully, we managed to save their lives and return them safely to their families. However, one of them kept muttering the word fox. I didn’t understand what he meant, and he was too weak for questioning, so I was going to wait until he was healthy enough to ask him what happened in the forest."

"I see. So the fox I found was most likely what he was talking about." Kanan concluded.

Elder Trena nodded. "That’s right. Can you tell us what you did with the fox, Kanan?"

"I destroyed it. I would say killed, but it was already dead. I had to make sure it didn’t have a way to get back up. It was like the giant we faced two days ago."

"Then if you dealt with the fox, that should be the end of our troubles, right?" Elder Hal asked. "Or did you find something else in the forest that we need to be wary of?"

"No, I found nothing in the forest, but I did find something we definitely need to be wary of. You see, Risha, guided by the spirits, led me way past the edge of the forest."

Solan slammed his hands on the table. "Kanan! You cannot venture out that far!"

"I know, I know, but listen."

Elder Lars also spoke up, the bass in his voice making the room shake. "Kanan, you were in neutral territory at that point! Do you know how dangerous it is, especially when you’re not traveling with a group?"

"Yes. But what I saw–"

"Your safety is vital to our survival, Kanan. You need to be more aware of that." Elder Trena tried reminding him.

"Just hear me out for a second."

"Kanan, you know that it is forbidden to leave our territory unless given permission. We only let you travel to the Typhon Tribe village because we thought it was best. But this wasn’t authorized. You need to be more careful."

Kanan rubbed his nose bridge, his frustration apparent on his face. He waited until everyone was done talking, and even once they finished, he didn’t speak for another two minutes.

"Are you all done? Can I speak now?"

"Please, proceed, Kanan." Nala was the only one who didn’t speak over Kanan. She also shared the sentiment that he should be where it’s safe unless he is absolutely needed, like against the giant, but since this mission is related to the safety of their village, she wasn’t against him leaving.

"I traveled to the canyon to the east, around an hour’s journey on foot from the edge of the eastern forest. When I arrived, Risha and I noticed hundreds of animals, prey and predators alike. All of them were dead, and they were controlled by the Verminus Plant."

"What?!"

"How is this possible?!"

"Just how dangerous is this Verminus Plant?"

"Kanan, lead us to it now. We will kill them all." Solan got up right away and grabbed his weapon, the other elders doing the same.

"I already killed them all."

"What?"

"I destroyed their bodies with my power, then had Risha burn them, and finally, I buried them under hundreds of feet of rock. But this doesn’t mean that we are in the clear. We should refrain from letting anyone out unless they are hunters, guards, or warriors. And even then, we should set up a checkpoint where anyone who enters and exits the village has to be checked in case they are carrying the Verminus Plant."

Everyone was in agreement.

"We’ll implement it right away." The Chief got up to do what Kanan had suggested, not waiting to waste any time just in case something happened.