‘Not without a supply chain back to Anasartha.’ Azaf looked at the men putting the finishing touches to a wide network of awnings – essential protection for the warriors and horses. They had made good progress the previous day, and were now within striking distance of their objective. A short distance away, twenty of his swordsmen were already mounted, ready to join their leader for a scouting mission. ‘Your point?’ he said. ‘My point,’ answered Bezda gruffly, ‘is that we must strike quickly.’ Azaf glanced at the crest, where the signal fire was now producing only a thin trail of smoke. ‘I think it’s safe to say we’ve lost the element of surprise.’ ‘Clearly. But why give them time to prepare their defences?’ Azaf didn’t reply. Though he was prepared to tolerate Bezda’s comments out of respect for the cavalryman’s station, he would not engage in a debate about strategy until he was ready. Instead, he called out to Razir. The aged warrior was with the scouting party, holding Azaf’s horse for him.
