As soon as Winter entered, silence spread throughout the yard, spreading like a ripple from a stone dropped into a pool. The shouts of the drilling sergeants quieted, and every head turned to stare. The closest soldiers to Winter, two Girls’ Own rankers and a royal corporal working on coiling ropes, bounced to their feet and saluted. Soon that was spreading, too, every man and woman in the yard straightening up and putting a hand over their heart. Winter heard Bobby and Cyte follow suit.

Winter was certain her cheeks were flaming red. She waved a hand awkwardly.

“Thank you, everyone.” She patted the bandage that ran around her head. “I’m all right, as you can see. Thank you.” Winter paused. “The general asked me to tell you, ‘Well done.’”

No one moved, but she saw smiles spreading.

“That’s all,” Winter said. “Thanks.”

The crowd of soldiers relaxed, and a low buzz of conversation began again. The three directly in front of Winter stood aside to let her pass.

“You don’t have to keep thanking them,” Bobby said. “You’re the colonel here.”

“Sorry,” Winter muttered. “I couldn’t think what else to say. Is Sevran in the keep?”

Cyte said, “I’ll take you up. Bobby, you need to go find Marsh, don’t you?”

Bobby blushed but nodded and hurried away. Winter stared after her a moment, then shook her head.

“You don’t approve?” Cyte said.

“It’s hardly my place not to.”

Cyte shrugged. “You seem to worry a good deal about her.”

“Bobby . . .” Winter sighed. “It’s just that I knew Bobby in Khandar, and . . . she feels very young sometimes.”

“War has a way of burning that out of people,” Cyte said, then laughed. “Look at me. Half a year ago I’d never swung a sword in anger, and now I can act cynical with the best of them.”

Winter smiled. “Don’t let Graff hear you say that. He considers cynicism his personal prerogative.”

“Sir!” Sevran said, rising. “It’s good to see you on your feet.”

“Right now I’m eager to get off my feet,” Winter said, collapsing into a chair and waving away the captain’s salute. “This is quite a hill they’ve stuck us on top of. Could I trouble you for some water?”

“Of course!” Sevran gestured at one of the young rankers waiting by the door, and the boy dashed off.

Winter waited, but the captain remained standing. Eventually she felt compelled to break the silence. “Is something wrong?”

“Sorry, sir. It’s just . . .” He straightened back to attention. “I wanted to say that I realize I acted against orders, during the battle. I advanced my battalion from the position I was assigned. Captain Verity was correct not to—”