84:  TOGETHER

As we settled back into camp, weary from the day’s mission, Karim approached me, his expression a mix of relief and concern. He had just returned from the Riverlands, and I was eager to hear his report.

“Karim,” I said, stepping forward. “What did you find in the Riverlands?”

Karim took a deep breath before speaking. “It was a small group of bandits,” he reported. “They seemed more like scouts than a full raiding party. We managed to drive them off without too much trouble.”

I nodded, absorbing this information. “Did they give you any indication of a larger force nearby?”

He shook his head. “No, they were disorganized and didn’t seem to have a clear objective. It’s possible they were just testing the waters, so to speak.”

“That’s a relief,” I said, though my mind was still racing. “But we can’t let our guard down. If they were scouts, it means the main force could be planning something bigger.”

Karim nodded in agreement. “I’ve left a few men behind to keep an eye on the area, just in