Hans brought sixty recruits into the yard after breakfast, resting his wrapped leg on a stool.
Half carried Ferra's new spearheads, while the rest held practice shields or the empty frames meant for wounded people.
Cassie waited near the front with her staff, placing Jonas between the recruits and Toby without crowding either man. Lana remained at the registry until Marrick finished the morning complaints, leaving her place beside Juna empty.
"Walk backward," Hans said, pointing toward the far wall, "keep your shield facing me until the bell rings again."
The first bell sent every line moving at a different pace, causing three miners to step on the people behind them.
One shield turned sideways before ten seconds passed, opening the recruit beside it from shoulder to knee. Hans threw a piece of chalk through the gap, striking the exposed man near his collar before the line reached halfway.
