The flames finally died. The roaring of the fire quieted to nothing.
The emergency shelter doors creaked open.
Liyandra (nervous): "W-who are you? We're armed—we're not afraid of you!"
The door swung fully open, revealing the man standing there.
Gulbob: "It's alright, miss. The fight is over. Come out. It's safe now."
Aria, who had been hiding behind Liyandra, gasped and ran straight into Gulbob's arms. He crouched so she could hug him tightly.
Aria: "Sir… I'm glad you're alright."
Gulbob (soft smile): "Thank you, Aria. I'm glad you're safe too."
Liyandra couldn't help but smile at the scene. Gulbob picked Aria up, stood, and turned to her.
Gulbob: "Miss Lin, please help the survivors out of the shelter. I'll call for more hands."
Liyandra: "Oh! No worries—I'd help even if you didn't ask."
Gulbob: "Thank you… Lin."
He stepped aside and shouted toward the nearby soldiers.
Gulbob (yelling): "MEN! SOME OF YOU, COME HERE—HELP MISS LIN!"
Aria flinched at the sudden shout.
Gulbob (softly, patting her head): "Ah—Aria, did I scare you? I'm sorry."
Aria: "It's okay, sir. But… our houses… they got eaten by the fire."
Gulbob (clenching his fist): "Don't worry, Aria. Where ashes fall… hope grows."
Aria (squinting): "Cringe… brother would say that."
Gulbob (chuckles): "Is that so?"
---
Days Later — Rebuilding
Houses rose again, but the first to stand was the meeting hall.
Inside, the elders, the chief, and Gulbob argued heatedly.
Elder 1: "HOW DID WE LET THIS HAPPEN!?"
Kaelro (Chief): "Please, Elder—calm down. None of us expected this."
Elder 2: "We are one of the STRONGEST tribes of the Buers, yet a simple ambush broke us! The warriors are not doing their job!"
Gulbob's eyes narrowed.
Gulbob (irritated): "Yes… it is our job to protect. But warriors need directions—orders. Strength without leadership… is a headless bull."
Kaelro nodded solemnly.
Kaelro: "Gulbob, my apologies. It was an ambush. We were all caught off guard."
Gulbob: "I am not here to blame anyone. We are all at fault. But these houses—look at them. Weak foundations, flimsy wood, poor materials. Even our direwolves' dens are better. Why?"
Elder 1 stammered: "U-uhh, b-because—"
Kyrion, the head elder, cut him off, hand on his shoulder.
Kyrion: "Sir Gulbob… or should I say Chief Warden, we were assigned to oversee rebuilding. Are you accusing us of failing the tribe?"
Gulbob's eyes darkened.
Gulbob: "Yes. That is exactly what I'm saying. The chief gave you access to tribe funds—where are those funds going, Kyrion?"
Kyrion slammed his cane: "How DARE you accuse us of corruption!"
Gulbob slammed the table, standing tall.
Gulbob: "I SAID NO SUCH THING! I only want to know where our people's money is going.
But now that you're yelling like that… maybe I should suspect something. KYRION! IS IT CORRUPTION—?"
SLAM!
The doors burst open. Everyone snapped their heads toward the doorway.
A trembling soldier spoke: "S-sirs… forgive the interruption… a messenger—and the Princess of Selkaria—have arrived at our gates."
Kyrion smoothed his robe. Gulbob straightened his shoulders.
Kyrion: "We will settle this later, Gulbob."
Gulbob (coldly): "Yes. We most certainly will."
As kyrion and kaelro walks out the door talking
Gulbob:"wait Chief, tell the people in patrol and lookouts I'll be talking with them"
Kaelro:"okay chief warden"
As they all leave gulbob just stand there hand on the table, looking at the map of the mountain and tribe, thinking deeply
Liyandra tapped the doorframe. Gulbob blinked, snapping out of his thoughts about the village's defenses and lookouts.
Liyandra: "Sir, this seems urgent. We should go."
Gulbob: "Right. I'm coming."
They walked together.
