“With these numbers, in open battle, the losses would be?” This was Kailen.

“Significantly higher on their side.” More cups were banged at this point.

“Ladus,” said Hasike, somewhat frustrated, “who bears the brunt of their aggression? My clan. We are your border with Vilmor.”

“As we border the Wilds,” said another, “but we do not cry to the Ladus over it.”

“The Wilds do not bring in twenty thousand men in front of a fortified supply line,” said Kailen.

“Bang your cups and brag if it pleases you, but you stand over a map that shows clearly where Vilmor will push, through Hasike’s land and to the heart of Ahmstad.”

The Ladus raised his arms to quieten the shouts.

“My council waits with bated breath for the wisdom of a Harudanian mercenary on its own affairs. I question your fitness to be part of this council, Hasike, that you have brought to our gathering men paid to chop up soldiers when what we need is to outwit Turis’s generals.”

“You ought consider Hasike wise, Ladus. I will gladly demonstrate why.” Remarkably, the mercenary sounded angry. I had expected him to be run through at that point, for the Ladus enjoyed nothing more than disemboweling everyone from servants to his own family for slights of honour or even dark looks.

“You have not begun to muster from your war communes, the sheriffs and quarters are still securing your supplies: wood, cattle, grain. The men at this table await their levies, and the last time I fought Ahmstad I would not hold such hope for the weak and ill equipped majority that are enrolled. Hasike’s lands will be pillaged and burned, some fifth of your tithe in buffalo, a seventh of all your kannab crops.” He had the room now, though the Ladus’s fist was white as it gripped the handle of his axe.

Kailen swept the arranged blocks from the map and reset them. He laid out the routes the Vilmorian army would take, the challenge for the Ahmstad forces, and every way that he laid out their options they were to expect heavy losses, even in victory.

The room was silent, for each anticipated deployment and stratagem had been devised and its consequences presented soundly.

“I have a question,” said the Ladus. “If we are likely to lose, why have you sold Hasike your services? Do you and your friend of some dubious royal lineage plan to defeat Turis with your own hands?”

“No. For one hundred and fifty gold pieces my friend of dubious royal lineage will explain why you need not raise a sword to defeat the forces of Vilmor, gain yourselves land and new allies and weaken Turis significantly.”

The Ladus erupted with laughter. “If I’d wanted a fool I would have left my first consort alive. I suppose you wish to be paid before you share your grand plan with us as well?”