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wards could exhaust a Warden. Thus, in this instance, Bander had wanted Errol to realize that he didn’t need to tire himself powering such strong protective barriers.
    “Needless to say, my plan backfired,” the older man noted.
    “It’s alright,” Errol said, impressed with Bander’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions. “We both got away unscathed.”
    “But it’s not alright,” Bander said in anger that was clearly directed at himself. “We were in your domain, your jurisdiction. You’re more familiar with what’s required, and I should have acknowledged that rather than trying to display my superior knowledge. Instead, my arrogance almost got us killed.”
    Errol shrugged. “It’s the Badlands. Just breathing is enough to get you killed there. Arrogance isn’t even worth noting.”
    Bander merely grunted in acknowledgment of this. The rest of their journey back to the Warden Station was made in silence.

 
    Chapter 8
     
    It was still dark when Errol and Bander arrived back at the Warden Station. That meant they might be able to squeeze in a little bit of sleep before morning. In Errol’s case, he felt as though he’d need it because of a comment Bander had made just as they returned.
    “You’ll have a weapons assessment today,” Bander had said. “With Prap.”
    Which was just what Errol needed after squaring off against two monsters within the past twenty-four hours. Rather than comment, though, he had simply nodded to show he understood.
    After taking care of their horses, Errol and Bander practically staggered back to the Station House. In an effort to be a good host, Errol proposed that the older Warden sleep in his bedroom. It was an offer that was gratefully accepted.
    The Station House actually had three bedrooms. In addition to Errol’s, there was his brother Tom’s room and a guest bedroom. Prior to leaving with Bander the evening before, he had offered the use of those two rooms, respectively, to Till and Prap. In short, after relinquishing his own room to Bander, Errol really had no place left to lay his own head, save one.
    As quietly as possible, he crept into the storage room. He had no idea if Berry was awake – didn’t even have a clue as to whether the little man even slept – but tried to make as little noise as possible as he laid out his sleeping bag and crawled inside. He was asleep within moments.
     
    *****
     
    Errol woke with the dawn the following morning. Despite getting a less-than-optimal amount of sleep, he was determined not to vary his daily routine, which normally consisted of exercise, followed by weapons training, and then breakfast. The only difference today was that his weapons proficiency would be judged by Prap.
    Thus it was that, after finishing his exercises – an invigorating jog around the Warden Station and a set of calisthenics – Errol sought Prap out. He found him, along with Bander and Till, at the dining table, finishing his morning meal. As was typical, breakfast had actually been delivered with the evening meal the day before and had consisted of fried potatoes, biscuits, and bacon.
    Initially, his three visitors had been willing to wait and have breakfast with their host. However, after Errol explained his routine (and that he wouldn’t be partaking of breakfast for a while), they had – at Errol’s insistence – gone ahead and begun eating.
    Prap was in the process of licking his fingers when Errol announced that he was ready.
    “Alright,” Prap said, wiping his fingers on his uniform. “Let’s get some weapons and head outside.”
    Like many Wardens, Errol’s family had collected a veritable arsenal over the years. Growing up, Errol had trained with everything from blades to bows to blowguns, and he now felt comfortable with almost any weapon.
    However, as it would be Prap who judged his proficiency, it was the burly Warden who got to select the weapons that would be used. After studying everything Errol had