Synopsis

A group of barbarians ambushes merchants, forcing a knight and Vlad to hold them off while a messenger seeks help. Reinforcements from Soara arrive, led by Goethe, and the captured barbarian leader is interrogated. The barbarians' goal of acquiring a specific horse is revealed and their motives for plundering are exposed as a means of survival. The chapter ends with the main characters planning to take the captured barbarian leader back to Soara and hoping to avoid further conflicts.