Corporal Trubacik was amused. Youre all young men. In prime shape, I hear. You should be able to do it walking backward.

Bragi said little the next few days. He went through the exercises and drills numbly. Haaken finally asked, You all right? Sure you dont want to bow out?

I started it. Ill finish it. I just have trouble when I think about dying out there. Wherever. They had not been told where they were going.

Bragi could not buy all the brotherhood of the Guild. He felt solidarity with his squad and company, of course. That was one function of the training program. A group went through Hell together and learned to depend upon one another. But the larger belonging that made the Guild had not infected him. The honor and nobility had not become tangible to him. And that worried him. Those things were important to both his superiors and to his comrades. They made the Guild what it was.

He tried hard to sell himself. It was like trying to force sleep. Self-defeating.

It seemed to take forever arriving, but Shielding Day did come. All the grand old men, the great and famous generals, came down from the Citadel to review the recruits and make speeches. They kept their remarks refreshingly brief. The Castellan, the senior member of the order present, apologized because the recruits would have no opportunity to enjoy the leave traditional after completing training.

Then came the final ceremony, when each new Guildsman was awarded the shield of a Guild footsoldier. Each had to go before the assembly to accept. Trainees who had excelled received honor ribbons with their shields. Bragi was awarded one for having had the best squad during inspections.

The award embarrassed him terribly. He hustled back into line. His comrades grinned wolfishly. He knew he would not hear the end of it soon. He examined shield and ribbons, found a lump rising in his throat, felt his pride swelling. Damn, he murmured. They got to me after all.

Corporal Trubacik bellowed, Up and at them, lads. Up and at them. Its another glorious day in the outfit. He whipped blankets off the new young soldiers. Lets go. Lets go. You know the drill. Company formation in half an hour. Out the door he went, leaving the lamp turned a little higher.

Damn, Reskird said. Aint nothing changed. I hoped wed at least get to sleep in.

Bragi did not say anything. He got his soap and razor and stumbled to the lavatory. His head was stuffed up and his temper was foul. He washed and shaved in silence, refusing to respond to jibes about his ribbon.

Fall in! Trubacik bellowed across the parade yard. Platoon leaders, report! The platoon sergeants turned and bellowed for reports from the squads. Bragi reported all present and accounted for without checking. Nobody had missed muster yet.