The branches crackled in the fire pit, bringing a rare hint of warmth in the winter day.
Was Colonel Jeska praising him behind his back? Winters found it hard to imagine since the one-eyed colonel rarely gave Winters a kind face to face— to be precise, Colonel Jeska rarely gave anyone a kind face.
But what Winters was concerned about now was something else, so he went straight to the point, "Colonel, your Paratu people do not place enough importance on 'water,' let alone have recognition for 'naval forces.' You're accustomed to riding horses, but Paratu has many large rivers too. If you had brought a fleet with you, you would never have fallen into the perilous situation you face today."
What the Venetian said left Colonel Robert confused and deep in thought.