"Well, it was a brief occupation, and I was captained by a far less villanous man. He was more of a drunkard, actually. Mostly amusing."

He glanced behind himself again. He couldn't help but worry---what if they figured out Reinette's disguise? She was just short of done for, and he lacked both the skill and the strength to protect her. Oh, he was better with a sword since her lessons, but he still couldn't save her. He always knew how to save his companions before. He wouldn't let her down.

"I want to know what to expect, so I can counter it."