[center][color=orange][h3]DELGADO[/h3][/color][/center]

Delgado could only smile faintly in thanks and offer a quick salute before Karras turned and trotted way. The man was brusque but business like, Delgado couldn't fault him for that. Direct and to the point were a few things he appreciated. 

Almost dead from the ambush and the long ride, he dragged himself to the Captains quarters and made his report. The response was much the same, though the possibility of a commendation was mentioned. Delgado wouldn't have cared if they offered him the Empire at that point, he just wanted to sleep. The Captain, perhaps seeing the tension in Delgado that could break a man, spoke quietly and ordered the young trooper to find a bunk for the night. Delgado had gratefully saluted and staggered from the Captains office. 

Thusly dismissed, Delgado made his way back outside and half walked, half staggered, his way to the stables, where a groom took his horse. The stable was warm and dry, the comforting scent of horses and hay filled his nostrils. It reminded him of home. He made his way down the long stalls until he found [i]Nubarrón[/i]. The big roan was sound asleep, his head drooping against the wall, a mirror image of Delgado's own feelings. He had been rubbed down and carefully groomed. Delgado made a mental note to thank the man who had done so. 

Delgado slung his sword over the edge of the stable wall next to his saddle, which has been polished, and carbine, which has been cleaned, before sliding slowly down the wooden wall and into a pile of hay in one corner. He took a long drink from his canteen, screwed the cap back on, blinked a couple of times, and dropped into a dreamless sleep. 

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Delgado woke abruptly in the early hours of the morning as the strong smell of horse urine cut through the air. Nubarrón had clearly also woken and was relieving himself on the floor nearby. Delgado was immensely sore and groaned as he levered himself to his feet. 

"Morning Trooper." Came a cheerful voice from nearby and Delgado looked up to find himself staring into the face of the same groom he'd seen the day before. 

"Morning." Delgado responded, glancing at his neatly maintained gear. "That your work?"

The groom smiled shyly. "Yea. Thought it was the least I could do. We heard about the ambush from some other wounded fellows who came in last night. Well done!"

Delgado felt himself grow red as he waved away the compliment. "It was nothing... Here, thank you for keeping an eye out on my kit." He rummaged around in his coin purse and drew out some unfamiliar Roman coins, sorting through them and handing over a collection of them.

The grooms eyes almost popped out of his head at the coins. It was clear he was far more aware of their value than Delgado but it didn't matter now, the coins were given. 

"Any chance you could find me some food?"

The boy nodded and was gone like a shot. Delgado smiled slightly and then began to rub down Nubarrón with straw. The big horse nuzzled him and whinnied softly. Delgado found him a bucket of water and, while the horse drank his fill, he began to replace his saddle. He checked over his carbine and sword. By the time the groom returned he was dragging himself back into the saddle. His legs ached, his back was sore, his arm felt like someone had tried to ram a lance through it, but he was alive.

The groom handed him over a generous bag of scourged food, Delgado was sure he didn't want to know who it had been stolen from, and a gourd of wine. Delgado nodded his thanks and kicked back his heels. He rode out of the stable, through the gate and passed a couple of sentries who gave him a cheer as he went, and northward toward battle.