The sky was just beginning to lighten when Winters stepped out of the military camp and went for a swim in the river west of the town.
He first warmed up with two back and forth swims and then began to try diving to the bottom of the river.
By the time he got ashore, he found that Bard was waiting for him.
"When did you learn to swim?" Bard asked with a smile, sitting on Winters's clothes.
"I taught myself."
"Still practicing diving?"
Winters's heart ached at the mention of it, "Our dear Lieutenant Cherini got so excited he threw the Grand Cross into the river. I'm feeling the riverbed, maybe I can find it."
"Why bother fishing that thing up?" Bard was unconcerned.