Another World, the Great Prairie.
Tens of thousands of barbarians marched in a long, winding column five or six kilometers in length.
Among them, more than a hundred giant beasts resembling Komodo dragons, but several times larger, were especially eye-catching. On Earth, each would have been the undisputed largest land animal.
The giant beasts carried mountains of supplies on their backs. Every step they took made the ground tremble faintly.
Compared with their other, savage-looking kin, these barbarians were far more civilized. They already carried primitive bows and shields, and most no longer wore animal hides, but crude clothes woven from hemp vines.
However, only low-ranking barbarians wore such clothes.
The priests and the strong warriors still wore animal hides.
That was hardly surprising. Animal hides were far more comfortable than the rough, bristly clothes woven from hemp vines, and in some situations, they were also a symbol of personal strength.
Besides, the hides of certain powerful beasts offered even greater protection and helped keep their wearers alive.
Even on Earth, a well-preserved animal hide was worth far more than ordinary clothing.
Aside from the fact that mysterious forces prevented them from developing metal weapons, this was a civilization in transition, moving from primitive hunter-gatherer tribes toward feudal agrarian society.
Just then, one of the giant beasts in the column seemed to be drawn to a patch of tender grass beside the road. It suddenly left the ranks and wandered off to one side. A small barbarian following behind it hurried after it in alarm.
He looked only fifteen or sixteen. His skin was dark and lean, and he was less than half the beast's height. Just one of its legs was as thick as his waist. As he desperately ran after it, he silently prayed.
"Great God of Courage