TWELVE
The North
SPRING 963 MC
Baron Fitzwilliam halted his horse and waited while the other riders caught up, Sir James being the first to join him.
"Do you see them, Lord, to the northwest?"
"I do," the baron replied, "but it doesn't look like a normal raiding party."
"How so?" asked the knight. "They are armed and in our territory, are they not?"
"They are," Fitz agreed, "but they have people out in front looking for tracks, not the normal actions of raiders, I'd wager."
"They are still in Mercerian territory, Lord," said Sir James, "and as such must be punished. We can't afford to look weak, sir."
"Normally, I'd agree with you," said Fitz, "but there's something very odd about this."
"How do you wish to proceed?"
"We outnumber them," said the baron, "so I think we'll try a m
