The lamp was nearly out. The second watch had run. Batu looked at Kirsa across the table.
"Your pair read the body from what distance."
"Far enough to hold without being seen. They stayed out after the first contact."
Kirsa paused. "There were two of them. The larger moved directly north. A second force moved further west, on a separate heading. Angled toward the river."
"How much faster than the first."
"Fast enough to reach the bank before the larger body clears the channel, if both held their pace."
"The western approach," Batu said.
Kirsa held his gaze. "They were going to different points. A force moving on a common objective holds its heading."
Batu told him to get Torghul, Dorbei, Khulgen, and Siban. Now.
They came in the dark while the camp was still running its pre-dawn cycle. Torghul arrived first, then Khulgen, then Siban. Dorbei came last, his face carrying nothing.
Batu waited until all four were settled, then looked at Kirsa.
"Tell them what you told me."
