The only instances when Shadow Talon demonstrated reluctance to comply were when he went out to the borders. Although he was initially concerned about the creature being discovered, its knack for melding with the shadows showcased its capacity to fend for itself. The beast's seamless assimilation into its surroundings allowed it to shadow him, remaining inconspicuous and unseen by others.

Of course, his concern about Shadow Talon being exposed stemmed from the Village Chief's rather foolish decision to restrict trade with the Caravans solely to objects.

This approach was a glaring oversight, as possessing several creatures like Shadow Talon could have greatly fortified their defences. With a handful of these beasts at his disposal, guarding the Village would have transformed into a far more manageable task even for a warrior who had just formed his first container.

Unfortunately, the Village Chief exhibited a notable absence of wisdom!

This would have posed a significant issue if he were still waking up each day with a fresh array of plans on how to efficiently eradicate the Vylkr vines, or if he were still committed to remaining in the Village and retaining his role as the Stronghold Leader of the Rightward Stronghold.

However, the reality was far from that ideal scenario.

At present, the only thing consuming his thoughts was devising an escape plan from this village, to finally witness the world beyond its borders.

"Runaway Cities, creatures daring enough to challenge the Vylkr vines, individuals striving to etch their names into history," Stronghold Leader Drakar mused. These were the insights from the information he had traded a significant portion of his wealth for.

With newfound knowledge of the world that lay beyond this seemingly insignificant place they called home, how could he not be driven to leave?

Why linger here, spending his days pondering the never-ending predicament of the Vylkr vines, until his existence fades and he reunites with Naka in the afterlife? Why not seize the opportunity to experience the truths he's heard firsthand?

The only viable means of escape involved tracing the path the Caravans took to reach the village. However, this posed a problem as they were unwilling to share that information, leaving him vulnerable to the possibility of losing his way.

An alternative plan emerged; to create his own route.

Regardless, the challenge lay in the fact that he lacked any guidance on how to achieve this unless he embarked on an exploration. Unfortunately, obtaining approval for such an expedition rested solely with the Village Chief.

However, the likelihood of the Village Chief allowing him, a Stronghold Leader, to venture out on an expedition rather than safeguarding the village's borders, was next to impossible. The Stronghold Leader's primary focus lay in guarding the village's border, making it inconceivable for him to prioritize a Stronghold Leader's personal exploration over their collective safety.

After extensive planning and careful consideration, an unexpected solution seemed to have fallen into his lap. The possibility emerged that if the young man named Orion could indeed construct what he claimed, then the Stronghold Leader needn't worry about his own departure from the Village or the daunting uncertainty of the world beyond, as described by the Caravans.

And should he manage to leave successfully, perhaps he could also find a suitable partner for Shadow Talon. With his strength and gift, Stronghold Leader Drakar had no reservations about his capability to fend for himself in the outside world once he finally left the confines of this village.

Amused, Stronghold Leader Drakar smiled as Shadow Talon dove into his own shadow, just as the door to his workspace swung open.

With a resounding "click," a warrior pushed the door wide and stationed himself in the doorway. "The water for your bath is ready, Leader Drakar. Additionally, Caretaker Ivor has eaten and gone to sleep," he informed.

"Very well," Stronghold Leader Drakar responded as he rose from his seat, gently rolling his neck from side to side to ease the tension in his body.

He moved toward the door, saying, "And don't forget to bring me another bowl of Kalna fruits for the night."

While the warrior remained perplexed by the Stronghold Leader's newfound habit of requesting a bowl filled with Kalna fruits every morning and night, he observed as the leader strode past and exited through the door. With a nod, he assured, "Yes, Leader Drakar, I'll make sure to remember."

As he watched the leader's departure, Stronghold Leader Drakar's thoughts meandered, settling on a single name -Orion.

A contemplative expression spread across his face. "I think it's time to meet him," he mumbled to himself. "That young man might just hold the key to my way forward."

......

The farm

Morning

"Alright, alright... Let's all settle down," Orion's voice commanded, cutting through the vigorous debates and discussions among his women. He cast his gaze upon them, watching as each one eagerly expounded on the limitations of their gifts. His eyes briefly flickered to the darkness beyond the small wooden window.

He had been caught off guard by the early rising, but soon realized it was orchestrated to allow them to see him off as he returned to his warrior training.

Refocusing his attention, he met the eyes of his women, who gradually began to quiet down.

However, since there was a bit of time left before he and Ursa left for training, he saw this as an opportune moment to delve into understanding their gifts, a curiosity he had harboured for some time.

"Who's up first?" Orion asked, observing as Lyra's hand eagerly shot up, volunteering to go first. He nodded, his left arm firmly wrapped around Fifi's waist. "Alright, Lyra, let's see what your gift can do," he encouraged.

Lyra rose from her sleeping spot on the mat. She walked toward the designated area at the centre of the room, with mats arranged around it in a circlean arrangement they had devised to observe each other's gifts after Orion's suggestion, now that they were living together.

"Alright, go ahead," Orion announced, nodding to acknowledge Lyra and granting her the stage to showcase her gift.