duty had dulled his edge, but he quickly regains it during action in the field. He often acts as Raj's executive officer, shoulder to shoulder with his commander, while directing what amounts to the General's bodyguard regiment. Colonel Jorg Menyez (becomes Companion in The Forge) Overall infantry commander, directly commands 17th Kelden County Foot. Forced into the less-prestigious infantry due to being severely allergic to dogs, Menyez is possibly the foremost expert in their training and doctrine the Civil Government has. This is first due to not disregarding them as broken peons with rifles, as most of the cavalry-oriented officer corps does, instead demanding the same excellence as is expected for dog-soldiers. Much of his service to Raj involves taking just such browbeaten peasants and turning them into soldiers who will stand against frothing barbarians and riding dogs alike without a backward step. Colonel Grammeck Dinnalsyn (becomes Companion in The Hammer) Overall artillery commander. Dinnalsyn, like most artillerymen in the Gubernio Civil, is somewhat of an engineer, as he is knowledgeable on matters concerning fortifications and weapons development. Muzzaf Kerpatik (becomes Companion in The Forge) Non-military: a Komarite (Arab) trader who swears loyalty to Raj Whitehall after coming to feel shame for taking part in the dealings of Chancellor Tzetzas, which had led to the weakening of Komar's defenses. He is Raj's main logistics man and the chief steward of the Whitehalls' wealth, as well as brokering information through his commercial contacts in much the same way Suzette uses her political skills. Major Kaltin Gruder (becomes Companion in The Forge) Commands: 7th Descott Rangers. Beginning the series as a company commander of the 5th Descott, he was promoted to command of the 7th Descott after the Valley of Death battle in The Forge. He strongly disapproves of Suzette Whitehall's apparent infidelity to her husband, even after her true devotion is revealed to him by Staenbridge. His personality, never what one might call 'passive', becomes markedly darker after his brother's death and his own facial scarring by the same Colonist shell. Notably, he is also the man Raj trusts most for missions involving independence and speed, often sending him behind enemy lines or out to the flank. Major Ehwardo Poplanich (becomes Companion in The Hammer) Commands: Poplanich's Own. This battalion is recruited from the Poplanich family's estates around East Residence. Ehwardo is cousin to Thom and Des Poplanich, and is killed