But Heshima quickly shattered their hopes. "There are hundreds of thousands of us. We have no chance of retreating to the grasslands within ten days.
"Besides, spring has only just begun. The grass hasn't turned green yet, and our cattle and sheep can't fill their bellies on dry grass. They'll lose weight and starve all the same. Even if we make it back to the pastures, we won't escape famine."
"Then what are we supposed to do, Great Chieftain? We followed you here to win victories and seize enough spoils to get through the winter. Now so many have died, and you tell us the army is running out of food and can't keep fighting. What are we supposed to do?"
The words of a small-tribe chief set everyone off. Voices rose in agreement, and many began condemning Heshima and the Iron Bone Tribe.
The Iron Bone Tribe's officers refused to tolerate it. Arguments and curses erupted throughout the tent, and some men even came to blows. Fortunately, the personal guards Heshima had stationed nearby pushed into the crowd and brought the situation under control before the chaos could spread.
When the loudest agitators were pinned to the ground, and everyone saw the cold gleam of blades in the great chieftain's guards' hands, the tent fell silent again. Some began to fear that he meant to use this chance to purge his opponents.
But Heshima did not order the guards to attack. Instead, he had them release the men they had pinned down. "That is the reality we face. There's no point talking about retreat. If you truly want to leave, I won't stop you. You may take your people and go, but none of you may take your cattle, sheep, or food."
Someone immediately tried to object, but at