Chapter 476
Athena gestured for Abigail to dispense with the formalities. She went to the tribe chief’s bed and took his pulse.
Soon, the diagnosis was available.
“The tribe chief was poisoned with a slow-acting poison. Fortunately, it was discovered in time,” said Athena.
Abigail looked at her in surprise, saying, “But the Great Elder and the physician both said my father’s illness is serious. Is there still hope?”
“Don’t worry, and leave it to me,” said Athena.
Athena took out the silver needles from the medicine box and heated them over the candlelight.
She pierced the acupoints on the tribe chief’s body.
The tribe chief gave a muffled groan.
In less than half a cup of coffee’s time, the chief’s original ashen cheeks flushed abnormally.
Fine beads of cold sweat seeped out of his forehead, and his face gradually contorted.
His hands scratched wildly on the bedding, and his throat rattled, as if something was stuck in his chest.
Abigail paled with fright and was about to step forward, but Lin Shu held her shoulders and said, “Don’t touch him. The toxic blood is about to be forced out.”
Before she finished speaking, the tribe chief suddenly arched his back, and a mouthful of black blood spurted onto the snow-white brocade quilt.
His violent panting gradually calmed down.
His previously unfocused eyes also regained some focus.
He simply fell back onto the pillow, as if drained of all strength, and closed his eyes heavily.
“Dad, how are you?” Abigail anxiously called out, but the tribe chief did not respond.
Athena told her, “Don’t worry. The chief vomited out the poison. He is unconscious now. As long as he recuperates well, he will recover completely.”
Upon hearing Athena’s words, Abigail gratefully smiled. “That’s great. My father is saved.”
At the same time, the atmosphere inside the tribal council hall was solemn.
Twelve carved wooden pillars supported the high and wide dome, and Xander sat in the main seat, wearing a black brocade robe.
A gold belt accentuated his upright figure, and his eyes swept over the eleven tribal leaders below the steps.
His voice was as cold as ice as he said, “The White Sheep Tribe colluded with foreign enemies, and the Grey Wolf Tribe participated in poisoning. Both tribes have been removed from the Thirteen Tribes."
The flames in the bronze lampstand flickered slightly, reflecting the leaders’ varied expressions.
The chief of the Greestone Tribe, sitting in the first seat, cupped his fist and said, “Prince Xander is wise, but what should be done with the people of the two tribes?”
The White Sheep and Gray Wolf tribes were relatively powerful among the thirteen tribes.
However, in the face of the powerful army of the Grand Luminary Empire, those two tribes were as vulnerable as wallpaper.
It took less than half an hour from beginning to end.
Xander’s reputation among the tribes was like Yama’s. Who would dare disobey him?
“The women, children, and elderly will be divided among the remaining eleven tribes according to the number of households,” said Xander.
He tapped lightly on the rosewood desk, making a soft sound. “Able-bodied men will be incorporated into the guard battalion. If there are any disturbances during the three-month probationary period, the receiving tribe will be held accountable along with them.”
As soon as he finished his words, the chief of the Birch Tribe on the west side stood up and responded, “Yes, Your Highness. However, the White Sheep Tribe’s pasture and the Grey Wolf tribe’s iron mine…”
“The pasture will be managed by the Greestone Tribe, and the iron mine will be mined by the Blackwood Tribe.” Xander had made a decision.
He picked up two documents from the desk and pushed them over. “These are the territory division map and the tribe roster. Complete the handover within three days, or face military punishment.”
The chiefs dared not raise any further objections and stood up to accept Xander’s orders.
After everyone had left, Xander got up and walked to the window. The personal guard behind him reported in a low voice, “Your Highness, a message has come from the Princess Consort. Chief Pelosi has spat out the poisoned blood and is temporarily out of danger.”
Xander’s tight jawline relaxed slightly, and he turned around to pick up his cloak. “Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the Flying Eagle Tribe.”
When Xander arrived, Athena had changed herbal medicine for the chief.
Upon seeing him come in, she took off the silver hairpin from her hair and tied up her loose, long hair. “Is everything settled?”
“Yes, everything is settled.” Xander’s voice was indescribably gentle.
He looked at the dark circles under Athena’s eyes, his eyes full of pity as he said. “You haven’t slept well these days because you’ve been running around with me."
“We won’t leave for the next few days for now. You should have a good rest for a few days.”
Athena looked at him in surprise. “That won’t do. How can we delay the trip for my sake?”
Xander poured hot water into a copper basin, testing the temperature with his hand.
Then, he soaked the towel in hot water and wiped Athena’s face.
“This place is not far from Acridon, and there are still some trivial matters that have not been arranged. Although the spy has been eliminated, the people on Richard’s side have not given up.”
Listening to his words, Athena felt relieved.
It seemed that with him around, even the biggest problems could be easily solved.
“The customs in Aeridon are different from those of the inland. They attach great importance to clan affairs. If we want to open a border market, I’m afraid it will cause dissatisfaction among the local clansmen.”
Xander’s voice was very soft and slow, yet as steady as a boulder, reassuring people.
“Besides, the Thirteenth Tribes needs someone in charge to liaise with Aeridon, and all needs to be arranged.”
He pondered for a moment, then said, “The chief of the Greestone Tribe is acting safely. After Chief Pelosi is sober, it is more appropriate to let the two of them jointly control the power of communication and check and balance each other.”
Athena nodded and said, “Your plans are foolproof. I have nothing to worry about.”
She leaned against Xander’s chest, staring blankly into the distance.
Suddenly, her nose felt a little sore.
Even though she tried to hold back, Xander still noticed it.
He held Athena tighter and asked her, “Do you miss our children?”
Athena nodded embarrassedly. “I’ve never been separated from both of them before, and I don’t know if they’ve been crying or missing me.”
Which child didn’t cry for a few days when they were separated from their mothers?
Just thinking about Randolph and Bernie crying made Athena’s heart feel like it was being stabbed with knives.
Xander took a handkerchief and wiped Athena’s tears. “Look at you, you’re already a mother, yet you’re still shedding tears.”
“Don’t you miss our children?” Athena glared at him.
Xander smiled embarrassedly. “Yes. How could I not? From the moment they were born until now, I haven’t had a good chance to hold them.”
Thinking of his sons, Xander’s heart softened.
He was also puzzled.
Clearly, the time he spent with his sons was not long, but his heart felt like it had grown thorns.
Whenever he thought of them, his heart ached slightly.
That kind of bond and pull was driving him crazy.
Fortunately, Athena was with him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know what to do.
“When the matter in Aeridon is over, we can spend quality time with our children.”
As dusk approached, the two snuggled together and gradually fell asleep.
Meanwhile, two figures faced each other in a deserted corner outside the tent.
“Say something,” snapped Abigail, on the verge of exploding with rage.
She could tell that Trevor was interested in her, but she couldn’t get a word out of him after questioning him for a long time.
Abigail, being an impatient person, took a step forward, pressing close to him. “Do you like me or not?”
Trevor’s face turned red, and his lips trembled for a long time. “I… I don’t know…”
He had never thought about getting married, always feeling he should go to the battlefield and make a name for himself.
However, Abigail wanted him to marry her, which scared Trevor.
“Trevor Perkins, don’t be so unappreciative,” snapped Abigail, furious that she had encountered such a stubborn man.
She grabbed his collar, her attitude domineering. “I’ll give you two choices: either you marry me, or I’ll marry you. Take your pick.”