I stepped out of the office and closed the door behind me. Private Peter was still standing nearby, hands clasped behind his back, posture straight as if he had not moved since leaving.

  I paused, then spoke first.

  “I’m sorry for asking you to leave the meeting earlier, Private,” I said. “I’ve had a few difficult days, and I’m still new to all of this.”

  I extended my hand.

  “I’ll value your input. So, once again, welcome to the squad.”

  I meant it.

  I might not have been happy about his assignment at first. Especially after spending the last three days planning the future of my squad, only to run into the possibility that those plans could be questioned or rejected before I was even allowed to implement them. But now that I knew his presence was not meant to undermine me, I did not mind hearing another perspective.

  It might even be useful to have input from someone who was not a commoner.

  Peter accepted the handshake without hesitation.

  “Think nothing of it, Sergeant,” he said politely. “A superior should not apologize to a junior.”

  His tone suggested that my dismissal had not bothered him at all.

  I smiled faintly.

  “Then let’s start properly,” I said. “Could you introduce yourself? I know you’re an intelligence private, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

  I could have requested his file. But my rule still applied. Ask first. Read later.

  He nodded.

  “I have six years of experience in the army,” Peter said. “I joined after completing my training at Stonegate. For the past five years, I have served in the intelligence division. Last year, I was transferred to Fort Darrow and assigned to Company Seven.”

  He continued smoothly.

  “I possess the skill [Mana Analysis], which allows me to assess threat levels based on mana signatures and active skills. I originally started as a soldier-class combatant, but my current class is [Combat Analyst]. My mana cultivation is mid–Tier Two.”

  I nodded.

  I was surprised by how openly he shared that information. At the same time, his honesty eased several of my concerns.

  “Thank you for sharing that,” I said. “I want you to be very honest when you answer my next question.”

  He straightened slightly.

  “How do you feel about working under me?” I asked. “You know who I am. I’m young, and many would consider me unqualified for the position I’ve been given.”

  I was not sure if it was the right question to ask, but I needed the answer.

  The criminals assigned to my squad had been forced into it without choice. I doubted Peter had much of a choice either. The difference was that conscripts might actually prefer serving under someone inexperienced. For a trained intelligence private, that was far less likely.

  Peter hesitated.

  It was subtle, but I noticed it. His reply did not come as easily as his introduction.

  “I feel fine about it,” he said after a moment. “I’ve served under lieutenants as young as you before. I’m confident you’ll do a good job.”

  I nodded, though I could tell he did not fully believe it.

  When he spoke of young officers, he was referring to members of noble houses. Those who entered the army already destined for leadership positions, assigned as sergeants or even lieutenants based on class, backing, and bloodline.

  “Let’s go,” I said. “Before you came to get me, I was heading to meet the rest of the squad.”

  I started walking.

  “It’s a good time for you to meet them as well. I have a few things to discuss with them, and afterward, I’d like to hear your opinion.”

  Peter fell into step beside me.

  On the way there, we mostly walked in silence. Still, in an effort to make some conversation, I learned that Peter had been assigned to a different Longhall. He would be staying with another squad for now, rather than sharing the same space with the death squad.

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  That, at least, made sense.

  When we reached the Longhall assigned to my squad, I raised my voice.

  “Varric, Garran, Barry, Kael,” I called out. “Join me at the training yard. Starting today, we begin squad exercises. Before that, I need to discuss strategy with all of you.”

  They frowned, exchanging brief looks, but none of them refused. After a moment, they followed.

  The training yard was open and bare, packed earth bordered by wooden posts and a few weapon racks. The late-morning air carried the smell of sweat and dust. Peter stopped beside me while the four of them lined up in front of us, loose and informal.

  I spoke first.

  “This is Private Peter Roscoe,” I said. “He’s an intelligence private assigned to our squad.”

  The moment I finished, Varric smirked.

  “So even you got a leash,” he said lazily.

  That was expected.

  What I did not expect was Peter’s reaction.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw his jaw tighten. For someone who had maintained perfect composure even after being asked to leave a superior’s office, this was noticeably out of character.

  I did not let the comment linger.

  “Varric,” I said evenly, “this back-and-forth cannot continue. I don’t intend to run this squad the way you’re used to. But if you force me to, I will use the usual methods.”

  I let my gaze sweep across all four of them.

  “And if that happens,” I continued, “you won’t just be responsible for your own suffering. You’ll be responsible for the entire squad’s.”

  That wiped the smirk from his face.

  I turned back to the group as a whole.

