After settling on his plan, Heshima handed this battlefield over to a Commander of Ten Thousand under his command. He then crossed the river with his personal guards and returned to the Barbarians' Main Camp.
Back in the Main Camp, Heshima saw a scene of bustling activity. Everyone, regardless of age or gender, had thrown themselves into the work.
Whether they were building small boats, rafts, or pontoon bridges, everyone took part.
Some people gathered every material they could find, craftsmen made the key components, other adults processed planks and logs, while women and children handled smaller tasks.
Heshima was greatly heartened by the sight. Since the Iron Bone Tribe's southern invasion had suffered defeat, such unity had become a rare sight. It gave Heshima a measure of anticipation for the battles to come.
If everything went smoothly, they might be able to completely break the enemy's blockade and clear a route back to the grasslands before the pursuing forces arrived.
Heshima's thoughts were simple. If they could open the road back to the grasslands, he would personally lead his troops in staying behind to cover the retreat, buying time for the main force to withdraw. It would also count as atonement for his earlier mistaken decision to invade southward.
The moment Heshima returned to the Main Camp, he summoned the commanders of the other four river-crossing forces that had failed. From them, he learned the details of their defeats and the circumstances of the enemies they had faced.
After gathering all this information, Heshima also consoled the four men. Perhaps because of their losses, they seemed rather dejected.
Although they had failed to complete their river-crossing mission, their efforts had indirectly helped Keledu's force successfully seize a camp.
With the coming battles in mind, the Iron Bone Tribe still