“The barge will have their strongest people,” Humphrey said. “We’ll definitely be outnumbered, and we don’t have a healer. On the other hand, this first group may well have been trying to drive us into a waiting ambush. If we run, only to fall into the lap of a larger, stronger team, the sand barge will catch us up when we’re at our greatest disadvantage. If we’re going to fight, it has to be on our terms.”

“Do you think that’s likely?” Ernest asked.

“I didn’t see anyone else from up in the sky,” Humphrey said, “but a shovel and some canvas sheeting can make you almost invisible out here.”

“So what action do you suggest?” Ernest asked.

“Attack the barge,” Humphrey said. “The nomad tribes get by on shock-raids with huge numbers and a reputation for atrocity. They think tactics are for cowards and equipment is for the weak.”

Humphrey bent down and picked up a claw weapon he had taken from one of the prisoners, holding it up.

“They use weapons like this, or even none at all,” he said. “The nomad tribes are fearsome to an isolated community, but every time I’ve heard of them coming up against a trained and equipped group they get torn apart. Including this time. Something made them desperate enough to come south and attack a guarded convoy, but that didn’t change the result.”

Humphrey looked out in the direction the barge was approaching from.

“We take the initiative,” he said. “Put them on the back foot, when they’re used to being on the front foot. We move fast, hit hard and take them apart before they can regroup.”

Ernest gave Humphrey an appraising look.

“You’ve changed, Hump,” he said. “I thought for sure you’d say run.”

Humphrey cast a panicked look at Jason, wincing when Jason’s face lit up like a child just handed an unexpected present.

“Did he just call you Hump?” Jason asked Humphrey.

Humphrey let out a sobbing groan.

“Are we doing what Hump suggested?” Jason asked Ernest. “If we're going to follow Hump's plan the way Hump laid it out, we need to get moving, don't we, Hump?”

“I hate you,” Humphrey said.

“That’s alright, Hump,” Jason said with a consoling slap on the back.

“If you’re quite done?” Ernest asked Jason.

“Don’t worry about me and Hump,” Jason said.

“Please stop saying Hump,” Humphrey begged.

“No worries, Hump. I’ve got your back.”

Ernest looked around the group.

“Staging an attack like this is outside my purview as team leader. I will not order any of you to participate. If anyone has any thoughts, let's hear them.”

Jason smiled to himself. He could see Ernest had already made up his mind and was just creating a teaching moment.

“Do we even have time to stand around discussing this?” Gabrielle asked.

“Humphrey?” Ernest asked.