Roper asked to hear about the siege of Lundenceaster, fishing for inspiration on how he could ultimately retake the Hindrunn. The question was followed by a pause which told Roper that both men had understood what he was really asking. Gray spoke first. “The thing about assaults, my lord, is that there are always casualties. You cannot attack a well-prepared fortress without losing many, many men. That’s just the way of things.” “They are the very worst of warfare,” said Tekoa. “There is no glory. Just bodies. Thousands and thousands of them. And fire. And the fear is worse than anything
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