[Seedful]

Now here was something interesting---another Outsider had come, bringing men of his own! This one was shorter than the darker-skinned one----and had black hair like Rafa's own, rather than the other man's strangely-cut blonde. Soldiers too, apparently, but wearing the grim expression of a hunting hound chasing down wounded prey. Were the other men traitors of some variety? And why was the group splitting itself off in different direction? There was nothing to be found at the riverbank this time of day but some deer tracks and a few lazy frogs. And where did the other soldier think he was taking his men? That side of the village had fallen into disuse; they'd find no one to trade with there! This strange behaviour warranted closer investigation!

Keeping to the trees Rafa followed the squad, always staying just out of sight. Let them think the rustle of his passing was no more than the sighing of the wind or a leopard chasing monkeys.