The next day, Laniro gathered the soldiers he had chosen. They were thin and pale-faced. He had selected twenty-one warriors to join them on their journey to Moonatoria. Six of them were sick, constantly coughing and weak, as if they had a lung disease, but still thin. Two others were extremely emaciated, as if they had been starving for a long time, looking like skeletons. Five had disabilities—two were missing an eye, and one had a severed hand. Three looked healthy but weren't particularly strong or muscular, just slightly thin. Only one was robust and well-built. Laniro chose him so that there would be at least one strong one left, just in case the sick and frail soldiers died.
The chosen soldiers were overjoyed, thinking they were going on a journey with the king. They were indeed going for the king, but they didn't know where. This was the first time they felt valued despite their illnesses and disabilities. The other soldiers were surprised and envious.
