YM778.TV Chapter 28: Battle Report!
The assembly rose as one, the sound of shuffling feet and rustling garments filling the air as they acknowledged their leader with a unified, "Yes!"
After the meeting, Logan addressed Crow and Lotts specifically. "Stay behind, both of you. We need to discuss arrangements for our departed brethren," he said, his expression serious.
The true measure of a nation or tribe is revealed in how it honors those who have fallen. This truth was not lost on anyone present, especially Crowe and Bagan, who exchanged solemn nods of agreement.
Though the chief\'s intentions were not entirely clear to them, his words about bringing their comrades home struck a deep chord. As warriors themselves, the prospect of being respectfully returned to their homeland in the event of their death was a profound comfort.
"Let\'s proceed, everyone take your seats. Crowe, continue with the report," Logan instructed, his voice steady.
Crowe cleared his throat, nodding once before he resumed. "Turning to the casualties from the Youwa tribe," he began, "we lost 159 warriors. This includes 136 from the infantry and 23 from our wolf cavalry, with 45 infantrymen killed and 18 critically wounded."
"Of our wolf cavalry, eight were killed, three seriously injured, and three more slightly wounded," Crow continued, his report detailing the significant toll taken on the Youwa tribe.
It was important to recognize the tribe\'s contribution, as their bravery and sacrifice were key to the victory. Logan nodded approvingly. "Excellent. The Youwa tribe has shown great valor. We owe it to their wounded to provide the best care possible."
The council echoed back in strong agreement, "Yes!"
"By the way, where is the Youwa Young Chief, Tyton?" Logan inquired, his interest piqued.
He had learned through Crow that the Youwa tribe was ready to align themselves with the Silver Mane tribe under Tyton\'s influential leadership.
"Master Chief, Tyton is right outside the door. Shall I invite him in?" Crowe responded promptly.
Anticipating the Chief\'s desire to meet with Tyton, Crowe had prudently asked him to wait nearby.
"At the door, you say? It seems you\'ve prepared well. Do you hold Tyton in such high regard?" Logan asked, his curiosity evident.
"Indeed, Master Chief. I believe Tyton has potential that mirrors that of Karl. With the right guidance and training, he\'s sure to rise to a general\'s rank in our forces," Crowe asserted confidently.
His assessment was not made lightly; Crowe had recognized Tyton\'s strategic acumen during their interactions on the battlefield cleanup. He saw in Tyton a natural leader, much like his protégé Karl, who had recently facilitated the Youwa tribe\'s smooth surrender.
"Is that so? Your words make me eager to meet him," Logan said with a smile, intrigued by the comparison to Karl, whom he knew was an exceptional talent under Crowe\'s mentorship.
Bagan, standing beside Crowe, raised his eyebrows in surprise. Could this Tyton truly match Karl\'s prowess?
Despite having observed Crowe\'s engaging discussions with Tyton, Bagan had initially underestimated the young chief\'s significance.
Realizing the potential to recruit a strong leader like Tyton, Bagan thought it might be an opportunity to address some lingering grievances within his own ranks.
"Let\'s conclude the battle report first, then we shall meet with him," Logan decided, eager but patient.
"Understood!" Crowe nodded, turning his attention back to the leather-bound report he held. His anticipation to showcase Tyton\'s capabilities was clear, yet he respected the order of proceedings as dictated by his chief.
"In terms of enemy captives, we secured 223 beastmen, including 45 from their wolf cavalry, and additionally, we captured 76 wargs," Crowe began, detailing the scope of their successful capture strategy.
He continued, "Among these, there are 66 wounded beastmen and 12 injured wargs. Given their condition, they\'re practically unusable for any military purposes."
Logan nodded approvingly as he assessed the numbers. The substantial count of prisoners clearly indicated a decisive victory for the Silver Mane tribe, a victory facilitated by the Youwa tribe\'s tactical counterattack that threw the enemy into disarray.
"We eliminated one hundred and ninety-three of their fighters, with seventy-four of those being wolf cavalry," Crowe added, marking the scale of the enemy\'s losses.
He then relayed the difficulties in pursuing the remaining forces, "The rest managed to flee, including wolf knights from the Luochuan tribe. Despite Kadia\'s relentless pursuit, about twenty to thirty of their cavalry escaped."
Logan responded with reassurance, sensing Crowe\'s disappointment, "It\'s alright. We\'ve achieved a significant victory. The vastness of the wastelands makes a complete rout challenging. You\'ve done well; there\'s no cause for self-reproach."
Crowe acknowledged with a simple, "Yes."
He then brought up significant captures, "Moreover, we captured key leaders including the coalition\'s commander-in-chief Mamuti, and Chiefs Samo and Kela. Unfortunately, Chief Gaila was killed by our first group of wolf cavalry during his attempted escape."
"This concludes the full report of the battle," Crowe concluded, stowing the animal skin document before returning to his seat.
The room, filled with tribal leaders like Begon, Reynolds, Kodiak, and Cobos, initially brimmed with concern over potential losses. However, as they absorbed the details of the report, their worry turned to astonishment. Despite facing an enemy of equal strength, their casualties were minimal while they inflicted severe losses and made significant captures.
This overwhelming victory only highlighted the wisdom of Logan\'s leadership decisions, a point he intended to make clear in this gathering, especially to senior tribal figures like his two uncles. The meeting was not just a briefing but a strategic move to solidify his standing and validate his strategies within the tribal hierarchy.
There was no need for Logan to speak further; the comprehensive battle report had already swayed every doubter in the room.
Turning his attention to more strategic matters, Logan addressed his second uncle directly, "Uncle Begon, tomorrow morning, I\'m dispatching Crowe and Bagan to integrate the people from the four tribes. Have you any reservations about this plan?"
Begon, having already taken proactive steps, responded with assured calmness, "Chief, preparations are well underway. I\'ve arranged for a zero-hour camp to resettle the newcomers. Rest assured, everything will be ready."
The magnitude of their recent victory solidified Logan\'s intention to incorporate the four tribes fully. For Begon, while he might have reservations, the triumph in battle had laid any doubts to rest, convincing him to embrace the inevitability of the integration.
Acknowledging his uncle\'s unusual compliance, Logan expressed his gratitude, slightly surprised but relieved by the lack of resistance, "Thank you, uncle. Your efforts are greatly appreciated."
With administrative matters addressed, Logan\'s curiosity about the young Beastmen leader mentioned by Crowe resurfaced. "Crowe, please, bring Tyton in. I\'m eager to meet him."
"Yes, Chief." Crowe promptly rose and strode to the door, returning moments later with a young werewolf trailing behind him.
Upon entering, Tyton quickly knelt, demonstrating his respect. "Chief Tyton at your service," he declared, his head bowed.
"Rise," Logan commanded gently, offering a welcoming smile.
As Tyton stood, Logan took a moment to appraise him. The man was only a few years older than himself, with striking brown hair and a demeanor that combined both a warrior\'s ruggedness and a certain charismatic allure. Tyton, in turn, was discreetly assessing the young chief of the Silvermane tribe, his future leader.
The reality of his situation was not lost on Tyton, recently a leader in his own right, now poised to become a subordinate in a formidable new alliance.