Author's Notes:

Here is the next chapter. Is it late? Yes. Now, back to banging my head against the desk.

A silence held in the cool morning air as it hung over the large Sebanwi encampment, tensions had risen and fallen over the past few days as their impending destruction slowly approached. Two days prior the Tebasi had been moved farther away in a successful attempt to isolate the two tribes from each other and it was clear Isibuso was not taking any chances, and understandably so after the fights that had broken out in both camps. It was one thing to march as one with a reasonable purpose but as the seriousness of the matter sank in to the minds of the rank and file tempers had flared. None were willing to be cast away as fodder and sacrificed on the altar for the sake of Sibusiso's lust for gold nor for Isibuso's desire for glory.

Fortunately, things had simmered down quickly in the Sebanwi camp after the chiefs had pulled aside the loudest and either beaten them back into line or persuaded them with carefully chosen words. But in event theirs plan might travel beyond the camp and reach undesirable ears little was explained, yet a great deal of trust and an even larger amount of blame, had been placed on Khada's shoulders. As for the other camp, no one knew. Almost as soon as the Tebasi chieftains had been brought in their camp was forcibly moved a considerable distance away, both out of sight and out of mind. The only contact they had with each other was to watch the smoke from camp fires drifting into the sky come early morning and evening but even that had ceased which had brought a great deal of concern. Concern that could not be addressed but only buried deep and repressed.

Khada had become been increasingly nervous over the past two days and Nyah could easily understand why as it gnawed at all of them, they were to commit mass suicide for the sake of their families. Why? Because Sibusiso willed it. Either die making him rich or die anyway only now en masse as the whole tribe, and Nyah laid on the worn mat staring up into the early morning sky she wondered how much longer it would be before the dreaded day arrived.

"How much longer... Either send us to die or send us home. This stupid to wait, waiting not make bad plan better."

Rolling over and keeping her eyes closed Nyah let out a quick breath to calm her nerves, the ceaseless waiting was worse than facing their fate. Every loud noise over the past several days made her ears prick upright wondering if this was the call that would send them rushing off but it had yet to be the case. Another fight, frayed nerves as the warriors became increasing annoyed with what was happening or some other petty dispute that would normally be ignored. There was too much tension and she knew it but there was only one way to put an end to it and they all dreaded it.

A shout filled the air and choosing to ignore it as another attempt to break up a squabble Nyah remained motionless and brooding but as more shouts rang out the warrior rolled over and stared across the camp at the course of the commotion.

"Big fight? No..."

Nyah sat up for a moment before the rush of motion reached her part of the camp and rising to her hooves quickly she listened to the continued shouting. The shouting was a mixture of relief and regret as the sound of her fathers voice echoed across the camp becoming more clear the closer he came and standing still for a few minutes she reached down and grabbed her belongings. Slinging the crude bag used to store her effects over her shoulder and snatching up both her nguni and iklwa she stood ready and waiting when Khada appeared jogging down the camp trail.

"We go. Now." Khada pointed to the North quickly. "Get regiment ready, we go now, must hurry."

Frowning at her father's rushed speech Nyah nodded slightly. "What wrong?"

"Isibuso send Tebasi two day ago."

Nyah's mouth gaped a moment as she gripped her weapon harder till the veins nearly showed through her fur. "Suicide! Wrong time! Go as one maybe get past but now they ready for us! Not catch Tebasi maybe but catch us now!" Nyah spat on the ground. "Kill Isibuso, better this way, do his way no chance now."

"No! We go! Now! If lucky they now chase Tebasi all over land, not us, two day behind so maybe they not think to expect us. Maybe. Maybe they give up chase and return to fight us, maybe not."

"What Isibuso thinking!? He kill us all and self!"

Khada stared quietly at his daughter a moment before motioning for them to move. "Have new plan, he say we stop them from taking back what Tebasi take when they attack so now Tebasi go much, much farther. Think he protecting self, this way he have something to offer father no matter what happen. Something better than nothing. Tebasi take, we protect as pass North and those following take back loot. He also not know what day it is."

"This much, much stupid! He stupid! He give Sibusiso what? Sack grain if lucky? Maybe shiny rock or two? Hah!"

