Moonlit vow

19.Exchange Market

The scent of spring has fully melted away the frost of winter. The sunlight filters through the branches of the forest, casting a gentle glow on the ground. The air is filled with the fragrance of earth and new growth, as if the entire world is bursting with renewed vitality.

During this time, the tribe has been bustling with activity. With the Spring Exchange Gathering approaching, Iris has been preparing early. The gathering not only provides an opportunity to exchange resources with other tribes but also strengthens alliances. To ensure the tribe remains secure while they are away, Iris has made thorough preparations:

She personally taught the women of the tribe how to use bows. Though many started out clumsy, with Iris’s patience and repetitive demonstrations, everyone eventually hit their target.

“Your strength doesn’t need to match the men’s,” Iris said with a smile. “As long as you aim well, you can protect yourself and your children.”

At the same time, the two elder tribesmen skilled in toolmaking have been hard at work. Over the winter, they refined their cart designs, creating sturdy yet collapsible carts that are not only durable but also practical for transporting goods. The elders’ focused determination has given Iris even more reason to look forward to the gathering.

Leiand, as the Wolf King, is equally busy, managing daily tribe affairs and selecting experienced, strong warriors to accompany him.

Finally, the day of departure arrives! The crisp morning air carries a touch of coolness, but Iris’s face beams with excitement. Several carts are loaded with carefully prepared supplies: intricately crafted animal hides, dried fish and spicy jerky, salted meat from autumn, and those collapsible carts designed for easy transport. The warriors stand behind the carts, ready to follow Leiand’s command.

Leiand glances at Iris with a gentle smile. “Are you ready?”

Iris nods enthusiastically. “Of course! This time, we’ll bring back something worthwhile!”

With a command, the group sets off. The carts creak along the forest trails, moving steadily though slowly. Along the way, Iris eagerly takes in the sights. The spring forest is breathtaking—lush green grass sprouts from the ground, and occasional wildflowers dot the landscape.

Walking alongside Leiand, Iris occasionally stops to examine a particular plant, occasionally pointing at one and saying, “This looks like a medicinal herb, but it’s just starting to sprout. Once it matures, we can gather it.”

Leiand watches her attentively, chuckling softly. “You have a lot of patience. When it matures, I’ll bring you to see it.”

“Of course! They’re valuable treasures,” Iris responds with a smile.

The journey south is long, and the carts move slower than expected, especially as they traverse muddy patches that stick to the wheels. Occasionally, they must lift the carts and carry them through the tougher areas. By the third day, they encounter another group heading toward the exchange gathering.

“It’s the Black Wolf tribe!” one warrior shouts excitedly.

Iris looks up and sees a group of tall, powerful werewolves carrying a variety of goods. At the front of their group walks a dignified black wolf with glistening black fur under the sunlight, his sharp yet gentle gaze unmistakable. It is Daniel, the Black Wolf tribe’s Wolf King.

“We meet again!” Daniel shifts into human form and steps forward, offering a warm greeting to Leiand and Iris. His wife, Bailey, follows closely behind, offering a friendly smile.

“It’s a pleasant surprise to see you on this path,” Leiand responds with a smile, shaking Daniel’s hand.

The two groups quickly merge. Having met during the Wolf King’s coronation ceremony, both sides hold positive impressions. Conversations flow easily, and soon everyone is comfortable with one another.

Daniel and Bailey take note of the collapsible carts in Leiand’s group. Though simple in design, the carts are sturdy and easily maneuverable, even on forest trails. Packed with supplies, the carts significantly ease the burden of the journey.

“These carts are exceptional! They save effort and are incredibly useful,” Bailey remarks appreciatively. “Our tribe often carries heavy loads, and it can be exhausting.”

Daniel nods thoughtfully, then cautiously proposes, “Would you be willing to trade a few carts with us? Of course, we’ll provide enough valuable items to make the trade worthwhile.”

The Black Wolf tribe’s leaders are straightforward and trustworthy. Iris is already prepared to trade, and who she exchanges with doesn’t matter much. She and Leiand share a brief glance before quickly agreeing to the trade—offering five carts in exchange for animal hides, meat, and a generous amount of dried wild berries. The dried berries are particularly delightful, tasting somewhat like sweet, tangy strawberries from another time.

With the trade completed, the tribe immediately transfers their cargo to the carts, lightening the load significantly.

The journey becomes more enjoyable with company. Leiand and Daniel walk ahead, engaged in a discussion about their tribes’ developments and shared goals for the year. Meanwhile, Iris walks with Bailey, talking about the lives and struggles of the women in their tribes.

“You’ve brought so much with you. It seems you had a good harvest last year,” Bailey observes, admiring the supplies on the carts.

“It’s not bad,” Iris replies with a smile. “Mostly salt and jerky. This year, we’ll prepare even more for the next exchange gathering. We’ll bring back even better things.”

Bailey nods thoughtfully, then suddenly remembers something. “I heard your tribe has a special kind of plant—something spicy, called peppers?”

“Yes, I discovered it accidentally in the forest. There aren’t many yet, but once they mature, I plan to cultivate them. For now, they’re enough to satisfy cravings.” Iris grins mischievously. “Tonight, I can make a spicy grilled meat for everyone to try.”

Bailey's eyes brightened. "That's wonderful! I've heard about your spicy meat. It must be something truly special."

That evening, the two groups settled at a spacious grassy area for camp. A fire was lit, and everyone gathered around it. Iris took some lamb from the carts, quickly chopping it into pieces before marinating it with salt and the spicy pepper powder she had prepared earlier. Over the crackling fire, the skewers hissed as they cooked, and the aroma quickly spread.

