WIDA

Chapter 6: The Arrival

The journey back to the valley was tense but uneventful. Wida rode at the front, leading the small group through the winding hills and dense forests that separated the village from their new home. The settlers were quiet, their faces a mixture of apprehension and determination. Obis rode behind them, his watchful eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.

By the time they reached the valley, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden light over the land. Wida felt a swell of pride as she gazed at the untouched landscape, the river shimmering in the distance, the mountains standing tall like silent guardians. This was their land now.

The settlers dismounted, looking around in awe at the vast expanse before them.

"It's... beautiful," one of the women whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

Wida smiled. "It's ours. All of it."

Obis, ever the pragmatist, was already surveying the land with a critical eye. "We'll need to start building right away. Shelters, defenses, and a way to store food. The first winter could be brutal if we're not prepared."

The settlers nodded, already discussing plans for homes and communal areas. They were eager, hungry to build something of their own. Wida felt a flicker of relief—perhaps this would work after all.

As the day wore on, the group set to work, clearing land, gathering materials, and planning the layout of the village. Wida helped where she could, but her mind was already turning to the next challenge: convincing more settlers to join them.

That evening, as they gathered around a fire, the first sparks of community began to take shape. They shared food, stories, and laughter, the tension of the journey melting away in the warmth of companionship. For the first time in weeks, Wida felt a sense of peace.

But as she looked out over the darkening valley, her thoughts turned to the future. The Gadir and Mbari would not stay away forever. They would learn of this new settlement, and when they did, they would see it as a threat.

Wida knew she had to prepare for that day. But for now, she allowed herself a moment to enjoy the peace they had fought so hard to find.

Tomorrow, the real battle would begin. The storm that would shake history and it proved to be true because the next few weeks were a blur of hard labor and cautious optimism.

With the nine settlers working side by side with Wida and her brothers, the village began to take shape. Simple mud huts sprang up along the valley's edge, forming the beginnings of what would soon be their home. The settlers worked tirelessly, driven by the promise of something better, something freer than the life they had known under the oppressive rule of the Gadir and Mbari tribes.

Wida moved among them, helping where she could and offering words of encouragement. Her brothers, especially Obis, were more practical—directing the construction, ensuring defenses were laid out, and training the settlers in basic self-defense. Even the women took part in the training, wielding makeshift spears with determination in their eyes.

It was grueling work, but the sense of camaraderie that had grown between them made it bearable. For the first time in their lives, they weren't working for someone else's gain. They were building something that belonged to them.

By the time the first storm rolled in, the village was barely ready. The wind howled through the valley, lashing at the newly built huts and threatening to tear down everything they had worked for. The settlers huddled inside their homes, bracing against the fury of the storm. Wida and her brothers had secured the livestock in a makeshift pen, but there was little they could do but wait.

Wida stood at the entrance of her hut, watching the rain hammer down on the earth. Her heart clenched with worry—this storm was a reminder of just how fragile their situation was. If the rains didn't stop soon, the river might flood, and the valley could become a trap.

"Do you think we'll make it?" she asked quietly, glancing at Obis, who stood beside her, his arms crossed.

Obis's face was grim, his eyes narrowed as he watched the storm. "We'll make it through this. But it won't be the last storm we face. We need to be ready."

Wida nodded, knowing he was right. The storm was just one of many challenges they would face in the coming months. Nature, the tribes, and the uncertainty of their new life—all were forces beyond their control. But she also knew that they couldn't give up now.

As the night wore on and the storm showed no sign of letting up, Wida's thoughts drifted to the other settlers. Most of them were families, with children too young to understand the significance of what they were doing. For those children, this would be the only life they knew—a life free from the oppressive rule of the tribes.

That thought gave Wida strength. Whatever they faced, she would not let this new home be taken from them. They had sacrificed too much to fail now.

The storm raged through the night, but by dawn, it had finally begun to subside. The valley was drenched, the ground slick with mud, but their huts had held. No one had been injured, and the river, though swollen, hadn't flooded.

As the settlers emerged from their homes, blinking in the early morning light, Wida felt a surge of pride. They had survived their first trial together. And in doing so, they had taken another step toward becoming a true community.

"Let's get to work," Obis said, already moving toward the livestock pen to check on the animals.

The rest of the settlers followed his lead, their tired faces determined. They had weathered the storm, but there was still much to be done.

Wida glanced at the horizon, where the mountains loomed dark against the sky. Somewhere beyond those peaks lay the territories of the Gadir and Mbari. And while they had been lucky so far, Wida knew that their presence in the valley wouldn't go unnoticed for much longer.

She turned back to the village, her heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. They had survived the storm. Now they had to prepare for what was coming next.

Thank you for reading this draft

Updates every Friday and Monday