Chapter 3 Busy day

That night Xerx began scouting the forest for the first time.

One of the things he was on the lookout for was a place where he could build a rat nursery.

And playground ground for the baby rats that are

not too far from the outpost.

So the parents know if something is wrong with the babies.

Inside the clearing behind the outpost, he found a small group of hills surrounded by nutritious plants and berries.

Xerx then started digging a large pond a little bit to the east of the hills.

And then he got to digging some small ponds in different sizes on a couple of the hills.

Afterward, he began digging a couple of rivers to the lake and connecting them.

Xerx also made some small streams from the ponds in the hills to the large pond and the river. Xerx then started planting the seeds of plants that thrived in the water.

And dividing them between the ponds and rivers.

He did that so that fish and other aquatic creatures would settle there.

He then got to making the ponds save for the baby rats and children of the villagers.

Xerx then got started on making benches on the hills with ponds.

Just as he wanted to begin on building a school for kids where they would learn to train and tame rats or other creatures they choose.

It was already time for morning practice Xerx hurried towards the training field.

As Xerx arrived at the training field his rats were already waiting.

He quickly began explaining the planning of today.

We are first doing group training then we split up in teams.

Team one mission is hunting and scavenging for food.

Team two is expected to start digging and building the nursery.

Also digging some best and expanding the current ones.

3 and 4 are bringing resources to who needs them.

5 are meant to help me build the school and kindergarten.

6 needs to help build housing for the villagers and the beginnings of the village itself.

Now let's get to work.

Xerx stopped working on his task for today late in the night.

He then began scouting the Forest for materials and local rat groups.

After looking for about 25 minutes he found his first nest of rats.

It was a nest of groundbreaking diggers.

They have a variety of colored fur, they mostly grow to the height of someone's knee, have big front claws that are used for digging, and have night and day shifts.

Xerx stopped some distance away from the nest and began talking to the rats inside.

Hello, I am Xerx from Ratburg it is the new outpost about 25 minutes from here.

I live there with my rat companions and am coming here in peace.

And in search of new friends to join Ratburg and the villages we are building surrounding it.

If you have any questions or anyone interested you can find me there.

Xerx then began turning to leave but before he left he was called by someone.

He then looked in the direction and saw an old looking groundbreaking digger, who was twice the size of the normal ones, has golden-brown fur with specks of gray in it.

Xerx was shocked to hear the rat speak in the common language.

That would mean it is at least a groundbreaking digger chief.

Before Xerx could ask it the rat began talking.

Welcome Xerx skellington I am Arion the king of this burrow.

I heard a lot about you from my nephew in the silver dawn village.

Especially how much you helped him and his burrow by defending the village.

And even giving some of the food your rats gathered.

I am extremely grateful for that but my wives got some questions before we can send some of the young ones with you.

First, what can you offer our young what we can't,

Secondly, how is it done with their food and lodging,

Thirdly how are you gonna protect them,

Last question what's in it for us as old ones.

Xerx thought about it for a second and said.

You must be the uncle of Leroy then?

And you don't have to thank me for helping him.

I learned a lot from helping him and from himself.

To answer your first question knowledge and a teacher that helps grow. But most importantly a home with friends that got their back.

The second question the food we gather for the whole team so that is included. the lodging is a bit different they will get their place were they could make their burrows.

The third question I will teach them how to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Also, we protect each other as a team.

On to the last question firstly I teach you young ones so they can protect themselves.

And teach you what they learned and can protect your burrow when in danger.

Secondly, you have an extra ally who got your back.

Thirdly I can offer you some territory to expand your burrow.

One inside Ratsburg and the first village and later the new villages we have build.

Arion had a curious look on his face while listening to Xerx.

And said that he must discuss this with the burrow and made his way inside the burrow.

After half an hour of waiting, Xerx saw Arion coming outside with what he expected to be his wives and the young ones.

One of the wives named Lia stepped forward and said that they accepted the deal.

And introduced the young ones as the first batch they would send. They would send a second batch in a week.

Also on the same day, they would be beginning on building the burrows.

Xerx thanked them and lead the young one to Ratsburg.

Afterward, he began scouting again and repeated this by every burrow he found.

Most only accepted to make a burrow in the village and would think about joining Ratsburg later.

Some would think about both offers.

There were even some who accepted both offers immediately.

Xerx also found the materials he was looking for just on time before morning practice.

He then began training the new rats.

It will be a busy day again for Xerx and his rats.