It was the most money that they'd been offered in any of their quests, yet Penelope seemed to be more hesitant to receive it than she had any of those others. She gulped, as if she was following the foulest of potions, and she forced herself to nod. "That would be… acceptable," Penelope said.
"If you would take the front, then," the squadron leader said. "On account of your shields. We will support you from the sides."
It was obvious enough the true reason that they'd been put at the front – the guards were intent on getting their money's worth, even if it meant using the Yarmdon as meatshields. But the Sea Serpents didn't even give a thought to protest. They felt not the slightest shred of bitterness nor fear for the position. For them, this didn't even count as a battle. Now that they were given permission to draw their axes, and spill blood on the town's roads, they wouldn't need to hold back.
