25
Fire and Blood
It was worse than he hoped for, but about what he expected. Julian counted thirty riders approaching. That meant that Isenholf had almost his entire force with him on this excursion, assuming he was not so stupid as to leave his base completely unmanned. And he was not.
Isenholf was taking this seriously, at least. His expression as he slowed his horse to a slow walk and approached the barricade was not the same mocking, amused smirk that he had worn before. Now his face was a mask of focus and malevolent intent.
Isenholf reined in, halting his horse about twenty feet from the barricade. He took a moment to look it over and made no effort to hide his disapproval.
Behind him, his men arrayed themselves in a loose pack. All were armored as before. About half carried sp
