The Styrian grinned at him. 'I wasn't so much in the battle as just behind it. I've always felt the very front is a poor place to fight from. No one can hear you with all the clatter. That, and the chances of being killed there are really very high.'

'Doubtless. How did it go for us?'

'The Gurkish are still outside, so I'd say, as far as battles go, it went well. I doubt the dead would agree with me, but who cares a shit for their opinion?' He scratched happily at his neck. 'We did well today. But tomorrow, and the day after, who can say? Still no chance of reinforcement?' Glokta shook his head and the Styrian took in a sharp breath. 'It's all the same to me, of course, but you may want to consider a withdrawal while we still hold the bay.'

Everyone would like to withdraw. Even me. Glokta snorted. 'The Closed Council hold my leash, and they say no. The King's honour will not permit it, they inform me, and apparently his honour is more valuable than our lives.'

Cosca raised his brows. 'Honour, eh? What the hell is that anyway? Every man thinks it's something different. You can't drink it. You can't fuck it. The more of it you have the less good it does you, and if you've got none at all you don't miss it.' He shook his head. 'But some men think it's the best thing in the world.'

'Uh,' muttered Glokta, licking at his empty gums. Honour is worth less than one's legs, or one's teeth. A lesson I paid dearly for. He peered towards the shadowy outline of the land walls, studded with burning bonfires. The vague sounds of fighting could still be heard, the odd flaming arrow soared high into the air and fell in the ruined slums. Even now, the bloody business continues. He took a deep breath. 'What are our chances of holding out for another week?'

'Another week?' Cosca pursed his lips. 'Reasonable.'

'Two weeks?'

'Two?' Cosca clicked his tongue. 'Less good.'

'Which would make a month a hopeless cause.'

'Hopeless would be the word.'

'You seem almost to revel in the situation.'

'Me? I've made a speciality from hopeless causes.' He grinned at Glokta. 'These days, they're the only ones that will have me.'

I know the feeling. 'Hold the land walls as long as you can, then pull back. The walls of the Upper City must be our next line of defence.'

Cosca's grin could just be seen shining in the darkness. 'Hold as long as we can, and then pull back! I can hardly wait!'