They learn that a carl named Kangarl Blackbrow is putting together a raid against the Emerald Swords - last year his stead was burned. Kangarl has been refused permission for a raid but he has decided to do one anyway. Jarstak Bristlebeard has decided he will lead the raid. Since they are in the chief's bad books anyway, and since they have an axe to grind with Rostakos Twice-Outlawed, they agree to join the raid.
Kerolar asks his bloodline for boats - he is unable to procure them until he offers his silver armband as payment. The plan is they cross the Creek late at night, procure the cows, and then swim back, riding the cows, into their own lands. About a dozen young hotheads have signed up for the raid.
They leave deep into the night, boating across the Creek, and then they sneak deep into the Emerald Swords lands. As they approach the enemy stead, Kerolar performs a ceremony to become disorporate and flies over the spirit realm, sensing where the sleeping emerald Swords are, and where the herd is. He senses several guard alynxes as well. He returns to his body and relays this information.
Inspired by their hatred of the Emerald Swords, they break into two groups. Kerolar and Harolaran manage to round up 30 cows and start herding them away without awaking any humans or alynxes. As they are sneaking away they hear an alarm horn. They turn to find - it was sounded by Jarstak! He starts shouting and cursing for the Emerald Swords to wake, and come and fight. Wando and Harolaran try to persuade him to stop. Hopi tries to intimidate him. Kerolar wonders if he might be able to quickly possess Jarstak. But it is too late - Carls pour out of the stead and quickly form a shield wall.
Kerolar and Hopi decide to keep herding their stolen cattle. There is a tense standoff and then with a roar Rostakos charges. Haloralan casts bladesharp, and charges the shield line, disrupting it and scattering the Emerald Swords into skirmishers. But he is struck by a spear to the gut, and falls from his horse. Kerolar and Hopi charge to help, and Kerolar manages to heal Harolaran and help him back onto his horse. Jarstak declares honour has been served and agrees to leave.
Horns sound in the distance - a general alarm has been raised. They herd the cows as fast as they can to the Creek. As they do, a small group of archers fires at them. Kerolars looses a couple of arrows - to his surprise one hits! An Emerald Sword falls with an arrow protruding from his head. Hopis also fells one, giving them enough cover to ride the cows across the river.
Once back, they herd them to Red Cow Fort, to present them to the chief. Brodi, unsurprisingly, is incandescent with rage. He threatens the group with outlawry, and says he will keep all 30 of the cattle as punishment. This is quite unusual, but the do not protest. Kangarl invites them to a celebratory feast, and they accept and travel to his stead. There, they see Silesa Three-Husbands, a prominent member of the clan ring, who declares herself happy with their raid.
Kangarl asks if he can rely on them in the future, and the adventurers say ... yes. Kerolar takes this to mean that Kangarl intends to challenge Brodi for the chieftanship sometime soon. He undertakes to summon and bind some spirits as soon as he can for his own use in times of trouble.
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