‘In the years that I have been fighting I have seen many defeats. Some military, some personal. But I have never felt the need to become a penitent,’ she said.

Bendikt nodded. ‘My question is, when is your mission complete? Do you die with your wards?’

Superior Melissya’s eyes were hard as she stared back at him. ‘That is not for me to say. The place and manner of my death is for the Emperor, alone, to decide. Either way, I do not fear it. Death is welcome for warriors like us.’

Minka and the other Cadians stood and watched the exchanges. As Bendikt led Gerent Bianca to the house where she would be living, Dido and the others filed away.

Minka saw Prassan within the officers surrounding the general. She had to double take. He had grown. Command staff rations. She smiled and lifted a hand. She caught his eye, but he remained standing stiffly in place.

When he was not needed any more, he peeled off and came forward to greet her. He was a little earnest at times, but they’d fought together, and that was a tight bond that was hard to undo.

‘How’s life up here?’ she said.

He laughed. ‘Long meetings. Ceremonials. It’s a little boring.’

‘I don’t believe a word of it. You must be learning all kinds of things.’

Prassan’s face lit up. ‘That’s true. But I can’t talk about it.’

‘You sound very mysterious,’ she said.

He forced a smile and nodded. ‘You’ll find out soon enough.’

Minka was about to speak when Dido called out. She’d managed to acquire meals from the palace canteen before they set off.

Baine and Orugi were first in line. There was meat, fried slab, the best food the Imperium of Man could offer. The cooks were stocky, their white aprons stained where they had cleaned their hands. ‘Go ahead,’ they laughed, ‘this is all left over.’

Second Platoon piled their plates high. Minka could not finish what she’d taken. Baine looked expectantly at her. ‘You done?’

She nodded.

‘Can I?’

She pushed the plate across the table. ‘Take it.’

Minka filled her flask with recaff. It was the best stuff she’d tasted since Potence. She walked out into the courtyard, passing a young man in Cadian garb, a white stripe over his helmet.

She went straight by him before she realised what she had just seen. ‘Hey!’ she shouted, spinning on her heel.

The other man stopped and turned and saluted. ‘Sir.’

‘What the hell are you wearing?’

He paused. ‘A helmet.’

Minka could have punched him. ‘What is your name and unit?’

‘Cadet Yedrin. First Whiteshields.’

‘What the hell do you mean, “Whiteshields”?’ Minka grabbed him by his collar and shook him. ‘You’re not even Cadian!’