Moonlit vow

13.Setting up defenses

At the edge of the tribe, Kahar stood, his fists slowly clenching as his nails dug into his palms. Anger and even jealousy burned within him. Why did everything fall into Leiand’s hands? What made him worthy of Iris’s brilliance? Of the tribe’s trust and respect? The desire to seize what Leiand had burned like a raging fire in Kahar’s heart, growing stronger and more uncontrollable with each passing moment.

The autumn wind howled, and the forest grew increasingly desolate. Prey became harder to find, and even the most experienced hunters had to work harder to track every faint trace.

However, on this particular day, Leiand noticed something unusual amidst these subtle details. While hunting in the forest, he repeatedly caught the scent of unfamiliar werewolves and even spotted strange footprints in the muddy ground.

That evening, Leiand returned to the cave and shared his discovery with his mate, Iris. Unknowingly, he had developed the habit of discussing matters with her, finding her insights both wise and helpful.

Iris listened intently, her brows furrowing as a sense of unease rose within her. “Could it be that some other beasts are nearing our territory?” she suggested.

Leiand dismissed the thought. “It’s impossible. The footprints were clearly those of wolves, but definitely not from our tribe. They must be rogue werewolves. However, they haven’t approached the tribe directly or shown any signs of aggression. Tomorrow, I’ll take a team further out to investigate.”

The two exchanged no further words but silently heightened their vigilance.

A few days later, the mystery was finally unraveled.

Early in the morning, the hunters of the tribe discovered a frail werewolf mother and daughter at the edge of the forest. Their clothes were tattered, and they huddled under a tree, eyes full of exhaustion and fear. The older woman cautiously shielded the younger girl, looking at the tribe’s people with both trepidation and yearning.

News quickly spread back to the tribe, and the matter immediately drew the attention of the Wolf King. He and the elders summoned the tribe to inspect the situation.

The Wolf King stood before the tribe, observing as the older woman struggled to her feet. Her voice was hoarse and pleading. “We come from a rogue werewolf settlement...” Her voice trailed off, hesitant to elaborate, fearing that revealing her origins would lead to immediate rejection. Gathering her courage, she firmly continued, “My ancestors are long gone, and my daughter and I have done nothing wrong. The forest has become barren, and if we return to the rogues’ territory, we’ll be tortured and traded for food. I only wish for a safe haven where I can stay with my daughter. I beg you to protect us.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she glanced at her daughter.

Her words stirred murmurs among the crowd. Some werewolves looked to the Wolf King and the elders with uncertainty, while many more gazed at the young girl.

The girl seemed barely of age, her body frail, though her delicate face bore a pair of large, bright, yet stubborn eyes brimming with tears. She remained silent, overwhelmed by the situation.

The Wolf King scrutinized them with a piercing gaze before conferring in hushed tones with the elders. After a moment, he straightened and spoke in a powerful voice, “I will accept you both. Our tribe has never turned away those of our kind seeking aid. But remember this: if you wish to stay, you must abide by the tribe’s rules and do nothing to harm its interests.”

The woman’s tears flowed uncontrollably as she trembled and knelt. “Thank you, honorable Wolf King. Thank you for taking us in.”

Iris leaned against Leiand, silently observing the scene. She studied the mother and daughter closely. Although they had been accepted, a vague unease lingered in her heart.

The cold wind brushed her cheek. She pulled her fur cloak tighter around herself and glanced up at the darkening sky. Instead of feeling relief, her mind grew heavy. The forest was never tranquil, especially in the harsh winter. Hunger would drive rogue werewolves, starving beasts, and even rival tribes to attack in search of resources, leading to inevitable conflict and war.

Her brows knitted together. Though she and Leiand had worked tirelessly to stockpile dried fish and meat for the winter, Iris knew these provisions would barely suffice for the current tribe members. Adding more mouths to feed would strain their resources even further.

She sighed deeply, worry welling in her chest. The stored food would be inadequate if more people joined, and war would be disastrous. Gritting her teeth, she resolved to find a way to help the tribe survive the challenging winter ahead.

Night descended, and moonlight spilled over the forest's edge and the cave's entrance. A faint chill drifted through the opening as the aroma of roasting meat filled the air, its sizzling sound breaking the stillness.

Leiand skillfully turned the meat over the fire, the flames casting a warm glow on his resolute face as steam rose from the food.

Iris sat beside him, her chin resting on her hands as she gazed at the fire in thought.

“Leiand,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “Don’t you think the tribe should take more precautions?”

Leiand paused, raising his head to meet her eyes, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Iris fixed her gaze on the flickering flames and slowly shared her plans with him.

Leiand listened quietly, a glimmer of approval flashing in his eyes. He set the roasted meat aside and looked at her seriously. “You make a good point. Food alone isn’t enough—security must come first. But we’ll need my father’s approval for this.”

Iris nodded, her eyes alight with hope. “If the Wolf King supports us, we can mobilize the tribe to act. If we finish before winter, it will prevent a lot of trouble.”

Leiand rose, clapping her shoulder firmly with a smile. “I’ll speak to him now. You should rest.”

