Thronebound Summoner

Fay got back to his own job: checking the area for danger. He wasn't about to get on the tribe leader's bad side.

Chief Maulik was patient but very strict, especially when it came to matters involving his daughter. Even now, Fay felt like he was being watched, as if he, too, was part of the test Horin had mentioned.

[We go north to follow my summon.]

Horin's tone still carried traces of anger. She let out a loud roar, and soon two heads popped up from the tall grass around them—hunters the two of them knew well. They stood a few dozen meters away, just far enough to give Fay the impression they were being allowed a bit of privacy.

"Did you know they were there?" Fay asked, wondering if his senses were simply lacking.

[They're always there. My father doesn't let me leave without someone watching.]

Fay glanced back and saw the two drawing closer. They then followed Horin's directions as the group set out toward the last known location of the large vulture. Fay walked behind them.

Before long, more members of the tribe began to appear—it was as if they had all been waiting for Horin to lead the way. None were more than fifty meters apart, and one by one, they joined the growing group, weapons in hand and ready for battle.

Soon, Kimya joined them. He seemed to be leading the group this time.

Fay had already received his apology for what had happened before. Kimya didn't seem bothered about being called out, and in fact, had helped Fay learn much over the past few days. In the end, Fay had even been gifted a new spear—the one he now carried—with a blade made of sharpened stone.

It was thinner than his last one, making it easier to handle.

"Hey there, Kimya. Looks like Horin spotted six hyenas."

Fay informed them, and the dark brown panther nodded at the news, growling as if to alert the others. Horin, however, didn't stop moving. She remained at the front, at least three meters ahead of Fay and Kimya, leading the group until she suddenly halted and raised her hand, prompting everyone to drop low.

[There are more. Two others arrived after the kill. We'll need to fight them.]

Horin glanced back at Kimya, waiting to hear his plan.

Meanwhile, Fay scanned the area, trying to count how many warriors had joined this time.

There were nearly two dozen, each one already in position, waiting for Kimya to finish strategizing.

[Murha and Kaheem, lead the attack force. I'll draw half of their attention and split them off with Little Hunter. Everyone, follow the watchers' signals. Horin, stay safe—if possible, climb a tree.]

Everyone nodded, Fay included. He quickly unsheathed his dagger and readied it. Then he turned to Kimya, who was already removing the robe that had concealed the twin swords strapped to his back.

"Ready when you are," Fay said.

The warriors who spoke the human language nodded, and the guide translated. Then, they began to split into two groups—one to serve as the obvious trap from the left, and the other tasked with executing the real kill from the right.

Kimya then let out a sharp hiss, just loud enough for everyone to hear, and took off running. Fay still couldn't match their top speed, but when it came to stalking, he was better than most. His light weight compared to the older warriors made silent movement much easier.

After a few seconds, two warriors within Fay's group burst out. Their role was to draw the attention of half the hyenas. The massive beasts—each nearly three meters long and almost as tall—sniffed the air and spotted the group.

They seemed to be three of the hungriest, likely lower in the pack's hierarchy, who grew interested in the catfolk and began the chase.

Fay hadn't run yet. Two of the catfolk were assigned to lead those three away. His part would come with the third wave, alongside Kimya.

As the first group of hyenas followed, two new catfolk emerged, tossing stones to draw the attention of more predators. Soon, two other hyenas gave chase, separating from the main group.

[Let's kill at least one, Little Hunter. If we can do that, the others will be able to handle the remaining four.]

Kimya placed a paw on Fay's shoulder. Fay nodded, accepting the plan.

Fay then looked at the beast Kimya pointed to with the tip of his blade. It was the largest of them all—the pack's monarch—growling furiously at the others as it tried to protect its share of the long-necked lizard carcass.

Kimya then summoned his beast. The large leopard leapt out from a warped rift in front of him and began advancing. Kimya and Fay followed close behind, each adjusting the position of their spears, preparing to strike the massive creature.

The hyena only had time to glance back when the black panther intercepted it, catching it off guard. Kimya reached the beast a moment later and drove his wooden spear toward its back.

Fay wasn't far behind. He hurled his own weapon upward, watching as it arced slightly through the air before whistling down with the wind. The blade of the spear stabbed into the creature's side near the ribs, causing it to cry out in pain.

The rest of the pack, noticing their leader was under attack, paused their feeding, but that was exactly when the warriors meant to kill struck. They emerged from the flanks, forced to deal with three hyenas at once while Fay and Kimya kept the monarch engaged.

Fay, now more confident in summoning his creature, called it out. As its form began to materialize, sparks of electricity crackled around him. The lizard was no longer small; it had grown to nearly two meters in length, tail included.

It rolled into action immediately, moving as if it had always fought beside Fay.

Fay, meanwhile, drew his dagger—his spear still embedded in the monarch's ribs. Kimya struggled atop the beast, using his twin blades to hold on and strike as the hyena thrashed beneath him. His panther, having completed the initial ambush, had now sprinted off to assist the others.

Everyone had a role, and so far, the plan was working.