However, the typically reticent Lieutenant Colin was now so agitated that his face turned red and his ears reddened.
[Note: In Paratu naming convention, the family name comes first, followed by the given name. The so-called "glorious tradition" of the Paratu People is actually a legacy of the Herders.]
The lieutenant spoke vehemently, and Andre's temper flared, "If the floating bridge is that important, then why did they only leave your company of a hundred to guard it? If they'd left a battalion, would we need to fight to the death?"
Colin was temporarily at a loss for words, struggling for a while before saying, "Originally, there was a battalion."
"Where are they?"
"The chief tents have already retreated two hundred kilometers to the west! Who could have expected the Herders to appear here, now?"
Andre glared with anger, questioning resentfully, "You 'thought' the Herders wouldn't come, so you moved the battalion away?"