When the Wolf King heard Leiand’s proposal, he pondered for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the cave’s entrance. Finally, a satisfied smile appeared. “Excellent. Your mate is a wise and visionary woman. I doubted her abilities at first, but now I see I was wrong. Since she has such a proposal, follow her plan.”

Leiand studied his aging father, rarely taking the time to observe him like this. At that moment, the Wolf King’s slightly worn figure stirred an inexplicable pang of guilt in Leiand’s heart.

In the past, Leiand often resented his father’s sternness and coldness. But now, seeing the burden his father carried alone, Leiand realized the depth of his solitude and sacrifice.

Sensing his son’s gaze, the Wolf King turned to look at him. Though his expression remained imposing, a faint weariness lingered. “What is it, Leiand?”

“Father, you’ve seemed tired lately,” Leiand said quietly as he stepped forward.

The Wolf King frowned slightly, unused to such concern from his son. He waved a dismissive hand and said in a deep voice, “I’m getting old; it’s only natural. Once your generation is ready, I can hand the tribe over to you with peace of mind.”

Leiand nodded solemnly, silently vowing not to wait until his father was too weak to lead. He understood now that his growth was not only about becoming a capable leader but also about giving his aging father a shoulder to lean on, allowing him to truly find comfort and support in his later years.

As the construction of the tribe's outer defenses began, Leiand gathered the clanspeople and laid out a detailed plan.

"We need to dig a trench wide and deep enough to effectively block wild beasts and unwanted intruders around the perimeter of the tribe. Inside the trench, we will place sharpened stakes. These stakes will deter any creature trying to cross, and if they fall into the trench, they will be seriously injured and unable to move. The tribe will have only one entry and exit point, located at the main gate. We'll leave a sturdy pathway for our hunters to pass through conveniently. To ensure safety, the gate will be under round-the-clock patrol. Aside from the women, children, and elders, every able-bodied clansman will take turns on guard duty."

Standing nearby, Iris listened attentively to Leiand's meticulous arrangements, feeling that something was missing. She spread out a piece of animal hide, picked up a piece of charcoal, and sketched her vision while explaining her ideas to the tribe members.

Iris mapped out the tribe’s entire terrain, paying particular attention to the sole exit. After a moment of deep thought, she decided to establish defensive outposts in four directions around the tribe. At the entry point, she proposed building a shelter to protect against wind and rain. A simple straw hut wouldn’t suffice in the harsh winter, as the freezing temperatures would exhaust the guards. A proper shelter where night watchers could rest was essential.

The clanspeople gathered around Iris, marveling at her innovative drawings and listening closely to her explanation. Their eyes shone with approval and admiration, particularly those who had lived through wars. They understood more profoundly how crucial security was.

The Wolf King fully supported the plan, even personally leading some of the elder clansmen to help coordinate the work. With roles clearly assigned, everyone got to work.

Iris herself took part in the construction. The stronger werewolves were tasked with digging the trench, while the more agile ones sharpened stakes carved from freshly felled trees. Iris meticulously supervised the placement of the stakes, ensuring each one was securely embedded in the trench to form a natural barrier.

Meanwhile, Leiand led a group of werewolves deep into the forest to search for sturdier wood for building defensive outposts.

Every time Leiand saw Iris working intently and diligently, his heart swelled with pride.

After days of effort, the outer defenses of the tribe began to take shape. Each direction had a fortified outpost, enabling clanspeople to monitor the surroundings. The small shelter at the entry point was also completed, lined with dry animal hides and straw to provide a warm resting place for the guards.

The first snowfall of winter arrived quietly, blanketing the forest and tribe in a pristine layer of white. Despite the cold, the atmosphere within the tribe was lively, with smiles lighting up everyone’s faces.

The completion of the tribe's defenses greatly enhanced its security. Standing on high ground, the Wolf King surveyed the newly built gate and the surrounding fortifications, his heart swelling with pride and relief.

This winter, they not only had enough food stored but also more robust defenses. The tribe was improving in every way.

To celebrate, the Wolf King decided to hold a bonfire party. He gathered everyone and announced the news, which was met with cheers of excitement.

Soon, the tribe busied themselves preparing. In the center of the settlement, a massive bonfire was lit, its warm glow illuminating the snowy night.

That evening, the bonfire blazed brightly, its flames dancing and reflecting on the joyful faces of the werewolves. Gathered around the fire, they sang ancient, cheerful songs. Some of the younger werewolves couldn’t help but stand up and dance, spinning lightly in the snow to the rhythm of the music.

The children were the most exuberant, laughing and playing near the fire, chasing snowflakes. Their laughter rang through the valley like silver bells.

Iris and Leiand stood amidst the crowd, quietly watching the scene before them. A soft smile graced Iris’s face as she observed every clansperson immersed in happiness, her heart swelling with warmth and contentment.

That night, snowflakes drifted gently through the firelight as songs and laughter intertwined into a picture of harmony and joy. Amid this first snowfall, the entire tribe was enveloped in unity and celebration. This unforgettable bonfire party became one of the warmest memories for the werewolves.