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Mulch staggered into vieung to the captain The man’s face hite, his eyes wide He stu Go away, damn you ’Let’s hear it, Healer’

’It’s -- it’s all right, Captain Trotts will make it-’

’And Mallet?’

’Superficial wounds -- I’ll take care of those, sir He lives -- don’t ask me how-’

’Leave me, Mulch’

’Sir?’

’Go Back to Mallet Get out ofhis back to theaway The captain shut his eyes, waiting for the agony of his gut to resuain like a fist of fire But all was quiescent within him He wiped at his eyes, drew a deep breath No-one dies We ’re all getting out of here Better tell Humbrall Taur Trotts has won his claim and damn the rest of you to Hood!

Fifteen paces away, Mulch and Aihten, watching as Paran adjusted his sword belt, watching as he strode towards Humbrall Taur’s command tent

’He’s a hard bastard,’ the healer hut winter,’ Ai ’Mallet looked a dead man there for a time’

’For a time, he damn near was’

The two men were silent for a while, then Mulch leaned to one side and spat ’Captain ht make it after all,’ he said

’Aye,’ Aiht’

’Hey!’ one of the soldiers nearby shouted ’Look at that ridge! Ain’t that Detoran? And there’s Spindle -- they’re carrying somebody between ’em!’

’Probably Quick Ben,’ Mulch said, straightening ’Played too long in his warrens Idiot’

’Mages,’ Aimless sneered ’Who needs the lazy bastards anyway?’

’Mages, huh? And what about healers, Corporal?’

The thened even ood, Mulch Daood I meant wizards and sorcerers and the like-’