“And useful information it was, Nesta. I trust that you also sent it north.”

“Of course.”

Carwyn gestured to the fire circle. “We are holding a council. We will finish soon, and then you and I can talk.”

She sat on a log beside the one where he had been resting. “I will join this council, in my father’s name.”

He did not like that. After some deliberation, he retook his place.

“Tomorrow next, then,” he said to the men, continuing a conversation that she had disrupted. “We will gather during the night on the hill beyond their camps, and attack at first light.”

“How many do you have?” she asked, interrupting the agreement of the others.

Carwyn barely glanced at her. “More than he does.”

“How many, that you plan this attack before word comes that our allies have moved?”

“We attack now because you sent word that in a few days more will join Marcus, and then we will not outnumber them.”

“Unless you have five hundred, you do not truly outnumber them now.”

“Do you think that one English man is equal to three Welsh? This new husband must have impressed you greatly.”

The other men snickered. She turned a furious glare on them until they flushed and looked to the ground. Rising, she gestured to Carwyn. “You and I will talk alone.”

Slowly, resentfully, he followed her to the edge of the camp. He crossed his arms over his chest. Strained forbearance turned his bright eyes dull.

“The others should not see us at odds, or hear us demeaning the other’s opinion. As to my comment about needing five hundred, I was saying that one well-fed English soldier wearing armor and carrying cold steel outnumbers one Welsh man bearing a wooden pike. And ten mounted men-at-arms outmatch what I see in this camp, no matter what heart we bring to such a battle.”

“Our longbows will even things.”

“They too have longbows.” She looked him right in the eyes. “Stop dodging my question. How many do you have?”

His mouth twitched in annoyance. “Over three hundred, but more arrive every day.”

“I was told over four hundred, and that was a week ago.”

“It was in our interest to have them think our numbers were greater.”

A whirlwind of fury began spinning in her head. “You had a lie told to me for this purpose? You assumed that I would reveal your strength to Marcus?”

He pierced her with a knowing glare. “I have not forgotten your delay in the wainwright’s shed. And I was at the stream, Nesta. I saw you save him, and also the sweet looks before and after.”

She felt her face burn. “Such things do not matter, nor should you assume that you know the meanings of those looks. I have executed my duty twice over, and I am here now.”