The road exchange had been running long enough that Dasang's leading rank had started to pull back. A step, then another, each one opening a meter of ground between Dasang's front and the opposing line.
Each meter they advanced gave their eastern flank more time to complete its facing movement before Kerei arrived. The eastern arc was still dust on the steppe. Not yet in position.
Batu read it and moved forward.
He pushed through the rear of the formation, Bayan a length behind him on the left. The men in the back ranks opened without being told, reading the movement and adjusting.
He came through into the open space behind the leading rank, where the incoming shafts were no longer absorbed by the depth.
A rider two positions to his right was drawing and releasing in a steady rhythm, his horse moving at a controlled walk, the animal keeping its head low from training.
