Redsand Canyon When you were here before

I trust Germanikos. He has proven himself to me enough times, though not always in the way I hope he will.

Arsenio bumped his shoulder against the pale figure of Kallik.

My anger would do nothing for me, for my sweet Tamar, or for our future. I do not wish to fracture the comradery that I have built with the Roman. These are his grounds and I am free to depart from them, when I should please. The mercenary still wasn’t sure if this was what the white-furred soldier had wanted to hear. Arsenio understood his anger. He could not see why allowing a woman none of them had met – save for the Imperator’s wife – march into their barracks and begin barking out assessments. It was what the Roman had wanted, though, and so that was how it would go.

You have been a quiet soldier, Kallik. I do not believe you have anything to worry about. Besides, what would she do? Have Germanikos throw us all from Mereo? The noise that was made after this hypothetical question was mocking, but his smile remained upon his lips. Arsenio glanced toward his patrolling companion to see what he might think.