Chapter 54: History Book II

Halstern’s death left the Draumet forces leaderless, and they began to collapse. Many of them fled, but the soldiers of the royal household gathered around Halstern’s body and fought to the end. The Hereninn began to pursue the fleeing troops, and except for a rearguard action at a site known as the "Malfisse", the battle was over. Exactly what happened at the Malfisse, or "Evil Ditch", and where it took place, is unclear. It occurred at a small fortification or set of trenches where some Draumetmen rallied and seriously wounded Eustace of Boustera before being defeated by the Hereninn.

Halstern’s defeat was probably due to several circumstances. One was the need to defend against two almost simultaneous invasions. The fact that Halstern had dismissed his forces in southern Draumet on 8 September also contributed to the defeat. Many historians fault Halstern for hurrying south and not gathering more forces before confronting Segwaren at Kaihon, although it is no