"I think this area is suitable" Nisha said while sitting atop her high horse with baby Janus in her arms.
She and Jack had ridden outside the walls below the plateau.
They were looking at the north side of the forest that had been heavily de-forested.
"Yes, begin construction of the wooden fences here. I hope we can bring back the first wild cattle this evening, so make a smaller fence first that can later be expanded"
This large area was suitable for these soon to be farm animals he intended to catch.
The north side of the forest, between the black mountain and the silver mountains were relatively safe from wild beasts.
And Harken had already allocated additional large security and hunting parties throughout the territory.
As the new troops kept flowing every day, every wall, gate and territory resources became heavily guarded.
"Give me a kiss Jack, let our son see us together." She knew he would likely reject her as he had done ever since he returned home.
So she had begun to tease him slowly, trying to let him open up.
Their horses stood close as she leaned towards Jack, and he finally gave her a kiss while baby Janus happily giggled with baby noises.
"See, you can still come back from that darkness you've endured. Your family is always waiting for you Jack!"
Nisha held her hand against Jacks chin before turning her horse around and left.
'Oh Nisha... I really hope I can forget what happened with Sha'ri... But every time I close my eyes, I see her.. I feel her..'
Jack felt he might never fully recover, like an animal with a burning brand.
He turned his horse and moved to the front of the black mountain gates were his detachment was waiting.
100 high horse cavalry with common ranked spearmen, swordsmen and archers in the saddles.
200 common ranked spearmen as a guard.
50 swordsmen, 50 archers and 100 civilians around a new horse-led wagon with supplies if they ever needed to camp.
This wagon was the new and large one, made from heavy planks and nails, sturdy and iron framed bindings and wheels.
Two high horses would pull this large wagon with civilians around it.
"We are headed for the south side of the river. The wild beasts that looks like cows and horses were last spotted there. Move out!"
Jack had assigned Cochi, a common ranked spearman as the captain of his personal guard.
Cochi led the cavalry vanguard ahead of the rest of the hunting party, as they followed them through the forest.
They moved slowly through the forest, and met one of Harkens patrols who had just slain one of the large forest cats, before they reached the vast grasslands on the other side.
These southern grasslands stretched from the river and lake-town to the ominous peaks of Bloodfall Mountains.
'Maybe I should have waited until tomorrow.. It might get dark before we spot the herd.'
They really picked up speed now, walking on the vast area of grass and small hills, yet Jack were thinking things like this to occupy his mind.
Blackmane seemed to enjoy the scenarie, and occasionally nudged Jack to let him gallop for a while.
The south garrison walls had already begun to disappear behind them when the ground slightly changed.
A small river crossing, no more than half a meter wide, not even a true river, yet Jack had to made a bridge for the wagon.
From here he knew that the large lake in the middle of the plateau were still about one hundred and fifty to two hundred kilometres further ahead.
As they continued on their way, the vanguard suddenly returned from up ahead.
"Lord! The large cows are up ahead, but they have chosen a place with many small rivers flowing down to the large river." Cochi reported.
'Ofcourse, they might be a mix of cows and water buffalo... This area would suit them quite well!"
"Civilians, get the ropes from the wagon and make camp here. We will begin right away!" Jack already looked forward to playing cowboy and couldn't wait any longer.
The 50 swordsmen and 50 archers would protect the civilians and the camp while the rest hunted for livestock.
The 200 spearmen would slowly follow, as Jack couldn't wait.
In the head of 100 high horse riders and all armed with ropes, Jack truly felt alive.
"Cochi! Take the left flank, make them run towards me and we will pincher them! Catch all those you can! I'm sure the high horses are strong enough to counter them!"
Cochi veered off with half the cavalry.
Ahead of them, in a 5 kilometres stretch of land with many small rivers and very soft earth, he finally saw them.
'Damn they are big! I hope the rope will hold hahaha!!"
They looked like enormous south asian cows, very large bodies and horns the length of a man.
They were currently grassing or laying down in the small rivers, enjoying the water plashing around them.
