The fifty he had seen only a few days ago had been joined by hundreds more. Six companies stood there, as well as a rabble of unattached recruits so fresh that they had difficulty holding still. Berephan shifted in his saddle and gestured toward the rabble. “Those are the newest. Have your pick of them or take the whole lot.” Turisan raised a hand to shade his eyes against the morning sun. “If I take a hundred and fifty of them, may I fill out my companies with experienced guardians?” “As long as you understand that ‘experienced’ in this case means those who have been training these few days. The seasoned guardians are scattered among all the companies, and I cannot let you have a hundred and fifty of those. Fifty, perhaps—enough to command your patrols.” “I will need a capable commander to leave with them at High Holding. May I take Dirovon?” “If he is willing.” None of the newest recruits had a guardian’s cloak yet. Some stood shivering in the morning’s chill with no cloaks at all.
