Campaign life began. “The Seven were busy with chores and meetings, punishing trespassers, planning operations, inspecting the troops, making fiery speeches… And Lyra and her friends slept in the tent, on hard pillows, covered with rough blankets. They drank sour wine and koumiss, and dressed in marching clothes, though expensive… After three years of wandering, the conditions seemed truly imperial!

      The ruler officially proclaimed her friends-lovers to be Honorable Counselors. Each was given a certain “profile” – and corresponding regalia – but all were allowed to argue with each other.

      Mithai became a Military Counselor. Though his appearance was more dueling than martial. Short, lean, and ruddy, he prided himself on his thick brown hair, his thin straight sword, and his noble face. And he hinted in every way that he was the offspring of an old officer’s family – a bastard. Remembering the horrors of vagrancy, he tried to keep himself clean – which was not always possible. His movements were swift and nimble, his voice tinkling, sometimes snide, but more often angrily condescending. The guy became friends with many professional officers – and learned a lot from them. He advocated quick unexpected movements of squads, cunning deceptive maneuvers, and swift attacks. He was often angry, but as a rule, quickly calmed down. However, if he was severely wounded, he could hate for life… He also never smiled, except with just his eyes, and never laughed. He never wore armor, because he thought it restricted his movements.