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He found Nortah teaching the bow to a group of their more burly recruits All newly enlisted soldiers had been tested at the butts and , the more keen–eyed collected into a company of crossbowth to warrant further tuition They numbered only thirty or so, but even a small nuies could now sink a shaft into the centre of the butt from forty paces and one or two could repeat the feat with the rapidity only usually displayed by brothers of the Order

“Don’t kiss the string,” Nortah told a student, a brawny fellow Vaelin recalled froeons His na’s wardens had caught hi a freshly felled deer in the Urlish “Get the arrow back behind your ear for every loosing”

Brak or Brax forced the extra effort into his her than the bullseye “Not bad,” Nortah told hi out after you loose Rea back as quick as you can” He noticed Vaelin’s approach and clapped his hands to get the attention of his coht Move the butts back another ten paces First ht”

He turned to give Vaelin an extravagant bow as his s,and laughing as they worked their shafts froood reason Plenty of food, ruh the forest More than most of them could ever hope for”

Vaelin took a close look at his brother, seeing the familiar haunted look that had continued to cloud his eyes ever since their time in the Martishe He see an excessive interest in the various ru Not for the first ti hi’s order stilled his tongue He seeht Not yet twenty and he has the eyes of an old man

“Where’s Barkus?” Vaelin asked hi the pole-axe”

“In the sain Hardly away from the place these days”

Since their return from the Martishe Barkus had lost his reluctance to workto fashion the neeapons needed by the regiment Master Grealin’s armoury was extensive but even the racks of weapons in the vaults were insufficient to arm every man and still provide for the Order’s needs Vaelin did not object to Barkus taking up the haain, especially since it seemed to make him so happy, but found it irksoiment He would have to speak to him, as he had to speak to Nortah

“How ed “Stopped counting after hed, hating the necessity of saying what he had to say “I don’t begrudge a iht of the men”

“But the men like me,” Nortah protested with mock sincerity “‘Co Hawk We’re not scared shitless of you, oh no’ They even invited er sohed at Vaelin’s appalled expression “Don’t worry, I’ve not quite sunk that far Besides, from what I hear a visit to the ca in his britches”

Vaelin decided it best not to enlighten Nortah with the news that the pox outbreak was now under control He nodded at the bow till they’re ready?”

“In about seven years they’ll be as good as we are Think the Cu?”

“I can only hope so I ht?”

Nortah looked at histheht,” he said eventually “Poor bastards They’ll fight all right”

Chapter 5