As they turned towards Dido’s ward they saw a familiar looking figure. It was Father Keremm. His beard was as unkempt as ever, but he wore a clean surplice under his flak breastplate, and his chainsword had been freshly oiled.

‘Ah!’ he said, looking up. ‘Lieutenant Lesk.’

She was still getting used to the new rank associated with her name. ‘Evening, father! We didn’t see you on Tor Kharybdis.’

‘Oh, really? I was there. On Creed Beach. Doing my job. Inspiring the troops and killing the enemy. And I hear you did very well. Everyone is talking about you now.’ The priest went on, ‘Who are you here to visit?’

‘Lieutenant Dido,’ Minka said as she made the sign of the aquila.

‘Ah,’ he said and looked at her sideways, from under one bushy white brow. ‘One tormented soul. Not one to be with us very long, I fear.’

‘No?’

He pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows. ‘Without hope, what are we but flesh and bone?’

‘He’s cheerful,’ Baine said as they strolled along the long corridors.

‘This way.’ Minka led the way to Dido’s ward. The dying man had gone. Pale, new faces stared up.

‘Hello,’ Minka said.

Dido glared out from her cot.

Minka felt a sudden guilt.

‘I thought you’d forgotten me,’ Dido said.

‘I’ve been training the platoon.’

‘Oh yeah?’ Dido said.

Baine paused. He didn’t really know Dido and he didn’t want to intrude. ‘I’ll be outside,’ he said.

Minka nodded and sat on the edge of Dido’s cot.

‘I heard you met some Drookians last time you came,’ Dido said. ‘I thought that was why you were staying away.’

Minka laughed at the idea. ‘No,’ she said. ‘The attack is coming.’

Dido swallowed her response. She pursed her lips and let out a sigh.

‘We’re going in tomorrow night.’

Dido nodded. ‘Do you think it was that curse pole that did this to me?’

‘Got you wounded? No. Of course not!’

‘I’ve tried to think of a reason why I got hit with this. It could have been Barnabas.’

‘I’d rather it had been.’

Dido laughed. ‘Yeah. Me too. Giving you trouble, is he?’

Minka shrugged. Barnabas was just an ass.

Dido sighed. ‘Sorry I’m such a misery. I’ve just had that damned priest lecturing me.’ She paused and reached out a hand to take Minka’s. ‘On faith and hope and joining the Emperor. All that crap.’

For a long time Dido didn’t speak, but squeezed Minka’s hand. Tears started to well up. She sniffed them back. ‘Lead from the front,’ Dido said at last.

Minka nodded. She looked down and took in a deep breath. ‘I wish you were leading us.’

Dido smiled. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, but she mouthed the words, me too. Minka filled her in with the news from the platoon, the company, and the regiment.