As the sun set the Ordic forces were once again forced to make camp. It had been an exhausting day, but no one suggested just setting to out no the open plains. They assayed a short forced march as the day was ending, ultimately arriving at a position the mercenary sniper had pointed out earlier that afternoon.

Opinion was split over whether the enemy would retaliate during the evening, or whether it would take them longer to understand what was going on and take adequate steps. Brucker believed that the enemy would reel from the harm they'd wrought all day long, he was a veteran of military actions and didn't think the enemy would be able to adapt to a sudden presence in their rear in a 12 hour period. Jarl was more cynical, announcing that he figured they'd be attacked before the night was through, it would be just his luck. Gaxxon agreed, figured that the enemy likely had less command overhead than a living host of the same size and composition.

Jardon privately agreed with the Preceptor commander, but for his own reasons. Whoever had blighted Sansa, the traitor among them, that person would be desperate. They'd failed Cryx by not warning the caravans, he'd wager the Lich Lords didn't forgive failure lightly. If another day went by and they continued to enjoy military successes, the traitor would likely be forced to take direct action. To forestall that, he figured that the enemy agent had or would leak their location and approximate strength during the evening.

Fortunately, their location was formidable. There was a creek out on the plains, and it had fed a tiny copse of trees. This oasis made for an excellent fortified position, and the craft of Gaxxon's men had swiftly made of the treeline a makeshift barricade. They strung ropes (looted from the enemy over the course of the day or just brought from the monastery) between the trunks and bent branches down to weave snares. He even spied a few digging pits on the outskirts, plying spade with the same enthusiasm they showed for bashing the enemies of Morrow.

Jardon resolved to spend the night on watch. He leaned into the wall, deforming it with his body's weight. Unceasing vigilance was the only answer to the challenge posed by the enemy. He'd plenty of...

...

...

He jolted awake as a hand tapped him on the shoulder. His mouth tasted like sand and sweat, and he stifled a tremendous yawn. He looked around, dawn was breaking and Sansa and May were standing over him with a mug of coffee.