Page 46 of The Infernal Battalion

“I should have expected as much.” Marcus sighed. “It’s not going to be good for discipline in the long run.”

“From what General Ihernglass told me about the Colonials, it wasn’t uncommon for the officers to keep women,” Cyte pointed out.

Marcus had to admit there were several establishments in Ashe-​Katarion that he’d frequented. He grimaced. “That wasn’t... regulation. And, of course, with only men in the regiment, we didn’t have to deal with any relationships between soldiers.”

“That’s...” Cyte paused, and apparently decided not to comment. “In any event, sir, so far it hasn’t caused problems in the Second. Do you plan to change General Ihernglass’ policy?”

“I suppose not.” He shifted uncomfortably. “I assume Colonel Giforte and her soldiers have... that is, they won’t...”

“They have appropriate protection, sir,” Cyte said. “And Colonel Giforte is very firm if there’s even a hint of coercion or commerce involved.”

“That’s good. We can’t have the regiment turning into a brothel.”

“The Girls’ Own takes care of its soldiers, sir.”

“Good, good.” Marcus let out a long breath, feeling like he’d surmounted a difficult obstacle.

“Was that all?” Cyte said with a broad grin.

“I’ve had this note from General Kurot,” Marcus said, tapping his pile of papers. “There have been several attempts at defection intercepted by the sentries, and it’s possible others were more successful. Marching against Janus...” He shrugged. “What’s your sense of the Second? Are we likely to have problems in that respect?”

“I doubt it, sir. Speaking frankly, it was always more Winter’s division than Janus’.” She looked a little uncomfortable. “I have to admit, sir, that there’s been a little talk about you. Not that the soldiers doubt your loyalty, but...”

“I understand.” Marcus was getting used to those suspicions, unfortunately. “Is this talk anything I should worry about?”

“No, sir.” Cyte straightened up. “Of course not.”

“You haven’t offended me, Colonel. Don’t worry.”

Marcus got out of his chair and walked around the table, brushing papers out of the way until he could see the map. The present position of the Army of the Republic was marked in grease pencil, along with most plausible guesses about where Janus’ army might be, moving slowly down the Pale toward Alves. He found his finger drawn, once again, to a spot not far from their line of march, just this side of the mountains.

“I understand you were fairly close to Ihernglass,” Marcus said.

“Y-yes.”

“He trusted you.”

“I like to think so.” Cyte leaned over the table to follow Marcus’ gaze. “Is there a problem, sir?”

“Ihernglass told me that there were a few soldiers in his command that understood the... full extent of what happened to him in Khandar. He implied that you were one of them.”

“You mean his, ah, more unusual service?”

The hell with it. “I mean magic, Colonel. General Ihernglass told you about magic. The Thousand Names and the Penitent Damned and the whole rest of that Karis-​damned lot.”

Cyte didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir. We were attacked by Penitents several times during the Velt campaign.”

“Good. I need someone who isn’t going to think I’m crazy. Is there anything important on the schedule for tomorrow?”

“Not particularly, sir. We’re third in line of march, so it should be an easy day.”

“Anything Colonel Giforte can’t handle without you?”

“No, sir.” Cyte looked curious. “Why?”

“I want you to come with me on a little side trip.”

His finger tapped the map again. The tiny castle was labeled in the smallest type the mapmaker had been able to find. Marcus had to squint to read it. Mieranhal.