Asmon watched from a distance and gave a small nod of approval.
He thought, as he expected, Alex had changed since he returned. The old Jack would not be able to lead like this.
"Now," Alex said, his eyes narrowing a little, "I don't like fighting alongside strangers. So speak up.
Give me a name and something useful I should know. Don't give me your life story.
Just tell me what matters."
A tall woman stepped forward first. She had cropped silver hair and a scar over her mouth.
"Velna. Spear user.
Good at locking down fast targets. Better at making them regret running," she said.
Alex gave her a nod. "Good."
Next came a younger woman, barely out of her teens by the look of her. Her hands stayed on the hilt of her dagger.
"Mira. Scout and assassin," she said.
"Nice," Alex muttered.
Then a man stepped forward.
He was broad-shouldered, wearing mismatched armor pieces, and he had a grin that seemed too big for his face.
"Name's Tovik. I hit things.
