SIXTEEN
Rebels!
SUMMER 965 MC
Sir Heward rode through the village of Anvil. His small force had smashed what little opposition the Norlanders presented, and he was prepared to continue the advance before word had reached him that all further marching must be halted. This was a frustrating development, particularly after his failure in losing the Guard Cavalry at the Battle of Hammersfield. Shattered by the orders, he now wondered if the marshal had lost faith in him altogether.
He wandered past the local smith, who waved hello. At first, the arrival of the Mercerian army alarmed the townsfolk, but under Heward's hand, the troops behaved well, even earning the grudging respect of the inhabitants. He'd insisted the lives of the commoners be disturbed as little as possible, even that all
