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Adrina gestured towards the older of the two

'You rememberthe noble lord'

Adrina's uncle returned Thunder's bow and gave a short speech, praising Thunder for his dedicated service to the House of Ap-Cronwyn and his support of trade between the Catti and Ibero He reached beneath his robes and produced a richly decorated dagger, saying it was a modest token of the esteem in which Thunder was held by the copper, tin and lead suild of his home province

Thunder replied with a short speech of his own, using soe 'I regret that I have no adequate gift in return,' he said 'I beg the noble lord to excuse me The noble lord's arrival was unexpected'

Adrina's uncle smiled 'To be in your presence, noble Thunder, is more than sufficient'

Never one to be impressed by southern manners, Thunder turned his attention to the second man who stood squarely before him in his sealskins and tall boots He felt certain he'd seen him before Suddenly, he remembered where

'The noble lord has not introduced his companion'

Adrina's uncle turned towards the other nito He is a good friend froht his ared by senior officers in the I' he barked in a crisp, military voice

'General Marcelo Bollino, Deputy Coion' The Count barked back and returned the salute

Thunder was oddly gratified It was the first time he had been treated as an equal by an officer of the I apart

'What brings you here, General?'

'My men are stationed on the island'

'I've just inspected them,' Thunder said 'The Sky Warrior tellsbuffoon would think that' General Bollino snorted 'I can't understand why you people chose him as your War Master The ainst you at Baddon Marsh'

'That was a long tio'

'Notieneral sht us at Baddon Marsh The drink has got to himand so have the women'

'You still haven't told me why you're here'