The night was not the perfect hour to fight.
The sun and the moon both became invisible during the Months of Demons. Dismal light spilled across the heaving desert, faintly tracing the curve of sand hills. The area which light failed to penetrate was, in contrast, pitch dark.
Given the poor lighting condition, torches became necessities for either attacking or defending.
When glitters of fires emerged here and there in the oasis' direction, Danny polished his clip, slipped it into the loading port and bolted.
"Attention, enemies are coming."
"I saw them."
He first mimicked Malt's voice and then replied to himself.
In this way, he could pretend that Malt was still fighting beside him as his protector, although Malt was no longer a member of the sniper team.
Shortly after Danny had been released from his detention and sent back to the gun battalion, Brian had come to see him and brought him a brand new flintlock.
