The rain outside the stone house had lightened a bit, but it continued to fall incessantly. Inside, everyone looked at each other in dismay, all facing the same dilemma.
Should they trade their territory for medicine, or trade their young females? Both were absolutely indispensable to their clan.
"I suggest trading the young females," one elder proposed. "We can only hunt on our own territory. Less territory means less prey, and with less food, our people will starve. If everyone is starving, how can anyone be willing to have cubs?"
For a moment, several elders chimed in with their agreement. "I think that works." "I support this as well." "Without our territory, we won't have a place to survive. When that happens, won't we just be at the mercy of others?"