  “From today onward, none of you are allowed to waste time or loiter near the south wall,” I said, my voice firm. “This is a direct order from the lieutenant, and the first order I received as your sergeant. I intend to see it carried out without exception.”

  Frowns spread across their faces. I did not stop.

  “If you have free time, you will remain in the longhall,” I continued. “Though I doubt you’ll have much of it from now on. I want all of you training. And I want you working on teamwork.”

  I let that settle before continuing.

  “This is the direction our squad will take,” I said. “We all know formations and positioning change depending on battlefield conditions. But after reviewing your profiles, I believe focusing on your individual specialties will support your class progression rather than hinder it.”

  I paused, letting my gaze move across them one by one.

  “That only works if we learn coordination,” I said. “That is what we will train.”

  This was the core of it. I wanted to use them properly, to give them a reason to fight. These were people I knew relished fighting and killing. I did not want to follow the traditional method, where they were made to sit idle most of the time or assigned menial labor, only to be unleashed during missions.

  That had been Sergeant Fenward’s method. It helped limit their level gains and slowed the growth of their skills. I had always believed it was not the most effective way to use them.

  I stepped forward slightly and looked at Garran.

  “Garran,” I said. “You’re the only one in this squad whose class isn’t combat-focused. Even so, your [Butcher] class includes skills like [Empowered Cleave (UC)] and [Brutal Grip (UC)]. Combined with your high vitality, you’re best suited for the frontline.”

  I nodded once.

  “This will also give your class the best opportunity to grow.”

  Garran’s Constitution was higher than even Varric’s at eighty-five. Their Strength was equal at eighty, but Garran’s Agility was low. Frontline work made perfect sense.

  I turned to Barry next.

  “Barry,” I said, “your class, [Cutpurse], isn’t designed for direct combat either. But skills like [Quick Hands (UC)], [Silent Step (UC)], and [Precision Throw] give you a different role.”

  Barry raised an eyebrow.

  “I want you focusing on ambush attacks and enemy disruption,” I continued. “Even within a formation, creating distractions at the right moment can decide a fight. Your skills will also be critical during scouting expeditions.”

  Barry had the lowest Constitution and Strength in the squad at fifty and forty. But his Agility was the highest at sixty.

  More importantly, I had plans for his [Silent Step (UC)].

  He had developed it using his wind affinity. His affinity was weak, limiting its raw effect, but he had learned to reduce the sound of his movement and partially control his scent. I planned to experiment with it and see if it could be expanded to affect a larger area.

  But his skills and stats also made him the most slippery one.

  According to the file, he had escaped captivity three times before being transferred to the fort. Each time, he vanished without violence, leaving guards confused and embarrassed. Containing him had always been a challenge.

  I turned my attention to Kael.

  “Kael,” I said, “on expeditions you’ll act as rear guard. You’ll position yourself close to me.”

  He straightened slightly.

  “You have the [Town Guard] class. Your skills, [Guard’s Resolve (UC)] and [Guard’s Retaliation (UC)], make you well suited for protecting either a key individual or a designated objective, depending on the mission.”

  Kael would be a valuable asset on escort duties and supply caravans. His Constitution and Strength were high, seventy-five and seventy respectively, while his Agility was low at twenty-five. He was built to hold ground.

  Finally, I looked at Varric.

  “Varric,” I said, meeting his eyes with a faint smile.

  I could tell he was anticipating what role I would assign him.

  “You’ll be the squad’s heavy hitter,” I continued. “It’s time to remind people what the former leader of the Night Tithe can do.”

  That earned a flicker of interest.

  “But,” I added, “we’ll be receiving new soldiers soon.”

  I shifted my gaze back to the group.

  “In simple terms, Garran will handle the frontline. Varric will serve as the primary striking force. Barry will focus on distraction and stealth.”

  I paused.

  “Any new members assigned to this squad will be divided into those categories. Each of you will be responsible for the soldiers placed under your category during combat or on missions.”

  My tone hardened.

  “If you fail at that, I’ll replace you as group leader with someone from your category.”

  I let that sink in before continuing.

  “I want you all to start training together now. Varric and Garran, pair up. Garran, focus on defense. Varric, focus on attack. Barry and Kael, partner together. Kael, guard a target. Barry, practice breaking through with throwing knives.”

  I raised a hand slightly.

  “No injuries. Keep it light today. We’ll increase the intensity gradually.”

  By the time I finished speaking, I noticed Peter again.

  His hands were clenched tightly at his sides.

  His knuckles were white.

  It was clear I needed to have a very detailed conversation with him.