Moonlight flowed like water, spilling over the temporary bonfire camp by the sea. The fence around the camp was made of long poles tied with grass rope, the easiest kind to take down and put up. The tents inside were Sanda-style as well, small hide tents light and convenient to pitch and pack away. The whole camp was steeped in the migratory traits of Northeast Asian nomadic tribes, very different from the settled huts of the Ainu tribes.
"Awroo! Awroo!..."
As standard equipment for a nomadic tribe, trained hounds—especially clever, sturdy Samoyeds and Siberian Laika Dogs skilled at hunting—were the main force guarding the camp. Right now, there were quite a few unfamiliar scents in the camp, and the patrolling hounds would let out a few howls from time to time. Amid those distant, drifting dog cries, several of the kingdom's decision-makers were seated inside the tent at the center of the camp, gathered before the bonfire with grave expressions as they discussed matters.
"Tami-kusa, about when will the messengers sent to the Buyo-Kanham Tribe to have two Zheyang Ships come support us arrive?"
"Captain, the three cavalrymen are riding fast. They should be able to reach the Kanham Tribe eighty li away overnight. But coming here by sea from the Kanham Tribe means circling halfway along the coast, roughly two hundred li. In other words, even if the two Zheyang Ships set out as soon as they receive the message, they'll need one or two days at the earliest to reach here!..."
"One or two days? That's a little long! I don't know if it'll be in time?..."
Zuwaro frowned, glanced at Losanda, his little junior brother whose face was solemn, and said in a low, thoughtful voice.
"Losanda, that newly bought Wajin merchant ship is too slow after