“Oh, this sounds desperate,” offered Erik.
“Well, I’m trying to be as capable as I can, to impress her father, but the girl knows I’m about to be hand-picked to marry her, and I don’t think she’s happy about it.”
“Make her happy,” offered Luis.
“How?”
“Court her as much as you’re obviously courting her father,” said the Rodezian. “Bring her small gifts and talk to her of something besides business.”
Roo blinked, and it was obvious to those at the table that this thought had never occurred to him. “Really?”
The other three men laughed and after they were finished, Luis said, “Who else made it?”
Erik lost his smile, and Jadow’s grin faded to a scowl.
“Not many,” said Roo.
Erik said, “The Captain and the sergeant. Nakor and Sho Pi. Those of us here, and a few others from some of the other squads, but of our original six, only we three.” He indicated Roo, Luis, and himself.
Jadow said, “That’s better than the rest of us.” They all nodded. Jadow’s original company had perished in a holding action with the Saaur while he carried word to the Captain, and he lost his other companions during the final battle at Maharta.
“Tell him about Biggo,” suggested Roo, and Erik told Luis about the last of their squad to die. By the time he finished, they were smiling again.
“I swear he looked surprised. After all that talk about the Goddess of Death and how pious he was,” Erik said, “and this and that, he looked as if . . .
“What?” asked Roo, who hadn’t been there but had heard the story before.
“As if he was saying”—Erik lowered his voice to sound like Biggo’s—” ‘Oh, this is what it’s like!’ “ He widened his eyes in mock astonishment.
The others chuckled. After the next round was served, Luis picked up his jack of ale and said, “To absent companions.”
They drank and for a moment were silent.
“What are you two doing?” asked Luis.
“We’re helping the Captain build his army,” said Jadow. “Erik and me are corporals.”
Erik removed a small book from within his tunic. “Though they have us doing some odd things.”
Luis picked up the book and looked at the spine. “Keshian?” he asked.
Erik nodded. “Not that hard to learn to read after you learn to speak it. But it’s slow going. I never was the reader Roo was when we were boys.”
“What is it?” asked Roo.
“An ancient book on warfare, from the Lord William’s library,” Jadow said. “I read it last week. This week he’s got me reading something called The Development of Effective Lines of Supply in Hostile Territory by some Quegan lord or another.”
Luis seemed impressed. “Sounds like they’re making a couple of generals out of you.”
“I don’t know about that, but it matches what Natombi told us when we were on the march in Novindus,” said Erik.
Luis nodded. Natombi had been another of their company, but he had come from the heart of Kesh and had served with the Inner Legion, the most effective army in the history of Great Kesh, one that had conquered more than two thirds of the continent of Triagia. He had spent many hours talking to Erik about the manner in which the ancient legions deployed their forces and fought their many campaigns. Given the close quarters of their tiny six-man tent, Luis and Roo had heard every one of those conversations, save when they were serving guard duty.
Jadow said, “We’re building an army like none seen before.” He lowered his voice. “And you know why?”
Luis half laughed and shook his head. “Better than you do, I think.” He glanced from face to face. “I only got away from their advanced units by minutes a half-dozen times. And I watched as they butchered those trying to get away.” He closed his eyes a second. “I’m a hard man, or so I thought, but I saw things down there I couldn’t imagine. I’ve heard sounds I can’t get out of my ears, and I’ve smelled odors that linger in the nose no matter how much spice you burn or wine you drink.”
The mood was now somber, and after a quiet minute, Roo said, “Well, yes, we know what’s going on. Still, we have to get on with our lives. Do you want to work with me?”
Luis shrugged. “Doing what?”
“I need someone with court manners who can present certain goods to men and ladies of breeding, nobility even. And who can negotiate prices.”
Luis shrugged. “I’ve never been much of one to haggle, but if you show me what you want, I think I can do this.”
Conversation ceased as the front door opened and Robert de Loungville entered, a slender girl at his side. The four men at the table regarded the unlikely pair: the short, stocky, and pugnacious sergeant, and the almost frail but attractive young woman. She wore common clothing, a homespun dress and simple shoes. Other than unusually short hair, her appearance was unremarkable.