The journey up the mountain was challenging, to say the least, with high slopes and loose stones even on the path. They would see mountain villages on small plateaus here and there, each well-defended by walls. They were mostly low, though, and less well-guarded than some that Sahshir had seen.

There were also a large number of fields planted in the soil of the mountain. It seemed quite rich in some places, and people were tending it. Yet there were also signs of brothels, forges, and other things. Obviously, King Asrif had either built or claimed a formidable island. One of many that dotted the Islands of Power.

Sorn would have difficulty taking such a place.

"That's the usual Harlenorian style," said Nagos. "Everything has to have a wall around it. You're only considered an authentic village once you have one.

"That and until everyone is trained in using a spear."

"It is a wise policy," said Sahshir. "The enemy of Baltoth is not without virtues."

"So everyone knows how to fight," said Narcissa.

"If you want to be part of society, you must be willing to serve in the wars," said Nagos. "Though Antion has been moving away from that. In Chaminus, we prefer to focus on being artists and industry.

"Our military is small, but they train professionally and get a wage. Plus, my Father got them a lot of good armor. So we'll probably be able to handle things."

"Replacing them will be difficult," noted Sahshir.

"If I have to replace a large part of my army, something has gone seriously wrong," said Nagos. "Those guys all have families. So I don't want them to die if I can help it.

"Actually, I don't even want my enemies to die; they have families too. I'd take it if we could figure out this without a war."

"You could surrender and let them enslave you," noted Narcissa, shifting her bare shoulders. Cowardice and slavery was a way to avoid conflict.

But not an honorable way.

"Let's talk about that if we lose," laughed Nagos.

Sahshir was used to such rocky ground, and Narcissa had some experience. But the road was rocky, and their guards moved at a rapid pace that they could not match. Nagos seemed to have the worst of it but pretended otherwise well.

At last, they were ushered through the gates into the walls of the slanted roofed structure. Now that he was nearer, Sahshir recognized the designs. He'd seen paintings of these grey stone-style of buildings within the palace. Most of them had been on fire, but he saw how formidable they were here. Far stronger than the more recent construction of the walls outside.

As they were led into the keep, Sahshir calculated how best to attack such a fortification. The ground was too rocky to dig through. Launching a direct assault would be uphill and exposed to slings and arrows. Siege equipment would require more work to set up.

Whoever took this fortress would be a formidable warrior indeed. Even with overwhelming force, there was nowhere closer to land than the shore.

How had a pirate gotten it?

"Has this place ever been attacked?" asked Sahshir.

"Well, it was sieged once or twice," said Nagos. "And raided more than that. And there's always a few scuffles here and there in pirate towns. The Babarassians has always been a problem to the east. And before King Asrif took up residence, this island was ruled by Princess Nyx and her entourage. She was an Amazon who built her own Kingdom and was even officially recognized by Antion.

"But she was betrayed and defeated by Raynald De Chevlon, and Lord Dunmoore took the island. It was then sold off to Asrif, who made his colony. After that, Calisha surrounded the place and laid siege for six years on behalf of Princess Nyx. But Asrif held out until Argath Marn and Tanith Telus raids forced them to withdraw.

"Though it was more several sieges."

"I remember my mentor, Illaryus, taught me about Nyx," said Narcissa. "Zigildrazia was very unhappy about that. So how did Raynald end up working for her anyway?"

"Well, that was before I could talk," said Nagos. "Possibly before I was born.

"From what I hear, Raynald helped Nyx out of a tough spot when he was younger than us. He was a social outcast, and nobody thought he was going anywhere. A lot of his family mocked him.

"She took his help, realized he was politically useless, and distanced herself from him. He took it personally because he spent years getting into her inner circle. All so he could open the gates of that castle and stab her in the back. Tanith Telus is his student, you know.

"That guy scares me, and I've never even met him. He lives for revenge. Did you know he killed sixteen people just to settle grudges in two hours? He was related to some of them, and he challenged them to duels.

"Nearly wiped out the nobility of Blackfear overnight."

"Sounds like you, Sahshir," said Narcissa.

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"It sounds like one I could have been," said Sahshir.

"His other student seemed like a pretty good person, though," said Nagos. "William Gabriel. I met him on a voyage to Blackfear a little while ago.

"He spends a lot of time healing people and wants to help them. Though he's got a vengeful streak a mile wide. I guess he picked that up from Raynald. I think you'd like him, Narcissa."

