Spring 921 MC
Lord Douglas, armoured in his customary chainmail, led the patrol north, the knights strung out in single file behind him. Richard brought up the rear, feeling slightly exposed in his padded armour as he watched the knight in front of him, his chainmail jingling while the horse trotted along. The Norlanders had been particularly troublesome of late, and the baron had insisted on a punitive expedition to curb their raids.
It was late in the day when they approached the river that marked the border of Merceria. The column halted, the riders spreading out slightly. Richard rode forward, close enough to hear his father"s words, but not close enough to garner unwanted attention.
“There it is,” observed Lord Douglas, “Norland.”
The knight beside him lifted his own visor. “An in
