‘Look, there was nothing I could do then. You saw how it was.’

‘All right,’ said Albert.

‘Listen, Albert,’ said Colby. ‘I know you think it’s unfair on Marcus, the way things happened. Believe me, I do too. But there was no alternative, really. If he was guilty, he couldn’t be allowed to leave, and you saw how he refused to cooperate.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’

Colby looked him in the eye. ‘I promise you,’ he said steadily, ‘if he’s innocent, I will speak up for him, although I have no say in this. Even if it means going against the commander, or Father, or whomever. You have my word. I don’t want another death on my conscience.’

‘You mean they’ll execute him?’

‘If he’s found guilty, yes.’

‘But you said another death. What other death?’

Colby gave a short, bitter laugh. ‘Death? Say deaths!’

Albert looked straight at him. ‘It wasn’t your fault, Colby.’

‘It doesn’t matter. They were under my command. I failed those men, pure and simple.’

‘There was nothing you could have done.’

‘It was my unit, my team.’

‘Again, there was nothing you could have done.’

‘Wasn’t there?’

‘No. Look, I was there. I know.’

‘Maybe you should try telling that to their families.’

Albert looked at him sombrely for a moment. ‘For what it’s worth, Colby, I’m sorry.’

Colby nodded. ‘I should get going.’

‘All right,’ said Albert.

Colby nodded and turned to leave, then turned around again. ‘Think you’d care to join me and the boys for breakfast in the morning? We usually meet at mine. It’s not far from here.’

‘Sure. That sounds good.’

‘Great. I’ll come get you in the morning.’

‘Thanks,’ said Albert. Then, with a pang, he remembered Theo, now sleeping peacefully inside, whom he had neglected most of the day. With what everyone was saying about how things were here, especially considering the girl’s seemingly boundless talent for getting into scrapes, perhaps leaving her to her own devices was not an idea that would leave future generations teary-eyed with wonder and gratitude.

‘All right if I bring Theo with me?’

‘Sure. Bring whomever you like. Whomever.’ Winking meaningfully at Albert, he left.

Albert turned around, feeling suddenly self-conscious. He went into the tent, the cloth folds of the entrance draping around him like tentacles, then falling back into place as he walked past.