As soon as Nayasha spoke, Sahshir arose and moved to draw his blade. But Tuor caught his hand as he did so, eyes closed in contemplation. For a moment, they struggled in place. "Stay your blade, Sahshir. This is too blatant a move by Zigildrazia to be entirely genuine. She has something else planned."

"Whatever it is, it will be foiled if we defeat them," said Sahshir.

"Perhaps," conceded Tuor. "And it would not do to leave this city undefended. But, if Asim meets him in a direct confrontation, I expect he will be victorious.

"But I do not think this is anything more than a diversion. Garacel knows this domain well."

"Garacel?" asked Sahshir. "That legendary enemy of Baltoth was here? Are you certain it is him?"

"Not certain," said Tuor. "But it is likely. The one-timer ruler of Dinis and Kalthak. He has come here for some purpose. And I believe it lies within this shrine."

"The Blade of Chaos?" said Kushina.

"Yes," said Tuor. "No doubt, he has sensed its awakening."

"Baltoth is my strength," said Kushina. "No man or god will pass my watch. I would like to know if you discussed this with Asim."

"I didn't," said Tuor. "If he is not even present for the coming battle, it will aid Sahshir's cause. But, in the meantime, we must make preparations of our own. Nayasha set a watch on the gate. If Garacel comes, it will be personal. And he will bring with him his specters.

"We must be ready."

They made their way out of the shrine and saw troops departing the palace in good order. They marched together, wearing the full reddish armor of Kalthak's elites. At their sides were long blades, and in their hands were spears. Others bore little or no armor and brought out spears or axes in a militia. The bells of wrath, taken from Antion in a raid long ago by his ancestors, were ringing. Their sound resounded from their towers at the gatehouse. All to summon the militia throughout the city as women and children hurried home. Merchants could be seen trying to get their goods to safer places, while dark clouds filled the sky.

The armies of Eastern Kalthak could field up to ten thousand men if fully mustered. Yet Khasina was not Kalthak, and there was no time. Here, they had only three thousand at the best of times. Most of them militia spearmen drilled by the order of Baltoth. Asim's personal forces would help; he had his own resources. But how had the enemy come so quickly?

Asim was also there, wearing his black armor and looking very pleased. With him was Sushaki, clad in a white suit. They were speaking, and Sushaki nodded before putting a closed fist to his chest in salute. Asim turned and marched away.

Sahshir walked up to Sushaki, bearing his sword. Sushaki turned to him, his fair face impassive. Never had Sahshir seen anyone look so noble in armor. Nor had he known any deceptive and vicious two-faced liar to appear so fair. "Sahshir. You are here."

"Yes," said Sahshir. "I will offer my sword to the defense of this city."

Even Sushaki wouldn't be depraved enough to turn on the city for spite's sake.

"Baltoth tells us that the leader who does not understand what it is to be a soldier cannot command," said Sushaki. And he set a hand of his own sword. It was a majestic blade of beauty nearly his equal. Unfortunately, however, I doubt either of us will have the chance.

"Father will deal with this raid soon enough."

"It may yet be more than that," said Sahshir. "Let us go to the wall."

Together, they walked as they had with Kushina in long years past. With them were many men. As they marched, Sahshir was careful to stay beyond the reach of any save Sushaki, and he kept a hand upon his sword.

Soon, they came to the gate and observed Asim walking for the pass at the border. His soldiers moved swiftly in the moonlight and disappeared into the dark. Sahshir glanced back and saw men drawing near at hand. But he caught them in his gaze, and they stepped back.

They waited.

Sahshir contemplated his threat to Sushaki, one made in haste. But he had taken the part of Asim. Departed Sahshir's company and hoped to one day stand as King on Sahshir's rightful throne.

"No sign," said Sushaki, coming to him. "Our watchers have seen no sign of the enemy. Nor has Asim met them in battle. We should have seen them."

Sahshir focused his vision on the moon high above. Then, looking deep into the moon, he murmured a prayer to the Moon Spirit under his breath.

Perhaps by design or chance, a beam of light shot down and illuminated three figures before the gate. Two smaller figures, clad in black armor with a mace and an axe. And one hulking figure in the armor of dark steel inlaid with gold. And power was in his bearing.

Sahshir set a hand on Sushaki's shoulder. Sushaki started and set a hand to his blade before relaxing.

"What is it?" said Sushaki.

"Three figures," said Sahshir. "See there."

Sushaki's gaze turned where Sahshir pointed. A murmur resounded among the men.

"Perhaps they mean to enter by stealth?" said Sushaki.

