Among the ants(2)

The ship that carried Torghan and his group back home did not return empty. Its hull was filled with the goods meant for exchange with the outsiders—barrels of wine and cider, sacks of salt, steel weapons, and pieces of armor gleaming under the afternoon sun. The sheer amount of wealth being unloaded onto the shore was enough for the tribesmen to propser and take back their hills, as long as they were willing to pay the price.

For the first few hours after disembarking, Torghan found himself lingering at the outskirts of the outsider camp, watching as the soldiers and laborers meticulously organized the shipment. Even though he was home, something about the camp's structured order felt oddly familiar now. Perhaps it was the memory of his time spent in Alpheo's court, the days of riding, observing drills, and sharing meals with men who were utterly different yet strangely welcoming.