The autumn wind of October blew through the valley, carrying a hint of chill and a silent, murderous air. The two knights, one old and one young, exchanged a few more words, then took their men and captives to the upstream water source. Once everything was settled, the Venetian cavalry squad set off on their return journey to the northeast.
The return path lay through valleys and streams in the mountains, and dry land far from the streams. Along the way, abandoned farmlands and burnt Moorish villages were everywhere to be seen.
The towering Sierra de Baza undulated in everyone's line of sight. The peak at the highest point of the mountain range is the Calar de Santa Barbara, over two thousand meters high. The name originates from one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of Christianity, "Babara" from the Roman Era, Saint Barbara. In fact, veneration of her is more common in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