"Of course, he has a vengeful streak," said Narcissa. "Harlenorians live for revenge.

"They've been waging the same crusade for millennia."

"Not really," said Nagos. "All those wars have their own reasons for being fought. But Anoa IX makes for a good story, so people tend to assume it's about him.

"The truth it, wars happen for many reasons, and you can't really avoid them all the time.

"You just have to stop the ones you can and fight the ones you have to."

"How many wars have you been in?" asked Sahshir.

"This will be the first," said Nagos. "But I spent enough time on pirate ships to know a thing or two. So I'm hoping I don't botch it."

"I recommend prayer," said Sahshir. "It helps one focus."

"I might try that," said Nagos.

"How did Asrif get control of this island?" asked Narcissa.

"We voted him in," said a pirate. "Asrif was made King by vote after leading us to riches and glory."

They went through double doors and into a torchlit throne room. At the far end was a throne, and upon it sat a large man. He held a massive claymore of Harlenorian make between his hands, almost as long as he was tall. His face was tan, he had a tawny brown beard and hair and a haggard face, and his fingers were covered in scars.

Beside him was a priestess of Safara. Sahshir could tell by her brilliant red hair and tan skin. They had a remarkable resemblance to her goddess, strangely enough. As though they were physically becoming her.

Nagos paid her no heed as she walked through. "Asrif! It's been years!"

"Nagos?" asked Asrif. "What in the blazes are you doing here? I thought you'd returned home."

"Well, I have a Sornian Fleet coming after me at the moment," said Nagos. "Or possibly the island near me. They hope to take over the last remnant of the Dinis Empire at sea."

"Well, why are you coming to me?" asked Asrif, "Unless you plan on paying us, I don't think we have any business."

"Well, I would," said Nagos. "Thing is, the Emperor is sort of an idiot."

"What's your point?" asked Asrif.

"Well, I think he'll botch the defense," said Nagos. "And if I'm going to have my first defense botched, I want some help. So I figured I'd ask you to gather your fleets and unite your banner with King Alcaides's. From there, you can help me destroy Sorn's power in the Islands of Power."

"I suppose you always did have a sense of humor, Nagos." laughed Asrif.

Nagos smiled. "I wasn't joking. I'd much rather pay you to leave my ships alone, as would Dinis. It's easier that way. But Sorn is of the same descent as you; they're Harlenorians in their blood.

"If Sorn destroys Dinis' hold here, their next order of business will be hunting you down so they don't interfere."

"And if we destroy Sorn, the reverse will be true," noted Asrif.

"Maybe, but Dinis is no good at naval warfare," said Nagos. "And Octavus is an idiot. Imagine how high your reputation will soar if you defeat the Sorn? What if, right afterward, crush the fleets of Dinis."

"Well, that does sound like a fun afternoon," said Asrif. "But why should I unite with Alcaides? I hate the man, and he hates me far more for killing his brother."

"Because you won't be able to defeat Dinis or Sorn by yourself," said Nagos. "You and Alcaides are the great neutral powers of this region. So if you can unite for an afternoon, you could probably beat up just about anyone.

"As long as you're hating each other, you won't achieve anything." This Sahshir privately doubted. Asrif seemed a mighty King in his own right, and if Alcaides was his equal, they would be a great asset. But there were many such Kings in the Islands of power, and they rose and fell like the tide.

There were others with such power.

Just not others that Nagos knew personally.

"The boy is correct, King Asrif." said the priestess of Safara, stepping forward in what was almost a slither.

Asrif looked up. "Sorpenta, you've spoken. This is unusual."

"Hey, Sorpenta, I haven't seen you for a while!" said Nagos. "How is the church going? Have you convinced people to start feeding themselves to the serpents of the east yet?"

"We have attracted followers," said Sorpenta. "Few of such devotion as that, however."

"Why do you support this plan, Sorpenta?" asked Asrif.

"My lady, Safara, desires all creatures to be united as one in her," said Sorpenta. "I have read the signs, and she has spoken to me. If you unite with King Alcaides, you will win a great victory on the sea and a greater one by land.

"In so doing, you will become part of a greater power. And that power shall spread the love of Safara across all these islands."

"Very pleasant, but I do not want to be part of anything, however great," said Asrif. "I am King of my own domain. I am a descendant of Harlenor, but I am not of Harlenor."

