Wapun Meadow amaritudo

there was no one named scout in his ranks. the tactician's mind surmised that this must have been an alias.

good on the soldier who had spoken with shardik.

"what did scout tell you of mereo," germanicus asked. he toyed with the cooling body of the rabbit, taking it in slow bites that quenched his throat with blood.

shardik settled close. it reminded the imperator of the instant camaraderie among boys, though he was long years out of that stage. in a barracks, those around you were the only faces you knew and often the only ones you trusted.

he wondered how a boy so young could have wandered far enough into a bear.