On the heights opposite, Janus’ army made for a less intimidating picture. Guns were parked hub to hub on each hilltop, flanked by infantry, but even at this distance the volunteer battalions looked shabby with their parti-colored clothes and improvised banners. Another mass of troops, mostly regulars in their solid blue uniforms, was forming in front of the line of hills, with more cannon alongside them. There was hardly any cavalry to be seen.

“I would have thought Janus would keep all the guns on the heights,” Sevran said, frowning down at the maneuvering soldiers.

“He knows what he’s doing,” Abby said.

Winter turned away at the sound of horses crashing through the brush. A moment later, the animals emerged, snorting and irritable, the cannon that they were pulling bouncing on its wide wheels. A young captain who Winter vaguely recognized spotted the eagles on her shoulders and hurried over.

“Sir!” He saluted. “We’re coming into position now.”

“Good.” Winter cocked her head. “It’s Archer, isn’t it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You were in Khandar?”

“Yessir. Under the Preacher.”

“And you came to rescue us at Diarach.”

He blushed slightly and nodded. “Janus thought we might work well together, given our history.”

“I’m glad to have you. You know what you’re supposed to do?”

Archer nodded again. “I’m worried that we won’t be able to pull out in time. These woods aren’t too bad, but we got stuck a couple of times on the way up.”

“Jane!”

Jane turned, and Winter gestured to Archer.

“Gather up a company or so from the Girls’ Own and help the captain clear a path for his guns. We don’t want them getting hung up here when we have to pull out.”

Jane nodded and hurried off, back through the woods to the field where the Third Regiment was shaking itself out and trying to make ready for battle. Winter looked down at the Hamveltai, who so far showed no signs of movement.

“Sevran, you’d better get back to your people,” she said. “I’ll send a runner when things start to happen here.”

“Yes, sir!” Sevran saluted. “Good luck.”

The battle began on the Hamveltai right, the extreme opposite end of the line from where Winter and the Third were waiting. From their wooded ride, they could see the banners of the yellowjackets as they advanced, but the troops themselves were concealed by a fold in the ground. Guns on both sides opened fire, filling the valley with low, distant booms. Before long, a cloud of powder smoke boiled up over that end of the line, lit from within by the flashes of musketry and cannon-fire.

“Janus is moving in the center,” Cyte said not long after.