The day of the council meeting arrived, and Kael stood before a gathered assembly of leaders from the Ironhoof, Stonehorn, and Verdant Hoof clans. Tension hung in the air as each chieftain took their place, their eyes fixed on Kael, who stood at the head of the makeshift table.
"I appreciate all of you coming here today," Kael began, his voice carrying a weight of authority he had not yet fully embraced. "We face a common threat. The humans are not just attacking our lands; they are systematically eradicating our kind. We must unite as one."
Brann of the Ironhoof nodded, his expression earnest. "Kael speaks truth. We have already seen the devastation wrought by their armies. The time for hesitation is over. We need to act."
Thorne leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "But how? We are strong individually, but together? We need a strategy that can leverage our strengths without causing chaos."
Kael took a deep breath, recalling the strategies he had studied during his time as a human. "We must employ guerrilla tactics. Divide our forces into smaller groups, strike swiftly, and retreat before they can regroup. We know our terrain better than they do. Use the mountains, the plains, and the forest as our allies. We can confuse and exhaust them."
Garth crossed his arms, skeptical. "And what if they retaliate? We could lose everything if we do not defend our lands directly."
Kael nodded, acknowledging the concern. "We will defend when necessary, but we cannot let them dictate the terms of engagement. If we fight head-on, they will overwhelm us. Instead, we will become shadows. They will not know where we strike until it is too late."
The room murmured with tension, the leaders weighing Kael's words. Finally, Brann spoke up. "I support this plan. We must trust in our combined strength and creativity. If we work together, we can outmaneuver the humans."
Thorne nodded in agreement, his deep voice resonating in the chamber. "Then it is decided. We will form a coalition. Kael, you will lead the strategy. But know this: if you fail, the blame will fall upon you."
Kael felt the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders. "I understand. I will do everything in my power to ensure our victory. Together, we will show the humans that they cannot extinguish our kind."
As the meeting adjourned, Kael felt a mix of anticipation and dread. The stage was set for an all-out conflict, and he knew the coming battles would define not only his future but the future of all centaurs. He would not allow history to repeat itself; he would fight for their survival, and he would lead them to victory.