The spoils of the ambush were celebrated long into the night. Centaurs marveled at the cold, hard steel of the human weapons, passing the swords and shields from hand to hand as if they were relics from a distant world. For many of them, they were—iron and metal were foreign to the centaurs, who had only ever wielded stone and wood. This new weaponry represented strength and the possibility of a future where their tribe might be feared by other races.
But even as the tribe celebrated, Kael couldn't shake the underlying tension that rippled through the camp. It wasn't just the looming threat of more human patrols or the losses they had suffered. The tension came from Thorn.
Thorn had grown quieter since their return. His sharp eyes followed Kael wherever he went, filled with barely concealed contempt. It wasn't just a rivalry anymore; it was something deeper, something far more dangerous. Thorn was a second-in-command used to power and privilege, and with each of Kael's successes, Thorn's position grew shakier.
As Kael helped distribute the weapons to those who would benefit most from them, he caught Thorn glaring at him from the other side of the campfire. Garth, as usual, sat at the head of the gathering, silent and observant. But Kael could sense the shift within the tribe.
The atmosphere in the centaur camp was tense. Kael could feel it in the way the other centaurs moved around him. He had gained their respect, but respect was fragile. It was something earned repeatedly, especially among a group of warriors who valued strength above all. Though Garth remained the tribe's leader, Kael's victories in battle and his growing influence began to sow a subtle, creeping unease among the other centaurs—particularly Thorn.
Thorn had always carried himself with pride, holding the position of second-in-command under Garth. But Kael's presence was changing the dynamics of the tribe. His larger stature, quicker mind, and willingness to challenge old ways were slowly carving out space for him among the centaurs, a space Thorn was unwilling to yield.
Kael sensed Thorn's growing resentment as the tribe gathered around the fire that night. The centaurs marveled at their newfound weapons—shiny steel swords and metal armor looted from the human patrol. Many had never seen such weapons up close, and they passed them around with awe, their hooves stomping in approval.
Garth, the leader, watched silently from his place beside the fire, his face unreadable. But Kael had learned to read the older centaur's moods over the past few weeks. Garth was observant, always aware of the shifting dynamics within his tribe. He knew Thorn's pride had taken a hit after Kael's success in leading the ambush, and now Kael stood in a precarious position, balanced between gaining more trust and provoking a challenge.
As the night wore on, Kael approached Garth, sitting down beside the tribal leader.
"Garth," Kael began cautiously, keeping his voice low, "the humans we ambushed—they're likely not the last. They'll come looking for their patrol. We need to be prepared."
Garth nodded slowly. "I know. But they don't know where we are. Not yet."
"That won't last," Kael insisted. "Humans have larger armies, more soldiers. This skirmish was small, but we should assume they'll send scouts or more patrols soon. We need to scout the surroundings ourselves, get a sense of where the humans might be based, or where other dangers might come from."
Garth regarded Kael for a long moment. "You speak wisely, Kael. But you've only been with us for a short time. Are you suggesting I should trust you more than Thorn, who has been my right hand for many seasons?"
Kael met Garth's gaze evenly. "I'm not asking for your trust overnight. I'm asking that we prepare for the inevitable. The tribe's survival comes before pride."
The words hung in the air between them. Garth's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he finally nodded.
"You and Thorn will both scout," Garth said. "Find where the humans are, and bring back any information you can. Thorn will lead the group. You will accompany him."
Kael suppressed a frown but nodded in agreement. He knew that Garth was testing him—perhaps even testing Thorn's reaction to the idea of Kael being involved in such an important mission. It was another step in Kael's climb toward power, but he had to tread carefully.
As the campfire died down and the centaurs retreated to rest, Kael noticed Thorn approaching him, his posture stiff, his expression hard.
"Be ready tomorrow," Thorn growled. "We leave at dawn. I'll lead this scouting party, but you better stay in line. Garth may trust you, but don't think that makes you important."
Kael stared back, unfazed by Thorn's hostility. "I'm only interested in keeping the tribe safe, Thorn. If you have a problem with that, we'll see who Garth trusts more when the time comes."
Thorn snarled but said nothing more as he stormed off. The lines were being drawn, but Kael knew he couldn't challenge Thorn directly just yet. Not until the time was right.