Zimri’s chin lifted slightly. Ian was speaking directly to his love of solving military problems, and the old soldier could not resist. “What error do you see?” he asked.
Ian blinked, keeping his gaze forward as he tried to ignore the six soldiers surrounding him. “The Iseldis forces...our men”—he caught Zimri’s eye—“are positioned along the water. They will be the first line of engagement when the Majis ships arrive. Where is our fleet? Should not our ships be the first line of defense?”
“We sent the ships to the southern bay,” Zimri said. “The Majis already have an advantage, and we will have no way tooverpower them at sea. Their magical attacks will sink our ships, killing every man onboard before we have the opportunity to do anything.”
Ian nodded, pretending to listen carefully as he met Zimri’s gaze. But the sight of the monastery behind the man’s head kept drawing his attention. He could not think about Robin now. Aden was with Robin and would keep her safe.
Ian had been surprised when Ulli had suggested that Aden accompany Robin. He knew the quiet bandit well enough now to know that this request was entirely out of character, which made it that much more serious. But Ian trusted Aden implicitly, and he was relieved that Aden would spend the entire raid watching out for Robin’s safety. Aden, for his part, had been happy to help where he could.
Ian blinked, recalling the last words that Zimri had spoken. “I understand that reasoning,” Ian said. “But this leaves our line of soldiers on the waterline to take the brunt of the attack.”
“We are forcing the Majis to come to us, where we have a better advantage, however slim,” Gautho said. “My men will offer full ranged support; it is a two-pronged strategy and one that does not need your criticism.”
“Ranged support?” Ian said. “From the safety of the bluff above the shore? While the Iseldis men take every hit?”
Zimri’s eyes tightened. “It is our kingdom which we defend,” he said, his gruff voice taking on an aggressive tone. “Our warriors are the strongest and most skilled soldiers in all of the five kingdoms. We will not hide behind other men.”
Gautho said nothing but nodded in agreement.
“Strong as our soldiers may be,” Ian said, turning his gaze to Gautho. “It seems less than honorable to ask them to take the brunt of the battle.”
The Chendas general moved his hand back to the pommel of his sword. “You are not in a position to be making such insinuations, Your Highness.”
“I am insinuating nothing,” Ian said, keeping his voice level. “I am merely asking for strategic—” He stopped for a moment, buying time by appearing to gather his thoughts. “I am asking you both to look at our deployment and tell me what our backup plan is for the soldiers on the shore? Especially if the attack is worse than anticipated.”
Zimri crossed his arms, the lines in his face deepening.
“This is the most tactical decision,” Gautho said. “By putting our best warriors in the front line and covering them with arrows from behind, we give everyone—in all of Iseldis and the kingdoms beyond—a chance to survive the Majis attack.”
“Your only answer is the death of Iseldan men?” Ian asked, speaking directly to Zimri.
Zimri did not answer. His eyes remained narrow as he studied Ian’s face.
“This ‘counsel’ has gone on long enough,” Gautho said. He lifted his hand toward the soldiers surrounding Ian.
“Wait,” Zimri said, turning to Gautho. “Perhaps we should reconsider the formations on the beach, without our fleet as a true front line—”
“We do not have time to prepare the men for new formations,” Gautho said angrily, cutting off Zimri’s words.
“My men are smart as well as strong,” Zimri said, his own voice rising as though they had disagreed on this point before.
Both men continued speaking at the same time.
“Are you saying you cannot trust your own men?” Zimri said.
For a moment Gautho’s entire face changed, and his eyes went wide. Then, just as quickly, his mouth contorted back into anger and he turned to Ian. “This discussion is over, prince. You are coming with me.”
Ian took a step back toward Rowena, trying to keep his face calm as the six Chendas soldiers stepped forward, tightening their circle around him.
“We are under attack!” The panicked shout came from the courtyard behind the two generals, and they immediately spun around.
Soldiers poured from the open gate. “General!” the first one yelled, his face bloodied. “We are under attack.” He pointed back at the monastery.
Ian swung up onto Rowena in an instant, taking advantage of the fact that the soldiers who had been about to apprehend him were also momentarily distracted.
Ulli and Jette did the same, mounting their horses beside him.
Ian drew his short sword, holding it out toward the soldiers surrounding him as Rowena turned beneath him.
