Leaving the river bank, Piter went to the open plain, where he tested one of the new, longer arrows, and paced off the distance it travelled.
“Well?” said Hamron when he returned, arrow in hand.
“It’s a bit awkward to shoot,” Piter replied, “having to draw so much further, and to a position that is most uncomfortable to the shoulder. There are going to be many sore arms. The trajectory is inferior. And aiming is most difficult.”
“He means,” said Jonden, “how much further did it go?”
“A furlong, perhaps,” Piter replied.
To his amusement, Hamron and Jonden whooped and danced about. He shrugged and left to speak with Baldric.
He found Baldric down by the river, watching the enemies’ progress.
“We are ready, sire,” he said.
Baldric measured him with a look. “Piter, your division will begin the first assault in about half an hour, after the sun is down. The task for now is to attempt to slow them up by burning their bridges from here. Hamron will follow you at daybreak. Jonden will follow him in the afternoon. When Hamron relieves you, your division will rest. When Jonden begins, Hamron will rest, and your division will manufacture arrows. And so on.”
Piter nodded. “We will be ready.”
“Good luck,” said Baldric.