Addis strolled toward them. “Murderers are now dead. I cannot see going to war over this. As to the man you insult by calling a boy, his sword arm is better than yours, so do not let your indignation lead to any rash challenges.” He clapped a calming hand on Arundal’s shoulder. “Come, and refresh yourself while we talk. It has been too long since we saw each other.”

Not only Arundal spoke over the ale that they all shared in the hall. Before the first cup was finished, Hubert joined them and related the situation in the hills. The chance for a pitched battle got Arundal’s thoughts off his dead men as nothing else could. He all but rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Marcus caught Addis’s eye in a mutual acknowledgment that they would never get this baron and his ten men to leave now.

Arundal plunged with enthusiasm into discussions of preparations. “Hubert says you don’t know how many are out there.”

“I am riding out today to assess that,” Addis said. Arundal’s eyes lit with anticipation of quick action, but Addis adroitly cut him off. “I am taking only a few men. Just a quiet scouting party, to learn how things lie.”

“All the same, I’ll be sending to Clun for fifty more. They can be here faster than anyone else, and we might need them.”

Marcus had no good reason to object. He wanted to, however. He did not want an assortment of troops pledged to other than himself crowding the field outside. Keeping control of events would be nigh impossible. He had always suspected that time was his enemy, and now it truly was.

“Send for them if you want, but we are only facing a small band here. If my shovel is already too large, there is no need for a bigger one, and the countryside cannot support too many for a long spell.”

Arundal’s lowered lids showed he did not care for this disagreement with his judgment.

“There is one other thing. Your men are yours to command, but I received the King’s charge on this, and I will decide if and when we move,” Marcus added.

Their guest liked that even less. His smirk made it clear that he considered Marcus the least of the three barons sitting around the table. He glanced to Addis, as if seeking an ally in the view that Marcus should step aside.

Addis returned a cool gaze. “He had Edward’s letter on this.”