Four years passed while Rion bathed in the warmth of parental love, felt the cold of the breezes, smelt the freshness and sweetness of flowers, and saw the beautiful scenery around the Redwood Basin.
He did everything he couldn't before in his past life, and he also got to know other tribe members like
Nena the Shaman, whom everyone called Granny because she was the oldest tribe member.
Haria the Panther, who was the only female to become the leader of a hunting group and lastly, Dora... that was the name of that snorty girl.
He got to know many others, too, but these three were the only ones he met the most because Nena was the one to take care of him when his parents could not, and Haria simply liked to spoil him.
Dora however...
"What are you doing here?" A pair of curious eyes peered from the top of a tree.
Rion wore a layered vest of light animal hide that cascaded a few inches down his waist, a warrior kilt, silver ring earrings and leather sandals as he sat under the shade with his back against the tree.
He looked up and spoke, "What are you doing there? Did you forget how your mother bashed you last time?"
The leaves of the tree trembled slightly as the head of a girl of about seven years peeked out. She had her brown hair braided into two pigtails that were decorated with feathers. A flustered smile stretched across her face as she muttered, "Y-you won't tell her, would you?"
"Hmm? Why wouldn't I? She gave me a sugar candy last time," he replied with a furrowed brow. His face showed that he wouldn't even dare to think of doing otherwise.
Dora's expression turned grave as she thought of something to coerce him into not telling her ruthless mother. A few moments later, her eyes sparkled as a solution came to her mind, "You know about the bloodlines, right?"
"I do. Mama told me that each Dhaevrak has the blood of gods. But, only a few awaken their bloodline." He replied, stood up.
He dusted himself off and questioned, "What does that have to do with me telling your mother, though?"
Dora grinned widely as she puffed in pride, "I have already awakened my God of Travel bloodline, so don't tell mother about this, and I'll help you find anything you want."
"... How is that better than a sugar candy?" He questioned with a tilted head.
Her expression broke like a crack in a mirror, and she stuttered, "I-it is better than a sugar candy, dummy! You'll know when you grow up."
"I know it's better. I am not a dummy. Hmph!" He exhaled through his nose and turned around to leave.
"Hehe! Dummy Rion," she mumbled under her breath and giggled.
On the other hand, Rion's lips twitched as he forced himself not to smirk, 'Haha! To think it was that easy to earn a free favour from the bloodline holder of God of Travel... she is really just as clueless as Dora the Explorer.'
'Poor kid...' he shook his head and scurried towards his hut.
Right then, a voice called out to him, "Rion!"
He stopped in his tracks and turned towards the voice, which was of a middle-aged man with grey hair tied into a ponytail, grey beard and brown eyes. He wore a light brown leather tunic and grey hide trousers with a rope around his waist. Feathers and short ribbons hung from the rope.
"Uncle Bran!" He called out with a grin and trudged towards him.
Bron smiled and picked him up in his arms, "What are you doing here, little king?" He frowned and continued, "Don't you know you have to meet the chieftain before the ceremony? Your mother is looking for you."
'Ah! That slipped out of my mind because of Dora...' Rion thought before answering with saddened eyes, his voice trembling slightly, "I forgot..."
Bran patted his head and spoke, "Let's go to your mother then."
Rion nodded, and Bran began to walk towards the chieftain's hut with quick steps.
A few seconds later, their eyes fell on Lara, who was looking around with a troubled face. Rion called out, "Mama!"
Hearing his voice, Lara turned towards them, and her eyes brightened before a strict look appeared on her face.
Rion gulped and thought, 'I'm fucked.'
Bran walked forward and handed Rion to her.
"Thank you, Bran," she said as a smile of gratitude creased her face.
"It's alright, prin — Lara," he replied as he peeked at Rion from the corners of his eyes.
"I have to go now," she turned towards the chieftain's hut.
She lifted Rion to her eye level and asked strictly, "Why did you run away? Did I not tell you to stay in the hut?"
He fidgeted with his small fingers and answered with tears at the corners of his eyes, "I-I didn't run away..."
Lara heaved a sigh and shook her head before she wrapped him in her embrace and patted his back, "It's alright, baby. Don't cry, you won't do this again, right? Of course, you won't. You are my smart boy, after all. "
Only if she knew how right she was.
Rion nodded at her words and whispered with a lowered head after wiping off his tears, "Yeah... I won't."
A grin stretched across his face after he said so, 'Oh my gullible mother... hehe!' He chuckled inwardly as his eyes shone with a crafty glint.
The chieftain's hut was bigger than the others, and it also had the support of bone pillars with the usual red wood walls. Its walls were decorated with various markings.
However, Rion's focus was not on those marks; instead, his focus was on the neon green arrow that floated within the chieftain's hut.
'I wonder what I would get from this one... I hope I get something good like the others," he thought as he stared at the green arrow.
'I just raised a flag... didn't I?'