I tried to protest, but the shaman did not care. "I will need to consult the spirits on what to do with you. In the meantime, we will keep you here and treat you as a guest" he said. I groaned and sarcastically said "If that's how it is, why don't I just join the tribe?". Everyone was shocked and there were several gasps. The shaman turned to me and gave me a discerning look. It was if he was trying to read my soul. His gaze made me uncomfortable as hell. With lightning fast accuracy, he pointed the staff at my throat. I did not have any time to react. It made me gulp in fear. "Don't say things you do not mean, young one. Since you do not appreciate what we offer you, you'll be treated as a prisoner for the fortnight. You may be a warrior and healer, but you are only a mare" he said. That made me upset but I held my tongue. This was a tribe of centaurs. Of course I should have known there was going to be sexism involved. I just needed to find a way to escape the tribe. I couldn't do that as a prisoner. "I did mean it. Let me join the tribe" I said.
The shaman tilted his head and chuckled. "We don't allow outsiders in. No tribe on these plains does that. When we are low on members, tribes organize raids and capture mares. Unless you are offering yourself to give birth to a new member of the tribe, you can stop right there" he explained. I crossed my arms and said "I am. Let me in. I'm not going to be a prisoner. Let me in the tribe or let me go on my way. I have somewhere to be". The tribe members were all murmuring amongst themselves on what to do. Eventually, the shaman slammed his staff into the ground. The centaurs were silenced and looked at him for his guidance. "Fine then. We value strength and bravery. You can be in the tribe as a concubine. You will not be a member, but your children will be members". A popup appeared to confirm whether I wanted to be a concubine for the Brave Whisper Tribe. I rolled my eyes and said "Is that all? I am not going to thank you for something like this. If I can't be a member, it doesn't matter to me what happens to all of you".
When I accepted it anyway, the shaman smiled. "Since you are a proven warrior and healer, we will grant you a choice on who you will be bound to. Menedes, Sotemon, and Adius are warriors you fought with today. They did not do well enough to win a tribe mare's favor, but they will certainly be able to satisfy you. Teodan, Arosyne and my son Halasio are hunters in the same position. Our colts in the tribes come of age at 12 years of age in the coming months. There are three colts in the tribe that are soon to come of age. Sebutus, Corbys and Sebien are young, but they will make our tribe proud" he explained. With each name, a new centaur stepped forward with their chest puffed out. They all had the characteristic brown and white fur, light brown tail and hair. They looked at me longingly. I couldn't blame them. They, for whatever reason, did not have any female attention. I was strong and skilled. They would have strong children if they got me pregnant. I made a point of circling each of them and pausing as I looked at their rumps. I wanted to psyche them out. They certainly seemed unnerved.
