The party went back to the battlefield. Zebulun rode in front with his lieutenants and Brother Mark. Davion brought up the rear, lost in thought. Quinn spent most of the trip fraternizing with the soldiers, swapping stories and jokes. He got a few belly laughs and more than a few strange looks.

One night in camp, William spoke to David in private. He had that look on his face — the one that said he was tense about something. "Who are the captain’s new friends?"

"No idea," said David. "I gather that the tall, quiet one is a philosopher. The young, talkative one seems like some weird street kid. I want to say I’ve seen him before, dancing and juggling in one of the markets."

"He does seem familiar. Why are they traveling with us?"

"Don’t know. No clue where Zebulun found them, or why they’re here."

William scowled harder. "Something odd is afoot."

They stood in silence for a moment.

"Zeb’s been quiet," said David. "Well, more quiet."

"He lost a lot of men in that last battle," said William.

"We’ve lost friends before."

"I don’t think it was the number," said William. "I think it was the kid."

"Right," said David. "the kid. What was his name?"

"Madison," said William.

"How old was he? Nineteen?"

"Seventeen, I think."

"Damn," said David.

"Yeah," said William. "Kid died right in front of him during the final maneuver."

David nodded, but said nothing.

On the nineteenth day of travel, they crossed the Rose River and followed it east until they reached the battlefield. There was no sign there had been a battle here. The corpses were long buried. Every scrap of armor, weaponry, or broken chariot had been scavenged. Zebulun placed a small stone marker he’d had engraved for the occasion. It had the names of every man who died that day, in the most vicious battle of the war.

Brother Mark said a kind and heartfelt prayer. He spoke of Ram’s truth and Luva’s love. He spoke of man’s duty to serve the gods and the kingdom with honor. He blessed the ground where Zebulun’s men fell. The men stood silent vigil for some time, remembering absent friends. Even Quinn stayed quiet out of respect.

The next day, the captain said to his lieutenants, "I have another task. One I can’t speak about. Please escort Brother Mark safely back to Azulan."

Zebulun, Davion, and Quinn watched the priest and soldiers leave. When they were gone, the three of them turned toward the forest.