"We're not going to get long at all to get these recruits into shape," Alton warned Delphi, as they surveyed the soldiers on day three of their return to headquarters.
"I know," she pursed her lips. "The Emperor will want to overwhelm us before we have time to get a proper defence organised."
"Hopefully he underestimates us. Our biggest advantage is the tubiàn and the element of surprise they'll give us. It's hard to see how he could have got wind of them yet, so hopefully we still have that ace up our sleeves."
"That assumes Bo hasn't turned state witness," Delphi frowned. "Baer had credible intel he's working at the palace, which means he's definitely won the Emperor's favour and overcome the Emperor's suspicion about him working for us."
"Hm," said Alton noncommittally, not willing to badmouth Bo.
"You've said before he has a sick mother and a younger sister who are reliant on him. It's not that big a stretch is it?" she asked him.
