“Go with them, and they promise to provide the necessary food, water, and shelter.” Rachel winked at Todd. “Most importantly, they promise to help me find my contact.”
Feeling a spear pressed against his back, Todd glanced at the wary barbarians beside him and whispered to Rachel, "Are you sure? What can we do if they suddenly change their minds?"
Rachel found a long branch to use as a cane and struggled to keep up with the barbarian group, replying, "Keep smiling, and... pray."
The group traveled six kilometers south and entered a dense broadleaf forest highland, where dozens of wooden houses were scattered about.
Todd surveyed the barbarian encampment on the high ground, which was blocked by mountains on three sides, with only a narrow pass to the north providing access. Strategically, it was easy to defend and difficult to attack.
They then carefully inspected the camp's defenses. There were no more than a hundred adult men, with women, children, and the elderly making up the majority of the population. However, everyone carried weapons and seemed ready to join the battle at any time. As for the facilities, the small arrow towers, wooden chevaux-de-frise, and concealed pitfalls, though rudimentary, were positioned and angled in a way that would give the enemy a real headache.
The surrounding barbarian inhabitants gradually gathered around, and everyone focused their discussion on Todd's right arm, occasionally letting out a low growl of fear.
Faced with the "enthusiastic" onlookers, a helpless Todd simply looked down at the ground, trying to avoid the attention.
To his surprise, the soil beneath his feet was different from the black or brown soil of high-latitude regions; it was red soil, which he assumed was related to the basin-like terrain and high-altitude topography of the camp.
Todd and his two companions were eventually led into a large house that looked like the center of a village.
The barbarian elder, carrying a hunting bow, pointed at Rachel and spoke to an elderly woman wearing a bone necklace and another tall, strong young man.
The three barbarians then engaged in a long debate and finally reached a difficult agreement.
Rachel looked visibly relieved and whispered to Todd, "They agreed to give us three days."
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