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Trust me, they re there. Corporal Addano, the one with the bandaged head, he tried to run two nights
ago and came this close to getting an arrow in the foot. He held his thumb and forefinger apart to
illustrate. You should ve seen his face. Kiril smirked. Needed a clean pair of trousers after that, too.
I can t go home and you know it. When Kiril tried to protest, Filip cut him off. My wound can t be
hidden, much less healed. If I go back to Leukos, I ll bring shame on my family and my city, remind
everyone of the humiliation of their invincible army. He glanced at the enlisted men and lowered his voice
to a harsh whisper. My own parents will turn away, like these soldiers. I don t know why you re even
speaking to me.
I speak to you out of brotherhood. Not even death can take that from us.
Death can t. Filip angled his chin toward his left leg. But this can.
Kiril glanced down at his own feet, as if to confirm they were both there. What will you do if not go
home? He glared at their surroundings. Stay in this godsforsaken hole of a town?
Yes, and you should, too. Filip beckoned his comrade closer. Live among them, see and hear
everything. When they let down their guard, steal a boat and go home. Take what you ve learned for the
good of Ilios.
I can t stay any longer. This place is making me Kiril hunched his shoulders and threw a furtive
glance at the others.
Making you what?
Crazy, he whispered.
It s not like Leukos, that s for certain.
I don t mean crazy as in I m having trouble adjusting. I mean, crazy as in He flapped his hand next
to his head.
Crazy.
Kiril nodded, fidgeting with the frayed end of his shirtsleeve.
Filip didn t know how to respond. He d been trained to handle his troop s battle shock on the field and
in the barracks, but never expected to find himself a prisoner of war in a backwater bog like Asermos.
Crazy how?
Kiril scratched the side of his jaw and didn t look at him. I can do things.
Breakfast! Zelia appeared from around the side of the building, followed by two food-laden young
male apprentices. She seemed at ease as the sole female in the company of ten men. In Leukos a woman
would never risk such an insecure situation.
A yellow cur paced at her side.
They let a dog come to the table? Filip asked Kiril.
That s Sunlight. She picks up things if we drop them, alerts Zelia if one of us falls or has a problem. Plus,
she s good for morale. He smacked his lips and said the dog s name in a high-pitched voice. The beast
trotted over, sat on its haunches, and lifted a front paw, which Kiril clasped. He flashed a smile at Filip. I
taught her that yesterday.
The dog leaned onto one hip and scratched vigorously behind its ear.
Outstanding, Filip said. It s got fleas, and soon we will, too.
Kiril chuckled. The dog shifted its weight, started to scratch its other ear, then grunted and returned to a
sitting position. It looked up at Kiril, eyebrows twitching.
Help, a female voice said. I can t reach the top of my head.
Filip turned to Zelia to determine what, by the gods, she was talking about.
She wasn t there.
My back isn t what it used to be, the voice chirped. Please scratch my head.
Filip froze. The words were coming from No, it couldn t be. He turned back to the dog, which was
nudging Kiril s knee with its nose. The lieutenant ignored it in favor of the platter of eggs and ham in the
center of the table.
Cautiously, knowing it could lead him over the brink of insanity, Filip reached toward the dog. It saw his
hand and shifted to let him pet it. He scratched its wide yellow head.
Its mouth opened in what looked like a smile. Ooh, that s good.
Filip screamed.
He looked at the others, eating unperturbed, and thanked his gods that he hadn t done it out loud.
The dog tilted its head under his hand. A little to the left, by the Now you ve got it. Harder, please.
He obeyed, then realized he was obeying a dog. He jerked his hand away.
Kiril frowned at him. Relax. She won t bite. The dog slid to its belly next to Filip s chair and rested its
chin on his right foot. See? She likes you.
Filip grabbed Kiril s arm. You said you can do things that make you feel crazy. What things?
Kiril s eyes flickered. I don t know what you re talking about.
You just told me.
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