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I knew it!” he cried, jubilant. “I thought ’twas you, but there’s more of you now. You should’ve seenthe likes of her, boys,” he said, turning towards the other convicts as he pointed at Kel. “We was all outlaws, livin’ on the edges, and this bunch of pages stumbled into our camp. We chased ’em back in a canyon, and her -” he jabbed his finger at Kel – “she gutted ol’ Breakbone Dell, and him the meanest dog-skinner you’d ever hope to meet. Stood there afoot, her and her spear, cool as meltwater with Breakbone ridin’ down on her with that neck-cutter sword of his. First time she got ‘im in the leg, second in the tripes, and he was done. Her and six lads held us all back, just them. There she was, eyes like stone and that bloody spear in her hand. Lady.” He bowed deep. Kel looked at him, not sure what to say. Finally she asked, “What’s your name, soldier?””Me? Gilab Lofts – Gil. Lady. It’s – it’s good to see you well.” He bowed again and returned to hisseat, whispering with the men on either side of him.Kel waited for them to quiet once again before she said ruefully, “I’m not sure that being known forgutting a man is exactly a recommendation for a commander.””It is in the north!” cried someone. Several men laughed outright; others grinned.
