Treant-Orde Diplomacy

People in the Tribe commonly said that Tree-Gods are always watching, always judging, and always ready to both punish and reward. Today, for Abornazine Chamanza it turned out to be true. He is standing before giant gate, fully made out of one piece of ebony-tree bark, and thinking to himself if he was called here to be judged, or rewarded. He wouldn’t know, because until now his life was nothing special. He was flame- touched since young age, but so were his brothers and sisters. He killed vile beast with only spear, but so did all males in the village. And between hunting, praying to nature spirits, and training his magical talent, he was doing nothing of note. Just another faithful servant. But this day it was exactly what was needed out of him.

After cleaning himself out of negative emotions in sacred waterfall, clothing himself in skin of beast he killed 8 winters ago during his rite of passage, and getting blessed by village shaman, he was allowed to enter the Temple. And now he stood there, waiting, awaiting some kind of call, as he was commanded by shaman. After spirits only know how long, gates opened and he entered inside; first thing he noticed was how dark it was. Only light entering the hollowed out tree was coming from behind him. He had no time however to look around, because moment he entered, gates closed behind him. In last seconds of daylight he focused his attention on two figures that stood in the centre of the temple. One of them was at least three times bigger than him, other was much less imposing, being little higher than himself. Both of them were made out of wood however, and this alone was enough to make Abornazine kneel. He realized that they were Tree-Gods, and he should act with utmost caution, and respect.

- Stand up son of Chamanza! – Said one of figures. Its voice was rough, unpleasant to listen to, and while it spoke Abornazine felt like his peace of mind was shattered.

– Stand up!- repeated voice before he could react.

As any other faithful servant would do, Abornazine stood up, but he was too afraid to look forward, even though he couldn’t see anything in the darkness that swallowed whole temple moment the gate close. He almost felt like his spirit of a warrior was killed when he heard the voice, and realized his own unimportance.

- Come Chamanzine, worshipper or traitor! Come! – Abornazine felt terror when he heard those words. He was part of tribe, a family, of Chamazine, who was long dead ancestor of them all. To call someone Chamazine would be an insult to spirit of founder of clan. Not knowing what to do, he followed the order. Going went forward, was hard in total darkness, but there was no stopping now.

- You were born under name of Abornazine, correct? – This time spoke another voice. It wasn't special in any way, beyond fact how silent it was. It was like cold wind seeping into ear, and frozing brain.

-Yes – He answered, surprising himself with lack of fear in his voice. – I’m Abornazine, and 8 winters ago I became worthy to call myself Chamanza.

-Your deeds are known to us – continued silent voice. – You were called here how a reason young son of sons of Chamanza tribe. We all have roll to play in our Gods plans, and your time to serve in has come.

- How I can make myself usefull?

- You will be send on a mission – it was unnatural voice again. – You will serve as an veesel to Treant Empire’s will. You will leave your homeland, and take this Vegegós, called Adahy as your guide. You will go out to tribe called Qwwl, and pave a path for us to step. You will enslave them throught your words, and You will return as Chamanzine reborn.

After hearing this Abornazine was bombarded by questions. How could he leave? How can he enslave someone through words? How- before another thought could enter his head, he felt as some kind of vine wraps around his neck. Before he could react, vine pulled him to the ground, and while he was lying on ground something hard started to push on his forhead. Last thing he remembered was immense pain, and then darkness.

When Abornazine woke up he was once again in village. His head hurt like if devils themselves split it in two. His first reaction was to fell the damage with his hand, and when he touched it he realized that something is wrong. There was something unnatural protruding out of his forhead. It was hard, and rough, but before he could finish checking it out he heard many voices screaming in unison. It was scream of joy.

-Chosen one woken up! – filled ears of Abornazine.

Before he could act, someone picked him up by feet and arms, and forced back on foot. He saw all his brothers and sisters, whole tribe, surrounding him. The mob was surrounded by huts, and huts by forest. He himself was on some kind of wooden platform, and realized that on his left and right there were chief and shaman of village.

-W-whats happening? – asked Abornazine in shock.

-You were chosen by Treant Gods – answered shaman smiling. – They put acorn in your head as a sing to all tribes, and nature itself that you are not to be harmed. And it already grew on your blood!

Shaman laughed heartily, and smiled, but “chosen one” felt like he is going to fell of the platform. Swift reaction from chief who took him by arm and pulled to his chest like a father who is proud of his son, saved him from disgracing himself, by losing composure during gathering like this.

-You achieved greatest honor one of us could dream of – Said chief. – I’m honoured to be chief during time like this. You forever became part of tribe saga. But now there is no time for this, come we shall feast one last time before you leave, there is no time to waste.

Ok so here ends part one, i decided to split whole story in few parts so i could have more focused story in each part. If something was unclear i'd gladly explain it, also i hope it wasn't waste of time for any anon out there. In future parts i'l focus more on cultural differences betwen raiders and treant vasals, but i felt that there needs to be some kind of prolouge for that.