The rider came out of the reeds before the sky had found its color.
He was on foot. The final channel had narrowed too much for a horse, and he had left his animal with Bayan's team at the route's last marked point. He came through the reed wall wet to the chest and found the relay rider waiting there, and the relay rider brought him straight to Batu's position.
"Ford's confirmed." the man said.
His breath was hard from the wading. "Bayan marked the full route. The far bank's clear."
"How far is the ford from the last channel exit?"
"Two hundred meters of open water. Firm bottom through the middle section."
He wiped his face with the back of his arm. "We crossed it twice in the dark without losing footing."
Batu looked at the reeds in front of him. It was slightly less dark now, the sky behind it beginning its first movement toward gray.
He looked at the relay rider beside him. "Tell Torghul."
Torghul POV
