The Crow, the Monkey, and the Wolf

Dawn lit the distant sky. The morning sun rose from between the mountains, illuminating the Dog-kin's temporary camp. The disorderly camp stretched on for several miles, curls of cooking smoke winding beside the mountain forest, the fragrance of corn drifting everywhere.

"We've beaten back the Otomi People for now. The tribe can finally settle down and eat a hot breakfast."

The Red Crow flag was planted at a slant on the highest point of a small hill. Beneath the hill was the Red Crow camp without palisades—no, it should be called the tribe's gathering point.

Amoxi wore Cotton Armor and led several dozen red-haired personal guards as he patrolled through the tribe's gathering point. His expression was resolute, and he kept greeting the warriors around him, occasionally bursting into a bold, hearty laugh. The chieftain's laughter echoed through the valley and drifted toward the sun on the eastern mountaintop, gradually brightening the gloomy camp as well.

"It truly is the ancestors' blessing! Chieftain, we've gathered fifteen hundred warriors! Added to the old camp in the north, the Red Crow Tribe actually has more than two thousand fighting men now. We're no longer the little tribe we were back then!"

The personal guard Moqi looked excited, and also somewhat moved. During that night raid, everyone had been separated from the chieftain, and under Alan's lead, had fled in panic through the night, ready to be destroyed at any moment. Yet only a few days later, they had not only reunited with the chieftain, but had also raised their banner and gathered routed soldiers from every tribe. Now, the Red Crow Tribe actually had so many fighting men. It was truly like a dream.

"We must thank the ancestors for their blessing, and even more, thank the wise great leader! The great