At Ashwell, Khao'khen received the Verakh report of the Tallow Creek engagement with the attention that every development received.
"The pinkskin king destroyed the barbarian supply wagons," Sakh'arran said. "Fourteen hundred Threian dead. Two thousand barbarian dead. The barbarian advance is delayed by three days until dwarven resupply arrives."
"Three days," Khao'khen said. "Three days of delay at the cost of fourteen hundred soldiers and nine percent of their remaining boomstick ammunition. The mathematics."
"The mathematics say the kingdom can afford approximately three more engagements of this type before the boomstick ammunition is exhausted entirely. Three more small victories that each cost more than they produce. The kingdom is winning battles and losing the campaign."
