The stranger inspected him and shook his head. “Sergeant, where in Maribor’s name is your sword?”

“In my tent, but—”

“You don’t think it necessary to wear your sword when an enemy army stands less than a mile away and could attack at any minute?”

“I was sleeping, sir!”

“Look up, sergeant!” the man said.

The sergeant tilted his head up, wincing as rain hit his face.

“As you can see, it’s nearly morning.”

“Ah—yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

“Now get dressed and get a new picket on Gill’s post at once, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir. Right away, sir!”

“Gill!”

“Yes, sir!” Gill jumped.

“Let’s get moving. I’m late as it is.”

“Yes, sir!” Gill set off following once more, offering the sergeant a flummoxed shrug as he passed.

The main body camped on what everyone called Bingham Hill, apparently after farmer Bingham, who grew barley and rye in the fields below. Gill heard there had been quite the hullabaloo when Commander Gaunt had informed Bingham the army would be using his farm and Gaunt would take his house for a headquarters. The pastoral home with a thatched roof and wooden beams found itself surrounded by a sea of congested camps. Flowers that had once lined the walkway had been crushed beneath a hundred boots. The barn housed the officers and the stable provided storage and was also used as a dispensary and tavern for those with rank. There were tents everywhere and a hundred campfires burned rings into the ground.

“Inform Commander Parker I’m here,” the stranger told one of the guards on the porch.

“And who are you?”

“Marshal Lord Blackwater.”

The sentry hesitated only a moment, then disappeared inside. He reemerged quickly and held the door open.

“Thank you, Gill. That will be all,” the stranger said as he stepped inside.

“You’re Commander Parker?” Hadrian asked the portly man before him, who was sloppily dressed in a short black vest and dirty white britches. An upturned nose sat in the middle of his soft face, which rested on a large wobbly neck.

He was seated before a rough wooden table littered with candles, maps, dispatches, and a steaming plate of eggs and ham. He stood up, pulling a napkin from his neck, and wiped his mouth. “I am, and you are Marshal Blackwater? I wasn’t informed of—”

“Marshal Lord Blackwater,” he said, correcting the man with a friendly smile, and handed over his letter of reference.

Parker took the letter, roughly unfolding it, and began reading.

Wavy wooden beams edged and divided the pale yellowing walls. Along these hung pots, sacks, cooking tools, and what Hadrian guessed to be Commander Parker’s sword and cloak. Baskets, pails, and jugs huddled in corners, stacked out of the way on the floor, which listed downhill toward the fireplace.