Mother had been bedridden for the past few days. She didn't look happy about the fact, even if she was months pregnant. William entered the room, keeping his helmet slung under one arm as he approached. She looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

"Mother, I'm going," said William. "I thought I'd come to say goodbye."

"Vanion has told me of your exploits during battle," said Mother. "Would that I had been there.

"Unfortunately, it has been too long since my spear was driven home into the breast of an enemy. Even so, I am glad you played a part in the victory. You should seek to be part of the combat in this coming fight. In the field of battle, with a sword on sword, that is where true glory is.

"Everything else is merely preparation. I fear your Father has never understood that."

"I'm sure Raynald will place me wherever I need to be," said William. He wasn't about to tell her he had no desire to ever be in combat again.

"If he does not place you in the thick of the fighting, you should request it," said Mother. "There is where you will earn your place as a warrior."

"I understand," said William.

"I wish I were coming with you," said Azgora. "However, your brother and sister keep me here."

"Brother and sister?" asked William.

"Yes, the priests tell me I will bear twins," said Azgora. "I am glad to have a daughter finally. I am still proud of you, of course."

"Thank you, Mother," said William, not at all sure of what to say. "I should go."

As he made his way down to the courtyard, he tried to ignore the weight of his armor. He far preferred his lighter chain shirt to this, even if it didn't afford nearly as much protection. Kiyora's concern about the appearance of it was one he shared privately, but Rusara had chosen it. Inspiring fear was an essential part of Dust Elven warfare, or so William had been taught by Rusara.

He pulled his black cloak closer around him as he entered the courtyard and found Tanith waiting. "Ready?" she asked.

"Yes," said William. "Though the armor is heavy."

"Get used to it," said Tanith. "You'll be wearing it for a while."

"Yes, yes," said William.

"What's the harp for anyway?" asked Tanith.

"Oh, this?" said William, looking at the harp hanging under his crimson cloak. "It's for Massacre."

"The chimera is coming?" asked Tanith, sounding impressed.

"Yes," said William. "The only reason she didn't come with us in the first place was that she is a child of Typhos. Our mission ran contrary to Typhos' interests. She'll help our chances with this, though."

"Right," said Tanith doubtfully. "Where are Felix and the chimera anyway?"

"Felix is concluding some business deals," said William. "Massacre went with him."

"Yours?" asked Tanith.

"No, his own," said William. "Still, it isn't like Felix to be late."

"Well, he isn't late yet," said Tanith.

There was a long silence. William searched for something to say. "Tanith, what was being in battle like for you?"

"Oh, it was fun," said Tanith.

"Fun?" asked William. "I thought you were just blustering when you said that before."

"I meant every word," said Tanith. "The best time I've ever had. I remember I hit one of them in the face with my sword. He screamed until I hit him again and caved in his skull. I remember the sensation of my blood pumping as I hacked and slashed my way through them. I wish I could have felt that way forever."

"Are you sure that's healthy?" asked William. "Enjoying ending another's life?"

"You're worse than Raynald," muttered Tanith. "Of course, it's healthy. War is how Haldrenians prove themselves worthy of their titles. It has been since there has been a Haldren. Killing Calishans is our duty. So how can it be wrong to enjoy doing what Elranor wants us to do?"

"I'm not sure Elranor has a grudge against Calishans," said William. "So much as Baltoth."

"Is that why you saved the Calishans, then?" asked Tanith, an edge in her voice.

"My father had a use for Banir," said William. "And I thought capturing a King of Calisha would be glorious." He knew it was a lie.

"Really? And his minions?" asked Tanith.

"I almost drowned once, Tanith," said William. "I watched Felix almost drown. It isn't something I'd wish on my worst enemies."

"They're Calishans," said Tanith.

"Yes, and if I'm ever captured by one, I'd rather not be executed out of hand," said William. "Having a reputation for benevolence to one's defeated enemies can help one's chances. Not every battle is a victory."

