The journey to the lake folk was uneventful which suited Dravo Asta just fine. The young men had voiced their thoughts early on to Dravo and he’d told them that there would be plenty of excitement and they’d best be ready for it when it happened.
“What kind of excitement, uncle?” Morolo had asked.
“If we knew then it wouldn’t be excitement, now would it?” He stopped walking. Balawa, Urolo and Wago also stopped and faced the older, muscular warrior. Wago was a hostage taken from a tribe living on the far northern shores of the Great Green Lake. They were peaceful for the most part but Dravo and later on Tragon had asserted their influence over them to ensure that they’d remain peaceful.
Dravos’ gaze was steady as he looked at each one in turn.
“Listen to me. When the time comes for action, follow the instructions that either myself or another warrior give you. Those aren’t toys that you’re bearing.”
He was referring to the short spears and knives issued to them just before departing the village. “And why are the tips limp?” His eyes sparkled as he barked the command. “Get them up! A limp spear is no good to any warrior!”
The three spear heads snapped to attention from the dirt and they fell in behind Dravo as he jogged to catch up to the rest of the group.
The journey to the Lake folks’ village followed the river and circled the lake to the far side where the river reformed to flow sedately to the sea. The village of the lake folk was on the southern hills fronting both the lake and the river. When the group was in sight of the lake but still in the steep foothills Dravo called a halt.
“We’ll camp here. There’s some high ground and good vantage.” The other warriors nodded. “Paja, take three men and scout the perimeter.”
He nodded to Caralassa who began preparations for the evening. She brought Vera with her as she joined the older man on the high ground.
“You are worried about the hill raiders?” she asked.
“Not at all. They’ll make their presence known, be sure of that,” he snorted, “they may not show themselves, but they will be around.”
A pair of warriors approached the three from a copse of trees. Asawa the Lean and Roga Melahanna had been scouting for the group. They carried no spears but had crossbows slung on their backs and knives on their belts. They each wore only a loincloth. Roga said “They’re out there, no doubt. We couldn’t get close to them but I think there were about five, six at the most.”
Dravo turned to Asawa, “You agree?”