Three hundred yards out, the camp came into view from a low ridge on the northeast of the oasis. A natural depression sheltered six large tents, a recently reinforced fire, and twenty-eight mercenaries.
Godmar judged them at a glance. They were men who had received warning, understood danger was coming, and no longer had enough time left to prepare properly.
About eight occupied a low earthen embankment on the camp's eastern side. Another ten were spread across the open ground between the tent rows. The rest were somewhere behind the far row of tents. That meant either a secondary position had been prepared there or several men had chosen a particularly poor place to be when the attack arrived.
Godmar turned toward Brant, another captain, without slowing.
"Volley at eighty."
The contingent closed the remaining distance. The marching force unfolded into rifle formation at eighty yards.