Shaking his head Khada sighed before standing upright and glaring at Nyah. "You daughter, follow order. Too late to complain now, no more question, just do. We know Isibuso like father, this no surprise so no more argue! Obey command! If own daughter not obey then we all die long, long time before chance to run home."

Nyah looked furiously at her father a moment before forcing a nod. "Yes chief."

Khada watched Nyah a moment as she turned and after looking her regiment over shouted at them to move, but before she could advance with them he hurriedly ran after Nyah; grabbing her by the shoulder he yanked her back a little and hissed into her ear.

"This is very bad but make do, maybe we find way to make work along way. Hold temper! Always have bad temper but stuff in jar and seal tight if expect any to live!" Giving her a sharp shove forward he watched as her ears flattened out in annoyance, anger seething on her features even from behind as fur stood on end.

Standing watch as the rest of his tribe deployed outside the camp and formed up Khada did a brief headcount of those gathered and satisfied he turned to his watcher nodding. The nod was not returned as the other did his own head count before giving him a disapproving glance. Khada listened to the guard fill Isibuso in quickly and after hearing his mocking approval the guard returned and pointing said but one word. "Go."

Extending his arm out with weapon in hand pointing at the formation broadly, Khada then made a sweeping movement to the side and watched as the minor chieftains and commanders motioned to their smaller units to move. One solid turn to the right the large formation began a shuffling movement before building up to a quick paced walk and finally a rapid jog. Running down to the column as it rushed past, Khada sped forward till he was at the front of the formation and quickly exchanging glances with the lead-most commander shook his head and mouthed a quick "not yet" to them. Spurring forward the column raced out of the sunken depression they had bivouacked in for some time and after cresting the ridge their hearts sank.

An equally large force was waiting on them just beyond, one of the more loyal tribes and they were already lined up to either attack or escort. Silently holding their breath as they ran past in the event Sibusiso had changed his mind they finally breathed a combined sigh of relief after being permitted to pass and continue on their foreordained way. Staring out far ahead Khada stared at the beaten path the Tebasi had taken, the grasses beaten flat under their hooves in a wide and long snaking trail going out through the hills and ridges till out of sight.

Dread filled his stomach in thinking about what would happen to them as it was no secret that scouts and spies were thick in the surrounding landscape, both their employer and the enemy thereof kept a close eye on them and each other. He had attempted to create some excuse to visit the Tebasi camp but now he understood why it was not permitted, Isibuso was indeed not entirely a fool and understood the danger of allowing such a meeting on the eve of their advance. Perhaps that was why they had been sent so soon?

Khada clamped his jaw tightly and kept breathing steadily as they jogged along. "No time to warn, no time to say they should run... No time to help, no time to... Hope they know to stay West and not be forced East, enemy come from East and no more Tebasi."

Growling a few quiet words of frustration into the wind for all the more effect it would have Khada fell back a distance so their pursuers could keep a closer eye on him just in case they thought he was getting any ideas. His chieftains all knew the plan and only time would tell if it bore fruit but if Isibuso forced them to go too far East and deeply into enemy lands then their lives would be short lived indeed. His anger slightly vented he hoped that Isibuso had not ordered whoever escorted the Tebasi to do so either for if he had their advance might well end well before it began.

Glancing over his shoulder for a brief moment at the pursuing force Khada glared. "Must run very, very fast when time come..."

Halim's small army marched down the overgrown road at a steady pace, over the past two days they had gained ground quickly thanks to the efforts of small detachments which had laboriously filled in potholes, removed boulders and other plant-life that had long since conquered the forgotten road. Watching his forces march past in column Halim continued to run the distance traveled compared to what they had yet to traverse over in his mind again and again while at the same time wondering just how off he or his Southern and striped counterparts were. Had the fool deployed yet and drawn off the enemy? Or was he the one ahead of schedule?

Eye's roaming to the left he watched an officer approaching and after a sharp bow they pointed down the road. "Scouts report no enemy presence, watch towers, outposts, forts... Just a small farmhouse."

"Is it occupied?"

"Yes my prince."

"Have they seen us?"

"Yes." Halim started to turn and the officer quickly raised a hand. "A small party has already seized them, they were held in advance last night so as to not risk one fleeing to warn others."

