The next day they angled south, as they were coming close to the White River. That evening they reached its banks. There were scouts awaiting them there, and they were informed that the far bank was free of the enemy. They moved a short distance upstream to a spot that was the widest and slowest point along the White. It was nevertheless a hazardous crossing, and the moment they breasted its stiff current, the weaker riders and horses were in some trouble. By the time the last rider had crossed, some twenty-eight horse and their riders were lost to the current. Riding to the top of the south bank and spreading out, they made camp.

It was two days before the enemy showed up like a sea on the north bank. They immediately began cutting down the trees that grew sparsely along the river bank. As the next day dawned, it became apparent that they were constructing several bridges. With one end fixed to the river bank, and the unattached end upriver, all they had to do was push the span out into the current until it took hold, where the spans would swing outward until they touched the south bank.

As they watched the enemies’ labours, Baldric described their activities to Éhal, as much to inform her as to clarify his own thoughts. He outlined his plan for making a major stand here, explaining that this was the one place Morlock’s army could cross.




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