Ruby dined on MRE packs of chili and macaroni, crackers with cheese spread, and some dry beef jerky. There was also some vanilla pudding, but she skipped out on that, after a tip from Donal. Instead she ate some cookies she brought herself. She tried sharing them with the Wardens, but the only person to take one was Donal. She spent a long time studying his face while he was eating. Donal's scar wasn't the kind that looked cool, it was the kind that looked like it was very very painful. It reached from above his ear, down his cheek, then down to the middle of his neck. Upon further inspection, the top of his ear was also cut away. It was no claw or tooth that caused this scar, however. It was the cause of pure steel. An axe, maybe.

The power armor she tried on after dinner was Aidan's, because he was the closest to her size. Which was a stretch, as he stood a foot taller than her. She didn't see the appeal though. Ruby could barely walk, and she could forget about jumping. But then she watched Donal jump five feet off the ground without much force, so it must come with the training. It was still very impressive to her.

Donal and Aidan were funny, and Footpad Conair laughed a few times. Reilly never laughed, or smiled, or spoke, actually.

"Lost his tongue, he did. He didn't speak before either though, so he doesn't care." Donal said to Ruby, as they sat in front of Ruby's tent. She was cleaning her scythe, and Donal was disassembling his rifle repeatedly. "You think the Wardens would have no use for someone without a tongue, but Reilly's a tough old bloke. Kicks my ass in the sparring ring, he does. Aidan's too. Both of us at once I'd reckon. Pistol and shield, he uses, but he ain't bad with a sword either. Or a rifle. Or his bloody fists. Footpad Conair would have a chance. Paladin Bardach would break him. You would do ok." He couldn't seem to stop rambling. But Ruby didn't mind, he was good company. It almost felt like another ranging mission with a senior Hunter, but different. These men were not always so serious, but they would no doubt be serious in a fight. They never argued with each other, never disobeyed. They even called Ruby "boss" which was weird at first, but she got used to it.

"Oh, look at that." He pointed to the sky above them. But Ruby couldn't see a thing. Donal removed his helmet and placed it on Ruby's head. The world became brighter. As if it wasn't pitch black at the moment. In the distance was a golden Nevermore. A Forevermore. Ruby had only ever seen pictures in her text books. "A fine beast, that is."

"Yeah, and a dangerous one." Said Ruby, taking the bulky helmet off of her head. There was a large orange "1" on the back of the black metal.

"Light's out, Prime." Said Bardach from beside Donal, who had since reassembled his rifle for the fifth time. Donal stood and saluted his officer, then walked to the tent he shared with Aidan. Bardach turned to Ruby and gave her a small smile. "You too, Ms. Rose. You will need your sleep, young one."

"Right away, sir." She got up and saluted him as well. He saluted back. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Oh, please do. I always allow my soldiers to speak freely. You need never ask me again."

"Well, it's more of a question." Ruby kicked the dirt. "How old are you?"

"And why does that matter, young one?" He walked to the middle of camp and watched as the two occupied tents went dark. "I am 52, Ms. Rose, and you are 19. The Easson twins are 24. Footpad Daemon is 26, and Reilly is 30. Age is not a matter in the Wardens. Death comes to us all, some sooner than later. Putting a timer on death is an ill omen. I will die, but not from being older than you." He turned around to face her. "You have bonded with the Easson twins in these last few hours, and that's ok. But come tomorrow night, you may never see them again, and that is also ok. For they died in battle, and that is all anyone ever asked for in the Wardens. They would give their life for you, Ms. Rose… Just don't ask them to. Sleep well." He saluted her again. She saluted back.

"Well that was a bummer." She mumbled. She slowly turned and shuffled back into her tent and laid her scythe down. "I would never ask anyone to die for me…" Said Ruby aloud. She fell asleep repeating that sentence in her head.