Anchora placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You saved our clan.”
“At the cost of those that died.”
“It was a hard choice, but you made the only one you could. You saved the females, children, and older weaker people. Your father was wrong in trying to attack the pirate ships. Those warriors who died, their blood is on his hands.”
The memory of that terrible attack came to his mind. It was one he would never be able to shake.
The warriors of the Frostbound clan had been pinned down. His father chose the cliff that they were on.
“We should have waited for the other clans,” he told his father.
“They are weak and show no bravery! We will defeat our enemy without them.”
Vaelor looked back at the females and children that were hiding in a crevice of the mountain wall. His father shouldnever have attacked when the most vulnerable of his people were there. It was too dangerous.
“We can’t keep this up. Let’s take the females and children back to the settlement and wait for these pirates to leave our world.”
“I will task you with that. I will lead our warriors into victory. Go now!" his father ordered.
There was no arguing with Vorlor when he made his decision. Looking at the other warriors, they all nodded their understanding and accepted their fates.
He cleared his throat. “My father is not here to answer for his actions but I am. I must atone for the wrongs done. I don’t have ties or family any longer, so if something happens to me, it should not be a loss.”
“That is untrue! You are our leader! It would devastate our clan to lose you.”
“I’ve reached out to the other two clans. Their leaders agreed to lend warriors to protect the clan while I am gone.”
“I see that your mind is set on this path.”
“It is our best chance to save our people.”
There was movement below that caught his eye. “Are the hunters still out hunting?”
“Yes. They are trying to stock up for the Cold Season.”
“Make sure that they are careful when leaving. The hunters are most vulnerable now. Without the cover of the Cold Season storms, they are easy targets for any ship passing through the system. This season brings warmth and life, but it also brings more attacks and the most blood.”
Anchora cleared her throat. “Our underground gardens are struggling to produce edible plants and seeds.”
Vaelor thought about their unique gardens. The bioluminescent plants grew from the geothermal-heated tunnels of the Clan-Settlements. It was a stark contrast with the vast,white stone walls exterior. Each of the inhabitants lived in small structures built from stones cut from the mountain walls. There were flowing streams for fresh water that was irrigated for the gardens and pipes brought the water to each stone home.
Though each home was independent, there was a communal center where his clan gathered together to perform tasks such as butchering fresh catches, prime and prep meat for the Cold Season, and cooking stews and soups to be shared.
“If we can’t hunt during the Warm Season, our people will eventually die out.”
“That is exactly why I must do this. I am the strongest in our clan. I have no familial ties relying on me.”
“Very well. When will you tell the rest of the clan?”
“Tonight. I leave tomorrow for the south post. A ship will come for me there. I don’t want to lead others anywhere near our clan stronghold.”
“I’ll let the others know.”
“Thank you Anchora. You’ve been a good friend.”
“Make sure you come back. We need you.”
He wasn’t so sure about that, but he appreciated the sentiment. As he walked back down from the peak, he nodded at others of his clan that came above ground to appreciate the Warm Season and fresh air.
