Stormy snorted. ‘He dropped you to the ground like a sack of turnips! That punch rivalled Urko’s, the time he—’ ‘Not even close,’ Gesler drawled. ‘I once saw Urko punch down the side of a mudbrick house. Three blows, no more than four, anyway, and the whole thing toppled in a cloud of dust. That Napan bastard could punch.’ ‘And that’s important to you?’ Strings asked. Gesler’s nod was serious. ‘The only way any commander will ever earn my respect, Fid.’ ‘Planning on testing the Adjunct soon?’ ‘Maybe. Of course, I’ll make allowances, she being nobleborn and all.’
