Early the next morning, dawn had barely broken.
In the Northern Alliance Army's camp, the soldiers changing shifts had only just begun to yawn when they noticed a change across the river. Numerous columns of smoke were rising from the Barbarians' camp opposite them.
Sounds drifted over as well. At first, they could only hear the faint neighing of warhorses, but soon a chorus of shouts joined the horses' cries.
The sentries immediately went on alert, knowing that something must have happened in the Barbarians' Main Camp.
They reported the situation to the officers on duty at once. Soon, those officers came to the sentry posts to observe. By then, a rumbling noise was coming from the Barbarians' camp, indicating that large numbers of troops were on the move.
Realizing that the Barbarians were probably about to attack, the officers immediately sent men to notify their camps' highest commanders—the lords who owned these private armies.
Soon, the entire Northern Alliance Army encampment stirred into action. They had spotted the movement in the Barbarians' camp across the river and knew that the Barbarians were likely preparing to attack.
Following the previously established plan, every camp in the Northern Alliance Army sprang to life, and alarm bells rang out everywhere.
All the soldiers were roused from their half-asleep state and assembled, and equipment was distributed. After giving them a simple breakfast, the officers led them to their assigned battle positions to prepare for the Barbarians' imminent attack.
The Barbarians' camp was indeed preparing for an offensive. Soon, its gates opened, and large numbers of Barbarians poured out.
These Barbarians were dressed in rags, clearly ordinary herders. Carrying them in their hands or on their shoulders, they brought out large numbers of sheepskin rafts—the river-crossing equipment the Barbarians had prepared well in advance.