"I guess," said Tanith. "You sound just like Duke Vanion, you know. I remember Raynald, and he argued."

"What about?" asked William.

"Raynald wanted to execute every prisoner who wasn't worth anything. Then we'd ransom the rest," said Tanith. "Send a message to Calisha."

"Well, that sounds like Raynald." said William, "I think I know what Father's response was."

At that moment, Felix and Massacre got back. The Calishan boy approached, throwing his violet cloak behind him. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. Some unexpected business came up."

"Don't worry about it," said Tanith. "So, you sat in on a negotiation between Duke Vanion and King Banir. What'd they talk about?"

"For the most part, Duke Vanion flattered him, offered him generous terms, and got him to leave," said Felix.

"That's all?" asked Tanith.

"More or less," said Felix. "It was some time ago, but Vanion held all the cards. It wasn't exciting."

"And here I'd hoped there had been some secret negotiations," said Tanith. "Ah well, can't argue with total victory. And the bastard ended up dead anyway, so all ends well."

"Don't concern yourself with it," said William. "Let's focus on what we can affect. Let's get outside the gates before Raynald sends a search party."

They began their walk. As they did, Tanith looked thoughtful. "I don't understand why we made friends with the satyrs up north anyway."

"Surely you must have read the history," said William.

"I've dropped out of reading history. Mostly since signing up with Lord Marn," said Tanith, which was no excuse since they'd been taught it. How much had she forgotten?

"Well, fortunately for you, I have not," said William. "Khasmir is of strategic importance. If the Calishans were to gain control of it, they could move their armies across the river. They could then head south over the northern frontier. They know it, and we know it. That's why we must support our allies in the region."

"I don't see why we couldn't just kill all the satyrs," said Tanith. "Then, once they were dead, we could move our colonists in."

"The Calishans would have an easy time marching through graveyards," mused William. Note to self: appeals to pragmatism had a greater effect than an appeal to one's conscience.

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"Oh right," said Tanith. "It would be pretty hard to hold that region by ourselves. So, who are our allies again?"

"We're allied with the Fireeyes Clan and their vassals," said William. "They converted to worship Elranor some years ago, and their leader was educated in Antion. The Bloodhowlers are a group who worship Baltoth, originally from Seathorius. We can be grateful that they are the smallest of the Khasmir factions."

"I don't understand why they didn't cross the river near their allies, then head south," said Tanith.

"They could have," said William. "But we'd have heard about it. And all the other clans would have allied to fight off a hostile invasion. Once we came with reinforcements, they would face a far larger army than before."

"Well, what about the worshippers of Fortenex?" asked Tanith. "The ones we fought before."

"They are a minority of the neutral clans long at war with the worshippers of Kreshlak," said William. "I suspect they allied with Wraith in the hopes of tipping the scales in their favor."

"Who worships Kreshlak?" asked Tanith.

"Everyone except the worshippers of Fortenex," said William. "Viokin traders spread his worship well before we even owned Artarq. You see, this was before the Viokin Wars and-"

"Okay, okay, whatever," said Tanith. "I remember reading about all this in Carn Gable. It's coming back to me. The Viokins had a stint of sending missionaries out to other lands."

"If you don't want the answer to your questions, you shouldn't ask them, Tanith," said William.

"Just tell me who I need to stab when I need to stab them, okay," said Tanith. "I know history is important, but I have no talent for it. I'm better at languages. Still, I can learn more about this feud between Kreshlak and Fortenex.

"Worth noting about in my journal."

"As you wish," said William, feeling a twinge of irritation. She never used to have this little regard for her education.

The army traveled north on the road for several days. William spent much of his spare time helping the priests heal people. The men who got injured or sick along the route were grateful. They didn't run into anything serious, of course. Yet, in an army of thousands, someone was always getting injured.

