Chapter 110: Promised DuelThe Empatarah Circle holds a central position within the Great Steppe, and its significance extends beyond its size and shape.

    It is the convergence point for four major branches of flowing water that radiate in all directions across the Steppe.

    These four tributaries symbolize the interconnectedness and interdependence of the tribes inhabiting the vast expanse of the Steppe.

    As the waters flow from the Empatarah Circle, they nourish the lands, sustaining the life and livelihoods of the Steppe’s inhabitants.

    The circle itself serves as a vital gathering place, drawing the tribes together for both practical and spiritual purposes.

    The Steppe’s inhabitants revere the Empatarah Circle as a sacred site, where rituals and ceremonies are performed to honor the Earthmother and Skyfather, the deities intertwined with their belief systems.

    It is a place of profound spirituality, where the ancient ties between humans, nature, and the divine converge.

    In the beginning people thought that it is a sea.

    Then people thought that it is a lake.

    As the tribes of the Great Steppe became more acquainted with the massive body of water encircled by the Empatarah Circle, they realized that it possessed dynamic qualities that defied traditional notions of a lake.

    Rather than stagnant waters, it flowed with vigour, resembling a majestic river coursing through the heart of the Steppe.

    In light of this revelation, the designation of Empatarah Lake gradually gave way to the more accurate Empatarah River.

    The significance of this river, which carried the lifeblood of the Steppe, could not be overstated..

    The profound importance of the Empatarah River led to its association with the concept of a source—a point of origin from which its waters originated.

    As such, the Empatarah Circle became known as the Empatarah Source, symbolizing the wellspring of abundance and vitality that sustained the tribes.

    Recognizing the significance of this sacred place, the Ashana, the Wizancai, and the Norn—respected figures among their respective tribes—decided to convene a great meeting near the Empatarah Source.

    This gathering, known as the Meeting of the Tribes, held profound importance for the Steppe’s social, political, and spiritual fabric.

    During this momentous assembly, the Ashana, the Wizancai, and the Norn shared wisdom, exchanged ideas, and deliberated on matters of collective concern.

    Discussions revolved around tribal alliances, disputes, shared resources, and the spiritual connection between the tribes and the natural world.

    The Ashana has always been respected in all parts of the Great Steppe and the Wizancai is also respected among the Ashran communities.

    The Norns is revered and honoured greatly in any of the Eresian tribes. These are wise men, people who make rules of customs among tribes.

    They met each other at that time because there is already signs of culture blending. Sometimes, they even worshiped the same gods, or take some of the gods of the steppe into their pantheon and vice versa.

    Culture blending between the three great races of the Steppe is a good thing encouraged by all of these wise men so much so, there is not much distinction between Marynku, Eresian and Ashran.

    And because of that there are some new customs that also blends.

    And one of that is the custom of Promised Duel

    What is the Promised Duel?

    A Chief could challenge a chief and wager their loyalty and their tribes in such battle. This is a measure proposed by the Norns and the Wizancai.

    And the Ashana accepted in in the Thing and since then a new custom was born. This particular tradition and custom was created so that it could limit bloodshed between the tribes and ease tension

    Of course, since the land of the great Steppe is always a harsh land, there is always bloodshed and killing, people living and dying in horrible ways.

    But the establishment of the Promised Duel does have some merit. In the past, some massive bloodshed did not happen because the chief invokes this right

    However, there is a caveat to this Promised Duel. First of all, Promised Duel should not be proposed to tribes who have already held withstanding old grudges. This is because even the wise men of any tribes understood that invoking such custom would not work

    Two tribes who is locked in a long struggle would not just put down their arms and decided to end things so amicably.

    Second of all, the proposer of the duel should state what they would lose and what they would gain if they win or lose such battle.

    Thirdly, since this battle is not a battle to escalate conflict, the duel should not be to the death as that would defeat the purpose.

    And finally, the most important rule of this duel is that just because soe chief propose such duel, the other side did not have the obligation to accept

    However, if one did accept such battle, then one must honour the rules and the terms of the duel

    This would be a battle witnessed by both army of both sides with either an Ashana, a Wizancai, or a Norn, wise men of the tribes or even Honest Virtuous Person to preside the battle

    It is a battle watched by the Gods, by Heaven and Earth and one who does not abide by the outcome of the battle would be shunned by the entire Great Steppe and would not be respected in any chief tent.

    This is one of the customs of the Great Steppe. The tradition of a Promised Duel

    ...

    Aeryon and Durka agree to a Promised Duel.

    But the tribe of Duhai did not yet know what is happening. The common people of the Duhai tribe look as their chief went to the war camp of Aeryon with only fifty men.

    They did not know what Durka had decided but when Durka returns back to the tribe, there is a sense of relief, seeing that their chief is still alive

    And when he returned to the tribe, he declares.

    "Prepare the fighting ring! Call the Ashana! I have promised a duel to Chief Aeryon" he declares this and rides back to his tent to prepare for the battle

    The whole tribe is abuzz. Sound of discussion could be heard all around. A promised Dule was invoked? The common people did not know what their Chief had promised but they know it must be something important Sёar?h the N??elFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    If not how could the young chief of the Brolgadhr tribe accepted?

    "what did the Chief promise?"

    "Can our chief wins?"

    This kind of discussion erupted all over the settlements. Durka could hear some of it but he ignores all of this in his tent, as he closes his eyes and, meditate to prepare himself for the duel

    "what a strong young man" he muttered. In his mind, he thought of Aeryon and the feeling he felt from that young chief.

    And he could not help but harden his expression.

    This battle would not be easy" he muttered to himself.

    Outside, time is passing

    ...

    On the other side, Aeryon also returns to his tent. He prepare himself and he meditates for a while.

    And then when he felt like his concentration is at the top, he went out of his tent

    Aeryon emerges from his tent, his presence commanding and his determination evident in every stride.

    With the sun casting its golden glow upon the Great Steppe, he mounts his steed with a grace befitting a warrior.

    The air crackles with anticipation as his thousand-strong cavalry follows, their horses kicking up a tempest of dust that veils the horizon.

    Like a thundering force of nature, they surge forward, their hooves pounding against the earth in perfect harmony.

    Aeryon eyes remain fixed on the distant settlement of Duhai, his mind focused on the impending duel that awaits him.

    The wind carries whispers of uncertainty, but he rides on, unwavering in his resolve.

    As they gallop across the sprawling Steppe, the sight of the approaching Brolgadhr tribe sends ripples of awe and trepidation through the hearts of the Duhai people.

    They stand witness to the raw strength and unity of Aeryon warriors, their ranks stretching as far as the eye can see.

    The ground beneath them trembles

    Aeryon leads his riders with an air of confidence that is contagious. His command resonates through the ranks, forging an unbreakable bond between them.

    Together, they form an indomitable force, their collective power felt in every thunderous beat of their horses’ hooves.

    .....

    As the afternoon sun cast its golden hues upon the Steppe, the construction of the fighting ring reached its completion. Nestled within a vast clearing, the ring lacked defined borders, embodying the boundless nature of the duel about to unfold.

    The simplicity of the fighting rules echoed the raw essence of combat: subdue your adversary and render them unable to continue the fight.

    Dismounting from his steed with a graceful leap, Aeryon stood tall and resolute. He looks around and smile.

    There is a bow and quiver of arrows securely fastened behind his back, while a gleaming sword adorned his left hip.

    Ten arrows, each finely crafted, awaited their release, accompanied by the singular bow and the sword that would serve as his close-quarters companion.

    With measured steps, Aeryon made his way towards the fighting ring.