“Go on,” he said, trying out a kindly smile. “Do you have a message for me?”

She whispered in that scrap of a mouse’s voice. “An eagle’s dropped in. Carrying a—” Her voice faded, and he barely caught the last two words. “—Qin soldier.”

“Aui!” He straightened.

“The hells!” muttered Medard. “I don’t trust those outlanders with their funny eyes and their strut. I hope you’re not going to make us eat with one of them.”

Joss laughed, although he wanted to slug the horse’s ass. “That’s funny, I recall one of the Qin soldiers remarking the same thing. I wonder why that might be.”

With a grin to point the sting, he left before Medard could decide whether a retort was worth the risk of insulting his new marshal. Siras scrambled after.

As Joss walked alongside the girl, he considered his position within the reeve hall as an outsider brought in to restore order. He couldn’t decide if the night’s dance with Verena would earn approval or disdain from the hall at large, and so far no one was ready to challenge him to his face. Medard’s carping seemed of a piece with his personality, nothing serious. So far.

Out on the parade ground, a fawkner and his assistant had raced up to take charge of the newly arrived eagle on its high perch. The reeve was unhooking a Qin soldier from the harness that allowed a reeve to haul a passenger hooked in front.

When he saw Joss approaching, the Qin soldier spoke a word to the reeve and then came over. “Marshal Joss!”

“Tohon, greetings of the day to you. I’m surprised a man of your position among the Qin was chosen for messenger duty.” He grinned, because the other man was a little white about the eyes, like a panicked horse.

Tohon was a man willing to laugh at himself, as well as being a superb scout. “I was the only one brave enough to volunteer. Hu! A good horse under me is all I need! Not wings. Still.” He eyed the eagle, whose feathers were ruffled as it decided whether to settle in or take off. He glanced heavenward, to the eagles circling above. “It’s amazing how much you can see from up there.”

“True enough. A man of your skills can truly appreciate it. What’s your report?”

“We are tracking down the remnants of the Star army as it runs north. We need more reeves out on patrol. They can spot soldiers hiding, or those lagging back. I will tell you this.” He scraped a hand through hair mussed by the wind. He was a man somewhat older than Joss, stocky, fit, and as tough as they came. Entirely ruthless, Joss suspected, when it came to the honor and safety of his captain. “There are refugees everywhere. They wander down the roads, they get in our way, they beg for help or throw rocks at us. What do you want us to do with them?” He paused, and when Joss did not reply right away, went on. “We cannot restore order when so many landsmen wander away from their homes. Also, soldiers from the army can walk among the refugees and pretend to be what they are not.”