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Rinaldo watched Jara ride her horse hard up the hill after Egalite.
He needed to follow them, too.
“Hilyard! Continue leading the men. Don’t stop until you reach the next valley.”
“Yes, Commander,” Hilyard answered, but he clearly wasn’t comfortable with the command. He looked back from his place in line at the other warriors following behind.
“I trust you,” Rinaldo told him. “The men trust you, too. I won’t be gone long. I’ll meet you down the path.”
Hilyard nodded. Then he shouted to the men ahead, “Move on! Commander says I’m in charge!”
Rinaldo saw the surprised looks, but he gave a nod of assent.
Then he turned Bayard’s nose toward the slope on their right.
Rinaldo’s ankle was still swollen to twice its normal size. Every one of Bayard’s steps sent fresh pain searing throu
