Leone stood in the fortress, holding a bowl of dark charcoal pigment mixed into a thick paste.
In front of him was Ulric, who had crouched down a bit to allow his Great Chieftain to place war paint on his face.
This was a traditional ritual that took place whenever the barbarians went to war.
In the past, when they were about to fight against Astravor, Leone had asked him to be treated as a member of the Alborin Tribe. Thus, he had his face painted as a warrior.
And now, that same young man was applying war paint on Ulric's face, marking him as a warrior of the Aslan Tribe.
"Brave warrior, may your courage inspire others to fight as valiantly as you," Leone said with a faint smile on his face.
"And may your strength become the shield that protects those fighting beside you. May your axe also remind our enemies why the Aslan Tribe will never bow before anyone."
