ahead10
track of what was left of the army."If it works, we're home."
Gavin shook his head. "We still have to eat. A garrison of two hundred doesn't have supplies for five thousand. There should be more wagons coming in but I don't know how many—we've drained this province already. Only supplies I know about for sure . . . The Hetman. Send someone for him."
In the Kingdom's encampment as the sun set, commanders gathered in the King's tent. Stephen summed up the situation.
"Three legions, light infantry, not much else left. The bridge is a mess. Couple of boats. Their supplies are in our camp. If I were Gavin I'd face the facts, abandon everything heavy, run ropes across the river, swim what I could. They'll still have a hungry time of it their side of the river—especially after Egil's finished. Our job's done."
The King spoke.
"You don't think it's worth trying to smash what's left?"
"All respect, Majesty, no. They still have teeth. We might do it, but it would cost. Emperor can find men easier than we can."
A brief pause. Stephen spoke again.
"Feeding an army's expensive. My advice, send the southern provinces home—this army isn't invading again any time soon. Leave me Brand, the Order, my people. Enough to keep Gavin from getting bored, deal with any more boats fool enough to come downstream in daylight. I've already sent a few of my extras off. Yosef's boy, the one Harald's fond of, been taking care of the horses for their company, asked leave to go after the battle. Missing his father, maybe."
Caralla in her hammock, eyes closed, a whistle. Dream? She opened her eyes. Again. Out, rubbing her eyes. Downslope the noise of men moving. In the faint light of early morning, a dark mass. She put her own whistle to her lips, blew the alarm, shouted:
"Enemy Attack! Up! Out!"
Under the hammock and its cover her swordbelt, bow, quiver, boots; this near the front she slept in mail.
"Form on me. Slow them."
The rough line of Ladies formed, moved up to the ridge, poured arrows down, withdrew as the legionaries came closer. Back to where the horses were tethered, no time for a saddle. Around