9.

 

Lieutenant Mills, a short, middle-aged woman with close-cropped, graying hair, reported to Heast after he arrived on the roof of The Pale House: “Steel suffered light losses in the attack on the mill, sir,” she said. “They are now fighting in a retreat up the main street and taking more losses there. They’re not yet within range of our archers, but will be shortly.”

“Tell the Fifth Division to be ready.” He took the eyepiece off her, limped to the edge of the building, and placed it against his eye. “Then send up the first flare.”