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墨書 Inktalez
At the public meeting place in the tribe, the people gather to discuss the upcoming sacrifice ritual.
The venue is a spacious circular open space, with a stone-built fire pit in the center. The flames leap in the darkness, illuminating the diverse expressions on each face.
The tribal elders sat at the front, with totems symbolizing authority placed in front of them. Other members of the tribe sat or stood around them, each with a look of concern or determination in their eyes for the future.
Except for Young tribal leader who was seriously injured and resting, and Zhang Jin who was taking care of him, almost everyone was present.
An elderly elder stood up, and his voice spread throughout the venue in the night wind:
"We are here today to discuss the matter of the sacrifice ritual. The Yun Yan family has found someone willing to sacrifice - Zhang Jin. However, this decision requires the consent of all of us."
A group of people who support Yun Yan were the first to speak out, and a middle-aged man stepped forward, his voice firm:
"Zhang Jin is a daughter of our tribe, and her courage deserves the respect of all of us. But since she is willing to stay in our tribe and learn our culture, we should respect her so that our tribe can continue to maintain peace."
However, this opinion is not the majority. Another group's representative, an elderly woman, spoke up with a slightly trembling voice:
"Zhang Jin may not have been born in our tribe, but she has proven her loyalty to the tribe through her actions. She saved our Young tribal leader, and she is no longer an outsider. We cannot decide her fate on our own."
The atmosphere in the venue became tense, and the members of the tribe began to discuss intensely.
Some people believe that since Zhang Jin's life was saved by Yun Yan, she should accept her fate as the sacrifice bride. Others argue that Zhang Jin has already become a member of the tribe and should not be treated as a sacrifice.
A young warrior stepped forward, his voice filled with passion: "We cannot sacrifice an innocent life just for tradition. Zhang Jin has already proven his worth, and we should find other ways to protect our tribe."
The debate continued for a long time, with everyone expressing their views. Some believed in upholding tradition, while others believed in respecting every person's life.
In the end, the elders decided to resolve this major decision through a vote.
The voices of the elders rang out in the meeting hall, solemn and powerful: "Throw a stone to the person you support. The side with fewer stones is the one that will sacrifice the bride. Each of your stone choices carries the future of the tribe."
As night fell, the firelight by the pit illuminated every face as the members of the tribe one by one walked to the pit and cast their stones into it.
Yun Yan's parents stood at the edge of the gathering, watching as each member of the tribe walked to the pit and made their choice. Two areas were marked out there, one labeled Zhang Jin and the other labeled Yun Yan.
When the last stone was thrown, the whole venue fell silent. The elders began to count the number of stones, while the surrounding people held their breath, hoping for the best outcome for them.
The result was unexpected for everyone, as the number of stones supporting Zhang Jin far exceeded those supporting Yun Yan.
Yun Yan's parents have always hoped to protect their only daughter from becoming a sacrifice, but now they feel a deep sense of powerlessness and despair.
Tears fall from Yun Yan's mother's eyes onto the ground as her voice trembles, "Our daughter, our Yun Yan, she... she cannot escape this fate..."
Yun Yan's father held her tightly, his eyes showing a hint of determination mixed with sorrow: "This is the tribe's choice, we must accept it. But our hearts will always be with our daughter."
The other members of the tribe at the venue also felt the sadness.
A young warrior, who had previously spoken firmly in support of Zhang Jin, now appears somewhat uneasy: "I... Did we really do the right thing?"
An elderly woman beside him gently pats his back: "Child, sometimes the right decision won't make everyone happy. But we must think of the future of the tribe."
After the tribal meeting, the people quietly dispersed.
The parents of Yun Yan walked back home in silence, their shadows stretching long on the moonlit path.
The warmth of the home's lights remained, and Yun Yan sat by the window, playing with a string of wind chimes in her hands. It was her favorite childhood toy, and whenever the wind blew, the clear sound of the chimes echoed her innocent laughter.
Yun Yan's mother gently pushed open the door and saw her daughter's peaceful profile, which caused her even more pain. She walked over to Yun Yan and softly called out, " Yun Yan."
Yun Yan turned around and saw the tears in her mother's eyes, immediately standing up and asking, "Mother, what's wrong?"
Father also walked in, his voice low: " Yun Yan, the tribe's decision has been made."
Yun Yan's eyes flashed with a hint of unease: "Is it about the sacrifice?"
The mother nodded, tears falling, "Yes, child. But the outcome is not what we hoped for."
Yun Yan's heart sank, her hand unconsciously gripping the wind chime, "Then who?"
Father took a deep breath and said firmly, "It's Zhang Jin. The tribe has chosen her to survive, and you will be the sacrifice bride."
Yun Yan was stunned, unable to believe it was true. "No, it can't be. Zhang Jin... she's not an outsider, is she? Why her?"
The mother stepped forward and hugged Yun Yan tightly, saying, "The people of the tribe have accepted and recognized her. She saved Han Che, the young tribal leader, and has become a hero and a member of the barbarian tribe."
Yun Yan's eyes were filled with confusion and struggle, and finally he sighed, "Well, actually I already knew in my heart that it would end up like this. I... I am ready."
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