"In such armor? I doubt it," said Sahshir. "Let us-"

And then the gate was shattered. And into view came hundreds of ghostly figures. They swarmed through the gate, and cries of surprise were heard from within.

"Specters of the dead," said Sahshir before rushing toward the gate.

"To arms!" he heard Sushaki cry. "We must defend the gate!"

Sahshir was ahead of them all. He vaulted across the flat rooftops until he came to the gate. He saw the guards fighting with the specters as the armored figures walked at them. The battle was going ill. Their swords hardly injured the creatures, and armor was all but useless.

"The wrath of Baltoth strikes from on high!" cried Sahshir aloud.

And drawing the Sword of Order, he fell upon the specters. He cleaved through one as he descended, and it dissipated. Then he lunged forward and slashed through another. He cut around him, and two dissipated. The creatures swerved away from him in all directions.

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But soon, they returned with greater fury. They shot down upon him from the air, and he felt a spectral blade rake his shoulder. They were all around him now, and though he killed more with every moment, he was overwhelmed.

Then came the men.

Sushaki led a charge into the midst of the spirits. Cutting down a specter with his sword, he engaged another. A great battle began anew, and Sahshir hacked and slashed around him. Yet it was only beginning, and the leader of their enemy was nowhere to be found. Spearmen of the militia formed a line and thrust forward, chanting prayers to Baltoth.

The ghosts recoiled.

Sushaki met him, and the two stood back to back. They turned in a circle together, and wherever their gaze fell, the enemy died. Yet the leader was nowhere to be found.

"Sahshir," said Sushaki, "the necromancer is not here. Go and find him. He will surely seek the Blade of Chaos. We'll deal with these."

Sahshir nodded and retreated from the battlefield. Scaling up a wall, he left once more across the rooftops. As he did, he saw battles spreading throughout the streets. And yet, not one door was broken open. Not one window was shattered. Those who fled were not pursued, for the specters sought only to do battle with the fighting men.

Soon, he came to the shrine and found it a raging inferno that sent sweat streaking down his brow. Such was the heat that he could hardly approach without being burned. And yet the flames died just as quickly, and he was able to come through the smoke. Then, scaling up a wall, he looked down into the roofless ruin.

And there, he saw the armored figure and Kushina dueling. They passed one another and halted. In the armored figure's hand was the Blade of Chaos. It gleamed hatefully, and then Kushina collapsed to the ground.

"Kushina!" cried Sahshir. So they had killed his friend! He'd kill them! He'll kill them all for this insult!

Leaping from the roof, he plunged his sword down toward his enemy. But as he did, the Blade of Chaos blocked the Sword of Order. The two powers ripped against one another, and Sahshir staggered back beneath the force of it.

Yet the armored figure did not. Instead, he pressed forward, and Sahshir was forced onto the defensive. It was all he could do to survive the onslaught as blows like lightning rained. Soon, he had fallen to his back near Kushina. Rolling away from a downward thrust, he avoided being impaled. He felt his soul quiver at the sight of the blade as he jumped and took a stance.

"The Sword of Order." said the figure. "In the hands of an unworthy wielder. So much, the better. When you meet your god, tell him Garacel has his sword!"

Garacel lunged. But Sahshir rolled aside and jabbed upward. His sword caught the god beneath the armpit, and Garacel recoiled, armor chipped. His returning strike nearly took Sahshir's head off, but Sahshir backflipped away. Sahshir stooped by Kushina and, grasping her, leaped onto the wall and away. He fled, feeling Kushina's blood on him until he was far away. Setting her down, he tore the cloth from her skirt and used it to bind her wound as best he could. Then, he did the same to his own wound.

Kushina opened her eyes. "Sahshir, go after them..."

"What?" said Sahshir.

"You must go after them now," said Kushina, putting a hand on his shoulder. "The Blade of Chaos must be found... it must not be allowed to fall into their hands." She drew the crystal talisman from her neck and pressed it into his hands. "Take this gem. I'll be able to speak with you about it. Follow after our enemy and report... on their...location..."

"As you wish," said Sahshir.

Rising up, he left behind Kushina. Leaping back to the shrine, he found it smoldering still. But footsteps of ash were trekking through the streets. Sahshir followed after them, and while the footsteps disappeared, the trail did not. For wherever Garacel walked, soldiers and guards lay cleaved and dead.

He made no attempt at stealth but walked swiftly and indeed the way he had come. And all who resisted him were dead in pieces. Or cowering in terror. Sahshir went to the gates and saw Sushaki lying against the wall, breathing hard. His sword was broken, and his armor was cracked.

Sahshir could not stop. His mission was too urgent.

