Rufus was called back to the palace. Bad news came from the north.

"What has happened," Rufus said entering the room, accompanied by the Gherseng guards.

There was Tashi in the throne room. He seemed like he was struggling to tell what was in his mind.

"We have bad news. There has been an altercation between the humans and grey skins in the north close to the mountains," Tashi explained.

"Well don't keep us waiting. What has happened?" Haley said impatiently.

"Well, have you heard of the Sonam tribe?"

Pema and Amala recognized the tribe. Rufus looked at them and realized this tribe was a special one.

"What's special about this tribe?"

"They were hard-line Tride supporters. Under pressure from all the other tribes, they still decided to join in with us during the war. They are an especially vicious tribe who have many times gone to raid the human settlements in the past and deliberately caused a lot of destruction and devastation. They do not have much love or kindness towards them," Tashi explained about the Sonam tribe.

"Have they refused to stop the raids?" Rufus asked.

All of the grey skins present were quiet.

"Well say it!" Haley said being tired of waiting.

"They have always had a custom that has been very violent and gruesome. They have lived in a particularly barren part of the mountains. The Sonam tribe has always had a hard time feeding their people. To fight this they decided to adopt a very gruesome custom every winter and they are refusing to end the custom."

Tashi seemed like he didn't want to say what the custom was.

"Amala?" Rufus said and looked at her wanting to know the truth.

"Every winter they marched to the human settlements. Took all the food, but more importantly, took also the humans with them. They then killed them and ate them."

Rufus and Haley couldn't believe what they had just heard. It felt so despicable and horrible.

"They believe eating humans will make them stronger. The custom has been practiced by them for over six hundred years. They have begun again devouring humans and even killed a few grey skins we sent to stop them. We heard one human village had already been attacked by them," Tashi explained.

"We can't now just be standing here. They must be stopped. They would destroy all that we have strived for here," Haley said looking at all of them.

"I agree. I will ride north and go and stop them before they attack another human settlement," Rufus said.

"No, you are not."

Doreen came into the throne room. She looked again normal with her circles under her eyes had disappeared and her hair was tidy as ever. All of them just smiled realizing that the old Doreen was back.

"Rufus can not leave. He needs to stay here now. We need to send grey skins to take care of them. Grey skins have to show to the humans that they are holding themselves responsible and are also passing on the judgment," Doreen explained.

Doreen looked at Pema who had been silent until now.

"Pema should go. He alone, with some grey skin warriors. They must show to all grey skins and humans that this truly is a nation of two races where all of them are equal under the same law."

Rufus looked at the Ghersengs around him.

"I want to send some of the Ghersengs also."

The Ghersengs started to oppose this.

"No, my Raja. We need to be guarding you. We took an oath to guard you and you only."

"Yes. We need to stay by your side all the time."

Rufus calmed the Ghersengs down.

"Listen. I am the Raja, but my superior is the people. I need you now to save and protect my superior," Rufus said and looked at his armored and tall Gherseng guards.

The Ghersengs looked at each other. They knew that there was no chance of changing Rufus's mind. The mindset of Rufus wanting to protect and help everyone was the entire reason why they respected him so much.

"Fine, but we will only send a few of us with him. Most of us will still stay beside you," one of the Ghersengs said.

"That is fine by me," Rufus said and patted the Gherseng on his shoulder.

Haley was biting her nails.

"I will go too."

"No, you wo…"

"Or what. I am not weak Rufus. I think I have proved I can take care of myself. Besides, it's also good to have one Fairfax with them at least," Haley said and winked at Rufus.

Rufus couldn't refuse Haley this time. She had a powerful divine power and could easily hold her own. She was far from being weak.

"Fine....but the Ghersengs are to guard you. Think of her as you would think of me. She is my family no less."

"Quit your worrying," Haley said wanting to wave off all doubt from Rufus.