“They won’t put the cavalry in the front. They’ll want to use the road, if they can, before they try to flank Dhresyl. We haven’t fought their heavy cavalry before. So it’s likely they’ll think we will charge directly, especially if we make it look good.” Lerial can’t see any other way that the Heldyans can bring their cavalry to bear effectively. You just hope that they do what seems right. But then, usually an attacker with overwhelming forces doesn’t try to be too innovative.
Lerial continues to study the ground, as well as try to sense what lies over the rise and to the northwest. So far as he can tell, the Heldyans have not yet left their encampment, but he can feel a great number of men moving. He can also sense the two Afritan scouts watching as he and Kusyl and the squad ride east of them toward the slightly lower northern end of the rise. Once they reach a point where Lerial can survey the shore road some two hundred yards to the west and little more than twenty yards lower, he reins up and looks to the north and northwest.
All the Heldyan tents have been struck, and apparently stacked in neat bundles west of the hamlet. The organization and neatness worries Lerial as much as the number of battalions that appear to be formed up and ready to move, especially since he doubts that the Afritan Guards would be nearly so organized were they in Heldya.
Lerial turns to Kusyl. “I’ve seen enough. Take as many men as you need and get back to the post. Bring the companies the same way we came.”
“Yes, ser.”
Once Kusyl leaves, Lerial returns to studying the Heldyans. So far as he can sense, there are only two chaos-focuses among the Heldyan forces, and both remain within the encampment, but south of the cots of the hamlet that is either unnamed or whose name is unknown to Dhresyl and the Afritan Guard. Another worrisome sign? Lerial pushes that thought aside and continues to watch as the Heldyan formations tighten into disciplined oblongs. After a time, he turns in the saddle and looks toward the Harbor Post, where Drusyn’s battalions are riding out toward the shore road, taking positions that will allow them to support either the Ninth or Tenth Battalion or to move north toward the position Lerial has taken.
Almost half a glass passes before the Mirror Lancers arrive and take positions on the east side of the hill, out of direct sight of the Heldyans. Then Lerial meets with Fheldar, Kusyl, and Strauxyn once again.
“We’re going to stay put here until we see how things are going,” he begins. “I’m judging that the Heldyans will bring up their cavalry to take this rise first, so that they can flank the Afritans … or keep Drusyn’s battalions from flanking them. By being out here, we’re in a strong position because we’re uphill, but I suspect that they’ll think that we don’t have enough forces to hold the ridge.” Lerial grins raggedly. “And they’re right. We don’t. But that’s not what I have in mind…” He goes on to explain.
Once he has finished, the companies move into the tight formation Lerial wants, all out of easy sight except for the First Squad of Eighth Company. Then the company officers dispatch scouts … and Lerial waits and watches. He feels as though time is dragging, yet he knows less than a glass has passed when he sees one of Strauxyn’s scouts riding swiftly toward him.
The scout reins up. “Ser … there are two mounted battalions moving down the shore road … and there’s more dust behind them.”
“Are they lancers or heavy mounted cavalry?” Lerial doesn’t totally trust Dhresyl’s scouts.
“Heavy cavalry, ser. Round shields and long blades.”
“Good. Thank you. Take a position just at the end of the rise. Halfway down. Let me know if you see anything else that might be unexpected. If you don’t see anything like that, once the Heldyans are close enough for archers, rejoin your company.”
“Yes, ser.”
Before long, Lerial can see the Heldyan main force beginning to move. Half appear to be moving to take the road; the other half, led by a shield wall, are marching due south down the slope to the creek, and presumably up it toward Ninth and Tenth Battalion, contrary to what Dhresyl has expected. The total mass of armsmen moving forward must comprise close to ten battalions—and that doesn’t include the mounted companies or any archers. Khesyn must have been transporting troopers for more than a week … and kept it up over the last few days. Just the number of trips and the presumed cost of transport must have been staggering. Except the trip is fairly short. Still …
Horn signals from the direction of the Harbor Post suggest that Dhresyl is already bringing up reinforcements, although Lerial cannot see past Drusyn’s forces to determine where Dhresyl is sending the reserve battalions.
The lead Heldyan battalion moves off the shore road to take that part of the western side of the rise that offers the most gradual approach to Lerial and First Squad.
“Eighth Company! On First Squad,” Lerial orders.