The morning sun rose from the East, lighting up the golden sky and illuminating the undulating forests. Fir trees stood tall among the mountains, and their green-yellow needles swayed in the wind as if they were the feathers of deities. With the sun ascended, leaves took flight in the forests. In the depths of autumn, the Eastern Madre Mountain Range resembled the Earth Mother Goddess’s splendid Feathered Garment, dazzling and enchanting to behold.
"This is the most beautiful season, and also the best time for hunting,"
Xiulote stood on the Highlands, looking toward the northern scenery with a smile on his face. Behind him, the flag of the Black Wolf fluttered high, and not far off was the surrendered camp of the Red Monkey. Below in the highlands, thousands of Mexica warriors stood with grim expressions and rattling Armor Leaves, surging towards the main camp of the Red Dog.
The gaze of the King fell on the camp of the Red Dog. He carefully observed for a moment and then pointed with his hand.
"Ozoma, that one standing on high, clad in a Wolf Robe, is that Chichika?"
"Indeed it is, respected God of Death Great Chief,"
The Red Monkey Chieftain Ozoma knelt on the ground, his expression extremely reverent. He was like a wolf that had left its pack, now pledging allegiance to a new Wolf King.
"Ozoma, you dare betray me!"
From a high place in the Red Dog camp, the old Wolf King’s eyes were blood-red, suppressing a chest full of anger and feeling a bone-deep chill. At this moment, in Chichika’s eyes, the Great Chief, there wasn’t the sweep of colorful forests, only the decay of all things, no sight of autumn’s splendor, only a harsh winter imminent.
"Great Chief, the Red Monkey Tribe has betrayed us. The Mexica legion is about to attack!"
The trusted aide was panic-stricken, kneeling at Chichika’s feet. The sudden betrayal by the Red Monkey Tribe allowed the enemy to be at their doorstep in an instant. The Red Dog’s main camp had no time to muster its Tribes or to prepare its defenses. At this moment, only four thousand warriors were in the camp, about to face the enemy’s vanguard!
"What is there to fear!"
Chichika roared loudly, raising a foot and kicking the trusted aide to the ground. His expression was fierce, utterly fearless, as he shouted angrily.
"When two packs of wolves meet in the wilderness, both hungry, there’s nothing left but to fight!"
"As you command, Great Chief!"
The trusted aide rolled over and continued to kneel. As long as the Great Chief was unflustered, his heart quickly settled down.
"Defend the camp! Raise the Tribe’s war flags, sound the horns for a fight to the death! Red-haired Hunters take shooting positions, Tribal Warriors raise shields for cover, and the Chief’s Guard commands from the rear. Select a group of daredevils, ready to sortie from the camp at any time!"
Chichika shouted commands, each being relayed rapidly. After a brief pause, the Great Chief issued another order.
"Send an Envoy to the Red Crow camp of Amoxtli, have him hasten to lead all the valley Tribes here for support!"
"As you command, Great Chief!"
Two members of the trusted guard immediately emerged, carrying the chief’s token, and ran towards the valley to the rear.
After making these arrangements, Chichika’s face showed a murderous intent, as he roared ferociously.
"Go, bring over the kinsmen of the Red Monkey Tribe!"
Soon, the trusted aides escorted six men. Months ago, after establishing his status as the leader of the Red Dog Tribe, Chichika began to consolidate his authority. He had recruited several prominent kinsmen as personal trusted aides from various major Tribes, naturally including the Red Monkey Tribe.
Among these men, the one with the highest status was Ozoma’s clan brother. As soon as he arrived, he knelt down with a thud, pleading loudly.
"Great Chief, I was utterly unaware of Ozoma’s surrender! Please spare me...uh!"
Chichika quickly stepped forward, grabbing the other’s hair with his left hand, and producing a Long Dagger with his right, aimed it at the throat, slashing fiercely.
A warm spray burst forth. Chichika stretched out his hand, catching the flowing warmth, and smeared his face and hair bright red. This was an ancient custom of the wilderness, applying the sacred red to engage in a desperate battle!
Seeing this scene, the trusted aides knew the Great Chief’s resolve. They were stirred, each drew their Daggers, killed the remaining Red Monkey kinsmen, and similarly smeared themselves with bright red.
Chichika looked around at his aides, whose morale was high, and satisfied, he howled.
"Howl! Cut off these men’s heads, hang them beside the flag of the Red Dog. Today I shall stand here, not retreat a step, and fight the Mexica to the death!"
"Howl! Fight to the death!"
The trusted aides echoed in unison, then split up to lead their squads in a fight to the death.
The Red Dog’s main camp occupied a mountain pass, with high mountains to the east, forests to the west, and mountain paths to the north and south. The Mexica army approached from the south, the vanguard composed of five hundred Red Frog warriors. The Red Frog warriors swiftly attacked, engaging in close combat with the Red Dog Scouts outside the main camp. Both sides were Light Infantry Hunters, mutually attacking and vying for the battlefield in front of the camp. Soon, blood soaked everywhere.
A quarter later, the main force of the Mexica legion finally arrived, and the Red Dog Scouts were driven back to the camp. Bertade himself donned Armor commanding, waving the command flag. Over a thousand Temple Crossbowmen then deployed in front of the camp, advancing within a hundred steps, and then simultaneously fired.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
The arrow bolts rained down, striking fiercely upward, burying deep in the fortress wall of the Red Dog’s main camp, forcing the opposing Hunters to keep their heads down. The Red Dog’s main camp had been recently constructed, its walls crude and low, yet it occupied a higher position, granting a geographical advantage. At this moment, Tribe Warriors were holding up Wooden Shields, Red-haired Hunters crouched behind the walls, all waiting together for the deadly skirmish.
There was no need to conserve Arrows today. Bertade patiently waited, allowing the Crossbowmen to fire five rounds, until red was everywhere behind the walls, then he waved the battle flag again.
"First Ottopan Warriors, charge! Longbow aide-de-camp, close-range shooting!"