Its hot and dry and theres nothing out there but miles and miles of nothing.

My patrimony for a decent tree. I feel the same sometimes. Radetic patted Bragis shoulder. Homesick, lad?

Bragi blustered then poured out his story. Radetic looked interested, and encouraged him whenever he faltered.

He was homesick. Much as he pretended otherwise, he was just a boy forced into a mans role. He missed his people.

Bragi related his feelings about the defeat. Radetic patted his shoulder again. No need to feel shame there. The General was surprised you held up so well. If theres any blame due, it belongs to him and the Wahlig. They got cocky. And you soldiers paid the price. Id better move along.

Bragi did not understand what the old scholar had done, but he did feel better. And Haaken didnt look half as glum.

Sergeant Trubacik arrived moments later. The Lieutenant wants you, Ragnarson. Get your butt down there.

But

Go.

Bragi went. He shivered all the way, though the day was a scorcher. Now it begins, he thought. Now the repercussions set in.

Sanguinet was set up in a storeroom off the stables. It was a dark, musty room, badly lighted by a single lantern. Bragi knocked on the doorframe. Ragnarson, sir.

Come in. Close the door.

Bragi did as he was told, wishing he were elsewhere. He could tell himself it didnt matter what these people thought, that he knew he had done his best, but it did matter. It mattered very much.

Sanguinet stared for fifteen seconds. Then, Birdsong died this morning.

Im sorry, sir.

So am I. He was a good man. Not much imagination, but he could hold a squad together.

Yes sir.

Im preparing the report. You were there. Tell me how it happened.

We was slogging through that salt water. A stone knicked his elbow. He dropped his shield. Before he got it up again a javelin hit right at the edge of his breastplate. Went in under his arm and got his lung, I guess.

You took over?

Yes sir. The guys were kind of used to me telling them what to do. From training.

You had only one other casualty?

Kildragon, sir. Reskird had gotten excited, broken formation to get at a particular enemy, and had paid the price of indiscipline.

Corporal Stone commanded the squad on your left. He says you held your ground.

I tried...We tried, sir. But we couldnt stand fast when everybody else was pulling back.

No. You couldnt. All right, Ragnarson. You may have the makings. Im entering the promotion in the record. Pay and a half from the day Birdsong was wounded.

Sir? He thought he had missed something.

Youre taking over. Permanent promotion. Subject to the Generals approval. Go back to your men, Corporal.

For half a minute Bragi stood there, dazed, wanting to argue, to protest, or something. This was not what he had expected.

I said youre dismissed, Ragnarson.