He held out a hand in a gesture telling her to stay where she was, but doubted she'd obey. He crept slowly into a thicker area of the woods, helf-crouching, steps almost silent. He glanced over his shoulder, and as he expected, Damita was close by. At least she was being reasonably quiet. He put a finger to his lips and moved a bit further.<br/><br/>About a dozen mounted native warriors were gathered around a shaman, who appeared to be giving them a blessing of some sort. Toho couldn't really tell in the darkness, but they seemed of the Calusa tribe, with whom the Jaega had recently begun to skirmish. And this close to his village, it could only mean one thing.<br/><br/>Toho turned to Damita, his black eyes steely. "Go back to your horse."