Page 385 (1/2)

Paran slowly sat up ’There’s plenty of soldiers aroundtouch h, sir, only Dujek said-’

’I’ll carry my scars, Healer See what you can do with these wounded Nohere will I find the High Fist and Quick Ben?’

’Headquarters, Captain That big chamber-’

’I know it’ Paran rose, stood for anausea passed ’Now, a more important question -- where aht down’

’Thanks’

The captain slowly threaded through the rows of wounded ht, he saw, had been bad -- but not as bad as it uard commanded the tunnel’s entrance By their kit, they’d yet to draw blades Their officer waved the captain past without a word

Thirty paces later, Paran reached the chah Fist Dujek, Quick Ben and Lieutenant Picker were seated at thefro above them All three turned in their chairs as the captain entered

Dujek scowled ’Didn’t Mallet find you?’

’He did, High Fist I am fine’

’You’ll be seaed ’So, what has happened? The Beklites don’t like fighting at night?’

’They’ve withdrawn,’ Dujek replied ’And before you ask, no, it wasn’t because ere too hard -- they could’ve pushed, and if they had we’d be doubletiht now -- those few of us still able to draw breath, that is Only one of those condors ca here, Captain, trying to figure out e got off so easy’

’Any possible answers to that, sir?’

’Only one We think Whiskeyjack and Brood are closing fast The Seer doesn’t want his forces tangled up with us when they arrive He also doesn’t want to risk any more of his dah,’ Quick Benaged, almost bent as he leaned on the table with both arms, bleary, red-webbed eyes fixed on the table’s scarred surface

Nuh Fist ’Mallet said ere asse, sir Since Lieutenant Picker is here, I assueburners’

’We do We were just waiting for you, Captain’

Paran nodded, said nothing