Nodding Halim returned to watching the army. "Good. You are well aware we must remain un-spotted for as long as possible."

"Understood my prince but I suspect our time may be running out."

"Explain."

"The farmhouse sits on a junction, a used junction. It trails farther North but we know not exactly where and sending scouts may alert whoever or whatever is there. The road passes down and into a valley and we are hidden by two ridges between us and whatever may lay there until our final turn towards Bwani. I strongly suspect we shall cross paths with a town before we reach our destination."

"Your suspicions may be correct but if there is they will most likely be a farming town, more granary than military outpost. Have the scouts increase their area along this road, if there is a town I want to know long before we see them or they us."

"And if there is? I understand our maps of this area are not perfect my prince but are still quite accurate..."

"I have no intention of stopping to lay siege to a farming town, it would be a waste of time and effort. Any forces held within would be at best a small garrison to fend off bandits and keep the locals in check..." Halim mulled over the last campaign quickly. "The most fortified town they had was second rate and that was after they had prepared it, but it fell anyway. They have had no reason to suspect any kind of advancement from anyone along this route for many..." He stopped to look at the pile of brush and rocks cleared from the road. "Decades. It is doubtful they would put up a fight but instead send word and run. However, I shall not rule out the chance that they might at least try. Our priority remains speed and distance, we shall bypass them if given the opportunity. Now, about the farm?"

"Understood." The officer nodded quickly. "The farm had only three when captured, their land is poorly maintained and no animals so I suspect they neither expect anyone nor that there are more of them. One is missing a leg, the father and the other two are his wife and son."

"So why is the one road traveled so well if there is nothing at the farm?"

"I do not know, perhaps it was recently traveled and we have only just reached the outermost part of their patrolling area. Our mercenary scouts are good but... A little to eager to loot what they can instead of doing a thorough job. What I can say with certainty is that the road has not been used by wagons for some time."

"If this is how far out their patrols go then we will make good time, were the scouts able to tell when it was last used?"

"Perhaps in the last few days, the family however has remained tight lipped."

"How many outhouses do they have?"

"My prince?" The officer stared at him confused for a moment.

"Answer the question."

"If the farm is mostly abandoned but they have more outhouses than needed and a cleared piece of land then the farmhouse is the outpost." Halim stared at the confused officer a moment. "Our adversary has cut many corners on this part of their border, I strongly believe that they would rather pay some locals to house their patrols than spend money and time building proper towers or outposts. If a family can survive out here without producing food then someone is feeding them."

"I understand and to answer you question, I do not know but shall find out with haste."

"Where are they?"

"Still at the farmhouse, it is not far from here and the front of the column should already be passing by now."

"Are the mercenaries upholding their end of the bargain?"

"So far they have done quite well at sweeping the area to our front and reporting in regularly, but not allowing them to loot a poorly defended town as we pass may upset them..."

"They will do as they are told or be put to the sword. Their employment relies on them upholding the deal to the letter and if they are incapable then they will serve their purpose until they are no longer needed or become a liability. Is this understood?"

"Understood." The officer looked at the long column before addressing Halim again. "We may outrun our wagons soon if we must make any hasty detours."

"Of course we will." Halim waved the officer's concerns away and began walking down the road. "As more supplies are consumed the wagons become lighter and the siege equipment while still being disassembled, weighs a great deal. Even passing the parts out over several wagons it still weighs a considerable amount and the animals are tiring. Our first task is to reach the city and seal it off as planned, the wagons can spend a day or two catching up but we must cut them off as quickly as possible first."

"I do not mean to sound... Pretentious, nor disrespectful to my prince's planning but your plan is well understood, there are simply concerns as new matters make themselves known."

"Your concerns are noted commander but we will stay to the plan, I anticipated we might run across opposition along the way and that is why the mercenaries are to our front and not the middle. They move faster than we can but are prone to running if things go wrong and it is better to let the enemy think they are fighting a mob of bandits running roughshod across the countryside than to come face first with an army. The first will raise some alarm but be dismissed, the second would bring an army running to their aid. Better to have them move an unprepared force to face that handful of scouts a day ahead of us than everything they can bring to bear."

"Very true my prince."

