That should not be hard for them to figure out. The Companys contract made the Captain virtual military dictator for a year. Croaker had not used the power. I did not expect to. But it was there if needed.

Go. I have work to do.

They went. Quietly. Thoughtfully.

Well, Narayan said after they left. Well.

Now they know Im no fainter. Now they know Im mission-oriented and dont care who I stomp if they get in the way.

Theyre bad men to make enemies.

They make the choice. Yes! I know. But theyre confused. Itll take them a while to decide what to do. Then theyll all get in each others ways. Ive bought time. I need intelligence sources, Narayan. Find Ram. Tell him I want those men he brought to me earlier. Its time to look at those sites. Before he could argue, I added, And tell him if he plans to keep on being my shadow hed better learn to ride. I expect to be moving around a lot, now.

Yes, Mistress. He hurried off, paused just before he left, looked back, frowned. He was wondering who was using who and who had the upper hand. Good. Let him. While he was wondering Id get my foundations set solidly.

The men in the mess hall all stared at me with varying degrees of awe. Few met my gaze. Rest while you can, soldiers. The sands are running through the glass.

I went to my quarters to wait for Ram.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Croaker stared into the drizzly night, fingers nervously twisting strands of grass. One of the horses made a sound out there. He thought about walking over there, mounting up bareback, riding away. He would stand a fifty-fifty chance of staying ahead.

Except that things had changed. Now Catcher did not have to catch up physically.

He held up the figure he had made, a man shape two inches tall. The grass gave off a garlic odor. He shrugged, flipped it out into the rain, took more strands of grass from a pocket. He had made hundreds now. Grass figures had become a sort of measure of time.

A steady banging came from behind him. He turned away from the night, walked slowly toward the woman. She had produced a set of armorers tools from somewhere. This was the second day running she had spent building something. Obviously black armor, but why?

She glanced at the horse figure he was twisting. I may get you some paper and ink.

Would you? There was a lot he wanted to set down. He had grown used to keeping a journal.

I may. Thats no pastime for a grown man.

He shrugged, put the horse aside. Take a break. Time to check you over.