Chapter 15

With the tribe now full of strong fighters, Ezra announced a daring plan: it was time to create a settlement.

Under his guidance, building began in full force. Barriers were erected, streets were laid, and protections were strengthened. As the cold season approached, Ezra led a group of warriors on a long journey to a faraway town, almost a thousand miles distant, for trade.

They exchanged dried produce, preserved food, and even some of the tribe's revered healing ointment, coming back with a vast amount of goods—more than sufficient to help the tribe endure even the toughest winter.

That cold season, the White Tiger Tribe welcomed nearly five hundred newborns. Only three, particularly weak ones, didn't survive. This high survival rate was unprecedented, and the beastmen saw it as a blessing.

When spring came, the beastmen who had pledged loyalty to the tribe were convinced of one thing: this had been the most joyful and abundant winter they had ever known.