Ten mounted guards fanned out beside the falcon-crested carriage while a herald dismounted ahead of the envoy's other waiting attendants. Fifteen men held the boundary as the door opened around three scroll cases and Morlen's refusal to touch the dust.
'They brought paperwork to the road that ate their army, I almost admire that optimism.'
The herald lifted his staff toward the walkway where Taren and Hans waited beside Hajin.
"Lord Chancellor Morlen, envoy of His Grace," he bellowed, striking the boundary stone, "the master of this outpost will present himself for the duke's commands!"
"Present himself?" Hajin snorted, leaning both elbows on the parapet, "what am I, a pie?"
Taren counted the riders, then squinted at the scroll cases inside the carriage.
"Fifteen men, apparently they decided the first vanguard needed more stationery."
