It was rougher than any training hike. Dawn to dusk, forty and fifty miles every day, eating pemmican, dried fruit and toasted grain, drinking only water, and occasionally nibbling such fruits as could be purchased from wayside farmers. Living off the land was prohibited, except catch-as-catch-can in the forests. Guildsmen did not plunder, even to support themselves. They were schooled to consider themselves gentlemen, above the savageries of national soldiers.

Kildragon complained. The northern custom was totally opposite.

Day followed day. Mile followed mile. They headed south, ever south, into ever warmer lands. They gained on the veteran company, but couldnt seem to catch it.

A horse troop joined them south and east of Hellin Daimiel. Their dust filled the lungs, parched the throat, and caked upon dried, cracking lips.

I dont like this, Haaken grumbled as they reached a crossroads and turned eastward. There aint nothing out this way.

Kildragon grumped back. What I dont like is getting screwed out of my shielding liberty. I had plans.

Youve said that a hundred times. If you cant sing a new song, dont sing at all.

Well make up for it, Bragi promised. After the victory, when were heroes. He laughed a laugh he did not feel. That morning Sanguinet had assigned the Birdsong squad to the primus, or front battle line.

Sanguinet had grinned over the announcement, explaining, You do good, gentlemen, you work hard, and you reap your reward.

Thus Bragi learned a basic fact: the more a man does, and the better he does it, the more is expected of him. The rewards and gratifications come either as afterthoughts or as carrots meant to get the old mule moving after it realizes that it has been taken.

Bragi was no coward. There was little that he feared. But he had not inherited his fathers battle lust. He was not eager to remain in the primus, which bore the brunt of combat.

Look on the bright side, Reskird said. We get to loaf around on guard duty when the other guys have to dig the trenches and pitch camp.

Bah! Some silver lining. Bragi had a broad lazy streak, but in this case did not feel that escape from the drudge work was sufficient compensation.

Birdsong watched over his shoulder, mustache wriggling. Bragi bared his teeth and growled. Birdsong laughed. You know what they say. A bitching soldier is a happy soldier.

Then Reskird is the happiest fool on earth, Haaken grumbled. A hog up to his collar in slops.

Birdsong chuckled. Every rule has its exceptions.

Where are we going, Corporal? Bragi asked.

They havent told me yet. But were headed east. There isnt anything east of here but the border forts facing the Sahel.

The Sahel? Whats that?

The outer edge of Hammad al Nakir. That means the Desert of Death.

Oh, that sounds great.

Youll love it. Most godforsaken land youll ever see. His eyes went vague.

You been there?