This excerpt takes place during the battle to retake King Espen's compound.

The archers were quickly becoming less effective; the missiles either lodging in the wall or deflecting without decisive result. And too, the quivers were fast being depleted. "Be more careful now. Aim for their legs, arms, heads. Slow your work and pick your targets!"
     A man close in front of Brand fell back on the ground with a groan; then, reached a shaking hand to his lower left leg. An arrow, its blade and lower shaft covered with blood and pieces of flesh, was stuck through it. A half stride further on, the king's sword blade was struck, the impact causing a hand-numbing vibration before the arrow glanced up into the trees.
     Espen approached Brand's side, "Look, near the back of the wharf, my friend. Razer's standard! He it is that stands next to it, I think. Nei, I'm certain of it. The one there!" Espen jerked a hand out and tapped brand's glove with a finger, then pointed in Razer's direction. "There, in the eye guard helmet, the one a head taller than those around him."
     Brand quickly focused on the polished skull and the bear-like man near it, sheathed in a full ring-shirt, protected by a line of guards with shields held high.
     Why had I not looked on him before, Brand wondered. My inexperience has narrowed my sight. That man ordered the death of Vigilant, not in battle, not in single combat, but at a feasting table! Hatred for the man roiled, clinching, grinding teeth threatened to crack, break loose from their sockets. As Brand looked on, considering an order to concentrate arrows toward that king's standard, Ivar made such a shift unnecessary.
     Razar and the contingent around him abandoned their position, moving to join with the main formation; seeking protection behind the shield wall, they advanced to the line's center. The horned skull stopped. For the first time, with the cohort of Bekkland in close assembly, Brand noticed how few their remaining numbers seemed to be. Looking swiftly along the beach and reckoning the encounters at the compound, he was certain they had already taken at least twenty of Razer's warriors out of the fight.
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