At an abandoned tribal settlement, a Barbarian force searched among the weathered tents and fences for clues left by its former inhabitants.
A Barbarian officer stood with his guards in an open space, waiting with an unhurried expression. He was Wuqida, the commander of the force.
He had ordered his men to search the abandoned camp for tracks that might lead them to its former inhabitants.
He stood there thinking, I knew this expedition wouldn't turn up much. Anyone with any sense fled long ago. Who would stay here and wait for us to show up?
But the great chieftain's authority has grown heavier these past two years. Even an old hand in the tribe like me doesn't dare defy his orders.
I hope we find something this time, at least. I need something to report to the great chieftain.
Wuqida stood there sighing. This mission was going badly!
Just then, one of his men ran up to report. "Chief, we found tracks left by the tribe that retreated. Their sheep made them. They can't have gone far. If we follow now, we might catch them!"
Wuqida stood and called to the soldiers behind him. "Then what are we waiting for?
"Men, follow me! Let's make them pay for crossing us!"
The soldiers behind him cheered as one, and Wuqida mounted his warhorse.
At his command, the cavalry charged out of the settlement behind him. Riders poured in from all sides of the abandoned camp and joined into a flood of horses and warriors at Wuqida's back, surging into the distant snowstorm.
Far away, on a stretch of snow, a figure suddenly rose to his feet with a spyglass in his hand.
After watching the departing cavalry a while longer, he spoke to the snow behind him. "Send someone back