Chapter 90: Strategy and Defense
"This is a map of the surrounding areas based on the little I have been able to explore," said Kellar, pointing to the parchment on the table. "The good thing is that behind us lies a lake dominated by powerful beasts, so they won’t be able to flank us from there. To our right and left are two large canyons and cliffs that are very difficult to climb, which is precisely where our men were wounded. I have never personally gone to that area, so I would like you to tell me: what is actually out there?"
"It is the green falcon’s nest," said Grok, stepping forward. "We were wounded because there are far too many of them. During the last few times we went, there were only two large nests, and when the falcons grew up they left the area, so there were only four large green falcons. Being far apart from each other, one could attack a single falcon without alerting the rest—or at least that was how it had been all this time. However, this time, as soon as we approached and began scouting, we saw there are more than five nests. And it wasn’t just the pairs from each nest, but dozens of young falcons that spotted us and ambushed us. I am worried they might move toward us; if that valley becomes too small for them, they will need to extend their range toward our territory to find more food."
Kellar made note of every detail writing down on the map the information Grok was providing.
"Very well, we will worry about those birds when the time comes," said Kellar. "For now, we can consider that danger as an additional layer of protection. We traveled down this other side, downstream, where we hunted the giant crocodile. Do you know if there are more of them?"
"There are, Shaman," said Krag. "But they are solitary creatures. They only seek each other out to mate and then leave the area, so it would be difficult for them to stop an enemy group. The giant river crocodiles are territorial, but they do not chase prey blindly; they prefer to ambush. That was why they were among our top hunting targets, as it is easier to ambush them instead."
"Alright, then this route is a very likely path," said Kellar, drawing a line across the parchment. "Based on what I have analyzed, these are the most probable entry points for an attack from them."
"That is correct, Shaman," said Krag, nodding.
"Besides that, we have another problem, and this one has to do directly with the terrain," said Kellar, rolling up the parchment. "Follow me."
Kellar stepped out of the residence followed by the entire group, reaching the outer edge of the village where the snow fell softly.
"This entire area was originally filled with trees," said Kellar, gesturing toward their surroundings. "Bit by bit they have been cleared, and now we are expanding, but tell me: what is a hundred meters out in any direction? Anyone? Exactly, we have no visibility. Instead of clearing timber aimlessly, we must direct our logging toward the sectors where we could be ambushed."
The hunters stared out at the dense forest around them, suddenly realizing how vulnerable their position truly was.
"My plan is to build a series of structures toward the old village to serve as cover," said Kellar. "Furthermore, we need to construct a warrior training center."
"Warriors?" said Krag, furrowing his brow. "You must mean hunters, Shaman."
"No, warriors," said Kellar, looking at them firmly. "We need different types of combatants. One thing is hunters like you: fast, lethal, and experienced in the open field. However, we need people specialized in fighting other humans. Every person must do what they are meant to do: hunters hunt... warriors fight to protect the village."
The hunters nodded in silence, realizing that Kellar’s words made devastating sense. In truth, this was no small issue for any of them; every time they left the village for days to hunt in the wild, they were plagued by the constant fear that their families might suffer a surprise attack in their absence. Having a dedicated force focused solely on defending the village was the ideal scenario.
"But, Great Shaman... how will we train more people?" said Krag, scratching his neck in concern. "It’s not that we don’t want to, but we cannot train so many individuals. The resources are simply not enough to sustain men who are not actively producing food."
"Exactly, you hit the most crucial point," said Kellar, pointing at Krag with a faint smile. "But answer me this: why are the resources not enough? The answer is simple: because until now you couldn’t hunt or produce enough. However, if we generate the necessary resources, we can create as many warriors and hunters as we need. Instead of thinking about limiting our forces out of fear of scarcity, we must focus our minds on how to obtain more resources. Setting limits on yourselves is the stupidest thing you can do; it turns into a negative cycle that a tribe can never escape. I don’t create more warriors because I don’t have the means to feed them, but I don’t have the means to feed the people because I lack the warriors to expand and protect our hunts. And what is the ultimate result of that mindset? Remaining stuck in misery forever."
Kellar’s words echoed in the minds of every single hunter like thunder through a blizzard. Krag, Marty, and the rest stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the snow as they processed the overwhelming truth they had just witnessed.
He was entirely right. They had been blind and foolish for generations, believing that patience and complacency would solve their troubles. They thought that waiting for things to resolve themselves would allow them to prosper, when in reality they had merely been sinking into a point-of-no-return spiral toward ruin.
The difference between the mindset of the old shaman—who only sought to maintain control through scarcity and stagnation—and Kellar’s revolutionary vision was simply night and day. While the old regime constrained them to surviving just one more day amidst the cold and hunger, their new leader brought forth fresh ideas and concepts that would not only transform how they fought, but the very essence of what the tribe meant.