"All the same, have the rearmost wagons with the more "prepared" rations moved to the middle of the wagon train tonight, if we have to move rapidly in the next few days we must be prepared to issue the rations hurriedly and proceed with all due haste."

"And we shall abandon the wagons as planned?"

"We are soon to outpace our wagons as it is commander, better to leave the empty ones behind and have the animals assist with pulling the siege equipment after further disbursement. As they tire and fall behind we shall concentrate our efforts to maintain our speed."

Their pace slowed slightly as a small group of soldiers and a mercenary scout made their way along the side of the road towards them. Two soldiers were all but dragging a one legged stallion while the others simply herded a mare and colt along, stopping several feet away the mercenary smiled and presented them as if they were a prized catch. Halim stared at the three prisoners a moment before looking at the officer who shrugged and after a nod to the mercenary the prince waved him closer.

"Who ordered them brought here?"

"I did, bring them to you, show you. Gift."

"Yes..." Halim gave a quick sigh. "You were at the farm yes? Good. Tell me, did you spend much time looking around?"

"Yes! Look around very good, nothing but them and food though."

"How many outhouses were there?"

"What is outhouse?"

"A small building that smells like shit."

"Ahhh. Yes, four. Why?"

"Pretentious little bastard, it is not yours to question but only obey and I dont think your tiny brain could understand that." Halim stared at the mercenary. "Was there a cleared patch of land near the road that looked well used?"

"Yes... Old camp, three fire pits. Many hoof prints, old though, gone for days. No interest, nothing to take."

"Very good, you may go and rejoin your... Captain."

The mercenary nodded quickly and departed at a quick run and when he was well out of sight Halim stared at the prisoners quietly before pointing at the one legged stallion. "Bring him."

His soldiers drug the stallion forward quickly before dumping him in a heap and using the butts of their spears pinned him down. Watching quietly before looking at the other two who were now shaking and clearly terrified Halim whispered to his commander and waited till the others were out of sight. Looking the dust covered Arabian stallion over he straightened up slightly and removed his errant hand from the scimitar at his side.

"Your name?"

"Rus'im." The stallion spat the name out and tried to glare up at Halim.

"Rus'im... When was the patrol here?"

"They will come again."

"Allow me to explain how this works." Halim nodded to one of the soldiers who kicked the helpless stallion viciously in the side causing him to gasp in pain. "I ask a question, you answer the question. When were they here?" The stallion remained completely silent and Halim's eyes trailed down to the missing leg before he nodded quietly and waved his soldiers off. "My forces are well known to you, are they not?"

There was a long pause before the stallion nodded. "Yes."

"Then I know how you lost that leg. I shall not lie to you by saying we are not enemies, we are. You know I am going to lay siege to your capital and slay anyone who resists, send your leaders to the gallows or chopping block... But I hold no malice towards your person nor your family... However, all things can change." Halim watched as the stallions ears turned slightly. "Good, now tell me. How long ago was it?" No answer was forthcoming. "How about I make you a simple offer?"

"I will not-"

"Betray your rightful sovereign. Your loyalty is admirable and while I respect your decision to resist my questioning there is a matter you must be made aware of. My army is going to lay siege one way or another, there shall be a great deal of bloodshed and killing in the near future but I also hold your family. Now if they are to join that number and become just another statistic... You do not understand such words... Very well, if they live or die depends on you. I am not asking you to betray your sovereign but answer a very simple question and in exchange, the lives of both your wife and son are guaranteed so long as they do not resist nor attempt to escape."

"Your words mean nothing, while you lay siege they will come to the aid of the capital and attack you from the rear!"

"That might have been true except for... Well you may have fought them once, striped masses running rapidly? Your army is chasing them down even now far, far away and by the time word would reach them... The city will have fallen for a lack of guards to protect it. Do you see those wagons? They bear all the equipment I need to raze your capital to the ground in a fortnight! A city largely unguarded? I will have it within the day. This war is already over and you know it, you survived our last confrontation. Were you at the battle near the town of... What was it called again?"

"Uwiri."

"Yes, thank you. Does it exist?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You burnt it to the ground."

"But!" Halim glared at the stallion causing him to look away. "You survived because I gave my word to your commander that the wounded would be permitted to leave the battlefield including what was left of his forces if he surrendered the town. How much weight does my word hold?"

