Meeting the new Enemy

Rafe woke everyone up as soon as the first light appeared in the sky. The little food that was left over from the evening was quickly divided among everyone and eaten. Tashee and K'Kess led the march again to the beach where the Eshe boat had probably landed while Naylee went forward to scout.

Some time later she returned with the news that she had found the boat. 'No sign of the kids, six men.' she said. 'Four medium sized tents, no defences. The kids are probably in one of those tents.'

Tashee looked at Rafe. 'Stop here, you and K'Kess take a look?' she said.

Rafe nodded. 'We'll see what K'Kess can tell about them.'

He and K'Kess hid and observed the group at the beach for a while.

'Kids in tent with two in front.' said K'Kess.

Rafe nodded. 'The rest are also at the front of the tents.' he said. 'Nobody seems to be at the back.'

'No attack at back.' said K'Kess. 'No need for, guard?'

'They think we'd only attack from the front?'

K'Kess nodded.

'Then that might just be the option we'll go for.' Rafe said. 'In the dark.'

'Agree.' said K'Kess and they went back to the rest.

'Will you two be all right?' Rafe asked K'Kess and Iloma when Tashee, Naylee, and he were getting ready at the onset of dusk to go to the beach.

'They move wrong, I show pain Menuik can give.' Iloma said eyeing the Eshe, especially Doma and Gardo. The two Eshe avoided her gaze and shifted uncomfortably.

'They know they better stay.' K'Kess said. 'You much better warriors here.'

He nodded. 'Good.' he said. 'We'll be back as soon as possible. If you hear shouting or fighting stay here. Keep your eye on them.'

K'Kess nodded and the three left quickly to reach the camp before total darkness set in.

***

'They're keeping close to the fire.' said Naylee. 'Looks like it's going to be easy.'

'Never think that.' said Rafe. 'Something can always go sideways and turn the mission upside down.'

Tashee nodded. 'Stay prepared.' she said. 'Looks like they're done eating. Let's go. They'll probably feel less alert now.'

Tashee and Naylee moved further down the beach before sneaking across it into the sea. Rafe moved through the jungle in the opposite side while counting to 600. He kept an eye on the Eshe and prepared to attack if they found out Tashee and Naylee had swam quietly behind them by now.

Naylee returned a nod from Tashee when she had counted to 600. They swam slow and silent towards the sand, keeping low in the water and pausing in the swash to make sure the Eshe at the fire were still facing away. Satisfied they weren't discovered they crawled low towards the back of the tent closest to the fire.

The Eshe didn't speak much and when they did it was with hushed voices. Naylee pulled out her knife and stuck it in the cloth at the bottom to make a hole big enough to peek through. She gave Tashee a thumbs up when she saw Mina and Nami inside.

Slow and in rhythm with the sound of the sea to mask possible sounds she cut the back of the tent in two, then slipped inside with Tashee behind her. The girls looked up slowly.

Tashee smelled their muzzles and gestured at Naylee they'd been drugged. Naylee nodded and cut the bonds that tied their wrists together while Tashee supported them.