The Silver Mane Tribe had journeyed far and wide, their sights set on annexing smaller tribes. Yet, much to their surprise, these tribes, instead of resisting, aligned themselves with the powerful Adik and Qatar tribes, avoiding conflict altogether.
"Why don't they just submit to the Silver Mane Tribe?" Kro grumbled, frustration evident in his voice. "They're all beastn anyway, so what difference does it make which tribe they join?"
"That's not how it works," Logan replied, shaking his head. "We eat at because we have stomachs. But what if tribes like Adik and Qatar don't have the hunger we do?"
Kro laughed, though it was edged with bitterness. "They'll be so full they won't need to fight!"
Logan, noticing his friend's rising anger, signaled him to calm down and offered a knowing smile. "These small tribes are betting on one thing, Adik and Qatar won't dare to provoke a war. That's why they've thrown in their lot with them."
It was true. The Silver Mane Tribe had been bold in their ambitions, annexing smaller tribes with ease, largely due to their wealth and food supplies. The likes of Adik and Qatar, while powerful, weren't foolish enough to risk taking on thousands of beastn at once.
"So, what now?" Kro asked, his frustration giving way to concern. "Do we abandon the annexation plan?"
Initially, the strategy was to conquer one small tribe after another, swallowing them bit by bit. But now, with the smaller tribes banding together under the protection of larger ones, the plan seed to be falling apart.
"Let's wait and see," Logan mused. "With all those small tribes clinging to Adik and Qatar, greed is bound to surface. They might be keeping things civil for now, but once resources grow scarce, the smaller tribes will turn on them."
Kro nodded thoughtfully. "You're saying internal strife will give us our chance?"
"Exactly," Logan said with a smirk. "As soon as there's tension, we move in. And if they don't fight? Well, they'll still need food. Once hunger sets in, desperation will do our work for us."
Begon, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up with a grin. "In the anti, we've gained 30,000 beastn from our recent annexations. I'd say it's a good ti for us to take a breather."
Kro and Lots exchanged reluctant glances, nodding. They had just returned from a brief stint of 'celebration,' but now there seed little to do except wait.
"Chief, while I agree we should wait for the other tribes to fall apart, we need to consider our military strength," Kro said cautiously, breaking the silence. "If Adik or Qatar decide to make a move, we're not prepared."
Lots and Begon tensed, glancing at each other nervously. They knew Kro was speaking the truth, but they also feared how Logan might react.
Logan furrowed his brow. Just half a month ago, he had vetoed any plans for military expansion. Reversing that decision now could be seen as a sign of weakness or indecision.
Sensing his nephew's inner turmoil, Begon leaned in with a sly smile. "Doesn't the human kingdom have a reserve recruit system?"
Logan looked at him, curious. "Go on."
"We don't need to expand the army," Begon explained. "Instead, we could recruit reservists. Train them first. If the situation changes, we'll have a pool of soldiers ready to step in."
Kro and Lots exchanged glances, unsure. A reserve system? It seed complicated, and there were logistical hurdles.
But Logan's eyes lit up at the idea. "A reserve system! Brilliant!" He quickly agreed, turning to his second uncle with a grin. "Let's establish it right away."
Begon smiled knowingly. "It has its perks. We can weed out the unqualified warriors early on. Only the best will make it into the army, and by the ti they do, they'll be battle-ready."
Kro and Lots, though initially hesitant, couldn't argue with the logic. The Silver Mane Tribe wouldn't expand its military just yet, but they'd be prepared for anything.
Crowe and Lots exchanged glances, still sowhat puzzled by the complexity of the plan. However, the key fact remained: Chief Logan had given his approval. That was enough for them.
Continue your saga on m|v-l'e -
"So, how many reservists do you think we should recruit?" Logan asked, an amused smile playing on his lips as he surveyed his council.
Kro thought for a mont, then replied, "I suggest starting with 4,000 beastn warriors."
He continued, "If we're serious about threatening a tribe as large as Adik, with 10,000 people, we'd need at least 6,000 to 7,000 troops to feel confident."
Logan nodded thoughtfully. His tribe had swelled to nearly 50,000 mbers, and maintaining only one-tenth of that as military personnel seed insufficient. They needed more, especially given the growing tension with neighboring tribes.
"Let's recruit 5,000 beastns for training," Logan suggested with a smile. "We'll have to weed out the weaker ones anyway, so it's better to start strong."
Kro and Lots blinked in surprise. Hadn't the chief been against expanding the army just recently? Now 4,000 seed too few?
But Kro quickly agreed. "Yes, Chief!"
Kro had always felt that their military strength was lacking. In his mind, a tribe of 50,000 should be able to muster at least 30,000 warriors. However, under Logan's leadership, they maintained a much smaller, more professional fighting fbeastne. Though unconventional, Kro had to admit that Logan's full-ti warrior system had undeniable advantages.
In the smaller skirmishes they'd fought recently, the Silver Mane warriors had dominated. Full-ti warriors trained every day, making them superior in skill and discipline to part-ti fighters who only donned their armor after days spent farming or working. The results spoke for themselves.
As Logan and Kro finalized their discussion, the last traces of sunlight disappeared, and night fully settled over the camp.
The air was soon filled with laughter and the crackling of bonfires. The celebration in the military camp had begun. Logan had generously ordered all the food, over 10,000 kilograms of at brought by Jane; to be distributed, along with 6,000 kilograms of rye liquor from the tribal winery. Every soldier received a generous share.
Begon, sitting nearby, raised his cup but winced as he took a sip of the strong liquor. His heart ached at the thought of the expense. The rye wine alone was worth thousands of gold coins. But when he saw the soldiers gathered around the fires, their faces lit up with joy, their hearty laughter filling the night air, he could only sigh and drink a few more glasses. After all, morale was priceless.
---
anwhile, 150 miles away, at the heart of the Adik Tribe, tensions were brewing. The Adik Tribe, boasting more than 13,000 beastn, was one of the largest within 300 miles of the southern wilderness.
Their tribal hall sat atop a hill, overlooking the vast expanse of their territory. From there, the chief of the Adik Tribe, a tall, middle-aged beastman nad Arar, stood gazing out at the horizon.
"What do you make of the Silver Mane Tribe?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.
Standing beside him was his eldest son, Artom, a young but sharp beastman who had been paying close attention to the tribe's new rival.
"Father, the Silver Mane Tribe is led by a chief nad Logan," Artom began, his tone serious. "Just a few years ago, they were a small and insignificant tribe with barely 2,000 beastn. No one paid them any mind."
Artom paused, frowning. "But after Logan took over, the Silver Mane Tribe began expanding at an alarming rate. Tribe after tribe fell under their control. And now, they've annexed even more."
Arar narrowed his eyes. "That's what troubles ," he murmured. "What's more, their tribe seems untouched by the famine that has plagued the rest of the region. How can that be?"
Artom nodded, clearly troubled as well. "It's strange, Father. While we've struggled, the Silver Mane Tribe has flourished. It doesn't add up."
The two stood in silence for a mont, both deep in thought. The Silver Mane Tribe's rapid rise was no coincidence, and Artom knew that it was only a matter of ti before they would co knocking on Adik's door. What they didn't yet understand was how Logan was able to grow his tribe's strength amidst such difficult tis. That mystery, more than anything, worried them.
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