-306- Barbarians of the North

"War Mother, look at this, it, it can light itself on fire. With this, we no longer have to worry about cooking with wet wood."

"War Mother, this thing is amazing. With it, our planting speed will increase several times!"

"Is this a fishing net? It has a peculiar design."

"War Mother, it's fruit!"

"What kind of clothing is this made of? Fur? Why does it feel even softer than Elnuk fur?"

Ashe walked through the tribe, listening to the cheers of the people.

Even though it was the second time they had received supplies from the Twin Cities, the people of Avarosa were still incredibly nervous and excited when they saw the behemoth named "Hextech Airship" emerge.

Nervous, fearing the behemoth might crash down, excited because there would be delicious and useful things again!

Those magical and interesting objects were exactly what the people of Avarosa needed most right now, like the strange contraption that could release hot water, and the furnace device that could emit heat indoors with just the flip of a switch.

If Ashe didn't know these were gifts from the Twin Cities to Avarosa, she might even think these things were made by Ornn himself.

"War Mother, we've prepared the requested ores, weapons, and the four Elnuks to be sent to the Twin Cities."

Ashe nodded in acknowledgment, draped in her cloak, and walked back to her hall.

In the hall, where there had once been a dark pile of firewood, was now cleaned up, with a small device about a meter high and narrow, resembling a furnace.

It emitted a warm yellow glow and heat.

The people called this thing - the Hextech Heater.

FrostStone also followed in, standing by the side.

"Have Kastioya lead the team and tell the Winter's Claw to help us contact Demacia."

"I understand, I'll go prepare." FrostStone touched his nose, a thick, short black thing hanging from his ear, a cigar.

FrostStone had recently taken a liking to this thing called a cigar. This thing was not only addictive when smoked, but one stick cleared the mind, two sticks made one feel like they were flying.

So FrostStone really cherished this thing, but unfortunately, cigars were in short supply, and all the men in the tribe were clamoring for them. By the time it got to FrostStone, he only got fifteen sticks.

And in half a day, he had already smoked three!

FrostStone was already looking forward to the Twin Cities' return.

"But, War Mother, the Kosha tribe people have come again. They hope to form a alliance with you. The chief's son says he's already infatuated with you and wants to pledge complete allegiance to you."

As Ashe walked humming a tune, feeling somewhat happy, she instantly lost her good mood.

The box of unopened milk tea she was holding suddenly didn't seem as fragrant.

The queen frowned and sighed.

Trouble was coming again.

Ashe sighed, "FrostStone, how many bloodsworn requests have I received this year?"

"It's the thirteenth one, War Mother," Frozen Stone replied, "But it's time for you to consider your own marriage."

Avarosa had become increasingly powerful. Now, under Ashe's leadership, the small tribe could easily have four or five dozen members, making Avarosa vaguely the largest tribe in Freljord.

This led many larger and smaller tribes to request marriage alliances with Ashe.

This should not have been a distressing matter. Ashe could simply do what her mother, who was still alive at the time, did - find ten or eight men and have them climb into her bed, completing the marriage, and the people of Avarosa would no longer have to worry about their leader having no heir and no one to lead them in the future.

But precisely because Avarosa had become too powerful, coupled with Ashe's own beauty, there were several major clans coming to request alliances, as well as a few smaller tribes.

She had become embroiled in a political struggle.

Ashe couldn't rashly make a choice. If she chose an alliance with one of the major clans, it could lead to latent opposition from other major clans. But if she chose a small tribe from her own tribe, she would have to choose several people at once, or some small tribes would feel neglected.

And Ashe was afraid that they would vie for favor in her tent, leading to an unpleasant situation.

In this situation, Ashe was truly headache-inducing.

She absolutely didn't want the hard-won alliance she had forged to fall apart because of her personal affairs.

Placing an iron bucket on the Hextech heating furnace, this furnace not only emits warmth but also has the function of roasting meat and boiling water. However, Ashe's personal hall does not allow roasting meat. She doesn't want to smell the fragrant roasted meat from the furnace when she sleeps at midnight.

That would keep her awake.

Boiling the water, Ashe opened her mouth and bit the corner of the powder packet, tearing open the packaging. When the richly fragrant powder and the frozen milk were thrown in, Ashe became happy again.

This milk tea is really delicious!

It was recommended to her by Sejuani.

Pouring the powder, Ashe sighed and said, "FrostStone, you..."

Turning around, Ashe looked at the rugged man with a beard and said, "You've been with me for many years. How about you just become my bloodsworn?"

"War Mother, I... am not worthy." FrostStone squatted down, shaking his head at Ashe.

He admired Ashe, seeing this lord as his deity, so FrostStone knew clearly that he wasn't worthy of Ashe.

"And I come from the Frostwolf Clan, War Mother. Have you forgotten?"

Ashe immediately became even more distressed.

"Yes, I remember."

"Then, shall I leave first?"

"Mm."

Ashe stirred the milk tea with a spoon and raised her hand.

FrostStone turned and left, and at that moment, a man ran in.

"War Mother, the Mountain Clan seeks an audience."

"The Mountain Clan?" Ashe, stirring the milk tea, was momentarily stunned, imagining a group of barbarians in her mind.

The Mountain Clan from the north, a powerful tribe. They seemed to worship the legendary immortal boar god, and each of them was an incredibly powerful warrior?

Why would they actively seek me?

"Take me to see them."

Ashe reluctantly set down the steaming milk tea.

Putting on her cloak, she walked out of the hall.

------------------------

Rewind to a dozen minutes ago——

It took Tryndamere and his tribe nearly half a month to reach the southern holy land of Avarosa - Rakelstake.

Looking at the valley in front of him, Tryndamere, carrying the elderly high priest, said in a deep voice:

"Valen, we have arrived. Hold on a little longer, and we'll have food."

Under Tryndamere's care and that of several warriors, no one in the tribe died from the long journey, but they had fallen into a state of near-death.

Food, they needed to eat now!

"Tryndamere of the Mountain Clan seeks an audience with the Avarosa War Mother!"

Tryndamere shouted loudly outside the valley.

Soon, a group of Freljordians riding wolves appeared in front of Teemo.

"Food, give us food!"

"We need food!"

Seeing people, Tryndamere roared.

But they surrounded Tryndamere in a circle.

"Mountain Clan? You look more like a bunch of beggars!"

"Seize them and take them to see the War Mother!"