Leonora.
"Bright girl 'Laina had."
"Kara? Yes. Only reason my Elaina hasn't gotten herself killed yet."
"Rode south with Anne three across. Knew I'd see. Knew I saw."
She closed her eyes. He leaned over, put one arm around her waist; she let her head rest a moment on his shoulder as they rode. He spoke softly.
"Would be proud of her."
They rode together, saying nothing. After a while he fell out of the column, trotted back to the King.
Two days later they reached the long valley that led to Eston and the royal castle. Anne and the wounded, with a small escort of the King's guard, took the turn. The rest continued north, moving slowly to let the horses graze. When they reached Stephen's hill another army was camped below it—the rest of the levy of the two border provinces. The combined force moved north, spread out on a ten mile front, waited.
Early morning. The King, bored and curious, followed Harald and Egil out of camp. They reined in on a low hill, both facing west. The morning sun caught the peaks above the high pass, struck sparks. He had almost come up with them when Harald wheeled the mare, spoke.
"What's your count?"
"Four thousand from the provinces. My people . . . the Maril, Andrew's guard, almost balance our losses—twelve