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’We were just discussing that,’ Mallet said, his round face flushed ’It’s healed badly Needs serious attention-’

’Later,’ the bearded corowled ’Captain Paran, have the squads assembled in two bells -- have you decided what to do hat’s left of the Ninth?’

’Aye, they’ll join what’s left of Sergeant Antsy’s squad’

Whiskeyjack frowned ’Give ot Corporal Picker, and … let’s see … Spindle, Blend, Detoran So, with Mallet here, and Hedge, Trotts and Quick Ben-’

’Quick Ben and Spindle are now cadre es, Captain But you’ll have theuess Antsy will be happy enough-’

Mallet snorted ’Happy? Antsy don’t know theof the word’

Paran’s eyes narrowed ’I take it, then, that the Bridgeburners won’t bewith the rest of the Host’

’No, you won’t be -- we’ll go into that back at Pale, though’ Whiskeyjack’s flat grey eyes studied the captain for a eburners left -- not much of a company If you prefer, Captain, you can decline the position There’s a few companies of elite marines short on officers, and they’re used to noble-borns co them …’

There was silence

Paran turned away Dusk was co up the slopes of the surrounding hillsides, a spatter of diht take a knife in the back, is what he’s tellingdislike for noble-born officers A year ago he would have spoken those words out loud, in the belief that baring ugly truths was a good thing to do The uided notion that it was the soldier’s hen in fact it’s the opposite that is a soldier’s way In a world full of pitfalls and sinkholes, you dance the edges Only fools ju besides He’d felt knives enter his body once Wounds that should have been fatal Thehe could sinorant bravado He knew that, and the twohim knew it as well ’I still,’ Paran said, eyes on the darkness devouring the south road, ’would consider it an honour to coht have the opportunity to prove myself worthy of such soldiers’

Whiskeyjack grunted ’As you like, Captain The offer ree your mind’

Paran faced hirinned ’For a little while longer, anyway’

A huge, dark-skinned figure e Seeing both Whiskeyjack and Paran, the woaze on the co turned over, sir We’re all co in, as ordered’

’Why are you telling me, soldier?’ Whiskeyjack rumbled ’You talk to your immediate superior’

The woman scowled, pivoted to face Paran ’The watch-’

’I heard, Detoran Have the Bridgeburners get their gear and assemble in the compound’