Liyandra: "You were deep in thought. Something on your mind?"
Gulbob: "…Nothing you need to worry about."
Liyandra: "I don't mind. I want to know."
Gulbob: "…The world grows unpredictable. Danger lingers closer every day."
Liyandra: "Yeah… I know that feeling. But still—you can do something about it."
Gulbob: "Maybe. Time will tell. How has the tribe treated you so far?"
Liyandra: "It's good! Everyone's kind. Peaceful… but the fire has done it's toll."
Gulbob: "We're here now. I won't let that happen again. And the Selkaria envoy?"
Liyandra: "They said to wait for all leaders."
Gulbob (sidelong glance): "Comforting. Which means… either good, or very bad. Let's hope it's not the latter."
At the gate, the messenger stood tall in a black robe trimmed with blue. Beside him, Princess of selkaria.
Even under daylight, a faint glow clung to her—like moonlight itself.
Gulbob and Liyandra performed The Reverence:
"By the Bond of protection of earth."
The Selkarians mirrored:
"Under the Moon's Light."
Gulbob: "Envoys of Selkaria, it is an honor to welcome you."
Lunara lowered her hood.
It was her.
Lunara: "The pleasure is ours, Sir Gulbob. Seeing you not chased by a stampede is… nice."
Gulbob blinked. "Your Highness… Lunara? Oh—no disrespect. Just surprised. Please, follow us."
The Meeting Hall
The elders arrived first. Kaelro arrived last.
The Reverence was exchanged once more.
Kaelro: "Forgive my lateness."
Lunara: "Understandable. Your tribe is still recovering."
Kaelro: "First, thank you for informing Chief Warden Gulbob. Thanks to you, they acted quickly and avoided disaster.
But… what brings you here, Princess?"
Lunara gestured to the messenger, who handed a sealed scroll. Kaelro unrolled it.
The Letter from Selkaria
> To Chief kaelro of the Highland Buers,
I, Noctyrian Lunara-Lumen, sovereign of Selkaria, extend my greetings.
Your tribe's endurance has reached our halls, and we hold deep respect for your strength.
We value resolve, not conquest.
Selkaria seeks kinship, not dominance.
If it pleases you, we request an audience to discuss an offer built on trust and unity—
for the stability of both our lands.
Signed,
King Noctyrian Lunara-Lumen
Gulbob's eyes narrowed slightly—not in anger, but caution.
Lunara: "My father's letter may sound grand, but the intent is simple.
He wishes for unity, not obligation. We know your strength. We know your struggle. We extend our hand in peace."
She looked directly at Gulbob.
Lunara: "We ask for alliance. Support for support. Strength for strength.
A bond not of chains, but trust."
Kaelro slowly raised his hand. Then Kyrion. Then the other elders. Then the commanders.
Silence.
Then Gulbob's voice cut sharply:
"I decline."
Kaelro: "What—!? Gulbob, think! This may help our people thrive!"
Gulbob: "Or doom us. Our tribe and the Favored Mountain will be in danger."
Kaelro: "Or protected! Gulbob—please."
Lunara: "Sir Gulbob… think about it. Until tomorrow."
Gulbob exhaled sharply. "Until then."
Lin and Aegis escorted Lunara to her quarters.
EXTRA LORE — The Reverence of Earth
They say the gesture of The Reverence was first observed in the way the ancestors honored the land, though its origins are shrouded in mystery.
Long ago, an ancient tome was found—its pages filled with strange writings, diagrams of movements, and cryptic instructions. The knowledge within shaped the foundations of Buer traditions, martial techniques, and the rituals now known among the Buers as the Reverence of Earth.
The gesture itself is layered in meaning:
Hand behind the back — a mark of loyalty and restraint.
Tap the forehead with the knuckle of the index finger — a reminder to act with purpose and clarity.
Bow, hand following to the chest — a vow of protection, honoring both life and the land.
Though The Reverence has taken many forms across cultures and ages, the Buer interpretation—the Reverence of Earth—remains a symbol of respect, resilience, and duty, values at the core of every Buer.