"Rank five?"
Jaxon's footsteps stopped abruptly, and the people stepping forward to welcome the Chief also froze. They stared fixedly at Sane and Kaelen, holding their breath waiting for an answer.
Sane nodded slightly. Instantly, the atmosphere in the tribe practically burst from Barton's roar:
"Rank five! The Chief has broken through to rank five!"
Tears streamed down Jaxon's face. He placed a hand over his eyes wanting to hide them, but his body trembling incessantly to the rhythm of his sobs betrayed him. Zale and Nordhal could not hold back; they approached Sane and emotionally punched his shoulder.
It had been a very long time since low-tier tribes like theirs had someone above Rank 3.
Kaelen waited for everyone to calm down, asking: "How long were we in here? Why do I feel like it has been a very long time?"
Jaxon sniffled: "Eleven days..." Then he stiffened, looking at Kaelen in disbelief: "Kaelen, you, you..."
Kaelen smiled: "Yes, I can speak now."
