“That makes three,” Aedon said.

Jonas’ body lay on the floor next to the desk he so recently occupied.

“If you had told me in the beginning that we would win,” Sean said, “and only lose three men in doing so, I would have called you a fool.”

“I could have prevented this one, though,” Aedon said.

“Dammit, Aedon!” Sean said. “You can’t keep doing this to yourself. People die in battle. It’s unfortunate, but it happens.”

“Jonas didn’t die in the battle!” Aedon said. “He died because I told him to let Toad go.”

“Aedon, you can’t blame yourself for every death if you’re going to lead men. You’ll go insane.”

Aedon shook his head. “I’m done leading.”

“Yeah, right,” Sean said. “What about the Zombi marching toward us. Have you forgotten about them?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Aedon said. “But when this is over, I’m done.”

The door opened, and Ulf walked into the room. “The men are positioned. No more deaths, but we have eighteen wounded.”

“Have them take two-hour shifts on watch,” Aedon said. “Get them to eat and rest. We need them alert.”

“Yes, sir,” Ulf said.

“Oh, don’t you start too!” Aedon snapped.

“Uh…start what?” Ulf asked.

“Treating me like I’m your damn commander,” Aedon said.

“But ain't you?” Ulf asked.

Sean snickered. “Judging by the commands he’s been issuing, I’d say yes.”

“Where’s Mika?” Aedon asked.

Ulf rubbed his hands together. He seemed uncomfortable. “Alexis took her to the Inn. She’s still asleep.”

“It’s been hours,” Aedon said.

“Yeah, Lexi said it might take a while,” Ulf said.

Sean snickered again. “Lexi?”

“Ah, sorry, meant to say, Alexis,” Ulf said. He shuffled his feet as he spoke.

Aedon smiled. “Since when is she, Lexi?”

“Never mind,” Ulf said. “I’ll finish getting’ the men in order.”

“Send a detail in to take Jonas away,” Aedon said. “Put him with the others.”

“Yes, sir,” Ulf mumbled.

“It’s time for you to rest as well,” Sean said.

“I know,” Aedon said. He sat down behind the desk. “I’ll take a break here.”

Sean frowned. “You’re not going to see Mika?”

“When she wakes,” Aedon said. “I can’t see her lying there.”

“Anything I can do for you?” Sean asked.

Aedon sighed. “Just see to the men and make sure you get your rest. Come get me if anything important comes up. Otherwise, I would like to be left alone.”

“Of course,” Sean said.

Sean left the room, and Aedon was alone. He closed his eyes. It was his only defense against the sight of Jonas lying dead next to him.

The door opened, and he didn’t bother to look. Boots struck the wood floor as men entered. The sound was muffled as they were evidently trying not to disturb him.

He squeezed his eyes tighter when he heard the inevitable noises of Jonas being wrapped in cloth. Sinew popped as his joints were manipulated into place. He heard soft thumps as limbs were dropped, and once a heavy thud. That must have been the whole body hitting the floor. Otherwise, the men worked in silence. He wished they’d talk.

He remembered his training years ago. The instructors told tales of heroes and their glorious deaths. Death in battle wasn’t glorious. It was just death, the same one everybody faced.

It certainly wasn’t glorious for Jonas, with his body being pushed and prodded so that it fit into an everyday burlap bag. It wasn’t glorious for James, who had to be put into his bag in pieces. It wasn’t even glorious for Reka, who had given his life willingly for Mika. Death was the end, and there was no glory in that.

Aedon shot out of the chair. He picked it up and threw it against the wall. Men jumped back as the chair erupted into a splintered ruin.

He drew long, deep breaths. He wanted to throw another chair or turn the desk on its top. He wanted to do anything to keep his mind from the simple truth. These men were dead because of him.

“Shall we go, sir?” one of the men asked.

Aedon tried to reign in his anger. “No, no, please finish up.”

One of the men moved to the wall and picked up pieces of the chair. “We’ll have another one brought, sir.” He said.

Aedon looked at the men. He expected to see the usual sideways glances and half stares, but these men were looking him in the eye. They looked sympathetic.

They finished the task of moving Jonas and filed quietly out of the room. Before the door closed, Sean slipped in.

“They don’t fear me anymore,” Aedon said.

Sean shook his head. “No, they understand you.”

“They think this is my fault?” Aedon asked.

Sean shook his head again. “I said they understand you, not blame you.”

“What’s to understand?” Aedon said. “I got these men killed. We could have run.”

“I’m not going to argue,” Sean said. “The men see how much those deaths hurt you. It gives them comfort that their leader hurts as much as they do. They understand you.”

“Have you been sitting outside that door the whole time?” Aedon asked.

“You told me to rest,” Sean said. “I like how the sun hits the spot just outside here.”

“Of course you do,” Aedon said.

“It’s a good thing I was here,” Sean said.

“Why?” Aedon asked.

“The men want to see you. I’ve had to turn them all away.”

Sean opened the door, and Aedon followed him out. They walked side by side along the road. They passed a group of men huddled around a small fire near the Inn. Aedon paused.

The men noticed him and stood up straight. They saluted him. It was apparent they were part of the wounded.

“Why are you men out here?” Aedon asked.

A small man stepped forward. “We was told to leave the line,” he said. “but we wasn’t so bad off that we needed to be up in the Inn.”

“You should be where you were told,” Aedon said.

Another man stepped forward. Aedon wished he knew these people’s names.

“We was just told ta go to the Inn,” he said. “We weren’t told nothin’ about goin’ inside.”

“That’s right,” another said. “We aim ta be ready if them things come back like they said.”

“Very well,” Aedon said. “I’ll try to see that more blankets are brought out.”

“Thank you sir,” the men said together. They snapped another salute as he walked away.

“The last time I was in town,” Aedon said, “that big one called me a loon.”

“Well,” Sean said, “to be fair, he wasn’t far wrong.”

Aedon looked at the row of neat buildings lining the road. The two furthest buildings were the blacksmith and the church. Brother Mark had been accommodating when told he would lose much of his garden to the wagons that formed the bulk of their defense. Maybe he would be a little more so.

“Follow me,” Aedon said.

He walked into the church, and Brother Mark greeted him instantly.

“Ah, Aedon!” He said. “You’ve caught me just in time. I was about to take these bandages to the Inn.”

“That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about,” Aedon said.

“Oh?” Brother Mark asked.

“Yes. I’ve got men huddled in the cold for fear they won’t be able to get back in time if we’re attacked.”

“I see where you’re going,” Brother Mark said. “The Gods accommodate all men. They’re welcome to stay here.”

“Thank you,” Aedon said. “I’ll inform the men.”

Brother Mark didn’t answer. He shuffled out the door with his bandages.

“For such a large man,” Aedon said. “He has remarkable energy.”

“Like he said,” Sean said, “the gods accommodate all men.”

Loud cheers greeted Sean and him when they left the church. Men applauded and whistled as they approached the wall.

The next hour was spent shaking hands and talking to the same men that had cursed him only days ago. It was surreal. He offered comfort where he could, condolences where he thought appropriate, and congratulations everywhere. The men ate it up.

“You men have done your town proud!” Aedon called. “Stay vigilant, and you will do so again if need be!”

Then men cheered again, and Aedon left them to their task.