Chapter XXIX: The Mistress of House Bloodfallen [6]

However, by all suddenness, a clatter of hoofbeats resounded across the field of battle. Slowly, the attention of the warriors was diverted unto the horizon, upon the far south. Emerging from the lengthy stretch of the dirt road was a contingent of leather-clad, hooded figures, all mounted in light horses, tallying over a hundred strong. At its fore was an unmistakably curved frame of a woman accoutered in scale armor painted in crimson, reinforced with boiled leather akin to her retinue. Beside her was the standard bearer, who fluttered the crest of a dark bat whose one wing was arched whilst the other was folded, engraved in a field of a lighter shade of brown.