Catcher laughed. Yes. Every one a hypocrite. But there isnt a one like Whisper. This is incredible, Croaker. How did she unearth so many secrets? How did she get my name? I had it hidden perfectly. I admire her. Truly. Such genius. Such audacity. A strike through Lords, across the Windy Country, and up the Stair of Tear. Incredible. Impossible. And it would have worked but for the accident of the Black Company, and you. Youll be rewarded. I guarantee it. But enough of this. Ive got work to do. Nightcrawler needs this information. The Lady has to see these papers.

I hope youre right, I grumbled. Kick ass, then take a break. Im worn out. Weve been humping and fighting for a year.

Dumb remark, Croaker. I felt the chill of the frown inside the black morion. How long had Soulcatcher been humping and fighting? An age. You go on now, he told me. Ill talk to you and Raven later. Cold, cold voice. I got the hell out of there.

It was all over in Lords when we got there. Nightcrawler had moved fast and had hit hard. You could not go anywhere without finding Rebels hanging from the trees and lampposts. The Company went into barracks expecting a quiet, boring winter, and a spring spent chasing Rebel leftovers back to the great northern forests.

Ah, it was a sweet illusion while it lasted.

Tonk! I said, slapping down five face cards given me on the deal. Ha! Double, you guys. Double. Pay up.

One-Eye grumbled and growled and shoved coins across the table. Raven chuckled. Even Goblin perked up enough to smile. One-Eye had not won a hand all morning, even when he cheated.

Thank you, Gentlemen. Thank you. Deal, One-Eye.

Whatre you doing, Croaker? Eh? How are you doing it?

The hand is quicker than the eye, Elmo suggested.

Just clean living, One-Eye. Clean living.

The Lieutenant shoved through the door, face drawn into a fierce scowl. Raven. Croaker. The Captain wants you. Chop-chop. He surveyed the various card games. You degenerates.

One-Eye sniffed, then worked up a wan smile. The Lieutenant was a worse player than he.

I looked at Raven. The Captain was his buddy. But he shrugged, tossed his cards in. I filled my pockets with any winnings and followed him to the Captains office.

Soulcatcher was there. We had not seen him since that day at the edge of the forest. I had hoped he had gotten too busy to get back to us. I looked at the Captain, trying to divine the future from his face. I saw that he was not happy.

If the Captain was not happy, I wasnt.

Sit, he said. Two chairs were waiting. He prowled around, fidgeting. Finally, he said, We have movement orders. Straight from Charm. Us and Nightcrawlers whole brigade. He gestured toward Soulcatcher, passing the explaining to him.