Commander Dreth reached the eastern pass before noon with the Flint vanguard arranged behind his black campaign wagon.
The column stopped outside the Crown marker, leaving room for supply carts to turn without crossing into Hajin's territory.
Camp crews opened drainage channels before raising tents, while pickets counted every traveler using the public road.
Nothing about the camp looked hurried. Haste spent lives the same way it spent arrows.
Dreth dismounted beside a field table after watching the work until he found three delays his officers had missed.
Kenny remained near the command group with his empty sleeve pinned beneath his cloak.
The younger Flint son studied the Sixth's ridges instead of the soldiers carrying his family colors.
"Report the crossing strength," Dreth said as his quartermaster placed the newest roster beside the survey map.
