5. Return.

With a heavy heart, she approached the lifeless creature, whispering a prayer of gratitude to the spirits of the mountains for granting her a successful hunt. Today the cubs would eat, and the clan would be more kind to her. She wasted no time in rolling the goat down the slope to a more comfortable platform, took a knife, gutted the goat and cut it into pieces. She could not resist and gnawed off a large piece of bloody meat right there on the spot. It was not as tasty as roast meat or even a rich soup, but it was extremely pleasant to feel her small sharp teeth cutting off pieces of still-warm prey. Her body responded quickly - despite the cold and wind, she felt much warmer, even a little hot. It immediately became easier to think. She thought sadly that if she had eaten like this as a child, she would have grown up big and strong, perhaps even better than Garza ... She threw these thoughts aside. There was no point in reopening the past. You have to live in the present and the future, whatever it may be.

Zurka wiped the blood from her face with snow and thought about her next steps. It was the first time she had encountered such a large goat, and she would not be able to carry it alone. She had to carry it in parts. She put the cut meat in a skin bag she had brought with her, and covered the remains of half a goat with stones so that predators and scavengers would not get to it quickly, and ran as fast as she could to the house. The load on her shoulders did not weigh her down, because it was the load of her small victory!

Returning to camp, Zurka found it eerily quiet. The absence of her sisters, with their chatter, throwing drills, and war cries in the wind, was palpable. Only fifteen male orcs and thirty cubs remained, huddled around the central fire. They looked up as she approached, the weight of half a goat's meat on her shoulders a testament to her successful hunt.

Skoll, (orcish for cliff), the oldest and most respected male, greeted her with a curt nod. Everyone knew he was a silent, grumpy man who could hit hard, but for an orc he was fair, and Zurka knew she could count on him to ensure that everyone got a fair share of the meager rations.

"Skoll," she said, her voice tired but firm, "I need your help. The sisters are gone, and we must make soup out of this meat for everyone. I am lucky." We must be strong for the coming winter. All of us, not just some of us.

Skoll's one good eye narrowed as he took in the size of the goat. This was a fine kill, one that would provide more than just temporary sustenance, it would give the clan hope until the riders returned. He grunted in agreement and called the other males to help. They set to work immediately, their movements honed by years of practice. They quickly hauled in snow in leather sacks and tossed it into the cauldron, where it melted into water. The old, blackened cauldron was brought to a boil and the chunks of meat were carefully added. The cubs watched, their little eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of a hearty meal. Skoll stirred the brew occasionally with a stick and added the last of the supplies, scented leaves and herbs.

By the time the sun had reached its zenith and it was very light, the soup was ready. Dinner! The aroma of cooking meat filled the camp, making the stomachs of the males and cubs rumble in anticipation. Zurka knew that food was scarce, but she also understood that an honest clan was a well-fed clan, and a well-fed clan was a strong clan. She did not want any of the cubs to be destitute like she had been as a child. Zurka hoped that her sisters' raid would bring enough to last the first month of winter. For now, let them be content with this.

As the males ladled soup into rough wooden bowls, Orgal, (roaring in orc), a young adult male, approached Zurka, gently touching her small hand with his huge paw.

"Zurka, will you join us for a meal? You have earned it.

Zurka, still feeling the pain of her sisters' earlier rejection, hesitated. She decided to refuse, even when she saw the genuine concern in his eyes.

"I need to go back for the rest of the meat," she said firmly. "I'll eat later."

Orgal nodded solemnly.

"I understand. But when you return, there will be a place for you by the fire. Should I come with you? Help you carry what's left?"

Zurka felt a glimmer of gratitude. It had been a long time since someone had offered to help her without expecting anything in return. But she knew the journey back to that very mountain was dangerous, Orgal did not have the experience she had in the mountains, and she did not want to risk anyone's life unnecessarily.

"That is not necessary, Orgal. I can handle it alone. You are needed here, along with everyone else, to protect the camp. If humans attack, every strong hand will count. Especially now, when the sisters are far away.

He nodded, understanding the seriousness of her words. As she turned to leave, he called after her.

"I understand, so be it. Be careful, Zurka."

For a moment, her eyes met his, and she saw the sincerity in his gaze. She gave him a small, sharp-toothed smile before heading back into the mountains. The path was as dangerous as ever, but motivation fueled her steps. The sun was already setting over the horizon, painting the sky and mountains in shades of pink and orange, when she reached the place where she had left the rest of the goat...

But something was wrong.