Bab 79: Carvers

How to handle the remaining Cantagenans was basically divided into two competing camps.

"The Cantagenans are wounded, weak, and lack discipline. I say we leave them. Let them fend for themselves," Petricuno strongly advocated just ditching them.

"We are already low on manpower, and you want to decrease our numbers even more?" Melodias objected, believing having more troops, regardless of their ability, was better than having fewer.

"These undisciplined peasants will only hold us back. You said it yourself, the path ahead will have tough battles. Can you expect these low-morale, leaderless troops to hold their ground when the going gets tough? What if they break formation and decide to run at the critical point? Do I need to remind you in the first battle if was them that broke ranks first?" Petricuno made some very fine points to strengthen his case.

Melodias did not expect such eloquence from the usually brash mercenary and even his smooth tongue found it hard to refute him.