The group returned with their troops to the Temporary Camp James was building.
When they arrived, James saw that everything in camp was normal. Sulke also confirmed that no new movements by the Barbarian Tribes had been reported from the front.
The three men relaxed. At least they did not have to worry about fighting yet, and they still had time to plan.
Knowing that Markut's and Brown's troops had arrived after a forced march, James suggested letting them rest first.
Viscount Brown initially resisted. He wanted to take his cavalry to the front for a look, but James and Markut talked him out of it. Since the Barbarian Tribes had made no move, there was no need to invite trouble.
The two viscounts ordered their troops to rest and wait for the rest of their forces to arrive.
James's troops had already completed their battle preparations. With the private armies of the two viscounties now present, he felt more confident.
James ordered every miner at the Redrock Iron Mine to stop work and help build defenses at the Temporary Camp. Fortunately, the mine had plenty of building materials and tools. The more people they put to work, the faster construction would go.
James took his territory's cavalry to patrol the perimeter while his remaining troops held the Temporary Camp. Viscount Markut's and Viscount Brown's forces stayed in camp to rest.
Time passed. By evening, the rest of Brown's and Markut's private armies had arrived, and the Temporary Camp's defenses had begun to take shape. James and the others felt a little more confident that they could hold the position.
Night was nearly upon them, and none of the three believed the Barbarians would launch a surprise attack after dark. If they made it through the night, more reinforcements from