They rode down the torchlit paths between the tents at a walk, so that the two bodyguards could keep pace afoot, until they came to the first campfire of common footsoldiers. As fighters did, the world around, they had gathered around their common fire, and there was talk, some rough joking, a small cask of beer to be shared. It all stopped, when two Companions loomed up out of the darkness. It ceased altogether, when they dismounted, their officer (good man! thought Alberich) recognized Selenay and scrambled to his feet, then tried to drop to one knee. “Highness!” he stammered, as Selenay prevented him from going down by taking his elbow and keeping him erect.

“Just Selenay—ah—lieutenant?” she replied, her cheeks going pink.

“Lieutenant Chorran, Ma’am,” he said, his cheeks pinker than hers, his eyes anxious under an unruly thatch of dark hair.

“Well, then, Lieutenant Chorran, would you make me known to your men?” she replied with admirable composure. If Alberich hadn’t known this was her first foray out into an army camp, he would never have guessed it.

She stood, hands clasped gravely behind her back, as Lieutenant Chorran introduced her to every one of the round-eyed men encircling the fire. When he was done, she picked one at random. “So, Nort Halfden—what part of the world are you from?” she asked, as if his answer was something she burned to hear.

“Boarsden, Ma’am, east of Haven,” he replied, looking as if he was having to concentrate to keep from tugging his strawberry-blond forelock at her.

“I know it; good grain country.” She smiled at him, and he looked about to faint, yet couldn’t help beaming with pride. “And perfectly lovely morel mushrooms in the forest in the spring.”

“Aye, Ma’am!” he enthused, losing a little of his shyness. “That there be!” She gave him a nod of encouragement, and he warmed to his subject. “Why, there’s a copse just by our duck pond that—”

That was all it took; he was off about his father’s farm, and that led her to single out others who looked as if they were losing their awe of her to want to boast about their own lands. A leading question or two was all it needed; she just gave them a cue, and let them run on. This lot was all farm folk, though from differing parts of Valdemar; companies were made up of men (and women, though it would have to be a sturdy wench who was in the pikes) who came into the force at about the same time, so that they all worked through training together and got to know one another well. Alberich approved of the arrangement; it created cohesiveness.