The Suspiscion

Rob got so lost in thoughts that he almost crossed the border of Ma tribe’s territory, and even Vena’s warning wasn’t enough, so led by a feeling stopped right before it. Seeing Ma’ut, who showed up out of nowhere, helped the healer finally snap out of it.

“What brings you here again?” The ogre asked intrigued by the unexpected visit of the half-elf. “Why is Ma’Alan not with you?”

“He had to go somewhere else. I have an important message to convey.” Rob answered, but he wasn’t sure if that would be enough for the ogre to let him through without the symbol. He counted on that he will because they have already met and fought alongside.

“Hm. What kind of importance could a message from the half-elf have?” Ma’ut nonchalantly leaned on the spear.

“It’s a matter of life and death.” The healer announced it the way the future Ma tribe leader asked him to follow him, with all the seriousness and care he felt towards others.

As soon as they got to the village, surprised Ma’ik and Ma’ena with a little Ma’ob in her hands greeted the guest, however Ma’ut face didn’t let them enjoy that moment, as they realised something serious was going on. It was even more obvious when he sent an extra guard to the border.

“Let’s talk inside.” The leader proposed, because more and more eyes were curious about the visitor and the situation it caused.

Also Vena was the main matter of interest, because ogres weren’t used to seeing a horse. A lot of them, especially young ones and kids, have never seen one. To keep her safe from the unwanted, but just curious touch Ma’ena decided to stay with a horse, believing that nothing would be hid from her later. Waiting was a nightmare for her, as she was never pushed away from important matters. If she didn't decide to marry, then without a problem she would become father’s successor, still choosing Ma’ut didn’t take a possibility for her to be a part of leading the tribe next to his side.

Ma’ob felt her nervousness and started to cry so suddenly that it was harder than usual for the young mother to calm him down. Vena, hearing the baby being upset, turned into his direction right away. That gesture scared Ma’ena so she stepped back rapidly, however that didn’t bother the horse. She was just getting closer inch by inch, until the ogre mother realised Ma’ob calmed down and reached his little in the direction of the animal, so she let him touch it. First seconds of silence, then baby’s giggles filled the air, clearing the atmosphere.

Meanwhile in the leader's house it was getting thicker with every other of Rob’s words. When he finished Ma’ut set about him, being sure that even only the half-elf, still an elf and for sure he wasn’t on the ogres side. The leader barely dragged his daughter’s husband away and told him to calm down or leave.

“What about Ma’Alan?”

“He is on his way to warn the dwarfs and ask them to join the battle.” Rob was massaging his throat, sore after the attack. Ma’ut was strong, angry, even stronger and more unpredictable and the only person who could deal with him was outside.

“What if that battle it’s just a cover to gather us all in one place, so it would be easier for the elves to kill us all.”

“Rob?” Ma’ik decided to observe before judging. Ma’ut could be right, about the healer using their trust for the sake of elves’ goals, but at the same time he couldn’t believe that Ma’Alan would trust him if he wasn’t absolutely worth it.

“I have always considered myself more human than elf and when I found out I was disgusted with myself for my father being one of them. I didn’t know anything and I just want to do the right thing.”

Healer's head was down, because he was really ashamed of himself and his kind. Ma’ik knew that it was going toward growing hate to himself in his heart and that was a result he didn't want to achieve. The leader of the Ma tribe was sure that the person who can't use magic to fight and save his daughter and grandson wouldn't take part deliberately in a plan like this. However he had to consider Ma’ut’s doubt and what if he is made to do so and there really was something going behind it.

“Rob, do you agree to be closed and guarded until we decide what to do?” Ma’ik tried to sound neutral, but asking for this didn’t feel nice at all, more like a betrayal of the person he should be grateful for the rest of his life.

The sad nod was an answer, Rob felt like he failed everyone and it was to help gain ogres trust he was ready to become their prisoner. Ma’ik gave orders and the half-elf was taken to an abandoned house outside the village with the guards left to keep a watch on him. The leader didn’t want to treat him like an enemy, but couldn’t ignore what his people could think of. Everything he did was just in case, so he asked to treat and feed him and his horse well.

When Vena noticed that something was going on, she didn’t want to leave the place her master was held hostage. And where was Vena, there little Ma’ob wanted to be too. Where’s her son, there is Ma’ena who couldn’t at first understand where her friend was taken. And when she found out what was the reason behind it, at first she paled, then got angry and emotional ready to defend the healer, but after a while she also understood her husband's worry and father’s internal conflict. For the first time in her life she deliberately decided not to take part in any part of deciding what to do next, knowing there was no way for her to stay objective. Ma’ena also wanted to avoid her own conflict between her family and a person who saved her and her son’s life.