darts were embedded in the table. They could have penetrated any mail and most of the plate metal in the room. Urake reached into his sleeves and pulled a leather loop causing the blades to retract and lock with a soft click. Em’risi’s smile caught his eye and he remembered that she hadn’t flinched throughout the whole display.
“Sometimes a little theatrics are required to prevent one from being underestimated. I was thinking on the matter and I don’t think we would be best served by having an army at both front and rear doorstep.” Balinor rolled his eyes before responding to Urake.
“I find myself forced to agree with you. Now that this matter has been settled we can attend to more important matters.” Balinor still had more to add when Em’risi interrupted him.
“Balinor, be civil. The rest of you should also behave while we let Lord Uraken finish telling us his idea.” Issam and Lortin stiffened at hearing the title that was used. Urake nodded his thanks for the support to the Princess before continuing.
“How many men do you now have?”
“Nearly a thousand. The Outlanders have been joining up since the Princess lifted the taxes. Most of them are useless in a battle, the majority of the lot are fishermen and hunters.” Balinor obeyed Em'risi’s order and almost erased the loathing from his voice.
“Keep them in Keom. It doesn’t take more than a good hunter to hold a section of wall if there isn’t anyone climbing over. The river is flowing well and with the drawbridge up, they can’t even reach the foot of the wall. Balinor might recall how difficult it was to take Safrym holdfasts.”
“Those blistering deep forsaken archers… I mean… ah… The Safrym bowmen were able to use their weapons to great effect.” Balinor nervously eyed Urake’s sleeves as he reworded his statement.
“Indeed, I consider crossbows to be next to useless in a real battle. They may be able to drive a quarrel through plate in close quarters, but a skilled bowman can plant an arrow through a face guard at ten times the distance. Only soldiers without any genuine archery skill use them. The hunters out here in the Outlands make their living by being able to take the eye out of a squirrel at fifty paces and the heart or lungs of a deer at a hundred paces. Men make large targets.”
“Even so; none of them have more than their hunting bows, unlike the war bow that you carry.” Balinor shook his head dismissively.
“That should be one of your first orders of business. Although, several have built their own hunting bows and they might match most war bows. Those could be set to building more without delay.” Balinor’s fist clenched instinctively, but he made no further action when Em'risi gave him a hard glance.
“So your plan is to put the hunters on the north wall while an army knocks down the south wall? Are you going to suggest that we set fishermen to tangling them in nets next? We should be asking Balinor what his thoughts are. He is the seasoned general here.” Lortin's attempt at regaining Balinor and the Princess’ favor ended up being a double sided blade that cut where he didn’t expect. Balinor took the compliment with a smile, but Em'risi’s smile was frigid enough that Lortin took to examining his fingers intently.
“This is true. I never commanded armies, but that is not to say that I have no military experience. I have escaped an army single handedly. By all means, if you find yourself in the middle of a field with cavalry, infantry, lancers, pike men, and support at your back; all with full harness of armor, seek Balinor’s advice. My specialty is in situations where you find yourself severely outnumbered.”
“What exactly is your plan beyond placing hunters to hold the north wall?” Redzyn broke in before Balinor had a chance to form a response for Urake’s insult.
“Send four hundred men with me to the south. I will add the garrison to my number when I reach them.” Urake wasn’t fazed by the surprise that swept the other’s faces.
“Four hundred men? There are nearly ten times that number in the southern army. How do you plan on facing those odds?” Lortin asked incredulously.
“I don’t intend to face them. I intend to attack their backs.”
“That isn’t very honorable, more like cowardly.” Lortin sneered disgustedly.
“Songs are full of stories about honorable men. Ston’al the brave faced odds of twenty to one with his