The smoke from the rifle volley was still drifting across the yard in pale grey layers when the company came through the gate. Col stepped out of the passage and took stock of the ground ahead.
Forty or fifty mercenaries were visible through the thinning haze. Some had reached the center of the yard and stood ready with weapons drawn.
Others had already recognized the danger and were moving toward the barracks at the far end. The door stood open, men pushing through it in both directions. Some were retreating inside. Others had just emerged and were trying to make sense of the bodies scattered across the ground.
At the checkpoint building, mercenaries had formed up with swords drawn, waiting to intercept the company squads entering through the gate.
The squads hit them before Col could redirect anyone.
Steel rang across the yard and the battle fractured immediately into a dozen separate fights.
Three problems, Col thought. Not much time before the garrison got itself organized.