As he passed through the gates, he took to the shadows, praying to the Moon Spirit to keep her rays from him. And soon, he came within sight of the three enemies. A direct battle would be hopeless, so instead, he merely pursued.

"Both of you performed well," said Garacel. "In the future, I can trust you with greater responsibilities."

"I'd much rather stick to killing raishans, to be honest." said a female voice from one.

"I will consider the fact, then," said Garacel. "But I may need your service in the future." The man seemed to have a good relationship with his subordinates. Sahshir doubted they were lovers.

Kushina would be avenged.

Garacel led them to the pass but veered off suddenly and made his way into a strange pass that was not on any maps. Eventually, he slipped into a crevice, followed by the others. Here, Sahshir considered ambushing them to kill them piecemeal.

But it would be for naught. Unless he could overcome Garacel, killing his minions would only serve to alert him. He must observe. So he followed.

The crevasse led out to an open area. And there, Sahshir saw the airships. Huge, bulbous black things, designed with images of depravity. Figureheads of succubi were at the front of each. And so he followed, almost within Garacel's shadow.

And then he saw an ogre. It was a giant thing that wore a helm shaped like a wolf's maw. The teeth lined his face, and many whips were coiled around his right hand.

"Master Garacel, you've returned." said the ogre, kneeling.

"I have," said Garacel. "We have what we came for. Launch the airship and let us begone from here at once."

"Why didn't we bring any guards with us?" asked Garacel's minion as they walked up the ramp.

"They all would have died," said Garacel. "I'd rather spend some power to use warriors who have nothing to lose than lose men with families."

"Right, of course," said the minion.

The ramp closed behind them. The airship began to rise into the air. At that moment, Sahshir felt the weight of destiny was on him. He rushed forward and grabbed ahold of one of the legs of the device, even as it receded. Scaling up, he looked down to see the land growing small. Fortunately, the elaborate decoration of the airship provided many handholds. Sahshir was able to move along it until he came to the deck. There, he waited as the guards patrolled until he saw an opening.

Pulling himself up, he shot past them and down into the area below. By fate or chance, none were there, and he could slip into the halls. He dodged guards and patrols until, at last, he found a storage room. Here, he opened it and slipped in.

Here, he rested a moment. Then, drawing out the stone Kushina had given him, he focused his will through it. "Kushina, can you hear me?"

"Yes," said Kushina.

"The enemy has taken their airships. I'm onboard it, and it is leaving," said Sahshir.

"Be careful, then," said Kushina. "Sushaki was seriously hurt in the fighting."

"I thought you'd tell me to get off it," noted Sahshir.

"When have I ever been able to get you to do anything?" asked Kushina. "Find a safe place and hide out until you make port."

Sahshir meant to do just that.

Then he heard voices from two guards, who stopped near the entrance.

"So we're headed back to Zigilus then?" said one.

"Yes. I heard Lord Garacel found the sword we were looking for," said the other.

"Good. Those natural lands gave me chills." said the first. "When I get back, I'll first have my way with one of those slave succubi in the brothels."

"To each their own," said his friend, voice distasteful.

"Oh, come on." said the first. "They're mindless, obedient, and beautiful as long as you pay. What's wrong with that?"

"I like to have my way with things that can think," said the second.

Sahshir raised the stone. "Kushina, what is a slave succubus?"

"A mockery of the female form," said Kushina. "And sometimes the male form, though those are rare. Zigildrazia often transforms criminals in her domain into them, using them for prostitution.

"It is a primary industry of many cities that worship her."

"Sickening," said Sahshir. That was what Kushina would expect him to say.

"I'm well aware," said Kushina. "Listen, Sahshir, I won't be able to fight for a while. And a lot of people have been hurt or killed. So don't expect any invasion any time soon. We won't be able to bail you out if you are captured."

"You need not concern yourself. I learned the ways of shadow from Tuor," said Sahshir.

"Do you hear something?" asked one.

Sahshir covered his eyes with one hand.

"Oh, come on," said the other. "Who could get all the way up here?"

"These Kalthakians are a determined sort," said the first. "They can do insane things if it means hurting their enemies. Some might have tracked Lord Garacel back, and we might never have known it."

"Well, we will now," said the second.

They opened the door, and Sahshir drew his ghost blade. It passed through both their necks, and they fell to the ground, unconscious. Sahshir then dragged their limp forms into the room. They should be out cold soon. "I hate hiding."

Setting a hand to the Sword of Chaos, he felt it emanating power. The Blade of Chaos was near. Perhaps Sahshir could steal it back or kill Garacel while he was unaware.

It was worth a try.

He left the storeroom and drew his Ghost Blade. It was time to see if he could defeat this entire ship by stealth. What was the worst that could happen?