I knew what she was asking—whether I would share the risk or leave at the first sign of danger. Though I planned to leave, I assured her, "I'll be there."
She nodded.
The dreaded drum sounded again, and we resumed our march as the rain lessened to a drizzle.
"Can't Drevolan's mages do something about the rain?" I complained.
"They probably just did," she replied.
"Took them long enough," I grumbled.
"You're beginning to sound like Speransky."
Speransky shot her a quick, annoyed look. "I'm starting to understand him," I said, though he seemed indifferent.
"I've heard that complaining is a soldier's universal right," I added.
She laughed briefly. "Not in an elite unit," she corrected me.
"We're an elite unit?" I asked, surprised.
"You weren't aware?" Fael asked, surprised.
"How could I have known?" I replied.
"Didn't you notice the absence of Baku or conscripts?"
