The map board was on the table where Batu had placed it the night before, the carved pieces arranged at the edge. Spring light came through the felt on the east wall.
The commanders were already in their positions when Batu came through the entrance. Subutai was near the left end, Torghul stood behind his seat, Dorbei was with his arms across the table, Orda was at the right, and the brothers were distributed across the remaining positions, with Berke in his customary slight remove.
Batu stood at the head of the board and looked at the pieces. "We have two main objectives."
He said. "In order. First, the forest cavalry in the east. They'll be there again, approximately a thousand riders, less well-supplied than in autumn. They need to be pushed back before we go deep into their lands. An active cavalry army at the army's rear isn't something we can ignore."
He looked at the board. "Second, Bulgar and the remaining cities need to fall in this campaign season. All of them."
