Page 438 (1/1)

’Aye, sir,’ she said ’Behind you, beside the hearth’

Antsy reached for the clay jug, rose to pour Baruk a cup

’All right,’ Picker said in a loud voice, walking over ’So, this is it Fine The fire’s warh, and I for one am ready for some stories to be told -- no, not you, Kruppe We’ve heard yours Now, Baruk here, and Coll and Murillio for thatof Coral’

Coll slowly leaned forward ’So, you’ll finally talk, will you? It’s about time, Picker’

’Not me,’ she replied ’Not to start, anyway Captain? Refill your cup, sir, and weave us a tale’

The rimaced, then shook his head ’I’d like to, Picker’

’Too close,’ Spindle gru away

’Hood’s breath, what a miserable bunch!’

’Sure,’ Spindle snapped, ’a story to break our hearts all over again! What’s the value in that?’

A rough, broken voice replied, ’There is value’

Everyone fell silent, turned to Duiker

The I them with dark eyes ’Value Yes I think, much value But not yours, soldiers Not yet Too soon for you Too soon’

’Perhaps,’ Baruk ht in that We ask too much-’

’Of them Yes’ The old man looked down once more at the cloth in his hands

The silence stretched

Duiker an to turn back to her co ’Very well, perht To break your hearts once s Of Coltaine of the Crow Clan, newly come Fist to the 7th Army …’