Page 184 of The Infernal Battalion

“You all know what we’re up against,” Marcus said. “We’ll do the best we can, but I’m not going to pretend these aren’t long odds. When Janus comes against us, if we can hold until nightfall I’ll consider that a victory.”

“And after that?” Fitz said.

“There’s a plan,” Raesinia said. “You’ll have to trust us on that.”

Those who weren’t in on Winter’s part of the battle—​Fitz, Sevran, and Archer—​looked less than satisfied. Give-Em-Hell seemed oblivious.

“I must say,” he ventured, “it doesn’t seem very promising from the point of view of a cavalry charge.”

“You’ll get your chance,” Marcus promised. “I have written orders for all of you, but let me give you the short version.”

He picked up the leather bag containing the wooden counters, fumbled with the drawstring for a bit, then dumped them on the table. He picked out a few blue blocks and arranged them at the tip of Bear Ridge. One line stretched left, another right, so that the triangular shape of the ridge was extended into a V shape with the tip pointing northeast. The red markers he massed in that direction, where the main road came closest to the hill.

“Two refused flanks,” Fitz said, raising an eyebrow. “Interesting.”

“Like I said, it’s the best I can come up with.” He tapped the tip of the V. “This is the Second Division. We’ll do most of our digging here, because that’s where we’ll catch the most hell. It’ll be easiest for the enemy to focus their attack there, so we want them running uphill and into our breastworks. The volunteers will be there as well, and most of the artillery.

“This”—​he tapped the right wing—“is the First Division. If Janus gets tired of trying to punch through the center, this is the way he’ll probably swing. There’s more room. The other wing is the Third, which will hopefully have the easiest time of it. But I’m going to take a few battalions from both of you and keep them in reserve here”—​he tapped a point between the wings, inside the V—“along with the cavalry.

“The idea is that it’s faster for us to move troops around inside the formation than it is for Janus to shift his reserves around the outside. Wherever he attacks, we can get there with the reserve quickly, and hopefully between that and our fortifications we’ll be able to negate his numbers. Henry, your light cavalry will take the extreme right, down to the road, and make sure he doesn’t try to slip anything behind us. The river should keep that from happening on the left.”

“And if he refuses to engage?” Sevran said.

“If he tries to just move past, he’s giving us a perfect shot at his flank and rear. If he sits tight, then we see who can wait the other out.” Marcus shook his head. “But he’ll attack. You saw the way he was in the Pale valley.”

“Why station the volunteers at the point?” Fitz said. “That puts the least reliable troops in the most difficult position.”

“It’s also the position they’re most likely to be able to hold,” Marcus said. “Without training, they’re not going to be much good in the open field, so I want them dug in. If they won’t fight there, they won’t fight anywhere.” He looked around the table. “Any other questions?”

There were, of course. The queen excused herself early, but the officers stayed for another couple of hours, going over the details. By the time they were finished, the map was covered in fresh annotations, and Marcus had had to light several lanterns. One by one they departed, to return to their troops and pass along Marcus’ orders. The plan would be hashed out around thousands of campfires, by everyone from officers down to rankers, and they would all doubtless form their own opinions. Marcus remembered second-​guessing Janus with Adrecht, Val, and Mor, back in Khandar. It’s not so easy when you actually have to make the decision, is it?

Winter was the last one remaining, studying the map intently. Marcus watched her for a moment, awkwardly, then cleared his throat. She looked up.

“Sorry,” she said. “Just thinking about where the Beast might try to hide the core. Hopefully, it won’t see us coming, or things could get very difficult.”

“Ah.” Marcus shook his head. “That’s your department. I’m just here to handle the human side.”

“I know.”

She was so serious. It had seemed appropriate, for a general, but Ellie had always been wild and full of laughter. She must still smile, sometimes.

“You’re... ah... getting along all right?” he said.

“I’m not getting enough sleep,” Winter said. “But that’s nothing new.”

“I meant with respect to the other officers,” Marcus said. “Since you... changed your uniform.”

“Oh.” Winter looked down at herself. “Most of them haven’t mentioned it, to tell the truth. Some of them already knew, of course. And I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the others suspected. I had gotten a bit... careless.”

And only poor, stupid Marcus didn’t catch on. He shook his head. Enough. With the way you reacted, can you blame her?

“I wanted to apologize,” he said, drawing himself up. “For the way I behaved back at the palace.”

“There’s no need for that,” Winter said. “I can’t imagine how you must feel.”

“Frankly, I’m a bit confused myself.” Marcus scratched his beard. “But I was... reminded that I knew you as a soldier, and a good one, before... anything else.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I hope it won’t offend you if I continue to treat you like one.”

“Of course not,” Winter said.