I sat in our cave, it was warm and comforting, unlike the other caves. The guards stood at the entrance to the outside world, usually bringing their young to play with me, but today they didn't, so I watched my mother get ready for the celebration that is the 85th Anniversary of Tondc Village.
My mother stood there nobly as my fathers hands painted her face with the blackness of the war paint, I watched, amazed.
My mother was the Heda of the Trigedakru, a very humble spirit, she knew that battling the mountain men was tough, but not as tough as it was to defend our home village of Tondc from the other clans.
"Heda Myra, are you ready for your speech?" One of the guards, Gustus' father, asked my mother, as he placed her armour and cape upon her shoulder.
She nodded, grabbed her sword and proceeded to the exit of the cave, the guard followed, as did my father and I.
The whole village was standing in the communal area, and cheered when they caught sight of Heda Myra. They chanted the words, "Heda Myra!" Over and over again.
"Quiet now my people," she commanded, as she stood on a makeshift platform.
Everyone watched in awe as she whispered something to one of her guards.
Her eyes swept the crowd, and then she spoke.
"It is my pleasure to be able to attend this anniversary dinner with my village tonight, May Tondc live on forever, and may we carry on the legacy of our village."
There were cheers from all around. My father walked over and joined the other hunter gatherers of the village.
They had a stretcher, woven from leaves And had handles of oak wood, I couldn't see what was on the stretcher, but it came closer and I realised there were at least 3 different animals on it.
The guards picked up a large deer from the stretcher, one guard held its head, while two others held the body of the deer.
"Alas," the Heda shouted, "The 85th anniversary of our village Tondc! May we feast together under the stars for one more night!"
The Heda drew her sword, and cut the head clean off the deer, it was our tradition and as such this deer would be the newest addition to our trophy collection.
The night grew darker and the torches began to fade. I sat beside my mother as we feasted together, chatting with the villagers, but still, even though she was my mother, the guards watched my every move, making sure i was doing nothing to hurt the Heda.
After the animals were eaten, the Warriors told us children the stories of what lay outside the village to us children.
They told of the reapers and how they were monstrous beings which no one could stop, they also told of the mountain men, and how they used our blood, so that they could live.
That was the first time I'd heard of the mountain men, and I was assured that it wouldn't be the last.
I knew that when I grew up, these men, if that's what they deserve to be called, would not stay alive, thanks to me.