He had a limited amount of spare time. Raynald and Rusara were making all kinds of day-to-day decisions. William watched these, observed, and tried to learn as best he could. Most of them were dreary, such as the placement of latrines or the organization of the camp. But he knew such decisions were critical, so he held his tongue and listened.

At night, he would play his music for Massacre. Yet he found that his music became something of an event. Many of the women in the army came to listen, as well. He found he enjoyed the attention.

Before long, they had passed by the castle of Lord Asimir, now under the management of Sarris. The wall had been partially repaired, and they took shelter there for the night. The land, however, had begun to change. The grass was turning to a more pleasant shade, and the area seemed far less harsh.

"It seems that Elranor is extending his influence over this place at last," said Raynald. "Good. I was tired of Baltoth holding territory in a land that belongs to Harlenor."

"I have always found Elranor's domains to be far too tame," mused Rusara.

The following day they pressed on to Khasmir.

The ground grew steadily rougher, and the air far colder. The trees here were twisted and low to the ground, while vegetation was hard to come by. Once or twice, William saw mountain goats wandering the landscape. Several were hunted for meals by soldiers when they did not flee quickly enough.

Kreshlak's will soon become known, and travel injuries became more common. It also began to rain more, and the wind was always howling. William spent much time healing those who fell or became severely cold. A few fell into frozen rivers, and he could not save them all. It had taken constant effort to keep them alive until Rusara's fire could warm them.

"Now, do you see why we brought all that heavy clothing?" asked William.

"Yes, yes," Tanith said, pulling her cloak closer, "this is even worse than Baltoth's domain. How can anyone stand it?"

"Baltoth and Kreshlak both share the philosophy that hardship creates strength," said Felix. "The difference is Baltoth appreciates the benefits of an advanced civilization. Kreshlak would prefer it if everyone lived in yurts and hit each other with axes all day."

"I would keep such opinions to yourself," William warned him. "Those who dwell here may be of a different mind." He looked at Felix. "I'm surprised, though; I didn't know you held him in such contempt."

"Kreshlak is in many ways the antithesis of my beliefs," said Felix. "Professing a meaningless warrior code and condemning the use of cunning and cooperation. As if brute force was the source of power."

"And what is the source of power?" asked William, curious as to his answer.

"Your ability to achieve your objectives," said Felix. "If you accomplish what you set out to do, then you are powerful. If you fail, you are not. Power is one's ability to enforce one's will upon a universe that defies you. Everything else is merely window dressing.

"Look at Duke Vanion. He is physically inferior to both Raynald and Lady Azgora. He needs to gain more skill in magic to compare to Rusara. And yet he is the most powerful person in this land."

"I never heard you speak this way," mused William. "Is this a personal philosophy?"

"No," said Felix. "It has a basis in my holy texts."

"Your holy texts?" asked Tanith in amusement. "What are you, a god?"

"I mean to say the holy texts that the Duke had stored in Carn Gable's library," said Felix quickly. "You see, he purchased several texts written by Baltoth and put them away. However, aside from the Duke, I was the only person who ever read them, so I felt like they were mine."

"Yes, I remember those," said William. "I always meant to read them but never got around to it. I'm surprised you liked them so much. Considering-" William stopped as he realized he had nearly opened up old wounds.

Felix did not show any distress other than looking a bit melancholy. "What Baltoth did to my family was not personal. It was merely the law, and he was enforcing it. Ruthless punishment of those who steal from the crown keeps others from doing the same."

"You know, I've been saying that for years," said Tanith. She had not.

Soon, they began to pass villages of satyrs, always on hilltops and surrounded by walls. The people came out to watch them warily, holding weapons. Their warriors kept their guard up, and someone blew a horn. Another followed the horn. Then, it was answered by another two calls somewhere in the difference.

"A warning sign," mused Tanith.

"Yes," said Raynald, who had been walking along the lines. "The Fireeyes clan has a very organized series of warning systems. Each village chief has four horns: one for the north, one for the south, one for the east, and one for the west. They blow one or two of them to signify the direction of the enemy army. Then the other villages blow their horns when they hear it."

