Achilles nods solemnly. He knows there are ways to break an enemy’s spirit. Pat’s death was the clearest case of that. Wounds of the soul can be just as, if not more grievous than those of the body—and much more difficult to heal. It seems the krauts had mastered this.

Briefly, he wonders if Pyrrhus’ treatment of the bodies would change Gavroche’s opinion at all, but he decides against mentioning it. Instead, he shifts his position to look at the other two boys.

“May I ask you lads about your wars?” As a show of goodwill, Achilles takes another sip of the coke. It’s not tasting any better. “Scout. You fought along with your father?”