Dorell, tightening the screws that held his spearhead in place, stared out over the battlements, eyes haunted as he watched the faint fires that marked the camps of those who'd accompanied the Queen. The Queen herself had chosen to stay in darkness, though whether from exhaustion or respect, none knew.

Ejnar spat over the battlements. "They're done for. They've not got a Huntress on their side."

"A Huntress can be matched with enough Mages, though. And a Huntress cannot guard against everything."

"We're paid to take care of the rest." Ejnar, currently a brevetted captain, though he knew the rank would soon be stripped, fumbled at his belt and then pulled forth a water skin. "Brandy?"

He accepted the offer gratefully, taking a swallow before tugging a clumsily made chain off his neck. "Look." The dim light provided by the half moon was enough for the captain to see that it was a locket, and the picture within. "Her name's Selene. She's promised me we'll be bonded next time I have leave time. I think I'm owed enough that she should be able to start a small shop to support herself."

"She's pretty," Ejnar said uncertainly, too tired and too long away from his last leave to remember just what it was that he looked for in a girl, or whether it really mattered at all. "And she's waiting for you?"

A flash of a grin. "She told me she'd wait till the day she returned to the Hunt Lord."

"Lucky." Was that lucky? Maybe, maybe not. Ejnar considered it to be enough that he had the brandy, and another skin somewhere else. "But then you have to come back for her."

"I'll meet her again no matter what. Even if I have to stay with the Hunt Lord for an eon before she comes to him."

"Huh. Well, if you do meet him that soon, ask him to do something about those damn Chirrum mages."

"Thought Aidana was doing that for us."

"Shush. You're still thinking. Have some more brandy."