The sun had just risen, and the silent military camp began to come alive. Guards practiced their techniques in front of the pavilion, their weapons tracing brilliant arcs of light through the air. Smoke from cooking rose beside the barracks as cooks navigated through the bustling crowd, delivering food to the simple tables.
The smell of gunpowder and noise filled the entire camp. On the grass, five or six fine horses moved slowly, their manes flying as they dashed to and fro under the soldiers' training. From within the camp, one could gaze out over the entire field for half the day;
