"Colonel Verdant," Oliver said, greeting the man, mounted as he was.
"General," Verdant said, saluting.
"Captain Blackthorn," Oliver said, greeting his other retainer.
"General," Blackthorn said, looking stronger than she had before.
"Captain Firyr," Oliver said, greeting him too.
"General," Firyr responded crisply.
"Colonel Jorah," Oliver said.
"General."
"Commander Kaya."
"General."
"Commander Karesh."
"General."
"Gar," he said, simply to acknowledge the young man that was fighting for his attention, oblivious to the same tension as the rest of them.
"Me," Gar said, tittering madly.
He went through the full line of them, those men that had been with him for the longest, and who he had relied on with an increasing strength in his battle with Tavar. He spoke to the rest of them, after offering them his greetings. "These men have fought beside me for many years now," Oliver said. "If you find yourself in doubt, trust in their judgement. They will not lead you astray."
