Chapter 9: Dragon Rats!
Under the decisive leadership of Logan, alongside his uncles Begon and Reynolds, the entire Silver Mane Tribe embarked upon a transformative journey. This moment marked a pivotal turn in their tribes development, heralding an era of ambitious land reclamation.
"The Great Reclamation!" the tribe proclaimed, echoing through the heart of their community. In an effort to swiftly and effectively cultivate the untamed land in the wilderness, the initiative saw a unified front like never before. The tribe's women, elders, and a contingent of over six hundred wolf warriors, previously engaged in defense, now lent their strength to the land.
Logan, determined to lead by example, dispatched the elite guards under Cadia's command, signifying the project's importance. This collective endeavor saw the Silver Mane Tribe advance their reclamation efforts at an unprecedented pace. Day by day, they transformed dozens of acres of wilderness into fertile land, amassing nearly 300 acres of cultivated soil within a week. The only limitation was the stubborn resistance of deep-rooted weeds, which slightly hindered their progress.
While the tribe was vigorously engaged in land reclamation, Logan, along with Cobos and a dedicated team, focused on the equally vital task of agriculture. Immediately after the plan's inception, Logan entrusted Cobos with a significant amount of seedlings - 500 kilograms of sweet potato and an equal amount of potato seeds.
The seeds, now sprouting, as the team worked tirelessly, clearing land and planting the seeds in a seamless operation. In mere days, they had sown all 500 kilograms of potato seeds, marking a milestone in their reclamation project.
As the time to break their fast approached, Logan invited Cobos and their companions to join him. Holding a piece of modest black bread, Logan couldn't help but reflect on his journey. Despite the simplicity of the meal, the sight of the thriving lands filled him with a sense of achievement and contentment.
In his previous life, Logan had yearned for a return to simplicity after his academic pursuits - to cultivate his own land, to live amidst nature's bounty. However, the harsh realities of his former world rendered such dreams unattainable, burdened by the financial demands of supporting a family.
Yet, in this new world, Logan found himself living the very dream he once thought impossible. Amidst the sprawling fields and the collective spirit of the Silver Mane Tribe, he discovered a sense of fulfillment and purpose that transcended his wildest imaginations.
Lost in contemplation amidst the vast reclaimed lands, Logan's introspective moment was abruptly interrupted by the swift approach of a beastmen, her paws stirring clouds of dust in her wake.
"Lord Chief!" The voice cut through the calm, pulling Logan from his reverie.
Turning towards the source, Logan's eyes widened in surprise. "Cardia? What brings you here at such a speed?" He couldn't hide his astonishment upon recognizing the figure before him as Cardia, the commander of the chief's guard.
With a respectful posture, Cardia extended a bundle towards Logan. "Master Chief, I present this to you," she offered, revealing its contents with a sense of ceremony.
Logan, taken aback, exclaimed, "A dragon rat? You've captured this?"
"Indeed, we encountered it during the land reclamation efforts," Cardia replied with a nod, her voice laced with respect. Since Logan's ascension to chief, Cardia too had risen in rank, now commanding the chief's guard with distinction.
Even Crow and Lotts, the commanders leading the tribe's warriors, acknowledged her as an equal.
"From the reclamation? I assumed it was bred by the tribe!" Logan said, accepting the roasted delicacy without reservation. The monotonous diet of black bread had left him craving the richness of meat.
"Join me," Logan gestured, inviting Cardia to sit.
Cardia, with a wry smile, found a spot to settle. "The tribe's provisions are not for us to consume lightly," she remarked, the smile not quite reaching his eyes.
As Logan savored the dragon rat meat, finding satisfaction in its simple, salted flavor, he pondered Cardia's words.
"I've heard tales of the dragon rat's prolific nature. Is it true?" he inquired mid-bite. Despite their common presence within the tribe, Logan realized his knowledge of dragon rats was limited. These creatures, rumored to bear the bloodline of dragons and larger than an adult rooster, were a curiosity.
