2

"I think I first heard of the Tribe of the Black Wolf, let me see, maybe five years ago," says Kral. "They hail from the opposite end of the Great Steppe, in the dry lands far south of here. We'd heard talk that a number of smaller tribes had been subsumed into another, more aggressive one. Most thought little of it at the time, I remember, but the Tribe of the Black Wolf would not go away. Under Zhan-Ukhel's leadership, they grew in power, and before long there was a new empire forming in the south.

"Now the steppe people have always valued freedom—it is as much a part of us as our bones and our flesh. To bow to one man, without questioning his will—that is not our way. When news reached us a year ago that the Tribe of the Storm Crow, the first of the large tribes to oppose Zhan-Ukhel, had been wiped out, the chieftains knew they had to act. None of us thought that the Black Wolves would grow so powerful so quickly. A meeting of the great northern tribes was called, and together they decided to oppose the Black Wolves. Our allies in the Tribe of the White Fox, the Tribe of the Raven, and the Tribe of the Narrow River all pledged their warriors, as did your father."

"Did all our warriors go to battle?" you ask.

"No," replies Kral, gesturing to the men and women of your patrol. "In addition to those who have accompanied us today, there are enough left back at Tar-Domos to guard against any opportunistic attacks. In any case, I have no doubt that your father and his warriors will soon return."