In another part of the city, there was an elderly man with white hair and a majestic build that reflected a long history of experience and wisdom. He was speaking to Scarface in an angry tone.
He stood before Scarface and said, "Scarface, I have received news about yesterday's incident, about the trouble that occurred during the duel. Why didn't you stop Morani from attacking the boy? Do you want us to enter a war against the Estrason tribe?"
Scarface looked coldly at the old man and replied, "What happened was merely a duel. There was no need to interfere in such matters."
But the old man was not convinced by this answer and said angrily, "I know why you didn't stop Morani. You are planning to ignite a war, kill the royal guards, and then take revenge on the king who executed your father."
Scarface's eyes widened for a moment, then he quickly composed himself and said in a low voice, "My father was an honorable man, and he had his reasons. The king executed him without giving him a chance to defend himself."
The old man stepped back slightly and said in a calmer voice, trying to control his anger, "Do not forget that the king was kind to us. He decided to execute only your father and spared the rest of the family. He could have punished all of us, but he chose mercy."
Scarface turned his face away violently and stepped toward the old man, saying in a voice full of resentment, "Mercy? This is not justice. We have lived under the shadow of this injustice for years, and my father paid the greatest price. I will never forget what happened, and I will make the king pay a heavy price."
The old man sighed and said calmly, "Scarface, revenge will bring us nothing but more pain and trouble. Think about the interests of our tribe and our people. Do not let hatred blind you from seeing the truth."
Scarface left the place without replying, leaving the old man standing in confusion and worry about what might happen in the future. He knew that Scarface was a dangerous man, and that his hatred could drive him to make decisions that would harm everyone.
Meanwhile, as Basil, Hamza, and Finn approached the back section of the palace, the features of the place began to change.
In the distance, a massive tree rose toward the sky, its thick trunk stretching upward while its wide branches covered a vast area.
Among its branches were hanging houses suspended from the tree, connected by wooden bridges that swayed with the wind.
Basil and Hamza stopped at this astonishing sight and exchanged looks of amazement.
Hamza said while looking up, "What is this tree? I have never seen anything like it before."
Finn smiled proudly and said, "This is the Estrason Tree, the home of the warrior women. It is more than just a tree; it represents a part of our history and heritage."
Basil looked at Finn and asked curiously, "Do the women of Estrason live here?"
Finn nodded and replied, "In the past, all the women of Estrason lived here. This tree was their home before the Kingdom of Anomazon was established. When the men of Mazi and the women of Estrason came together to live as one people, some of them left the tree and moved to the city. However, those who did not marry, and the warrior women who continue their training, remained here."
He pointed toward the bridges and the hanging houses and said,
"These houses are their homes. Here, the women train and live in their own independent community. Every year, a celebration called the Marriage of the Firstborn Virgin is held. On that day, the women leave the tree to meet the men of Mazi, and if there is compatibility between them, they marry on the same day. This tradition has continued since ancient times."
Hamza raised an eyebrow and asked, "So if a woman from Estrason marries a man from Mazi, does she remain here or leave?"
Finn replied, "If a woman marries, she can choose to remain with the Estrason tribe or move to live with her husband among the Mazi. However, there is a strict rule. If she gives birth to a child and it is a boy, he is given to the Mazi tribe to live with his father and train as a warrior. But if the child is a girl, she remains with the women of Estrason to be raised and trained to become a warrior like her mother."
Basil observed the details of the place and noticed how the houses were built in harmony with the tree, giving the place a unique and remarkable appearance.
Basil said while admiring the tree, "I never imagined that an entire community could live among the branches of a tree. This place is truly unique."
They continued walking along the bridges, looking in wonder at this world suspended among the branches, realizing that the kingdom hides many secrets and traditions they have not yet discovered.
As they were approaching the tree, one of the royal guardswomen approached them and said, "The king requests the presence of Basil and Hamza immediately."
Finn looked at them with curiosity. Basil and Hamza exchanged quick glances, then hurried back toward the royal palace.