Morning had come, though the sun had not yet risen. I opened my eyes and began the new day with excitement. There was much to be done. The air was still dark, and the cold coming from the sea made us shiver. In the shelters we would build, I had to take this cold into account. I stepped out of my tent and walked into the square, my voice rising in command,
"Wake up, wake up and gather around me!"
In the center stood a massive pile of wood and branches. I lit the fire, and the flames reached high into the sky. The entire tribe had woken, their eyes fixed on me. "It is cold, I know," I said, my voice carrying through the crowd. "But today we will work with all our sweat, with all our strength, and by tomorrow everything will be ready." When my words ended, men and women alike gazed at me with hope in their eyes. Especially the women, whose stares shone with a different light. Before them stood a strong leader, a chief who could overcome all difficulties. In their eyes I saw admiration and trust. And in my own mind, beyond the plans of attack and defense, I dreamed of nights of warmth with them.
While they watched me closely, I continued my speech,
"The ocean is a new opportunity for us. Here we will build a pier. With the tendons and fibers of the animals we kill, we will weave nets. We will catch fish, crabs, and other sea creatures to eat. At the same time, we now have a limitless water source. We will purify the water and drink it. This is only the beginning. There is iron in the mountains. We will take this iron, extract it from the depths, and forge it. With it, our weapons will be stronger, and our armor more durable. Most importantly, we need places to sleep and defenses to protect us. This place is vast. Like in our former village, I want a tent, enormous and majestic. You too will no longer sleep in cold caves. You will all live in tents. We will cover the tents with hides, leaves, and mud to keep them warm. We will turn this land into a place worth living in. Builders, I will teach you what an oven is, and you will build a massive one. First of all, make a cage for my bison and begin the work. I will go and scout the area."
My words echoed, and at once everyone began to move. The old, the young, men and women—all threw themselves into the tasks. Trees were cut, hides were processed, tools were sharpened. What we needed most now were thick tree trunks. With them we would build shelters, and with sharpened stakes we would form our defense line.
Seeing the work pick up pace, I called two women to me. My voice was firm but carried a promise,
"I will give you a special task. In that direction, about thirty trees away, there are grapes, purple fruits. Gather as many as you can and bring them back to the village. If there are more, go again and bring them. I want you to keep gathering until you can carry no more."
I placed two pouches in their hands and sent them off. That evening, with those grapes, I would make wine. We would light fires, thank the gods, mourn our dead, and celebrate with a feast.
Now it was time for the true task. I summoned Cycnopy.
"My war chief, I have a special task for you, if you are ready," I said, waiting for his approval. From the expression on his face, I could tell he was ready to fall to his knees before me.
"Go to that village. Introduce yourself and me. Tell them we intend to work the iron, and that they can join us if they wish. Test them, and if they are worthy, bring them into our ranks. If they refuse, show them the consequences. Before you go, tell your three strongest warriors to immediately form a defensive line with sharpened tree trunks and dig trenches. Be prepared for the night."
I spoke and dismissed him. Cycnopy bowed his head with deep respect, then rushed off to fulfill his duty.
I postponed my own scouting and chose instead to help the villagers. I took their hands, supported those who struggled, and worked beside them. Together we sweated, together we labored. This people no longer gave me only respect and fear, but love as well.
My bison was restless, uneasy with the change of place. I went to him at once. When he saw me through the bars of his cage, it was as if he had missed me. I stroked his head and gave him some meat. He no longer feared me, he trusted me. The wild gleam in his eyes had softened into familiarity.
When I moved behind him, he gave me a look so sharp it felt like he was saying, "Climb onto my back." Gathering my courage, I slowly mounted him. His massive body beneath me was as steady as stone. He did not move, only waited for my command. My heart beat faster and faster. He was ready for war, I could feel it. The sensation thrilled me, delighted me.
I stayed on his back for a while, leaning against his strong neck. Then I slid down carefully. Taking fresh meat, I continued to feed him. Now he ate only meat, no longer drawn to grass. He had grown used to the taste of blood. I prayed he would stand by me on the battlefield as well.
When I returned to the village square, the people were still at work. The sound of axes striking wood echoed through the air, while women's hands flew quickly over hides and fibers. Above us, gray clouds gathered in the sky, the sea roared in our ears, and sparks from the fire danced upward into the heavens. On the sweaty faces of my people, I saw hope shining.
For me, this was not merely about building a village. This was the opening of a new age. The ocean would give us fish, salt, and water. The mountains would yield iron. My bison would stand as a symbol of strength. And the people would see me not only as their leader, but as their savior.
At that moment, only one thought burned inside me: On this land, I would build an empire.