‘It would be a trap, of course,’ Bevier continued. ‘You gather all your herds and your treasures and your womenfolk in one place with only a few of your Peloi to guard them. Then take the rest of your warriors and ride off, making sure that Zemoch scouts can see you leave. Then, once it gets dark, you slip back and take up positions nearby, keeping well out of sight. The Zemochs will all come running to steal your herds and treasures and women. Then you can fall on them all at once. That way you spare yourself all the trouble of hunting them down one by one. Besides, it would give your women a glorious opportunity to witness your bravery. I’m told that women melt with love when they have the chance to watch their menfolk destroy a hated enemy.’ Bevier’s grin was sly.

Kring’s eyes narrowed as he thought it over. ‘I like it!’ he burst out after a moment. ‘God strike me blind if I don’t! We’ll do it!’ And he rode off to tell his people.

‘Bevier,’ Tynian said, ‘sometimes you amaze me.’

‘It’s a fairly standard strategy for light cavalry, Tynian,’ the young Cyrinic said modestly. ‘I came across it in my study of military history. Lamork barons used that ploy a number of times before they started building castles.’

‘I know, but you actually suggested using women for bait. I think you’re just a little more worldly than you appear, my friend.’

Bevier blushed.

They followed after Kring at a somewhat slower pace, hindered by the wounded and the sorrowful line of horses carrying the dead. Kalten had a distant look on his face, and he seemed to be counting something up on his fingers.

‘What’s the trouble?’ Sparhawk asked him.

‘I’m trying to figure out just how much time we gained on Martel.’

‘Not quite a day and a half,’ Talen said promptly. ‘A day and a third, actually. We’re about six or seven hours behind him now. We average about a league an hour.’

‘Twenty miles then,’ Kalten said. ‘You know, Sparhawk, if we rode all night tonight, we could be right inside his camp when the sun rises tomorrow.’

‘We’re not going to ride at night, Kalten. There’s something very unfriendly out there, and I’d rather not have it surprise us in the dark.’

They made camp at sunset, and after they had eaten, Sparhawk and the others gathered in a large pavilion to consider their options.