"Yet I would be wary . . . something of power there is in that small lake, and I would not like to
tempt it.
"But the pine forest . . . yes, it is not far from the focus of Morlock's ambitions. I think I and my men shall go there. We number some five-thousands you know. I think we shall let the enemy pass us by, and then play some havoc with their supply lines and such."
"You will be far from food and supplies," said Belloc. "But there is much game there, and plenty of wood and flint for arrows."
"Yes, and you'll be far from aid," said Brogan.
"We are," said Triel, "in the final analysis, here to expend ourselves at the greatest cost to our enemies. This is war, my friends . . . we do not go into it to save ourselves. Others may, if we succeed, enjoy the fruits of our victories. But we are all soldiers here, and at best, hope to die well." He gave Brogan and Dorain an odd look. "We have precious little time left to us. We should use it well."
They had a bath and a meal, and spent the last night they would spend in a comfortable bed, for some time to come. Early the next morning, they left without farewell. None of them ever saw Captain Triel as a living man again.