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**TWO WEEKS EARLIER**

Those barbarians sure knew how to howl....He was really tired of hearing it. However, it was necessary to ascertain
their strength, numbers, and tactics, if possible. The howling did help in locating the men and women. It would really
help if he could get closer, but the enemy had shamans,and some of their idols were in evidence. There were no priests
present, for which he thanked the Most High. Even though their magic would not find him, some might have the skill to infer
his location, anyway. It had happened before. Nonetheless, Daniel knew he had more work to do.

From the east curving partway to the north and south, he observed the priest at the northernmost portion and the
obviously lesser, but still revered, shamans, everywhere else. He could only guess what sort of significance this formation
held. Idols stands were patterned throughout the camps, if one could call them that. The most "ornate" were held by the
priests and, to a lesser extent, the most senior shamans. He had thought the yelling was bad elsewhere, but this was so much
louder, it reminded him of...somewhere else.

By midnight, he had skirted the priestly huts, and the idol stands. What he wanted to do was destroy the idols, but,
in spite of his ire at those of the lesser tiers and halls of power demanding what rightfully belonged to the Most High, he
was not there to do that. He was more concerned at any outlying bands that might strike at the towns and villages to the
south and east. He had a sinking feeling that he would eventually strike at these usurpers...but, no...he didn't want to
follow the line of thought. His exceedingly rare premonitions generally meant Very Bad Things Were Going To Happen. He
would trust in the Most High, come what may.

---

Halfway through the week:
Until now, he had thought these invaders had no beasts of burden. He was wrong. These things were approaching
abominations. He had seen, and killed far too many (and not enough...) of those. He suspected the reason for his not noticing
the beasts was the overwhelming stench of the men and women. He had not anticipated that his encounters with so many foul
creatures and beings would become a liability. And yet...he most certainly did not want to appreciate the other
odors he might find.

The first type of beast was a cross between a wooly mammoth from his home and a dog, but with a mouth full of more
tusks than any 3 wooly mammoths had any right to have. And they were half as big as a mammoth. How would he explain
to people for whom a wooly mammoth did not exist? They seemed to be scavengers/scouts.

Secondly were the foragers: they looked like log dwellers, creatures of swamp shaped like, well, logs. But there the
resemblences ended. Thes things were carnivores that ravaged anyone or anything resembling food. Only his steathly speed
and concealment kept him from being noticed. They mostly resembled crocadillos (yes, armadillo/crocodile hybrids), except
these were oblong but not flexible. Also, crocadillos, though fierce, could be tamed, if one wished to put forth the effort.

Thirdly were the--WHAT could he call THOSE things?!?! Finally, he had seen something new. Not even the Horrorifics
had any thing like those. And the Lord and Lady of Desciriaen (know throughtout 6 dimensions) had just won a bet.
Unfortunately it was not pleasant, and he didn't know when he could tell them about it. He sincerely doubted they would like
to have one, as this thing resembled...a pile of... let's not go there...with mouths, eyes, and horns...AND, to make it even
more repugnant, it was the result of Dark sacrifices. Even with his blessings, he did not want to try getting past those
...whatever they were.
The Weapons' Master did not being surprised.

Lastly, there were a few almost-giants. They could only be those who had offered themselves in service to their gods.
They had been human, he sensed, but were no longer so. No two were alike. He could sense, even from here, their unholy
connection. Time to get out. Daniel knew he needed eight more days to get warnings to the right people, in hopes that they
would listen.

He would inform the leaders of the settlements, villages, and towns what more mundane things that were coming.
All native wildlife and creatures were either devoured as food, or driven toward the human inhabitants of this remote area.
Some of the fleeing creatures could be dealt with, but the rest demanded evacuation...and quickly. What was worse, he
still had no idea if this was just a scouting party, an advance guard, or the entire invasion force. As it was his job was
to scout the situation. He was, after all a brilliant tactician, though he'd rather thin out the ranks. A lot, if only to
deal with the incessant howling.

He broke into a dead run after he had gotten at least two leagues from the camps. Even if he were followed, he doubted
that anything much could catch up with him now.

He stil could not shake the sense of deep forboding.