I took the supplies and relief to our front lines, where many of the enemy troops had found a high point to defend. Our troops surrounded him carefully, assuring access to water and food was limited to that which they had brought with them. The village which had been near was razed by the invaders, and more of our people were slaughtered.

The invaders were using our own people to shield them once again; women and girls were spread on x-frames once again, braced into the soft earth of the hillside before the enemy positions. This kept most of our bowmen from being able to pick off their troops in camp. They were waiting for something, but what?

Word came to Tama and Jing from Cleo, and they quickly contacted me. When we got together we heard the bad news... this was just a forward segment of their army, sent to 'soften us up' and distract us into believing we had won. The main army was five days behind... and three times larger. Would our help from other kingdoms arrive in time? And which way would they come from?