The soldier looked warily when the child and his group finally moved aside to celebrate their extra lunch. Then Erwin's queries brought back his full attention. 

"Most attacks happened on the road between here and Pesti. Strangely they didn't kill the men. Just tied them up on the trees after they were done plundering all the goods. Nobody knows where they came from, but they always attack from the north. We don't have scouts here, and I can't let my boys wander into the forest chasing after them without any pointers. Can't afford to lose any able-bodied men. Our forces here are already thin as it is." 

"But if you don't mind riding back toward Pesti and scouring half of the forest to find them, then be my guest. You all looked like a mean business from what I heard."

And they finally arrived at the city limit. The bridge was ahead and looked shoddily repaired after being subjected to what seemed to be a total bombardment from an artillery not yet known to men. 

"And this is where we must part ways." said the soldier, turning the rein of his horse back to Fanghorn. "Have a safe journey y'all!"