The Wahlig sucked spittle between his teeth. I see. He considered Bragi and Haaken. Arent these the lads who brought him out of the pass?

The same. Making a career, arent they?

So it would aeem. See to Harouns injuries, then get their stories. And Ill want to talk to you once were finished down here.

As you will.

Fuad. Lets go. The Wahlig and his brother rode on into the confusion.

Can we go now? Bragi asked.

By all means. Megelin eyed Haroun, who could not conceal his trepidation. Itll be all right, lad. But you did get out of hand. Just as you did at Al Rhemish.

Haroun forced a laugh. Didnt have a choice.

Thats debatable. Nevertheless, it turned out well. Assuming we save your teeth. I hope you have it out of your system now.

What?

The rebellion. The foolishness. Youre young. You have a lot of years left, if you dont squander them. These lads wont always be around.

Haroun closed his eyes, shivered. He had been a fool, throwing himself in like he was one of El Murids Invincibles, with never a thought to how he would get away. There were a lot of tomorrows, and through thoughtlessness hed nearly squandered his share. He owed the northerners more than he had realized.

Megelin scowled.

Well? the Wahlig demanded.

Radetic looked at Hawkwind. The Generals leathery countenance remained blank. His vote was present, nothing more. Megelin considered Fuad. The Wahligs brother was abubble with rage. He had an ally there, but he and Fuad made a pathetic marriage of purpose.

Megelin recalled an instructor who had intimidated him terribly in his youth. It had taken him a decade to conquer his unreasoning fright. And only then had he been able to analyze what the man had done. He adopted the fellows method now.

For more years than I care to recall I have slaved thanklessly in this armpit of the world. Excessive ferocity and bombast were the keys, accompanied by exaggerated gestures and body movement. These wakened the father-fear in ones listeners. Time and again have you asked my advice. Time and again have you ignored it. Time and again have I prepared to return home, only to have my will thwarted. I have fought for you. I have suffered for you. I have wasted a career for you. I have endured ceaseless, senseless humiliation at the hands of your family and men. All for the sake of salvaging a rockpile in the middle of nowhere, a rockpile that protects a godforsaken wasteland, inhabited only by barbarians, from the predations of bandits whose mercies the land most assuredly deserves.