The Black Wolf tribe werewolves sat nearby, unable to hide their anticipation. "What’s that smell? It’s so tempting!" one of them asked, drooling slightly.

Iris smiled and handed a skewer to Daniel and Bailey. "Try it, this is our tribe’s specialty."

Daniel took the skewered meat, taking a bite, and his eyes lit up. "This flavor! So unique! Spicy and fragrant, it warms you up—hard to stop eating!" he exclaimed.

Bailey also marveled. "I've never tasted anything like this meat before. You’re truly skilled!"

Soon, the Black Wolf tribe’s werewolves tasted the unique grilled meat, all of them praising it enthusiastically. They gathered around Iris, eagerly asking about the origin of the peppers and expressing their desire to trade for more if Iris were to cultivate them.

"Of course," Iris quickly agreed. "Once we grow them, you can send someone to our tribe to trade some."

That night, the fire burned brightly, and laughter filled the camp. As the exchange gathering approached, everyone’s excitement grew. The night sky was dotted with stars, and tomorrow they would continue their journey.

After five days of travel, Leiand and Iris’ group, along with the Black Wolf tribe, finally reached the site of this year’s Spring Exchange Gathering.

The gathering took place in a wide, open clearing deep in the southern forest. Tall trees surrounded the area, creating a natural barrier to protect this sacred exchange ground. As the groups drew closer, temporary camps and market stalls began to appear in the distance, their bustling noises blending into a lively atmosphere.

"We’ve arrived," Leiand said, halting his steps and scanning the scene with a hint of caution.

Daniel approached and exchanged a silent look with Leiand. "It seems more tribes have come this year. The more bustling it gets, the more careful we must be."

"Rest assured," Leiand nodded. "Let’s find a spot to settle."

They chose a position near the Black Wolf tribe. Close proximity ensured mutual support. As both tribes began setting up their temporary camps, arranging their supplies, the air buzzed with preparation.

Iris stood in the center of the camp, curiously observing her surroundings. She noticed that this gathering wasn’t solely for wolf tribes. Fox, monkey, leopard, snake, and even massive elephant tribes were present in the distance.

"I didn’t realize there were so many different tribes participating…" Iris murmured, her eyes wide with amazement.

Daniel approached her and smiled. "The exchange gathering is an annual event established by the various tribes in the forest. Everyone knows that peaceful trade is far better than conflict. That’s why, during this time, any tribal war is strictly forbidden. Violation of this rule leads to exile and punishment by all the tribes."

Iris nodded, finally understanding why such a large gathering could remain orderly. Everyone had a shared purpose—to benefit their tribe. This gathering resembled a marketplace from a previous era, but without currency. Everything exchanged was done through barter.

For the next period, Leiand and Iris wandered the gathering, leaving their warriors to guard the supplies. They explored various stalls, observing what other tribes brought to trade.

At the stalls, Iris saw a variety of goods: animal hides, meat, pottery, seeds, pearls, even some unfamiliar fruits, unique ornaments, and ivory. Women gathered around certain stalls, selecting from the vast offerings.

"These items are indeed beautiful, but not very practical," Iris shook her head. Aside from seeds and pottery, she wasn’t particularly impressed, continuing forward.

Leiand smiled beside her. "You’re always so practical, different from the others."

Iris shot him a look. "You say that lightly. If we bring back useless things, how will the tribe survive?"

Leiand didn’t argue further, instead tenderly patting her head with a playful smile.

After walking through various stalls, they stopped at one displaying unremarkable brownish seeds. Sitting behind the stall was a tall, commanding middle-aged man—the chief of the Leopard tribe.

"Are these wheat seeds?" Iris asked excitedly, crouching down to inspect them more closely.

"I’m not sure what these are," the Leopard chief said in a low voice. "These can be boiled in water and eaten, but the taste is ordinary. However, we have a lot of them in our forest, so we decided to trade some."

Hearing this, Iris’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She began imagining the possibilities—if these wheat seeds could be cultivated, they might produce flour for bread and other foods. Her thoughts raced toward baking bread and creating a variety of meals.

"We’ll trade for all of these wheat seeds," Iris said quickly, concerned the Leopard tribe might change their mind.

The chief smiled. "That’s fine, but I didn’t bring many this time. If you want more, we can arrange for you to visit our tribe during the summer for more seeds."

Leiand immediately sent a messenger with samples of various supplies to show what could be traded in exchange.

The Leopard chief examined the items carefully and smiled broadly. He seemed pleased with the offer—salt, two collapsible carts, and some spicy meat jerky. Particularly impressed by the carts’ utility, he expressed interest in purchasing more in the future.

After leaving the Leopard stall, Iris and Leiand moved on to a Fox tribe stall. The foxes showcased beautifully crafted ceramic pots—smooth, elegant, and clearly well-made.

"Did you make these?" Iris asked a nearby Fox woman.

"No," she answered hesitantly. "We traded for them from afar. There aren’t many, just these. Our tribe has been short on food, so we had to trade them."

Iris frowned slightly at the response. She understood the Fox tribe’s struggles, as survival in this harsh environment required constant effort. Even their adept hunting ability wouldn’t be enough during harsh winters, let alone when supplies ran low.

The Fox chief cautiously approached Leiand. "Would you consider trading for two of our fox women? Our tribe has little food left and can’t support them."

Leiand’s expression stiffened instantly, and he quickly waved a hand. "No, we don’t trade women."

Iris giggled softly at his reaction. "You’re afraid I’ll get jealous?"

Leiand gave her a wry look. "I’d never do anything to hurt you."

They eventually traded dried fish and animal hides for the beautiful ceramic pots, though Iris couldn’t shake the weight of the Fox tribe’s struggles.