The forest folk arrived in force, one warm afternoon, not long after Zebulun’s dream. Hunters from various tribes camped near the creek down the hill from Sarah’s clearing. Emet led a delegation of tribal elders to meet with Sarah. After introductions, all sat around Sarah’s fire pit.
"The seven tribes in our area have supplied two hundred twenty-three men," said Emet. "All are skilled with bow and spear."
"I’m not sure it’s the best time to reveal yourselves," said Sarah. "So far, the agents of the kingdom have only seen animals, insects, star folk, and me. It might be best for your people to remain a surprise."
Emet turned to Zebulun. "They tell me you killed a dragon."
"No," said Zebulun. "Sarah summoned a storm. Angels drew a lightning bolt through the dragon, knocking him from the sky. Kulth-Ing savaged the serpent, stopping him from crushing me. I merely delivered the final blow."
"But the dragon is dead, yes?" asked Emet.
"It is," said Zebulun, "but they will send another."
"Then shouldn’t we attack now, before another arrives?" asked Emet. The other elders leaned in and looked at Zebulun.
"I don’t advise it," said Zebulun. "There are five companies camped two arrow flights from the woods. That’s around seven hundred fifty soldiers to your two-hundred twenty-three, plus a few hundred camp followers."
"They also have horses," he said, "and chariots… for some reason. Get caught out in the open on foot, and the cavalry will make short work of you."
"What about raids?" asked one of the elders. "We could send small bands out at night to shoot a few sentries, then flee back into the forest."
"Wars of attrition only work when you have the time," said Zebulun. "Even if you kill a few every night, you won’t decimate their numbers by much before another dragon arrives. And they won’t just wait for you to come kill them. After a few raids, they’ll try to lay traps for you."
"What should we do, then?" asked another elder.
Zebulun looked at him. "Wait. Their food and firewood won’t last forever. And there’s another consideration."
"What?" asked Emet.
"Most of those men have yet to trespass on your land," said Zebulun. "They will, if ordered to. They work for the kingdom. But they haven’t yet."
Emet looked at Zebulun for a moment, thinking. "How long shall we wait?"
"If you can hold them off until autumn," said Zebulun, "They’ll have to withdraw."
"That is weeks from now," said Emet. "Will they send a dragon before that time?"
"Likely," said Zebulun.
Emet nodded, solemn. "I think you’ve convinced me," he said, "but I have to confer with the others." He and the other elders excused themselves and went down to their camp.
"I hope they listen to you," said Sarah.
"Even if the elders do," said Zebulun, "not all of the youths will agree. Some of them will go raiding anyway."
Sarah frowned. "I suppose I had better be prepared for that."
"I wish I could stay," he said.
Sarah looked at him and smiled her soft smile. "You have a different road to travel. This is my responsibility. You go and handle yours."
Zebulun nodded at looked up at the darkening sky.