Gallus managed to finish two mouthfuls of his dinner as he patiently listened to Ri'vashi's rebuttal. The way she spoke about the art of battle amused him. Once she finished, Gallus pointed to her chin briefly. "I have a request for you, Ri'vashi. Don't ever grow a beard. Otherwise I'll have two fathers after what you just said."

Even though Gallus figured that what he had said was more polite than flatly telling Ri'vashi that she was telling him what he already knew, he lightened his voice all the same. "You're right, though. I never said that my techniques were perfect. They're situational, even. I'll carry a spear and a shield just like anyone else in a formation." Gallus snorted again, "It's just a dagger on the end of a stick, after all."

Gallus then cut another slice of meat and leaned forward with a squint and a grin, "Now...correct me if I'm wrong, but this wouldn't happen to be a passion of yours, would it? I'm afraid that we might start swapping battle stories."

[hr]
"Yes, Tzirret is coming too." Tzirret at least appeared slightly more relaxed after hearing that Peiter and Sabine would be marching as well. However, he was staring down at his food worriedly. "He is nervous, yes, but...Ma'tanza, Bheja, and S'nishi are coming as well. Ma'tanza will not be fighting, but Bheja will, and he had never been in a battle before."

Tzirret looked up at Peiter. "Back in Bruma, three years ago, we were separated in that fight. Could we...make sure to try and stay together this time? This one does not want any of us to get badly hurt."