Ever since reuniting with the Shinye, Abanye traders had heard tell of other peoples in the dry steppes. Some it was said had traveled east, and were now far beyond where Luturru ships could reach. But according to the Shinye, one particular group of steppe Ilutar remained, north across the bay the Shinye had settled. Like all the steppe people, they apparently had no love for the ocean, so there was no hope of their ships visiting Abanye or Shinye ports.

Still, the stories some overland travelers told were fascinating. Apparently they had swift and powerful beasts under their command that could carry either a great load or a man on their back. Abanye had used cattle for transport of goods on more than one occasion, but for teh most part inland trade in the Abanye homeland was a thing of wheeled carts and backpacks, all stacked upon the backs of men. The tell of these people and their mastery of an unseen beast continuously tugged at the imagination of the Abanye.

One day a tripping point was reached. Ilutar or not, the tales of the North steppe people were too interesting to ignore. Va-Panlu, a visiting Watum, decided he would finally meet with these people. With him he took one of the Shinye overland traders, who claimed to speak a passable form of their tongue, as well as the crew of his Rizukab. With this group, and finely detailed Abanye pottery, he would sail north until he hit the norther coast, then if necessary head inland until he found any of these northern steppe Ilutar; these Na Honded.