what

not lost time, exactly," said Saben. "Now we know how many of them, and what equipment—"
"Too many," said Canna. "Over three hundred foot and a hundred horse. If the whole Company was here, it wouldn't be an easy fight."
"At least he's obvious," said Paks. "A force that size will be seen—someone's bound to tell the Duke even if we fail."
"Don't forget those farmers—he may be killing everyone he sees."
"Come on, Canna; he can't kill everyone on the road between here and Rotengre. Traders come this way, and—"
"Saben, from what I've heard of him, he'll kill anyone who stands in his way."
They had turned east across the fields, and come to the caravan road well beyond the patrol's