"You!" The tribe chief went red in the face at her words. He was determined to call her buff. "No tribe will want you! You're banished from here! Don't beg us to take you back because we won't!"
"That's fine by me." Serena said calmly, much to the dismay of everyone around. "I don't need a tribe like yours."
The tribe chief froze at her words, not expecting Serena to agree to the banishment. No one had expected her to agree to it. They expected her to plead for forgiveness.
After all, she would become a wandering beastman and lose the protection of the tribe. Death or a fate worse than death waited outside the tribe for her. At least that's what everyone believed. But Serena had a plan.
"Hey Forest City beastmen!" Serena suddenly called out. "I need a new tribe. Are you willing to take me and my brother along with you? It won't cost you salt now that I'm not a part of this tribe."
She knew the Forest City beastmen wouldn't refuse bringing in an extra female without needing to trade with salt. The city always needed more females to keep up with the growing number of beastmen living there.
That's how they kept the city strong. By enticing strong beastmen with better opportunities to gain a mate.
The gamble, however, was that they may refuse to take Kiro with her. He was a weak male cub who had no beast parents, a burden in many eyes. Losing one male cub was nothing in this harsh world.
At her words, the tribe chief realized his error. His mother, the elder of the tribe, Old Mary had picked out the females to be traded for salt and had yet to tell him. After all, she understood female matters better than him.
So, if Serena was one of the three chosen then that would be a massive problem for them. They'd receive much less salt, the Forest City beastmen willing to take her in for free. He needed to correct this error right away.
Giving away three females for resources was already weakening their tribe. Now that Serena was gone too, this made matters worse. His anger had blinded him, causing him to not see what this cunning female was up to.
"What are you saying?!" The tribe chief cried out. "How dare you abandon the tribe like this? We raised you and now in our time of need you run off to another tribe?"
Serena raised an eyebrow. "You banished me. It's not my fault you are so stupid. Besides, my family has contributed enough to this tribe. Even dying to save some tribe members. So, we don't owe you anything. It's actually the other way round."
Just then the tiger beastmen stepped forward, all gazing at Serena. The group of five tigers were led by a middle-aged orange tiger with six stripes, his presence alone commanding respect.
It was clear he was the group's leader with him having the most stripes. This world was ruled by strength after all.
"We'll take you with us as long as you promise not to cause trouble." The leader stated, looking at how Serena was holding Sarah by the neck. "The city has no need for problematic females."
While the leader was happy to have an extra female with them without needing to exchange for salt, he was cautious too. They had come upon this situation only a few moments ago, seeing two females fighting.
It led to one being banished from her tribe which made him a little worried since he didn't understand the full reason for it. He didn't want to accidentally bring back a troublesome female that would cause problems for them.
Thus he wanted to make things clear to the female before agreeing to take her in. The city would cast her out the moment she caused trouble for them.
"As long as no one bullies me and my brother, I can behave." Serena stated clearly. "So, can we both join you then? I won't go unless you agree to let my brother come with you."
The leader glanced over at Kiro for a moment, noticing how the young cub was clinging to her leg. She must've been the one caring for him, otherwise she wouldn't have made him joining her a big deal.
Being protective of cubs was a good trait in his eyes and if she treated a sibling like this, he could imagine her cubs would be well treated. A rarity in this world so he agreed to her request with a condition.
"We'll allow your brother to join, but he is your responsibility." The leader finally answered. "Our priority is only the females. We don't have enough resources to care for a male cub too."
As much as he didn't like saying that, he also had to be honest with her. Their job was to bring back females to the city, nothing else. Caring for a cub as well would just be a burden, especially on a long journey.
So, he couldn't put that responsibility on his group of beastmen. They had to focus on completing their mission given to them by the Forest City king.
Serena nodded her head. "Understood. I'll care for my brother myself. I only wish for him to join the caravan."
She wouldn't mind splitting her food and water rations with Kiro along the journey to the city. Her mission was to get them safe passage which she had achieved.
"That's fine then." The leader said. He was quiet for a moment before he added, "We leave tomorrow, so make sure you head to the west side of the tribe by dawn."
"Yes." Serena once again nodded her head in understanding.
Satisfied with the outcome, the leader turned away with the other tiger beastmen to go deal with preparation to leave. Some beastmen hanging around murmured amongst themselves in surprise over what had happened.
"Seems we lost another female."
"But she's so cunning. How can the tigers agree to take her in? We already made salt deals with them. Now they're taking one for free."
"They must be desperate for females if they want her."
"Such a heartless female, abandoning her tribe in a time of need. She must've done this on purpose."
Serena ignored their words, not caring what they said about her. Meanwhile, the tribe chief stood there unsure what to do or say. He couldn't interfere in the agreement between the tigers and Serena.
Not when he was the one to banish her from the tribe and those tigers were so powerful. The thought made him click his tongue in anger.
She was such a cunning female. Where had that pushover personality gone to? Was she hiding it the whole time? Before he could think much more about it, Serena turned her attention back to the quivering Sarah.
She gazed at her coldly and murmured, "Now that that matter is settled, let's take care of this one. I still have some scores to settle with you before I leave the tribe."