Shadow Slave novel Chapter 3176

Tatal eventually recovered from her wounds.

Her tribe had not been forced to abandon its land and scatter to the winds.

Instead, it absorbed the survivors of the Basilisk's rampage and grew. Its reputation had soared, as well, since people of the surrounding lands — those lucky enough to have been spared the Devil's wrath — eventually learned that it was Tatal, the shaman of the Shadow Tribe, who had slain the beast.

There were hard times, at first, because the hunters of the tribe had been decimated, and its chieftain had lost an arm. But the tribe survived and grew stronger for it. The Basilisk had given it great boons in death. Its hide, its bones, its fangs, its soul shards — all of it was used by the tribesmen to empower themselves.

Soon enough, the youths reached adulthood. Trained by Stone Hand, their former chieftain, they became skilled hunters and replaced those who had perished in the woods. The fields expanded. The craftsmen of the tribe developed their craft and reached new heights.

Tatal ruled wisely. She was both beloved and revered by her people, respected by the neighboring tribes... her name had even traveled to faraway lands, earning her a bit of renown and fame.

She still visited the shadow every year, bringing with her stories of her people. One time, not long after the Basilisk had been slain, she came to his cave in a mood that seemed both joyful and melancholic.

"My firstborn is getting married, Shadow."

She smiled joyfully, tears glistening in her eyes.

"He is going to leave the tribe. His bride is from the Otter tribe... they live so far away. When will I see him again?"

Tatal lowered her head.

“I am so happy for him, but I am also so sad. Ah, Shadow... when did life become so complicated?"

Another year, when Tatal came to visit him, her expression was thoughtful.

"Do you know, Shadow? Guests came to the tribe this year. They are people who travel the land, doing nothing but exchanging things. They bartered numerous wondrous items, and they were also interested in purchasing a great deal of things from us... I never really thought about it, but many things we have or make here would seem wondrous to someone else."

She chuckled.

“But they also brought stories. There was a war between the Wolf Tribe and the Elk Tribe, it seems. Seven tribes have come together to build a great temple, somewhere far away, in the lands our ancestors left. The Goddess of the Moon has given birth to a human child. One of the First Humans, a man named Kanakht, is said to have defied the will of the heavens. The world is so vast, Shadow... it makes me so curious. It makes me feel happy to be alive."

Another year, Tatal came bearing gifts.

"Look, Shadow!"

The shadow looked, feeling perplexed.

"What is it?"

Tatal raised the item higher.

“It's called a pillow! There are goose feathers inside. My youngest daughter made it — you are supposed to put your head on it when you sleep. She also did the embroidery!"

Nothing she said made the shadow feel less bewildered.

“I know what a pillow is. Why are you waving it around?"

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