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 beastmen anyway, so what difference does it make which tribe they join?"
"That's not how it works," Logan replied, shaking his head. "We eat meat 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 beastmen 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 seemed 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 meantime, we've gained 30,000 beastmen from our recent annexations. I'd say it's a good time 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 seemed 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.
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 fbeastmene. Though unconventional, Kro had to admit that Logan's full-time warrior system had undeniable advantages.
In the smaller skirmishes they'd fought recently, the Silver Mane warriors had dominated. Full-time warriors trained every day, making them superior in skill and discipline to part-time 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 meat 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.
---
Meanwhile, 150 miles away, at the heart of the Adik Tribe, tensions were brewing. The Adik Tribe, boasting more than 13,000 beastmen, 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 named 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 named Logan," Artom began, his tone serious. "Just a few years ago, they were a small and insignificant tribe with barely 2,000 beastmen. 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 me," 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 moment, both deep in thought. The Silver Mane Tribe's rapid rise was no coincidence, and Artom knew that it was only a matter of time before they would come 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 times. That mystery, more than anything, worried them.