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The men were beaming. There were a few cheers from the gathered household and the other soldiers present were all standing at attention behind the four.
Laun held up her hand and most of the noise subsided. “And even though it was a game, it did show me that these men, thrown together to look after their defenseless Princess-” There was loud laughter from many people. Laun waited and put up her hand again for attention. “To protect me, they worked well with each other, used their fellow company and, in the end, almost caught me before midnight.”
“I should have won that bet!” There was laughter again.
Laun reached into the basket the growing babies were in and pulled out four small ribbons, looped and pinned. “I have little to give you for recognizing your talents. Please accept this token from my hand.” Laun went to the Corporal at the end of the line and started with him, pinning the green ribbon onto his collar with one of the straight pins from her unused sewing chest. He stood straight and saluted as Laun stepped back. Laun saluted in return and stepped to the next man. Each was pinned and saluted until Laun stepped back from the Private.
“Now... You caught me. We found out after that it was past time, but I think, for your tactics, you deserve my reward.” Someone from the crowd hissed, quickly stopped, but laughter rolled through the room.
Laun turned and Hazalam came forward with a small folded cloth. Laun took it and opened it in her palm. The Private tried to not look down, but his curiosity betrayed him. Before she held it up, he glimpsed a small green crystal wrapped with a piece of silver wire looped so it could be put on a thong or chain. »Read More