"Wouldn't it be much simpler to light a signal fire?" asked Felix.

"It would," admitted Raynald. "Relg always was fond of making things too complicated for his good."

They passed several other villages and heard several more horn calls. Raynald listened to them and frowned. After a moment, he looked at them.

"North," said Raynald. "There is an army approaching from the north."

"Are you sure?" asked William. "I mean, suppose a village south of here saw an army approaching them from the north? Then the army would be to the south."

"Wouldn't some other villages have warned them?" asked Tanith. "You know, before the army got south of us."

"This system is complicated to the point of being useless," mused Felix.

"Oh, I forgot to mention something," said Raynald. "The horn calls don't say whether they are north, south, east, or west of the village. They say they are north, south, east, or west of Kynn."

"What is Kynn?" asked Tanith.

"The most formidable fortress in Khasmir," said Raynald. "Armies have broken on it like the sea against cliffs. It's probably the only worthwhile thing the satyrs ever made."

"It is the capital of our allies in Khasmir," said William.

Some hours later, they came within sight of their destination. It sat at the top of a cliff, with the southern side a sheer cliff and only one possible area of the approach. William felt climbing would be difficult, even for him and Felix.

The fortress looked like it had been assembled without any plan or idea of its shape. The towers were all at different heights, though they were tall. The stonework was of several styles, chipped and cracked in many places. Satyrs patrolled it with bows.

"So that's the fortress," said William. "Not nearly so impressive as I thought it would be."

"That's Kynn?" asked Tanith. "It doesn't look very well defended."

"That is because the army is over there," said Felix.

The cliff had hidden the army, but now they could see it. It was quite large, though still inferior in numbers to their own. The satyrs within it were clad in leather and wielded axes and shields. No scimitars could be seen like their cousins in Seathorius used. They also looked a bit shorter and bulkier.

Raynald, at this moment, approached. "William, I'm going to meet with Relg. You will accompany me. Rusara will be in command in my absence."

"You don't think they'll betray us?" asked William.

"I have no good reason to think they will," said Raynald. "But who knows what these satyr animals will get up to on a whim? I'm not taking any chances. Besides, we might come under attack while meeting with them."

The satyrs had a similar idea. Their leaders came forward with a white flag at around the same time. The two groups marched to meet each other, and William saw the satyr leader, Relg, he guessed. He was taller than his brethren and thinner, too. His eyes were dark, and his fur was black as night. He wore a long brown cloak around metal armor. He bowed his head as Raynald approached. "Lord Raynald De Chevlon. News of your victories in battle has reached across the world. I am glad that a great warrior has come to our aid."

"I thank you, Chieftain Relg Fireeyes," said Raynald, none of his disdain in his voice. "We men of Harlenor always honor our debts and remember our friends long after we have been forgotten. What troubles you?"

"Many of the neutral clans have been united in common cause against us," said Relg. "We feared they would attack us, and our fears have borne fruit. Even as we speak, they march toward us. We will need your steel on this day to gain victory."

"You have it," said Raynald. "My men and their arms are as one with yours."

"Then together we shall slaughter our enemies!" said Relg. "Let us bring our officers together and make our plans upon this ground."

"It shall be so," said Raynald.

After they had separated, William looked to Raynald. "Why wouldn't Relg have his army within Kynn, Raynald? It seems a waste to leave the fortress unoccupied when he is there."

"Kynn is his great advantage," said Raynald. "And satyrs know nothing of loyalty. Most of that army comes from Relg's vassals. If he let them in, they might never leave. So he would much rather confront his enemies far afield and fall back to Kynn if he suffers a defeat."

"I see," said William. "He is very well-spoken, isn't he?"

"Relg was educated in Antion. He speaks Harlenorian with perfect clarity," said Raynald. "It doesn't make him any less of a satyr."

Duly noted.