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Knowing well Amaris could do little to help on that negotiation, she simply focused on gathering as much information as she could about their surroundings and the movements of the other soldiers. In case the negotiations failed, violence would be the only outcome and she wanted to be ready for that possibility.



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If one observed the camp thoroughly, it seemed to be populated by no less than 60 soldiers, judging from the amount of tents. Its wooden fortification was two and a half meters high, made of logs with pointed ends, and no wall-walk at all. The sentries in the tower had focused all of their attention on the parleying party, but no weapons were raised yet. 

Curiously, nearly half of the soldiers stationed there did not look as combat-ready as the rest of their peers. They were poorly armed, seemed physically less sturdy, and some could be seen doing menial tasks like unloading the rotten grains and cleaning swords and boots, all while the better-equipped soldiers busied themselves with dinner or recreational activity. Though some of the common grunts could be seen observing the party from the distance, they could only go as far as the three bloodied logs at the center of the garrison, where the poor ealdorman was shackled, waiting for his cruel executioner. 

And when the lashing began, the number of spectators multiplied. Apparently, the news about the subtraction of their provision was a bigger issue than a bunch of nobles causing troubles in their governed land. 

So, if one worried that the negotiation would turn sour, safe to say that it would take a while for the red stripes to completely swarm them. However, the sentries in the towers might need some sophisticated work to take out, and regarding the commander, none of us knew what he was capable of yet.