The night was thick and black. I eased my eyes open; I had slept a deep, determined sleep, and when I woke the same resolute feeling still sat heavy in my chest. Today was the day. I had to win my first victory as war chief. I wanted to prove myself, and I felt the weight of that need with every breath. I would make it happen. I got up and began to prepare. I smeared mud over my skin, camouflaging my face and arms; I took nothing with me but my spears, ready for any contingency.
When I reached the village square, everyone stood ready, waiting for me. One of the young men ran up and shouted, "We await your orders, master." The words pleased me. It had been less than a day since Karlmos died, and somehow overnight the clan seemed to accept me. Or so I thought.
I handed out torches and explained, one by one, how to use them and what each task would be. I assigned two men to bring the animals back to our village; everyone knew their role. We were ready to move. Fifteen muscular, strong, fast men and five warrior women , twenty in total , set out under my leadership toward the neighboring tribe. They knew nothing; they slept deep, unaware. Everything in my head was planned. Nothing could go wrong. With careful craft and swift action, we would finish the job.
As we neared the village entrance I lit my torch and gathered everyone around. We could see the night sentries, but they had not yet noticed us. When all the torches flared to life, the sleeping village began to stir; sounds rose, people panicked. There would be nowhere left to hide. Our group rushed into the heart of the settlement. We set each hut alight, hurled torches onto every pile of stores, and drowned their depots in flame. We took every animal we could get our hands on: goats, sheep, and a few small cattle , the beasts they kept for meat and milk that we would now use. Our aim was to seize their goods and leave them bereft.
There were moments they tried to fight back. A few ran at us with clubs and sticks. I flung my torch into a stack and drew my spears. I bellowed like a beast claiming its territory; I wanted to sound like the strongest creature in that forest. Even my own clan faltered, unsure what to do as I threw the spears and screamed war calls. The message had to be crystal clear: I was strong, and I could kill you. The enemy panicked, trying to save what they could. We took the herd and withdrew. We lost nothing of consequence; no one suffered grave wounds, only small cuts and burns.
Back at our village we secured the animals behind makeshift fences. I checked the men one by one; everyone had returned and completed their task. They lifted me high in celebration, carrying me on their shoulders. They bowed, one by one, placing their hands at my feet in a show of respect. Chief Pre stepped forward and shouted, "We have lived in fear for too long; you have chased that fear away. Long live war chief Ragnooooo!" Pride flared in me; something hot and hungry lit inside.
[+180 XP]
Strength +1
Endurance +1
New Skill Unlocked: Leadership Lv.1
I had arranged for the torches and the raid, and now the clan celebrated. Annabel came to the festivities with her usual companion. She kissed my cheek and stepped back; I saw jealousy flash in her friend's eyes. The friend approached and kissed me on the cheek too; I was surprised, and it pleased me. "Congratulations, war chief!" they cried. I quieted the crowd and spoke: "Listen! This is only the beginning. We launched the first strike, but now we must protect our village, our people, and our herds. Gather everything needed to defend the square and report to me quickly. We will build a line of defense." My voice had to be heard.
I returned to my tent, cleaned the blood from my body, removed my helmet and hide cloak. There was a plan in my head, and I would carry it out. Stepping back into the square, my eyes took in knives, spears, wood, fire, and stones , everything we would use to fortify our home. I laid out the work: we would ring the village with long, sharp wooden posts so no one could slip in unseen. Behind those posts we would dig deep pits, perfectly placed so anyone who tried to leap over would fall straight into the trap. We scattered thorny plants across likely approaches so that in the dark no one could see them; anyone who tried to cross would be surprised and slowed.
We adapted the booby bird traps for people. We set "abandoned" weapons with cords tied to them; when pulled, cages would drop and snare the intruders. My final move was grim: I drove two spears into the village entrance and mounted the skulls of the two hunters we had killed earlier on their tips. It was a brutal warning, a clear sign of what would happen to those who came to steal from us. For a moment I wondered: who was the second hunter the chief had killed? Why had he been slain? The answer would have to wait.
With these actions the burden on my shoulders felt heavier. I checked my gear: the spear tips were slightly damaged but serviceable. My wounds bled at the edges, but the load on each man had eased, and more responsibility sat on my shoulders. I spent the night planning defensive lines and assigning tasks to the young men, arranging to rise early and finish what we had started.
A calm, meticulous resolve filled me. Today brought victory; tomorrow we would secure safety. The clan now looked to me with more hope, tying their futures to my decisions. I could not know if I had the strength to carry this weight, but there was no other option: I would lead, protect, and if necessary, fight.
Then one thought cut through the planning: who was the second hunter the chief had killed? Why had he been slain?