“They’re last year’s recruits—well, we still count them as recruits until they’ve been in battle. It takes almost a year to make a soldier from a raw youth.” They rode on a little way, and Arcolin said, “If you’re willing, I’ll tell Arneson when I next send a courier—you can await his reply.”

“Thank you,” Halar said. “I—that’s very generous of you.”

“Not at all,” Arcolin said.

“If you permit … I could send one of my men to your stronghold now.”

“Your son’s that eager?” Arcolin said.

“Yes. And his mother’s that worried that he’ll run off and get himself killed right away.”

“Very well,” Arcolin said. He signaled a halt, reined off the road, and spoke to Cracolnya. “March them on, Captain; I’ll catch up within a half-glass. I’m sending a message north by Count Halar’s man.”

“Yes, my lord.” In a moment, the cohorts were moving again, marching steadily past Arcolin and Count Halar. Arcolin wondered if Halar noticed the older troops in the mixed cohort. He dismounted, rummaged in his saddlebag for writing materials, and scrawled a note to Captain Arneson, suggesting that he take on Count Halar’s son as his squire but giving him the choice and bidding him send word either way to Count Halar.

Halar’s man saluted and rode off at a brisk pace. Arcolin mounted, and he and Halar caught up with the troop. “You should have an answer by the time you’re back from the city,” he said. “And if he goes, he should have no more than two mounts and clothes he can work in. We’re not fancy up there.”

Halar nodded. “Kaim’s not one for fine clothes and dances. I’ll say this for him, father as I am: he works and doesn’t quit once he’s started a task.”

“Sounds as if he’ll suit,” Arcolin said.

Once in Vérella, Arcolin reported to the palace while the recruits marched on through the city and out onto the south road to wait for him.

At the palace he was quickly immersed in all that had happened with Beclan Mahieran.

“And he’s now Duke Verrakai’s kirgan,” the servant leading him to the king’s study said.

“Count Arcolin,” the king said. “Welcome. You’re on your way south?”

“Yes, sir king. If possible, I should continue on today. It’s best not to overnight a cohort of inexperienced troops next to a city.”

“Understood. Are the gnomes well settled?”

“Yes. And as the dragon promised, we’ve had no difficulty with Pargunese to the east. I’ve asked my recruit captain to enlarge the recruit cohort this year—”