‘Perhaps you’d like it if I gave him Arix’s role?’ sneered Ostaran.
‘That would be good,’ said Arix.
‘Shut up, brother. I was joking.’
‘No, it’s a good idea,’ said Daran. ‘I mean, I like Arix, but he’s not a leader, is he?’
‘Thanks, Dar,’ said Arix.
‘It’s not a compliment, you moron,’ stormed Ostaran.
The debate died down as Connavar rode up. ‘There is no sign
at all of the enemy army,’ he said. ‘And the Flag Party has arrived to map out the camp.’
‘Time to ride in and get some food then,’ said Arix.
Connavar manoeuvred his horse alongside Ostaran’s mount. ‘I don’t think the Perdii army has come this far north. I think they’ve swung back.’
Ostaran shook his head. ‘No, they’ll be heading for the high hills. Stony ground there, no way for the Scholar to build his night fortresses.’
‘If that were true then we would have come across sign. Fifty thousand men cannot march without leaving sign. The trail we’ve been following was left by the group we just fought. They wanted it to look as if the army was in retreat. I think the main force has doubled back.’
‘For what purpose?’
To hit Jasaray on the march. The column will be spread over nine miles. If Carac strikes hard enough he could split the army, or, at the very least, destroy the baggage train and the food supplies.’
Ostaran thought about it. The idea made sense. ‘What do you suggest?’ he asked, aware that his men had crowded round and were listening intently.
‘Gather all our riders and head back towards the south. If a battle does start then Jasaray will need our cavalry.’
‘A proper battle,’ said Ostaran. ‘I like the sound of that.’
‘Head south,’ said Connavar, ‘but not too fast. The horses are tired enough. I will catch up with you.’ Pulling away from the group the Rigante cantered his mount away to the west.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
at FIFTY-ONE, APPIUS WAS THE MOST EXPERIENCED OF JASARAY’S
generals. A man of limited imagination, his skill was that he could be relied upon to carry out his orders to the last letter, without deviation or complaint. He had served with the Scholar now for nineteen years, through five campaigns and two civil wars. In those nineteen years he had returned to Stone only eight times. This situation entirely suited his new young wife, Palia, whose hedonistic lifestyle was the talk of the city. No-one mentioned her infidelities directly to the grey-haired Appius, but he knew of them just the same, which was why he always sent her advance warning of his infrequent visits, in order to allow her to decamp her lovers, and prepare the house for his arrival.
Most of his junior officers believed Appius cared nothing for Palia, and had married her only to cement an alliance between two powerful houses. This was not true, though he never spoke of it.
He stood now, with the seven hundred and fifty men of Talon Three, observing the Flag Party marking out the night camp. The three other talons of Panther One had taken up their required defensive positions to the north, west and east of the site, and were awaiting the arrival of Panther Two, who would begin working on the perimeter ditch. His junior officer, the dark-haired Barus, stood silently beside him.
‘You chose a good site, Barus,’ said Appius. ‘Plenty of forage and wood, and an open water source close by.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘I understand you will be returning home at the end of the month.’
‘Yes, sir. I must finish my studies at the university.’
‘Would you be kind enough to carry letters for me?’
‘It would be my privilege, sir.’
Appius removed his bronze helm and brushed his fingers over the white horsehair crest. ‘Have you met my wife?’
‘Yes, sir. Last year at the Equinox Games. I believe one of your horses won the Empire Run that day. It was a grey, I think.’
‘Callias,’ said the general, relaxing. ‘A fine, fine creature. Heart like a lion. According to the last letters I received he has sired quite a few excellent young colts.’ His smile faded. ‘I want you to see Palia, explain to her that I will not be home this year.’