Hank, his face expressionless, retrieved a Small Wooden Tube carved with an Isolation Rune. Inside were over a dozen specially made Bone Sticks.
The Bone Sticks came in two colors. Most were grayish-white, signifying "stay behind," while only four were dark red, for "reconnaissance."
Two reconnaissance teams were needed, each led by two High Level Apprentices. Besides the two Wizards present, there were eighteen people.
Hank placed the tube of sticks on the table, and the drawing officially began.
"Wait. Copperbeard, Anvil, and Ian Marcus—the three of you are exempt from the drawing."
Copperbeard seemed quite pleased with this arrangement, muttering, "Finally, someone who gets it."
Anvil simply gave a silent nod.
Sterling's voice made the tightly wound string in Ian's heart finally slacken.
He did as he was told, taking a step back with Copperbeard and Anvil.
No one objected. The three of them were far more useful garrisoning the camp than they would be on the battlefield.
