After a while, the symbol slowly faded.
Aeron quickly took her into his arms.
"She has been blessed," he said with a smile.
"You brat, let me hold my granddaughter," the Snake Chief, Vareth said, glaring at Aeron.
Aeron nodded obediently. The Snake Chief carefully took Ardis, who looked a little drained.
"Oh, she must be hungry and tired now," the Snake Chief, Vareth, said. He took a thin slice of fruit and gently fed her.
A warm sensation spread through Ardis's body. In an instant, she felt energetic again.
"Grandpa," Ardis hissed.
The Snake Chief Vareth's face lit up."Look how smart my granddaughter is," he said proudly. "Let me check your mouth."
Ardis opened her mouth wide. It looked frightening, yet to everyone present, she was adorable.
The Snake Chief carefully examined her teeth."Good. Her venom quality has improved. In the future, her poison may be stronger than yours or mine," he said to Aeron.
Blessings strengthened females.In the fox tribe's blessing, Ardis's body defense had increased.In the snake tribe's blessing, her venom had been strengthened.
While beastmen climbed the ladder of strength through training, battles, knowledge, and countless dangers, females grew stronger slowly through blessings.
Soon, three beastmen entered.
"Is that our granddaughter?" one bulky, towering man asked.
"Yes, look at her," the Snake Chief said proudly.
"She's cute and healthy," the man said with a wide smile.
"Grandfather," Ardis hissed.
The man burst into laughter, filled with joy.
The other two grandfathers came closer. When Ardis greeted them, everyone smiled and began showering her with gifts.
"Enough crowding. Prepare dinner," Sissira said, looking at the grandfathers surrounding Ardis. Aeron had already been squeezed out.
"Yes, dinner. I'll cook," the thin grandfather, Mirek said cheerfully."We'll help," the others, Eldrin and Rokhan, said, following him into the kitchen with the Village Chief.
Leaving Aeron and Ardis behind—
"You too," Sissira said to Aeron. He obediently followed them.
Ardis felt happy. Back in the fox tribe's hut, except for Aeron, no one truly understood her. Here, she could speak freely.
Her grandmother held Ardis and gently tapped her forehead."So happy?" she asked with a smile.
Ardis nodded.
"Sleep with Grandma tonight, alright? We'll talk a lot," Sissira said.
"Okay," Ardis hissed cheerfully.
"Come, let me show you your uncles," her grandmother said, carrying her into another room.
She moved a basket aside, revealing a hole beneath it. Reaching inside, she pulled out three black-and-white snakes.
They squinted as they looked at Ardis.
"Greet your niece, my little snakelings," she said, placing Ardis down.
"She's white… and what was that color again?" one snake hissed.
"Orange? But it's red too," another added.
"Don't be rude. Ask her name," the third said, pushing his brothers aside.
"My name is Ardis. What are yours?" Ardis asked curiously.
"We don't have names yet," one replied. "Mother says we'll choose them when we grow up. She calls me White."
"And me Black," another said. "And him, Bud."
"When I grow up, I want to be called Rokhan." Bud began.
"You can't. That's Daddy's name," White interrupted.
"But I want to be big and strong like him," Bud hissed stubbornly.
"Enough, boys," Sissira said gently. "Come near the fire. Stay warm."
She carried Ardis and sat near the fire.
"Grandma, why don't my uncles have names? My brothers do," Ardis asked.
Sissira, her grandmother, smiled quietly, pain hidden deep in her eyes.Ardis understood without being told. Many children did not survive long enough to earn a name.
Soon, dinner arrived. Aeron fed Ardis while eating himself.
"Has Ardis begun training?" the Snake Chief, Vareth asked.
"No. I plan to start tomorrow," Aeron replied softly.
"So late?" Sissira frowned. "Training will help her."
Aeron stayed silent. It was his first time being a father, especially to a daughter.
"I'll teach her some tricks tomorrow," the thin grandfather, Mirek said.
Aeron nodded. He was the best poison master among them.
"Ardis will sleep with me tomorrow," Sissira said firmly. "She's full."
She laid Ardis on the fur and lay beside her.
"Did your other grandmother mention teaching you the priestess arts?" Sissira asked.
Ardis nodded, confused.
"Good. I'll teach you too. In the fox tribe, only foxes can be priestesses, elders, or chiefs. But here, you can be one," Sissira said gently. "Some knowledge is the same, some is different."
"For now, sleep."
Ardis soon drifted off.
Her grandmother watched her quietly."I hope you stay safe," she whispered, closing her eyes.
Soon, the sun rose. Ardis felt herself being lifted in her sleep.
"Daddy… I'm sleepy," Ardis hissed unconsciously, rubbing her head.
A soft chuckle answered her.
It was Mirek, her grandfather."Today, your training begins," he said gently. "But first food."
Mirek fed her quickly and then carried her outside.
Behind the house, they sat on the grass.
Mirek began teaching.
"If anyone catches you, their guard may be down because you are small and female," he said seriously. "Bite them. Even if your venom cannot kill, it will make them dizzy."
He continued patiently, sharing many useful details.
"Your size is your greatest advantage right now. Hide in tall grass. Use holes, rabbit and mouse holes are the best. They are shelter… and food, if you must stay hidden for a long time."
He even allowed Ardis to bite him, guiding her carefully.
"Now, my turn," Rokhan said as he walked toward them.
Rokhan taught survival skills. As a non-venomous snake, his methods were different but no less important.
"It's fine to eat some fruit," he said, pausing. "But not too much. We are not meant for it."
Then it was Eldrin's turn.
Despite his calm demeanor, Eldrin taught the most insidious techniques, how to escape, mislead, and strike only when necessary.
After everything, Ardis lay flat on the ground, exhausted.
"Daddy," Ardis hissed softly when she saw Aeron.
Aeron lifted her into his arms, smiling faintly."You must learn well and remember what your grandfathers taught you," he said seriously, though in his heart, he hoped she would never need to use it.
Only now did he realize how grateful he was that he had brought her home, letting everyone teach her.
"Let's eat, alright?" Aeron said as he carried her inside.
He didn't tell her that the Snake Chief would train her next, after she ate.
She needed energy first.
"I'm not that hungry," Ardis said, confused.