When Max came down from the barricade, he could see the faces of all the warriors who had accompanied him, their faces were completely weary.
It was a sign that they had survived, but at the same time, the battle had taken something precious from them, because the confrontation had lasted a few hours and the sky was already darkening.
So wiping the sweat and dirt from his forehead, he climbed to the highest part he could and looked at all his companions.
"Today we are experiencing the greatest challenge we have faced during this expedition.
I am sure it will not be the last attempt by those bears to come and attack us, but I can assure you that this day we have achieved an impressive feat.
Look at the battlefield outside the camp, only the corpses and a few dying bears remain.
This day we have not only won this battle, but we have also prevented these cursed from reaching the south, if we did not stop them, it is most likely that they would have reached our village.
This is a wake-up call for us as well. We will not only have to come here when we need the white skins of these bears.
But also, we will have the obligation to come to hunt them and prevent them from reproducing, becoming a genuine threat.
For our Island, our home, and our families.
That is why today I would like to announce that in this camp I am going to create an outpost called
Den hvite bjornens dod!
So I would like to ask that five of you spend the winter in this place, I am sure it will be something completely complicated because this place is quite far from the tribe.
However, I promise you as the Herald of Odin that I will come for you in the spring, and with it, I will bring a group of brave members of the tribe who want to settle in this place.
Now I ask you, who of you will spend the winter in this place? If you don't want to stay in this snowy wasteland, I'm not going to force you "
The warriors who had been quietly listening to Einar's speech were surprised, as it meant a lot to be able to stay in the camp, but at the same time, they did not want to spend the winter without their families.
It wasn't until Goi bravely raised his hand and stepped forward, his face sooty as he had spent quite some time near the fires where the fat had been boiled.
"I am willing to stay since I do not want those damned to attack our village, even if I stayed alone I would do it with pride and courage.
But if I do not survive the winter, I would like Herald Einar to lay my remains to rest in this place. "
Goi's surprising words created a chain effect, as suddenly a warrior stepped forward and stood next to Goi so that after a few seconds two more warriors stood next to them.
At the end in front of Einar, there were seven warriors who were sure to stay and take care of the camp, because they had trusted in Goi's determination and in Einar's words.
With a smile on his face Einar approached them and looked at them with pride "I will see to it that when the outpost becomes a military fort.
You have an extra in the distribution of land so that you and your families have where to harvest or where you can have a farm.
But now it is necessary that we all begin to collaborate to clean the bears' skins since if we leave them for longer it is possible that because of inclement weather it may damage them.
Not to mention that it is already late, so it is dangerous to be outside the camp at night, even more so if we do not know if we have killed all the bears or worse if they are hiding in the trees waiting for the best moment to kill us. "
While this was happening in a small cave, Ansgar warmed himself in a small fire while biting into a small white fox paw.
"This meat is too stringy and tastes gross, but it's better than just swallowing snow. He asked me how Derick and Elof are doing.
I hope both of you are well and have been able to continue on your way. "
When he finished saying those words, Ansgar took out a small sack from his chest, which he opened and took out a pinch of salt from inside.
Which he put on his meat and then bite it again.
"It still tastes disgusting, but at least it's better than eating it without salt, I guess when I get to the village I'll have to thank him Herald Einar for allowing the salt to be cheaper."
When Ansgar finished eating, he approached the small cave entrance and placed some stones on it, leaving only one entrance large enough for air to circulate inside.
After this Ansgar returned to the small fire he had made and huddled in a small corner of the cave where unconsciously bearing the pain of his injuries, he began to fall asleep.
When he felt a draft of cold air on his face, Ansgar opened his eyes and noticed the light coming through the small hole at the entrance of the cave.
So, getting up very carefully, he walked towards the entrance and removed the stones he had placed at night.
At the end of removing the stones, he covered his face from the radiant sun that was dazzling him with his hand, and stooping he left the cave to see the beautiful sunrise on the mountain where he was.
He was surprised to be able to observe the immense ice wasteland on his left side and how it completely changed the terrain in just a few meters.
Well, he was dangerously close to the ice desert in the center of the island, so if he wasn't careful he could end up dead because there was no shelter or food at all.
After enjoying the sunlight for a few minutes, he turned back to the cave to take his things and continue on his way.