"Milord Kevin," a sergeant called from the edge of the Realm tents, and I waved him to me. Supper wasn't much, but it'd keep body and soul together. I was feeling the hurts of the battle, but I had nothing broken like Nathan and wasn't flat on my back like Ellie. It was the only way she could keep even water down with her concussion.

Sinense, Reginar, and Cornelia sat with me. Sorina was tending to Ellie, and Birdie doing the same with Nathan. The sergeant limped to my side, then kneeled.

"What is it?" I couldn't remember his name at the moment and why did he bother kneeling. He might need help up afterward. Being a Lord was such a pain—

"Sobecks are heading our way, Lord Kevin. It looks like a large group from what our scout said."

"Where are they coming from?" We were down so far...how could we handle this unless Cornelia brought a lot more guns?

"Same route as last time, Milord."

I could feel a panic rising in me, and the surprised looks of the others did nothing to quell that.

"Get everybody up who can stand," I said. "Position ourselves like last time." I sighed. "As much as we can."

"Yes, Lord Kevin," and he struggled to his feet.

"And nobody kneels while reporting," I said, my voice rising. "Save your energy."

"Yes, Milord." He turned away and limped off.

Once he was gone, I turned to Cornelia. "You have any more pistols?"

"A couple."

"Reginar?"

"I have a spare. A few spare magazines, too. I just wasn't in as dire straits as Cornelia earlier."

"Fine," I replied. "I'll take one and...."

I looked at Sinense, but her eyes went wide. "I've never fired a gun."

Unless we were doing a Jim Bowie at the Alamo thing, Ellie wouldn't be in the battle. She couldn't even sit up.

"The other one goes to Nathan. He'll need to be up to fight."

My mentors both nodded and pushed up from the table. I took another swig of water, then did the same, grunting as I stood. I felt more like an old man, but at least some of it would go away once I moved a bit. My right hand was swollen. I wasn't sure I could pull my bow back. Maybe if I worked it. I gripped my rapier hilt. I could probably still do that.

I walked to the latrine. No sense pissing myself in the middle of battle.

Sinense followed me but stopped just outside. "Go on," she said. "I can wait."

I nodded and went in. I probably should've been the gentleman and told her to go, but did it really matter? I would wait for her to be done. I could at least do that much.