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Blend nudged her ’Congratulations -- oh, I suppose I should have saluted’

’Shut up,’ Picker growled ’But you’re right on one thing -- don’t ever buain, woman’

’That’s a hard order to follow sir’

Paran drained the last of his tea and straightened ’I’ve only got one order for you, Lieutenant’

She looked up at hieburners,’ Paran said, and his expression was suddenly severe ’Keep theether, Lieutenant’

’Uh, yes, sir’

They watched Paran return to his horse and lead it away

Neither wohed ’Let’s go to bed, Picker’

’Aye’

They sta around them, Blend stepped closer and hooked her arm around Picker’s

’It’s all down,’ she ht hides …’

To Hood it is It’s all down to what the captain was saying behind what he said That’s what I need to figure out So peacefully for Lieutenant Picker

They strode fro embers and were sed by darkness

Mo their faint silver light down on the caeburners The oft-patched tents were colourless in the dull, spectral glow A scene that was ghostly and strangely ti its own kind of peace

Whiskeyjack entered Dujek’s coh Fist was prepared for him Hooded lantern on caoat cheese Dujek himself sat in one of the chairs, head lowered in sleep