The dark forest gave cover to the attackers as they closed in on the village. It was circled by a wooden palisade, but that would not be enough to protect it. The hunters, true in their expertise of their trade, had surrounded it and eliminated any wandering peasant who could raise the alarm.

Once they were close enough, he whispered to the man next to him and a silent signal spread around the circle. Then he stood up slowly, an arrow with a cloth soaked in animal fat tied close to its point already on his bow, and one of his men lit it for him. He shot and watched as it hit its target. As if answering a call, more fiery arrows flew and soon the palisade was engulfed in flames.

As the villagers tried to quell the fire and mount a defense, the Miecan raiders charged in, impalling anyone who dared cross their path and rounding them up. It could not be said that the poor townsfolk put up a strong resistance, for they were all tied at the centre of the village within a few minutes.

The Aunari, which the Miecans had encountered not many generations ago, where a strange folk. Fair of eyes and hair, their exotic looks were favoured by the chiefs of the west, and the raids conducted on them had taking concubines and the gems they worked as their primary goal. This one was no different, and the captured villagers were inspected with utmost detail. Those women deemed attractive enough were to be taken, as well as the men who could work as serfs and eunuchs, the latest fad to ensure they could not spread their weak seed while the warriors were away. Those who were considered weak or ugly, however, were to be left in the village, for they were not even worthy of being killed.

In the end, four blue-eyed girls with long cascading blond hair were chosen to be taken back, while seven men were selected as slaves. There was not much in terms of valuable loot, a single gem and some grain and beans, but it had been a good hunt. the Miecans mounted back on their steeds, the captives following them tied by ropes, and returned to their homeland east of the Aruladu, the border river of the west. The way was marked by cheers and joy, as well as the sighting of a white deer. A good omen.