“Southern work. And those other two blades we found were south-coast. Could have been sailors’ blades.”

“Indeed, sir. Alured never got this far north and west, did he?”

“Not that I know. Siniava, maybe. These could be escapees from his army … but I think not.”

“Back to camp,” Arcolin said. They were scarce three hundred paces from it, and on the way back found no more enemy until they reached the barricade, with the bodies of those who’d attacked it. By then the hubbub on the far side had ended as well.

“Thirteen,” Burek said when he came to report. “They came up the slope pretty quietly, and laid cloaks over the brambles, then thought to scramble over, but we were ready.”

“Any guesses how many more?”

“About that many ran away downhill as soon as the torches lit. Might have been more behind them; I couldn’t see that far.”

“We killed ten on our side—they chose a narrow front and a column attack, just what this cohort knows how to handle. They fought competently, though it was the wrong formation for them. More than ten got away, when we went after them. Their commander, to my sorrow. None of our people killed or wounded—what about you?”

“One dead, two wounded, all first-years,” Burek said. “Gan ran out over the barrier—young idiot.”

“There’s always one,” Arcolin said, and caught a look from Stammel. Well, he deserved it.

“The wounded are Peli and Aris. Surgeon says Peli will be back on duty in two days; Aris will be out at least three.”

Arcolin winced. Novices were most at risk in their first battles; that’s why the cohorts went to war ten percent or more over strength, but it always hurt. And this was the first time he had been in complete command—he had chosen the contract, he had chosen the route and the camp and its defense. He pushed that away—commanders who could not accept risk were as dangerous to their people as those who ignored it. What his troops needed now was his approval.

“We came through this very well.” Arcolin cocked his head at Burek. “So—how do you like the way your command fights?”

“Very well. I’d heard, of course, but seeing it—it’s no wonder you were—are—considered one of the best companies in Aarenis.”

“Good. I’ll need a report from you—talk to Devlin if you’re uncertain—on the demeanor of each of the recruits on that side. Our tradition is that recruits may be promoted after their first battle; if they aren’t promoted after their second, we dismiss them. This wasn’t a full battle, but we’ll be promoting some of them anyway. I saw three on my side, for instance, who did extremely well.”

“Were the enemy as many as you were expecting?” Burek asked.

“Within the range, but enough to suggest outside aid,” Arcolin said. “An attack force of about forty—they probably left some behind—the nearest villages would be not only under their control but stripped bare if they lived only on the land. And a competent commander.”