'There might be more than 5000 in this heard... Surely enough for us to grab a few!'
"Hiyaa, Hiyaaa!" The shouts came from Cochis group as they guided the cows towards Jack.
As the cows began to run, he realised that such planning had been overkill.
There was just no way they could outrun the high horses...
'Easy as stealing candy from a kid...' Jack felt rather let down, though he enjoyed throwing the rope around the head or single horn of a cow.
The 200 spearmen reached them as they came with the first batch of 80 cows.
"Let's go for another round boys and we might be done before nightfall!" Jack yelled.
About an hour later, they had 300 cows in tow as they returned to camp.
jack erected some solid stone pillars from the earth, they could attach the cattle here for the night.
Jack looked as the civilians erected a large tent for him. 'Nisha certainly wanted me to sleep well tonight.'
The tent were made of woven cotton and warm skins. Sitting inside at the fire and enjoying tea a civilian had brewed, he felt truly free.
'This is life! I hope every day can be fun and relaxing like this... Once the war is concluded...'
Actually Jack tried to make his own mood better. This tent reminded him too much of his time with Sha'ri...
'He's finally outside with only a few troops! This is my chance!' A one-armed and scarred Reptilian saw her chance.
Hidden in the taller grass and patches of trees, she had stalked Jack as soon as he left the forest in his territory.
Sha'ri had been busy expanding and growing her numbers, so tracking Jack had fallen unto the reptilian in charge of Jacks iron cage.
'If only that bastard female had controlled her cunt-hole juices, then I would still have my arm!' The female cursed the one who had let Jack free.
That female didn't know that Sha'ri had already received the seed of life from this strong human, so naturally her most loyal females could take endless turns if that bastard had just waited another day.
This one-armed female had many common ranked troops with her, and even more trash ranked scattered all around Jacks camp.
The civilians were scattered around the wagon with campfires and late-night dinner as the sun had disappeared behind the Bloodfall Mountains.
Blackmane and the high horses were loyal, and had been set free to wander around the area.
As the Stallion and king of the horses, Blackmane was enjoying this time in the open, but he was always alert.
A whistle of tall grass, a leaf that went against the wind...
A tiny branch that broke...
Blackmane were instantly in battle-mode. Something was stalking his herd!
He neighed loudly and stomped his hind legs so hard into the ground that the other high horses immediately began to speed towards the camp and their humans.
Jack and his company were instantly alerted!
"Cochi! Arm yourselves, something is coming! Blackmane has warned us, I'm sure of it!" Jack ran outside and they formed a protective barrier around the wagon and civilians.
The 200 spearmen had just finished creating a circle of spears and long iron-bound shields, as the attackers revealed themselves.
"Reptilians! Look out for their tails!" Jack yelled as he donned his short sword to his belt and equipped a large shield and long spear.
Hundreds of trash reptilians had emerged out of the dark and tall grass.
They clashed against the humans shields and swung their crude swords.
This battle reminded Jack of the goblins in the forest, if the goblins could use tactics and create counter-walls of shields!
"Don't just stand there! We have plenty of arrows! Release into the dark behind them!" Jack yelled to the archers around and on top of the wagon.
Arrows song in the air and reptilian hisses could be heard it the dark.
"Keep shooting! You're hitting them!" Jack rushed to the spearmen when a gab appeared.
He had kept his riders behind the 200 spearmen and 50 swordsmen.
'I have to get to Blackmane and his friends!' Jack killed many trash reptilians and they gained a momentary pause in the assault.
But it quickly resumed with a much denser wave, they tried to break through!
Blackmane and the horses had been cut-off by the one armed reptilian and her common ranked guard.
Even though the female reptilian succeeded and thought she could unleash every warrior against Jack, as he had now lost his means of escape...
She had severely underestimated the high horse race.
They were a very proud breed. They were not afraid to fight at all.
Actually they rather liked kicking things...
Blackmane had gained an enemy, and they had turned their backs to him.