"Much."

"Do you doubt my word?"

"No."

"Then believe me when I say if you do not answer my question here and now your wife will be handed over as a prostitute for my army, your son castrated and sold as a eunuch and you will be nailed to that tree over there and left to die. Do you doubt me?"

"No."

"I have no desire to do so, none at all. It would be a horrible waste of life and I bear you no grudge though you are well within your rights to hold one against me and my army. Never shall I begrudge you that right, you ar-... Were, a soldier. You did your duty and have an oath to uphold even now but you will not betray your oath by answering my very. Simple. Question. When did that patrol leave?" Halim paused a moment. "Answer me that and your family will be unharmed. You have my word."

"What will you do with them?"

Halim kept a smile from forming. "Your wife will work for me as a baggage carrier until hostilities cease and then she will be free to go, as for your son... He will help with the animals and other such tasks. Of course, they will be chained and be slaves until the war is over. After, I shall even pay them a stipend if they obey and serve me well, free to go home or make a new one."

"And me?" The stallion looked up. The prince gave a small sigh and gave a knowing look at the disabled soldier who closed his eyes and nodded.

"You are a risk I can not take, you are incapable of walking, nor can I leave you behind to warn anyone if by whatever chance someone came after we are long gone."

Rus'im remained quiet for a time but finally whatever fire he had left was extinguished as more soldiers and wagons filed past, his will broken. "They left three days ago, I will say no more."

"I would not ask you to betray your oath but you are wise to understand that this war is already over. Your family will be protected, looked after and you have my word that they will be released when this is over. However, if you have lied to me they will be the first to die, of that there is no doubt."

"Thank you."

Halim did not look at the stallion again as he looked to his two soldiers. "Take him somewhere out of sight and make it quick. You, bring up some rope to tie the other two properly so they can work."

Walking away from the soldiers as they went about their tasks Halim walked down the road towards the rest of the family which had been kept isolated and somewhat out of sight. Behind him there was no sound of struggle nor cry and he did not bother to look back, first blood had been spilled and it had turned out to be a trifling affair. Two slaves had been added to the baggage train which would help alleviate some of the stress on his soldiers and logistical pack masters. Overall it was a drop in the bucket but every pair of hands counted since the overwhelming bulk had to be left far behind to the South as he required mobility. Still, it was a worthwhile outcome and no matter what the stallion had done the end would have been the same. Peasants were needed to work the fields and the two he just acquired were on their own worthless, but it would be a senseless act of waste to have them killed when they were needed. A few months ago their odds of survival would have been in serious doubt but today was a good day.

Approaching a sergeant who had been left in place to keep an eye on the prisoners while his senior officer had gone on with his duties Halim paused for a moment. "Sergeant, these two will join the logistical caravan. She, will aid in handling baggage, the colt will assist one of the pack masters with the animals."

"Understood my prince."

As Halim started to walk away the mare opened her mouth to say something before snapping her jaw shut quickly and looking away. Slowing to a halt Halim narrowed his eyes and waved the sergeant over. "Explain to them that thanks to her husband they shall live, for now. And, so long as they remain loyal, obedient and cause no trouble they will be released sometime in the future. However, if they betray the deal made by her husband then their lives are forfeit."

Giving a quick nod the sergeant returned and as Halim left he shut out what was being said as the sobbing began. The dead soldier had understood his place in the world, he was a peasant and it was his duty to do and die wherever he was told. His family was the same, peasants, they existed to serve the nobility and royalty, with any luck they would understand this as he had and follow his example without too much resistance. Some was expected of course, peasants were highly emotional and the sudden loss of a husband and father would take time to get over and forget, but in time they would. If not, they would die like so many others who could not come to terms with their place in the world.

Looking up at the gray clouds Halim smiled as a few drops of rain fell, it had been expected but thankfully the clouds were neither dark nor dense. Just right. Just right for laying down the dust and preventing a great cloud of dust from rising due to the pounding of hooves and wagon wheels. As he stared upwards for a few more moments he hoped it would be enough to keep the dust down for another day or two but he had his doubts, either way the dust would be held at bay for a time and prevent anyone from seeing the route of his armies advance long before it arrived.

"A most fortunate day indeed."