And the awaited moment arrived. We met the chief at the entrance to my village. Beside me stood Cycnopy, and beside him were two of his warriors. They looked large and powerful compared to us, but I knew they did not possess the courage or the advanced equipment that we had. For that reason my confidence was complete. I told them to remain silent, to avoid any quarrel, and to do nothing but watch. As we walked, the chief, now calmer and beginning to believe, spoke to me: "My name is Xeptolyn, I am the leader of this clan, my warriors are loyal to me and ready to die for me. Burning our village last night put us in a very difficult position. Why did you do such a thing? Also, you said you were a chief; what happened to Pre?"
A seriousness fell over my face as I answered his question. I explained, "Chief Pre is dead. I killed him. While we held one of your people for questioning, he said nothing and then killed him. When I tried to speak with him, he tried to kill me. Even as a warrior I am a man of justice." I paused for a moment and then added, "A great threat stands before us; when you see it with your own eyes you will believe me."
By the time we approached the village entrance the first light of morning was beginning to show. Villagers were slowly emerging and gathering one after another; the crowd steadily swelled. Xeptolyn and his warriors watched us in astonishment and wonder. My war chief Cycnopy and I watched closely as well, attempting to learn more. The plan in my head was clear: I would fold Xeptolyn into my clan, grow my people, and by doing so increase both our chances of survival and our clan's potential. Naturally I assumed that women would be drawn to our strength; power brings attractiveness.
The face of the dark woman I had met at the little pool the other day, Myr, would not leave my mind. Her curious, shy smile lingered in my thoughts as our scouting and observations concluded and we set out for our village. When we reached the point of parting I addressed Xeptolyn and extended my invitation: "I would like to invite you and your clan to my village. Come before the sun sets tomorrow; we will share food and talk, and then we will discuss this threat. I promise that no one from my village will attack you or show disrespect." As I extended the invitation I saw curiosity and unease on their faces.
After a brief hesitation Xeptolyn answered: "The threat is real, and you are as true as you say. You can control fire as well. Together we can overcome them, I trust your word, Chief Ragno. We will visit your village before dusk tomorrow; I hope you have ideas worthy of our coming." With those words he and his warriors turned and left. I watched them go, then turned my back and moved toward our village; now the preparations had to begin.
When we reached the village square people had gone back to their tasks; some stoked fires, some worked hides, others crowded around the newly made wheel debating its use. In the distance the hunters' victory signs were visible; one of my wishes had been fulfilled, I had seen that the bison had been captured. New shapes formed in my mind; simply imagining what could be accomplished with those materials excited me. The looks of the people now carried a tendency to trust; each day they learned something new.
I gathered everyone in the square without delay and made my announcement. My voice reached every corner: "Before the sun sets tomorrow the neighboring tribe will come to visit; the entire village must be here. Anyone who disrespects them or draws a weapon will find me standing opposite them and will face the consequences. The other tribe is large enough to threaten or even kill us; we must form an alliance. They need us and they know it." After I spoke a chorus of whispers spread around, a mixture of anxiety and hope. I scanned the crowd and wanted to see that everyone understood my words.
Then I called to the hunters: "Hunters, go out and take every animal you can find. Drag the cart along for convenience. Do not return empty handed." Heads nodded as if to say "as you command," and they dispersed for their tasks. I turned to those who remained and instructed them to bring order to the village: "Tend the village, keep the fires burning, roast the meat, use the hides to sit on. Do not tamper with the traps used to intimidate; protect what we have. Anyone with a problem may find me in my tent; unless it is an emergency, do not disturb me. You may disperse." My orders were clear and everyone knew what to do; I was ready to proceed with my plan.
I would begin to train my bison. From the films I had watched in my old life I remembered that great warriors had nicknames; I already had one, Scream Of Fire, but that was not enough. I would train the bison, I would ride it, and I would craft another name for myself, one that would be spoken with numbers, strength, and stories. The thought fed a growing spark inside me; I felt both the responsibility and the opportunity that leadership carried.
At midday a cold silence settled over the camp as people returned to their duties and the smoke from the fires rose into the sky. I sat at the entrance of my tent watching the surroundings and the distance; each movement and shadow filtered into my calculations. Detailed scenarios turned in my head: which routes were safer, which negotiation would be more convincing, which move would sway the other side. I considered how to allocate my limited resources most effectively and which youths would be more efficient in certain roles.
When I reached the side of my tent I whispered to myself one last time; the resolve inside me flared up once more: "I will protect this village, I will grow my clan, and with the means of this age I will build a new order."
Level: 8
XP: 4570 / 5000
HP: 92 / 120
Strength: 20
Endurance: 19
Intelligence: 18
Agility: 15
Charisma: 18
Skills
Firecraft Lv.5
Survival Lv.4
Reconnaissance Lv.2
Leadership Lv.4
Diplomacy Lv.3
Weapon Mastery Lv.3
Combat Lv.5
Crafting Lv.4
Butchering Lv.1
Engineering Lv.2
Animal Handling Lv.1
Titles
Scream Of Fire