The archers were moving south along the right flank. The noise coming through the brush followed the pattern of men changing position, not retreating. They were circling, looking for a clearer shot at the fallen trunk where Aydos and Yilbars had taken cover.
Aydos lay flat behind the trunk with a drawn bow and one wounded man pressed against the wood beside him. If the archers moved far enough south to see over the trunk's height, the cover would fail for both of them.
Siban raised his right hand toward Aydos and pointed east, toward the sound.
Then he turned to Sorhat. Two trees away, Sorhat was still braced against his oak, a shaft through his arm and a knife in his free hand.
"Next tree, left," Siban said, low and restrained.
Sorhat shoved away from the bark and moved. He kept his good shoulder close to the trees as he crossed.
