The troops advanced eastward along the riverbank, with Winters leading the way, Lieutenant Mason responsible for bringing up the rear, and Colonel Jeska managing the escort.
However, they encountered the Herders before they could find General Sekler.
Fortunately, it wasn't the enemy's main force, just scattered light cavalrymen with ill intentions probing Jeska's detachment.
Dusack lunged at them, and the Herd light cavalry fled on their horses; when Dusack retreated, the Herd light cavalry reappeared. They avoided combat with the Paratu People, annoying like flies.
Not long after the encounter with the Herd light cavalry, Colonel Jeska called a halt to the march, and both Winters and Mason were summoned to a meeting.
As soon as Winters saw the Colonel, the first thing he said was, "The Herders didn't crush Sekler's forces. Rear to the front, we're retreating."
"Retreating?" Winters was utterly confused.
"Retreating," Colonel Jeska affirmed with conviction.
