Batu POV
Batu rode toward the rising smoke and let the picture form from what he could see.
Four smoke columns to the west, two more southwest, a seventh beginning to the northwest. Dorbei's parties had found their targets. The outer garrison compound fires were behind him, still creating smoke but dying toward coals now, and the agricultural zone ahead was burning section by section through the morning.
Three more days on the left bank after this one. The horses needed them, and the territory would give him something useful to do with each one.
He looked north. The inner defenses were not yet visible from this route. It would come into view before the day ended.
He turned his horse and rode toward Dorbei's coordination position south of the raiding zone.
Nameless Raider POV
The settlement was thirty buildings along a single road, granary at the center, livestock pens to the east.
