In the end, the shrewd and beautiful Caroline left Wilderness Town with most of her tribespeople.
She left Gael behind, along with several dozen wounded and twenty young people responsible for caring for them. It would do the youngsters good to spend some time in a large town and broaden their horizons.
Before leaving, Caroline spoke privately with Gael for a long time. Mainly, she urged her rather thoughtless companion to observe more and think more.
She wanted Gael to look closely at the people's standard of living here, as well as their attitude toward those in power.
He also needed to think more about how to build good relationships with the people who held power here, especially Allen. After all, their people's future depended on it.
These requests were far too difficult for Gael. The burly fellow probably would not manage a single one properly.
Caroline knew that herself, but what else could she do?
As the most respected leader among the three villages, she needed to return, inform everyone of these developments, and prepare to begin cooperating with Wilderness Town.
She also needed to discuss with the respected village elders whether everyone should take part in this work. If they did, the entire tribe would have to relocate somewhere more suitable.
Those tasks were even harder, and sending Gael back to handle them would be asking too much of him as well. Between two benefits, choose the greater; between two harms, choose the lesser. In the end, Caroline could only go back herself.
Gael, meanwhile, accepted Allen's offer and became his guard, a duty that would last until their cooperation ended.
Allen had no intention of making Gael do too much. He only needed him to deliver letters and relay messages-in other words, handle communications between Wilderness Town