"Glad to hear it. He's refused the promotion, though. Can't serve in the square with what the Edict did to his pretty armor." He's cutting the bonds as he talks.

"Barikonen, you are the stubbornest fuck in the entire Kyros-cursed legion, you know that?"

"So the officers tell me."

"Let's get you back - Osmios has a medic, and then we can bring you back to Iron Hearth." The man was weak, and they needed to support his shoulders, but he seemed to be recovering - probably Ashe's Aegis.

When they got back to that besieger's camp, Callias sat down with a medic - a specialist profession caring for the Disfavored - and they got him a decent meal. Barik wanted to wait.

"Not to push you, but do you know anything more about Amelia?"

"In Sentinel Stand, which you probably guessed. Was from well before the Edict, never heard anyone else being moved in or out. Heard some complaints she was giving them a hard time, and good for her, but that was - oh, a year and a half ago at least. Probably the last I heard was three or four span before the Edict. She's still alive?"

"So says the General. He hasn't said if she's in pain like you, but he probably wouldn't."

"No," he says, distantly fond, "He wouldn't. How'd you get in that getup, Barik?"

"The Edict of Storms hit. I lived."

"A last-ditch try for the Stand before the storm blocked it off?"

"Of course."

"All volunteers?"

"Of course. The whole shieldwall jumped at the chance."

"Worthy cause, and they all knew it. So quit the melancholy, idiot."

Barik laughed, brief but happy. "You know me too well, you bastard."

Kohl sat a ways away, smiling quietly. Unexpected, but much appreciated. Then he goes and looks for Osmios.

"I think I may leave Barik with you and Callias until he's ready to return to Iron Hearth. I didn't realize they were friends."

"He was seconded to you by the Iron Guard? Should still be fine. If he wants to, but he will; they were in the same phalanx row before Callias was detached into Amelia's personal guard. Damn good soldiers, both of them."

"Never doubted it. Barik's out of his funk; with luck it will stick. I'll go check with him, and then likely my party will be off."

"Good fortune to you both."

"Fatebinder," he says as Kohl approaches, "Are we to be off?"

"Well, we are. But you don't have to be. Callias is clearly better off with you along."

"My duty is to you and the Iron Marshal who assigned me, not to my old shield-brother."

"I can spare you for the time it takes to get Callias recovered and escorted to Iron Hearth. Osmios says it is in line with your overall orders." And it will be good for you, you ball of survivor's guilt.

"Then... yes, I will stay here. It should be well less than the armistice; at worst I will return to your side by its end."

"Good, I need someone gloomy to remind me how bad I don't have it! Thank you, Fatebinder."