"Sir Chief, the expansion of our dragon rat breeding pits is not beyond our capabilities," Kodiak began, his voice steadier now, a hint of resolve threading through his words as he broached the subject he'd been mulling over.
Logan, seated upon his rugged throne carved from ancient wood, regarded Kodiak with a measured gaze. "Proceed, Kodiak. What do you propose?" His voice was as calm as the night sky, betraying none of the turmoil that the request might bring.
"The heart of our tribe's sustenance, the supply of meat, cannot linger in uncertainty," Kodiak continued, aware of the gravity of his next words. "Master Chief, our current infrastructure requires us to sustain 100,000 dragon rats daily, a task demanding the strength and time of forty to fifty of our brethren.
Should we venture into adding the number of breeding pits, it is manpower that we shall find ourselves in dire need of."
He paused, the weight of leadership evident in his eyes. Under his command were a little over seventy breeders, many of whom bore the marks of time or the naivety of youth, barely seven or eight years into their form.
"With plans to erect twenty additional breeding pits, we press against the very limits of our capabilities. Beyond this, our ranks would be stretched too thin, unable to sustain any further expansions without additional hands."
The implication hung in the air, clear and undeniable.
"It is a matter of resources, then?" Logan queried, his voice betraying a hint of foreknowledge of the plea to come.
"Indeed, sir. A reinforcement of at least fifty beastmen would be necessary to meet the demands of expansion," Kodiak stated, his tone firm. "Preferably those of younger vigour."
Logan offered a wry chuckle, his eyes momentarily flickering with amusement. "Young beastmen, Kodiak? As if such assets could be spared from the frontlines or the craft halls where their strength and skill contribute to the tribe's armoury and sustenance."
Kodiak sighed, a grudging acceptance in his gesture. "Any assistance, young or otherwise, would be invaluable. We need the numbers, Chief, lest the project and our food security are jeopardized."
"I understand the stakes, Kodiak, and I shall endeavour to address this shortfall. However, today is not solely for discussions of duty and need." Logan's tone softened, a rare smile curving his lips as he turned fully towards Kodiak, an air of anticipation surrounding his next words. "I've brought you a gift, a token of my appreciation for your unwavering service."
Kodiak's eyes widened slightly, curiosity piqued. A gift? From Logan, such gestures were rare and invariably significant.
Kodiak's eyes widened in sheer astonishment, his seasoned warrior facade momentarily slipping away to reveal a child-like wonder. There, cradled in Logan' hands, was a creature so foreign yet mesmerizingly beautiful—a small animal with long, delicate ears, fur as white as snow, and eyes that glimmered with a ruby-red hue.
"Could this truly be? And how...?" Kodiak's voice faltered, his gaze fixed on the mysterious creature and then on Logan, his mind racing with questions and disbelief. Such an animal was beyond his vast experiences.
"But, do you have more of these rabbits? For breeding, we'd need at least a pair," Kodiak pointed out, the logistics of such an endeavor already forming in his mind.
Logan nodded, unfazed. "More are ready. Your breeding pits are about to become even busier."
Kodiak felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The task ahead was daunting yet filled with potential. "This... presents a unique challenge, Chief."
Logan' smile widened. "And it's one I trust you to navigate, Kodiak. This is not just about breeding rabbits. It's about expanding our horizons, about ensuring our tribe's prosperity. You'll find a way, as you always do I believe in you."
Kodiak, now holding the rabbit more confidently, understood the unspoken contract between them.
"Should you wish to see our warrens teeming with little white rabbits, then I'm afraid the workforce you've allocated falls short. We'd need at least thirty additional hands to manage such an undertaking effectively," Kodiak conveyed, understanding all too well that refusal was not an option. He needed to navigate this request delicately.
"Thirty more, you say?" There was a mix of incredulity and bemusement in Logan's voice. "You truly have the audacity of a lion, Kodiak. Considering I've only got a maximum of 400 rabbits to start with, to suggest an expansion that demands such a significant increase in manpower...," he trailed off, fixing Kodiak with a look that was part skepticism, part challenge.
Kodiak, caught in the gravity of Logan's gaze, could only muster a weak, "Uh..." His intention hadn't been to overreach. He had genuinely calculated the needs for the ambitious expansion Logan envisioned.
Logan sighed, a momentary flicker of contemplation crossing his features. "Well, the precise number of additional hands we'll require remains to be seen. I shall need to ponder this further. Rest assured, the moment a decision is reached, you will be the first to know."
"It's important that we expedite this process," Logan continued, his voice adopting a grave tone. "As soon as we've bolstered our ranks, we must immediately set to work on enlarging the breeding pits. Time is of the essence."
"Understood, Chief!" Kodiak replied, his voice resonating with newfound determination.
With a final glance towards the horizon, where twilight began to blend into night, Logan announced his departure. "The day grows late, and I find myself in need for food," he mused aloud, the thought of his austere daily fare doing little to appease his hunger.
"There's no need for formalities," Logan called over his shoulder, sensing Kodiak's intention to accompany him.
Kodiak stood there, a silent sentinel, as he watched Logan's retreating figure. "You might just be the greatest leader our tribe has ever known," he whispered into the dusk, admiration lacing his words.
Though Logan's request for more breeding pits posed a significant challenge, Kodiak couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Here was a chief whose every decree was with the tribe's welfare in mind, wise, strategic, and ambitious. Logan was the epitome of the leader Kodiak had always aspired to serve unde