Indeed, the tribe's animal pens housed many, primarily as feed for the wargs. "They breed rapidly, almost every twenty days," confirmed Cardia.
Puzzled by the untapped potential, Logan questioned, "Given their fertility, why hasn't the tribe considered breeding them on a larger scale before? I understand they can subsist on grass roots."
Logan's inquiry into the breeding of dragon rats was driven by his broader vision for enhancing the tribe's sustenance strategies. He had spent considerable time pondering the expansion of the tribe's breeding programs, aware of the variety of animals listed in the system mall—ranging from poultry to livestock.
Yet, the harsh reality that the tribe struggled even to feed its werewolf populace made the dream of a diversified breeding program seem distant. The scarcity of meat was becoming a pressing concern, with signs of malnutrition emerging among various members of the community. The well-being of the tribe's warriors was particularly troubling to Logan; their combat readiness hinged on a diet sufficient in meat.
"Dragon rats are indeed a viable option, given their fertility and minimal requirements for sustenance. However, with the tribe's wolfs numbering over a hundred, the demand for dragon rats far exceeds their current supply rate. They consume hundreds daily," Cardia explained, shedding light on the complexity of the situation.
"The recent increase in our wolves numbers, especially after the addition from the Black Wind Mountains, has strained our resources thin. The animal pens are struggling to keep up, and measures have been taken to ration the wargs' feed," she continued, her voice tinged with concern.
Cardia's visit to the pens had revealed efforts to ramp up the breeding of dragon rats, an attempt to mitigate the crisis. Yet, the grim reality remained: dragon rats were allocated as feed for the wolves, leaving the tribe's members in a dire state of deprivation.
Logan, deep in thought, recognized the gravity of the dilemma. The warg cavalry was a cornerstone of the tribe's defense and survival, necessitating that the wolves needs often took precedence over those of the tribespeople.
Yet, the unsustainable situation weighed heavily on him. "We cannot let this continue. The tribe cannot thrive without adequate meat. It's imperative we find a solution," Logan resolved, the name 'Dragon Rat' echoing in his mind as a potential key to overcoming this challenge. The urgency to innovate a sustainable solution was clear.
The mention of dragon rat sparked a moment of contemplation in Logan. After finishing his meal and discussing the welfare of his soldiers with Cardia, Logan found his previous task of planting sweet potato seedlings suddenly lacking appeal. The urgency of the tribe's sustenance issues weighed heavily on his mind, redirecting his focus toward more pressing matters.
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At the tribal animal pen, an air of anticipation hung as Kodiak, the head of the animal pen, gathered a diverse group of werewolves—from the elderly to the young, including women and children—all assembled to pay their respects to a figure rapidly approaching from the distance.
"Greetings to the Chief!" they chorused as Logan made his appearance, his presence commanding attention as he approached directly from the fields, dirt still clinging to his boots from his recent labors.
Kodiak, with a mix of surprise and respect, greeted Logan. The sudden visit of the tribe's leader to the pens was unexpected, and Kodiak couldn't help but wonder about the chief's intentions. Despite the tribe's small size, which made secrets difficult to keep, Logan's hands-on approach to leadership, particularly his direct involvement in the day-to-day labors of land cultivation, was both inspiring and unprecedented.
"Kodiak, it's been some time!" Logan greeted with a warm smile, recalling his previous visits to the pen, motivated by a desire to ride a Wolf.
"Yes, Chief," Kodiak responded, nodding with deference. Since their last meeting, Logan had transitioned from being a promising young leader to taking on the full mantle of chief
Logan's direct involvement in the tribe's agricultural and land reclamation efforts had not gone unnoticed. His dedication, working from dawn till dusk alongside his people, had stirred a sense of admiration and respect throughout the community.
"Let's take a walk around your stable," Logan suggested, a smile still playing on his lips.
Kodiak was not just the caretaker of the animal pen; he was also a junior animal trainer and a formidable fourth-level warrior in his own right. His unique skills as the only beast tamer in the Silver Mane Tribe had been instrumental in growing the pack of wolves from a mere dozen to over a hundred.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone