sight of the man sitting behind him, the commander's eyes widened.
Harald stood up.
"News for you. Brought Danio along to tell it."
The cavalry officer hesitated, looked down, up.
"We surrendered. I'm one of the hostages."
"Everyone?"
"Ravens cut out west; don't know if they made it. Everyone else."
"Tell him where you surrendered; it's the important part."
"The Oasis. Outside."
He looked up at the commander.
"They were inside. With the water."
"You're holding the Oasis?"
"Took it a week ago. Get your whole army there you can have it back; my men have orders to leave if anything big shows up. Don't see how you'll do it. I've got more than half your water wagons, all the collection points along the cliff edge. Prince knows by now; sent a courier to tell him your cavalry would be walking home, needed food, water. How long for him to put together an army—when most everything he has this end of the province is here—supply train, get them to the Oasis, take the Oasis, get supplies to you? Doubt he can do it—damn sure he can't do it before you run out of food."
The commander remained silent.
"Lower vale, nothing to eat but grass. We're still holding the upper vale; I'm guessing you tried today, didn't make it. Might tomorrow, might not. Get through in force, they torch the grain stores. Flocks have been leaving since you took the ford, goat paths up into the mountains. Start early tomorrow, everything goes well, might get a good dinner for your boys from what's left. Not two weeks worth. Don't believe me, welcome to send someone up vale and look—flag of peace, one of mine to keep him company.
"One thing more. Pass is open, word got here today. Gavin's back his side of the river. Lost a lot of his cavalry, Bashkai, got the legions safe home. Can't prove it, but it's true."
The commander's voice was calm.
"Your proposal?"
"You get your oasis