“There’ll be worse trouble sooner than you dare think,” said Joss. “There was confusion within our enemy’s forces after the defeat in Olossi, but the northern army has redoubled its efforts to bring Haldia and Istri under its control.”

“Haldia and Istri?” asked Volla. “That’s a lot of country.”

“Clan Hall sends reports that a huge army is marching south down the Istri Walk toward Toskala. If they take Toskala, and after that Nessumara, what’s to stop them from striking against Olossi? Do you want to take the chance that they won’t?”

“They might kill themselves, trying to do too much,” said Guri. “Wear themselves so thin, they break.”

“They might,” agreed Joss. “I hope they do.”

“Eiya!” said Guri. “I catch your drift. Well, then, Captain Anji, you’re saying you’ll leave a few men here to do the training, whip these colts into shape, and maybe keep the captaincies of what companies I can raise?”

“Trained men can go home to their farms once they’re no longer needed,” said Anji. “As I hope they can all do in time.”

“I doubt I can raise an entire cohort, but I’ll fling my net wide, as it says in the tale.”

A delighted shout rose from the assembly as the soldier reached the part where the eagles had dropped ceramic vessels filled with oil of naya over the army. Yet the memory of what Joss had seen when oil burst into flames gave him no delight.

“We’ll have some trouble raising taxes, in coin or in kind,” said Volla. “Folk will want protection, but they won’t want to pay.”

“Do what you can,” said Anji, “and apply to Olossi’s council for additional supplies of rice and cloth if necessary.”

Guri grunted, frowning as he narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Joss. “Giving Olossi’s council another rope around our necks.”

Volla nodded, but she looked skeptical. “Marshal, there’s another thing, since you’re here. We’ve need of a reeve to preside over our assizes. We have a number of cases to settle.”

“I’ll sit this evening, if that will help you. What I cannot clear, I’ll be sure to let the stewards at Argent Hall know needs attention. They’ll send a reeve out.”

“I thank you, then. I’ll see an assizes table is set up after supper.”

“I have one other request,” continued Anji. “If there are respectable young women available, looking for husbands, I’d ask that the men I leave here be allowed to marry according to the custom of your country and set up a household. I could have women sent up from Olossi, but it might provide my men with more stability within the local area if their wives come from local families.”

“Outlanders.” Volla eyed the dour Qin soldiers as they listened to the tale of their bravery and bold counterattack. “That won’t be easy.”

“Any woman who marries one of my men will live well, and be treated properly.”

Guri shook his head. “Why is it necessary? They can visit the temple of Ushara, if that’s what you’re worried about.”