Now is perhaps not the optimal moment to realize that one of their own, be he mascot or surrogate younger brother, was not with them.  He certainly had been when they left the chapter house.  Hadn't he?  On the bright side, Cosset's concern was rewarded not by the sight of her comrade-in-arms bleeding from foul play or low blows, but rather by the more distant sight of his slight form, temporarily bereft of both hat and tabard, rounding the corner of the nearest warehouse and doggedly trotting toward them.<br/><br/>He slowed only at the last, glancing at the bleeding bodies here and there, nodding with satisfaction if not also approval of the specific injuries.<br/><br/>"With all apologies, I was delayed," was his only comment as he drew his rapier and fell into line with the others.  "There has already been the customary exchange of pleasantries, I suppose?"