Foreman Brant dropped his brass measuring rule when the third bell sounded and twenty-four mounted mercenaries crested the eastern ridge.
Toma returned from the decoy convoy at the river bend after handing its lead wagon to Jonas for the planned ambush.
"They are waving ducal inspection banners, Lord Hajin!" the mason shouted, pointing toward the lead rider dressed in lacquered scale armor.
"They brought a formal confiscation notice demanding immediate seizure of all unrefined ore in the name of the provincial governor!"
Hajin stood atop the eastern revetment wall, observing the mercenary troop through a brass spyglass with sharp tactical composure.
"Twenty-four riders in the vanguard formation," he counted calmly, noting the composite crossbows slung across their saddle horns.
"And six reserve horsemen concealed inside the box elder thicket three hundred yards behind them," Juna added, her ears swiveling toward the brush.
