Arrival

The old archer shook his head. "Nope. That's just what nobles like you never see. I won't be sorry, but I do wish you luck." 

He chuckled. "We had twenty thousand men when we went into battle at Chevin." He nodded again. "The king has what – four thousand?" 

He laughed, and it was a nasty laugh. "Can I offer you a bite of meat?"

Talking to the peasants had caused Li Zhuang to fall behind, and when he rode up the far bank, chewing on meat, he found himself in the midst of the Borderers. He rode forward until he was among the liveried warriors, the professionals, who rode around the Count of the Borders.