Chapter 14: Seeds of Distrust

The sky hung heavy with slate-colored clouds, threatening rain but offering none, as the village buzzed with muted activity. The elders convened near the central fire, while the hunters sharpened their weapons and checked their supplies. Atsushi watched from a distance, seated on a worn tree stump just outside the infirmary. He was nursing a shallow cut on his arm—a minor scrape from their escape after sabotaging the dam. It was healing, but the itch of the wound matched the itch of his unease.

The negotiation with the rival tribe lingered in his mind, every word spoken replaying in sharp detail. Their leader’s measured response gave him hope, but the younger man’s hostility left him wary. If the village didn’t act swiftly to show good faith, any fragile understanding might splinter into open conflict.

Ana strode into view, her movements brisk and purposeful. She carried a bow in one hand and a quiver slung across her back. Her face was set in a determined expression, though a flicker of irritation crossed her features as she approached.

“They’re restless,” she said without preamble, gesturing toward the group of villagers gathered by the fire. “Daichi’s already arguing we should fortify the riverbanks, which would make us look like we’re preparing for war.”

“Let me guess,” Atsushi said, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t agree.”

“Of course not,” Ana snapped. “If we start building defenses, the other tribe will take it as a threat. They’ll retaliate before we even get a chance to make good on your brilliant plan.”

Atsushi sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “And what do you suggest? They’re not going to sit still while we figure this out.”

Ana hesitated, her sharp confidence wavering for the briefest of moments. “We need to act quickly. Supplies, something tangible. Show them we’re willing to cooperate before Daichi or someone like him makes things worse.”

“You’re not wrong,” Atsushi said, rising to his feet. “But what do we even have to offer that they’ll value enough to wait?”

“Leave that to me,” Ana said. “You’re coming with me, though. The elders trust you more than they should, and your face might stop them from thinking this is another trick.”

Atsushi smirked faintly. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

The two of them set out with a small group of villagers carrying baskets laden with dried herbs, salted fish, and woven cloth. It was a modest offering, but Ana had insisted it was enough to start. They walked in silence, their path winding through dense forest trails that smelled of damp earth and pine. The air was cool and heavy, and Atsushi could feel the weight of the villagers’ collective unease pressing down on him.

“Do you think this will work?” Atsushi asked, breaking the silence.

“It has to,” Ana replied without looking at him. Her tone was resolute, but Atsushi could sense the tension beneath it.

“And if it doesn’t?”

Ana’s jaw tightened. “Then we deal with it. One step at a time.”

When they reached the riverbank, the other tribe was already waiting. Their leader stood at the edge of the water, flanked by the younger man who had challenged them during the negotiation. Several others lingered nearby, their faces painted and their weapons visible but not raised. The air crackled with an unspoken tension as the two groups approached each other.

Ana stepped forward, her posture as steady and unyielding as ever. She held up a hand, signaling for the villagers to set the baskets down near the river’s edge.

“This is a gesture of good faith,” Ana said, her voice strong and clear. “Food, medicine, and supplies to show we’re serious about finding a way to coexist.”

The leader of the other tribe stepped closer, his sharp gaze sweeping over the offerings. He said nothing at first, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded.

“It’s a start,” he said. “But actions speak louder than words.”

“We’re prepared to do more,” Ana replied. “If you’re willing to meet us halfway.”

The younger man scoffed, stepping forward with his spear in hand. “And what happens when your village grows fat on the river’s bounty while we scrape by? Will you offer us scraps then too?”

Atsushi felt the tension spike, his pulse quickening as he glanced between Ana and the younger man. Before Ana could respond, he stepped forward.

“This isn’t about one side winning over the other,” Atsushi said, keeping his voice calm but firm. “It’s about survival—for both of us. If we work together, we can make sure no one has to scrape by.”

The younger man glared at him, his knuckles whitening around his spear. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one whose children go hungry.”

“And you think fighting us will change that?” Atsushi shot back. “If we destroy each other, no one survives. But if we pool our resources, maybe we both come out stronger.”

The man opened his mouth to retort, but the tribe’s leader raised a hand, silencing him. He regarded Atsushi for a long moment, his expression contemplative.

“You speak with conviction,” the leader said. “But conviction alone does not fill empty stomachs.”

“Let us prove it,” Ana interjected, her voice cutting through the momentary pause. “Give us time to show you that this can work.”

The leader’s gaze shifted to her, and he nodded slowly. “You have until the next full moon. If we do not see results by then, the river will be ours.”

The journey back to the village was quieter than the trip out. The relief Atsushi felt at avoiding immediate conflict was tempered by the knowledge that the clock was now ticking. A full moon gave them only a few weeks to show progress, and he had no idea where to start.

“What now?” he asked as they neared the village.

“Now,” Ana said, her tone sharp, “we convince the others to stop acting like the river is a battlefield. We need everyone focused on making this work, not preparing for a fight.”

“That’ll be easier said than done,” Atsushi muttered.

Ana shot him a sidelong glance. “You’ve made it this far. Don’t quit now.”

Back in the village, the reaction to their return was mixed. Some villagers were cautiously optimistic about the agreement, while others, like Daichi, were openly skeptical. The hunter confronted them near the central fire, his arms crossed and his tone accusatory.

“You’re putting the whole village at risk for a gamble,” he said, his voice low but heated. “What happens when they decide our ‘good faith’ isn’t good enough?”

“Then we’ll be ready,” Ana said, her voice cold. “But until that happens, we’re focusing on what we can control.”

“And if you’re wrong?” Daichi pressed.

Ana stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. “Then I’ll answer for it. But unless you have a better plan, I suggest you stop trying to stir the pot.”

Daichi held her gaze for a moment, then muttered something under his breath and stalked away. Atsushi let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“You make a lot of enemies,” he said, his tone half-teasing.

Ana smirked faintly. “Keeps things interesting.”

As the evening wore on, the villagers began organizing efforts to gather resources and strengthen their relationships with the other tribe. It was a slow and uncertain process, but for the first time in days, Atsushi felt a glimmer of hope.

He stood by the fire, watching as the villagers worked together, their movements purposeful despite the lingering tension. Ana joined him, her arms crossed as she surveyed the scene.

“You think they’ll come around?” Atsushi asked.

“They don’t have a choice,” Ana said. “None of us do.”

The fire crackled between them, its warmth a fragile barrier against the cold night air. Atsushi glanced at Ana, noting the faint lines of exhaustion etched into her face.

“You’re not as heartless as you let on,” he said quietly.

Ana smirked, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

Atsushi chuckled softly, the sound almost lost in the night. For the first time in a long while, he felt like they might actually stand a chance.