"We are all mice in a world of serpents, Asrif," said Sorpenta. "We may escape them for a time, but if we are not devoured in life, we shall be consumed in death. Therefore, in time, we all must die and be reborn anew.

"All that is ours to choose is which serpent we are devoured by.

"You may choose the serpent of the past and be hunted down little by little. Or you may choose a greater serpent that surpasses all. Love itself shall be spread worldwide, bringing all into the fold should you aid them. And you shall be among those who bring forth its greatness, held in high renown and honor. And held close to the bosom of Safara in the end."

"Wonderful," scoffed Asrif. "Would anyone like to make an argument that gives a clear-cut answer?"

"All men die, Asrif," said Sahshir. "And those who die later see their achievements surpassed. Or they watch the generations fall into complacency. If you go into battle now and win great victories, you will know glory eternal in history. If you remain here and do as you have been doing, you will be merely a footnote."

Asrif looked at Sahshir and met his gaze. "The King of Eastern Kalthak, who saw Typhos rise?"

"The same," said Sahshir.

Asrif laughed. "Well, that makes some semblance of sense. But, Sorpenthra, get out of here. Your presence galls me."

Sorpenta bowed low and departed. Nagos blinked, then looked to Asrif. "Why do you tolerate her if you dislike her so much?"

"It was part of the deal," said Sahshir. "She wanted Nagos to go and become King, and I wasn't willing to do it. So she offered to have the Cult of Safara formally recognize my dominion and set up shrines here. Of course, doing so means Dinis will have difficulty justifying an invasion. Though it also means she has a jumping-off point to convert people.

"I don't like her or her cult. But the deal has worked out splendidly for both of us, so I'll not break it.

"I'll consider things, Nagos.

"Would you care for some hospitality in the meantime?"

"Sure, we'll spend the night, and then we'll set out to find King Alcaides next," said Sahshir."I recommend you talk with Sorpenthra about that," said Asrif. "She sends missionaries to various islands. At first, they came back in pieces. But now, there is a standing practice not to attack her ships.

"What are your plans for this anyway?"

"Well, for now, I just want to get everyone together on this," said Nagos. "The way I see it, the battle will probably be at Mcshore. So if we can just get there in time for the fight, we'll be fine."

"Don't think I've committed to anything, Nagos." said Asrif, "I like you, but I'm not convinced we're destined for victory."

"Don't worry. Things'll all work out no matter what we do," said Nagos with a shrug and a big smile.

As they were led to their rooms, Narcissa and Sahshir waited until they were safely within. Then Narcissa looked to Nagos. "Are you sure he will help us?"

"Sure?" asked Nagos. "No. But I don't like to make assumptions about people. I'm sure he'll do what he thinks is best. People usually do that.

"So, Narcissa, how many battles have you been in?"

"Just one," admitted Narcissa.

"I believe the siege of Zigilus should be several battles," said Sahshir.

"No, there were a bunch of engagements. But they were all the same battle," said Narcissa.

"Eh, there really isn't much of a difference," said Nagos. "Different people think different words mean different things. It doesn't really matter, though."

"How are you so casual about all this?" asked Narcissa. "You know he could have us all killed? We should have come here with our fleet in case of treachery."

"Sure, that would make sure we were safe, but it'd make convincing him harder," said Nagos.

"What do you mean?" asked Narcissa.

"If I came here with your ships, I'd just be regarded as a puppet," said Nagos. "And if I came here with my ships, he'd think I was strong-arming him, or I'd gotten arrogant.

Coming here on a standard ship means he just regards me as Nagos.

"I like talking to people as a person, not a King."

"You are the King. That is your identity," said Sahshir.

"My identity is Nagos," said Nagos. "The word King " is something people added to the front for convenience.

"I just hope that Serna is doing alright."

"I expect she is doing well," said Sahshir. "To be blunt, she seems more capable of navigating around Emperor's than yourself."

"I know," said Nagos. "But as long as we're out here, I can't do anything if she needs help."

"We've only been gone a day," said Narcissa. "I'm certain the Emperor will have plenty of responsibilities at that time."

"He didn't seem the kind to seek responsibilities out," noted Nagos.

"Emperor's have responsibilities whether they want them or not," said Sahshir.

"There isn't any point in worrying about it," said Nagos, lying on his bedroll. "What happens will happen. I'll deal with it when we get back. Who knows, maybe we'll all become friends in the end."

"Don't count on it," said Sahshir.

Privately, however, Sahshir wondered if the war was as hopeless as he'd thought.