Chapter 17

  The Unspoken War

  A new day in the camp brought a new day of tension.

  Fresh off a night spent hungry and cold, Lucas group only held steely gazes.

  The passive condemnation gave way to quiet curses.

  “No one leaves without myself, Jimmy, or Chris coming with you.

  And no one's leaving alone.”

  Dan stood with his hand on his club.

  “We need to shore up the wall and trench, if I was a betting man I'd say they come back soon.

  “Bro, you are a betting man.”

  “Not now Chris, we got stuff to do.”

  “You need to rest that leg, and I need a few minutes to eat. Jimmy, you’re up.”

  “Agreed.”

  Jimmy picked up his bow.

  Dan knelt next to Kim, who was tending to the fire and cooking meat.

  “Eat up! There's plenty cooked a-LUNA GET AWAY FROM THAT!-and there's a ton more about to be done.”

  Dan chuckled as he chewed happily.

  The smell, initially comforting, now felt like a dangerous beacon, but the need for caloric energy was immediate and pressing.

  He passed large portions to Chris and George.

  Upon swallowing, Dan paused, “Hey Jimmy, I think I just noticed this meat has some Qi in it.”

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  “Huh, that's both interesting and not too unexpected in stronger creatures,” Jimmy paused, his finger twirling his short sandy colored hair, “I will have to think about this.”

  “We’ll smoke the rest when the sun comes up, but we smash now,” mumbled Dan, chewing through the tough meat. He knew he needed the protein of the meat and the Qi boost was a pleasant surprise.

  “No one goes hungry tonight.”

  Jimmy looked pointedly across the way, where arguments echoed.

  “They’ve wasted their food, and they have no real protections set up.”

  “They’re not communicating, and they’re scared.”

  Dan took a powerful bite, his gaze fixed on the frantic movement across the meadow.

  “Pretty soon they will be more concerned with staying alive than messing with us.”

  Chris, instead of resting, sat on a log and cut into the massive carcass.

  He needed that hide.

  Luna watched him intently from Kim's side.

  Chris pulled the small knife from his crafter’s pack.

  He knew that the thick skin was their best chance at leather armor.

  Annette, Jimmy’s mom, watched Chris work, handing him a bowl of water to clean his blade.

  “Can you really do that, Chris?”

  Chris didn't look up, his eyes focused on the separation of muscle and hide.

  “I don't know. But I would like to try to figure it out."

  The night dragged on, a silent war of nerves between the two camps and the unseen enemy in the woods.

  The low howls of the pack were heard periodically, but always far away, sticking to the deeper forest.

  At the four-hour mark Dan and Jimmy— though still alert and physically boosted by the Qi—woke George and Jaime to take the watch.

  George started walking the interior perimeter, his movements methodical and quiet.

  Jaime, pale but determined, took a spear and stood by the opening.

  Jimmy did not sleep.

  He stood beside Chris.

  Glasses a mirror to the endless stars.

  He looked over at the quiet chaos of the other camp.

  Lucas, now attempting to move his injured men, was in visible desperation.

  The man was not a fighter; he was a liability, and a volatile one.

  Wonder how long until they want to ‘share’ our better defended location

  “Chris,” voice barely a breath.

  “When they get weak enough, we may have to strike and finish them off.”

  “Word.” Chris answered, as he sliced open the belly.

  Squuuueelllch.

  “Gross.”