"I was simply following orders, turtledove," he replies mildly. "If you have questions, you may apply them to our Grammarian." Of course - if Byerly had wanted to out himself, he probably could have made a campaign for it, and they likely would have respected his judgment...but following orders is such a comfortable and tidy excuse.

Still. He lets out a sigh, and sits back, arms crossed. "But - I must ask for clarification. Especially the amateurs, you say. Pray tell, just how many amateurs are we talking here? Or, more precisely, what percentage of your forces are amateurs?"