The lonely walk of the condemned—well, the stupid!

“So, Joan, to the Hall?”

She does not look back. “Yes. Let’s get registered as soon as possible. Everyone give me your tabards.” I do not think I have worn mine at all tonight, but lucky I brought it in one of my pouches. “No talking when we get up there! I want them to have as little information as possible to report to Zlata.”

On the main floor of the barracks, I can feel the eyes on me—I mean, us. Stillwater reaches the main desk and dumps all the tabards in front of Saul. “Sergeant Saul, my squad and I resign. It has been an honour to serve.”

He looks at us knowingly. “Corporal Stillwater, Specialist WayWocket, Corporal Gunnar, and—” Looks at me with a blank expression but quickly moves on. “—ahem. You understand and accept the terms of resignation?”

Being ignored. That is a new one, yeah, but I have only been in here once or twice before. Saul more likely does not recognise me as my face is clean of bruises and blood.

The Rejects nod. Oh, I should join in. I nod too. Then we come to attention and salute. That is one thing I know very well!

Saul stands up and salutes back. “You served well.”

And with that, we leave them wanting. Wish I had a cape on; it could have been so dramatic, flaring it up. And a hat with a feather in it. Flare, dip, and sweep. So noble-like. But I cannot stand rapiers—just damned knitting needles. I could pick someone’s teeth at a half-metre. Stupid weapon!

Now down to the Hall. It should be breakfast time soon. Could go a slab of bacon and a pile of eggs. A toasted loaf of good bread too. Best meal ever.

I am feeling someone is following us. “Joan—”

“I know. They have been following us since we left the barracks. Gunnar, what can you sense?”

“Not much, boss. It's from one of the half-bloodline. They are tricky in the mind area, but I can feel that he wants to know what we’re doing.” What do you mean, tricky? My mind is normal, thank you very much! “Way, mark his smell. Easier for my friends to track him.”

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WayWocket pulls out a fine powder, smiles, then vanishes. What the frick?

After a couple of breaths, he appears again from an alleyway. “Done and done. Pine nut, rosemary, with a hint of blood.” What is he doing—cooking this guy? “Easy to track now. Tell your beasties.”

“Good work, Way.” Gunnar whistles and ducks away into an alley. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him talking to and stroking a huge mastiff and a wild cat. Is that a large rat too? Where does he find these 'pets' of his? As he comes back out, he says, “They will follow the scent. Later I will find out the information.”

Gunnar can talk to animals? Holy Saints! Wish they would not put me on edge as much as they do. “Question: how the frick do they tell you the information?”

Gunnar chuckles at me. “If you don't know, why should I tell you?” Bloody Gunnar. One of these days—stab right in the kidneys! “I have an affinity to animals, and those three are my companions. I have a way to communicate with them so I can find out who is trailing us.”

Sure you do. Believe you one hundred percent. “That is so amazing!” I say sarcastically.

“Whatever. Boss, do we still need this half-caste to be in our group?” Gunnar growls out.

Stillwater shakes her head, does not even turn around. “Gunnar, how many times do I need to say it? Lone is one of us now. He has risked his life several times now. He has earned my respect. Why can’t you see that?” Way to go, Stillwater! “And Solo, you cut it out too! I know Gunnar can be a bit of a jerk, but respect goes both ways. Stop antagonising him with your sarcastic comments.”

“Sorry, Joan.” Do not want to be on the end of her iron grip again. “Sorry, Gunnar. I went, um, a little too far.”

I just receive a grumbling from him. Stillwater clears her throat. He mutters, “Yeah, alright. Sorry for giving you a hard time, Solo.” Is this really happening? Gunnar said sorry? Happy days! “Thanks for saving our lives last night. Wish you could—” Too good to be true. “—look after yourself a little better. I used up some good healing stuff last night saving you, you sorry white-back!”

Rolling my eyes. Why me? “You are right.” Be the bigger man, which is not hard as he is a squat Dwarf. “Thanks, Gunnar, without you I would never again feel the touch of a summer breeze or the chaste kiss of a beautiful maiden.”

“That’s enough! You two are just as bad as each other. You’re sorry, and you’re sorry. Done.” Her neck veins are really popping now. I think we might have gone a little too far. “I know both of you will never see eye to eye, but do me a favour and keep it out of my hearing range!”

“Never worry. Time flows in and out. Nothing set to the stone. These small matters will not stop the Dawn. Onwards and upwards. Horizon is near.”

Just to bring a little weirdness into this whole conversation. Thank you so much, WayWocket. Without your contribution, I am not sure if we would survive. And with that, we finally arrive at the Hall.