"Damn, damn, damn."
Cassus swore, as he paced back and forth. The Asilyr chiefs, circled around him in the main planning tent, waited patiently as their leader groaned on. They had learned enough Basic to know he was angry. They knew he had taken casualties, and that his resources were growing thin. That he had to retreat to their safety was of major concern. They watched as he continued his tirade.
"I need a damn ship. I need to get-"
"Mandalore, urgent news!" An Asilyr scout, learned in Basic, rushed into the tent.
"Yes what is it?" Cassus asked, shaken out of his stupor. He stopped pacing to look at the scout.
"The men in Soco-Jarel are dead. Witnesses say it was a gang of heavily armed bounty hunters. They also say there was a Mandalorian with them."
"Blast it all. Not one alive?"
"They killed most of them but left some breathing. They also captured the group's leader."
Cassus closed his eyes and sighed out before pacing again. If they had captured the Shi'ido, then with enough coercion he might've talked. Damn, damn, damn.
"Very well. What else?"
"We followed them after they captured the leader. They met with an Ibhaan'l caravan, and went with them to their camp."
"Fierfek. You're dismissed." Cassus replied to the scout. He left promptly as Cassus turned to the chiefs. It was time to get creative, and Cassus' greatest strength often came when he was cornered by the enemy. "Gentlemen, this is what we're going to do."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
It was still dark out when we awoke. Trien gave us rationed Mutriok meat for breakfast. After a quick bite to eat and a good couple gulps of water, it was time to head out. Trien led us to where a caravan was being prepared. We would ride before dawn, and reach the border before noon. After that, it was up to us to find Cassus and his Asilyr hosts, scattered as they were throughout the desert. It would have been better to wait another day and leave at dusk, but we didn't have time. Who knows where Cassus had gone. We had to find him and end this.
We rode on Druyza mounts, supplied by the Ibhaan'l. They were gracious enough to help us. They risked war with the Asilyr just by escorting us to the border. Maybe they knew that with the "offworlder" disposed of, the Asilyr would fragment again, leaving the Ibhaan'l to expand and conquer as they pleased. The tribal leaders weren't pulling any punches. The caravan we rode with was heavily armed and armored, and numbered over 40 warriors. Our security in reaching the border was of the utmost importance.
As the morning sun continued its slow rise into the skies above, we eventually came to a halt. We had been riding for some hours. Had we reached the border already? Riding on a Druyza, I approached Trien, who was busy talking with the Ibhaan'l. "Why'd we stop?" I asked. Irkchik and the other hunters, on their mounts, joined me too.
Trien turned his mount around to face us, as the Ibhaan'l armed escort dismounted to feed their beasts food and water. "Boys, we go no further. 400 meters due west is the border."
"You afraid, pirate?" Terran asked, prodding with his usual prickish demeanor. Tried smirked.
"The Asilyr are not the only ones we must be wary of. The Bharhulai in the far north keep to themselves, but have been known to make raids into the Doaba wastes. But we will not leave you without supplies." Trien said. Several Ibhaan'l tribesmen walked over, carrying water sacks that they set on the backs of the mounts. It was unfortunate but it was the agreement.
"Thanks for the help Trien. Don't get lost." Irkchik said, shaking his hand.
Trien gave a two finger salute before turning to leave. "See you on the other side."
Now it was us. Trien regrouped with the Ibhaan'l, and within a few minutes they had left. Quite fast. "Well, let's go." I said.