Batu POV
The tumen completed its curve around the inner defenses while Dorbei's smoke was still rising from the western regions.
The encirclement kept its radius at four hundred meters from the earthwork's base, ten thousand riders dressed across the perimeter, and the palisade walkway above was manned along its entirety, the defenders having spent the morning watching the formation position itself and knowing what it meant.
The smell of burning grain from the western raiding work crossed the open ground on the light wind.
Subutai was at Batu's left.
"Now," he said.
Batu raised his arm to the relay rider.
Torghul POV
The signal reached the encirclement's full curve simultaneously and every bow went up.
The shafts rose from four hundred meters in a dark mass and came down into the palisade walkway along its full length, and the defenders who had been standing when the fire opened went down in the first volley.
