Within a few moments, Prince Jaspid and Elgart joined him. In the firelight, King Bifalt saw that Elgart had washed his hands, but had not cleaned his breastplate. Streaks of dried blood marked it like protests. In contrast, Jaspid had made himself spotless. Only his expression showed his bitterness. He hated being responsible for other men.

Frowning, Bifalt ordered the Prince, “Tell the riflemen to keep their distance, Brother. And the Magisters if they approach. We should hear Hellick alone. I will speak to the men later.”

He did not know what he would do without the el-Algreb.

Nodding, Prince Jaspid summoned the nearest soldier, made the man responsible for ensuring that the King was given privacy.

Elgart only shrugged.

Together, the three men went to join the sub-Commander. Bifalt’s bodyguards stepped back when they saw him walking steadily. They would probably hear whatever Hellick said, but the King did not care. They had earned his trust long ago.

Sub-Commander Hellick stood at once. His face wore an uncomfortable mixture of irritation and relish.

Expecting the worst, King Bifalt demanded, “How did you get here, sub-Commander?”

The long line of Rile’s marching soldiers lay between this forest and the south.

Hellick bowed with a degree of courtesy, then spread his hands. “Before we left, Majesty, First Captain Hegels told us that the Great God keeps his cavalry back to guard his supply-train. But suddenly—it was sudden to us—the cavalry left, racing toward the Open Hand. Their strange beasts are faster than horses. Then a portion of the light infantry slowed to wait for the wagons. They made a gap in the line. We slipped through it. The enemy did not respond. Perhaps we were not seen.”

Bifalt stopped himself before he could ask, We? He had a dozen questions. One he thought he could answer. The rest Hellick might address if the King let him speak.

“Very good, sub-Commander. Now your report.”

That was not the source of Hellick’s irritation. “Majesty,” he replied promptly, “the Cleckin have fled. Suti al-Suri’s people routed them.”

Prince Jaspid’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Routed?” exclaimed Elgart. “How?”

Stunned, Bifalt lost a moment. He had not braced himself for good news. It seemed impossible, five hundred horse-warriors against two thousand raiders.

A grim smile tightened one corner of the Amikan’s mouth. “The el-Algreb act like children, but they fight like men who dine on superior forces. The Cleckin did not know we were coming. They chose a convenient valley for their camp. The el-Algreb had the advantage of elevation. They knew how to use it. I will say more if you wish to hear it.

“But I must say this, Majesty. I could not imagine what they hoped to accomplish until Suti al-Suri explained it. Disguising their true objective with an elaborate series of feints, they contrived to steal the Cleckin horses.