The vision ended, and silence reigned between them.

Sahshir considered making a speech about having a common enemy. Thoughts occurred to him of elaborate poetic flourishes. He could invoke grand conceptions of hatred put aside and the glory of cooperation. He might cite Garacel as a worthy opponent and his bravery and cunning. Or note that they shared a common enemy. Defeat and friendship were said to go hand in hand at times. But no one around needed to hear it, and Sahshir had no desire to be social. So he merely kept on looking at Garacel flatly.

"Why did he kill the guards and not Kaba?" asked Sahshir. "It would have solved a great many problems."

"For us, yes," said Garacel. "Unfortunately, not for Garrick. He is a Knight of the Coin, an order gradually failing. The Great Houses pay lip service to Coinfurth but regard his servants as sheep.

"If Garrick were to assassinate Kaba, it would be political," said Garacel. "It could throw Sorn's war effort into disarray and draw the ire of the Great Houses on his order.

"Instead, he made a show of force and prophecied the downfall of Kaba. I expect Coinfurth will withdraw his support now. Kaba is too influential in destroying directly, but the seeds of his end may be sewn now.

"Where did you send Narcissa?"

"To get help from King Nagos against you," said Sahshir, reflecting the measure was wasted now. "It is something of a moot point now, isn't it? So what are your plans?"

Garacel crossed his arms and smiled as his gaze turned to the swamps. "I have erected fortifications in the swamps that will suffice. They are now under the protection of Laevian and Elranor. We may establish ourselves there.

"Follow me."

"Not without my men," replied Sahshir, refusing to go into the lion's den alone. "We will meet with my warriors first."

Garacel nodded and walked behind him. Together they strode back across the island, leaving the city behind them. As they walked, Sahshir reflected that Garacel's prediction would likely come true. Mass death would soon consume this world, and he saw little way that it could be prevented.

Gods did not make idle threats.

But it is possible to save some of those on this island. Though his own men must come first. Perhaps Garacel had picked up on these thoughts because they infuriated him.

Soon enough, they came back to the camp.

There, Marius established a camp and erected walls around the supplies. A small fort had been found here. It had a trench surrounding a palisade reinforced by hills of dirt and trenches. Each of his soldiers carried several stakes which could be planted in the ground to form a wall. No trees had been hewed from the nearby forests. Cesspits were being dug, and there was a source of fresh water in a stream coming out of the hills. It looked like refugees of all kinds had come to them for shelter.

Marius met him at the gate, adjusting his blade in the sheathe. "Sahshir, you've returned. Unfortunately, we have a problem, don't we?"

"Yes, Marius," said Sahshir. "The capital is held against us. How are our men?"

"Most are healed, and we've gathered supplies as we could find," said Marius. "Since we set up here, refugees have come from the surrounding lands. But unfortunately, not everyone was able to escape to the city.

"I'm not comfortable leaving them here.

"What are your orders?"

"Garacel and we have a common enemy," said Sahshir. "I will take my personal forces and meet up with his troops. You will remain here and fortify your position. It should give Kaba something to attack.

"You can hold him in place long enough for us to strike from behind."

"We are the legions," said Marius simply. "No Sornian mercenary shall pass out the shield wall."

"Good," said Sahshir before glancing at Garacel. "Garacel, you will lead us into the swamp. First, however, I will need your sword to show good faith. It will be held by Marius until such time as the battle is over."

Garacel halted momentarily, clenched the Blade of Chaos, and drew it out. "Very well." The Blade of Chaos gleamed as Marius took it, and his hands visibly sagged. There was a howl and a snarl from it. Marius drew out his sword and offered it to Garacel, who took it without expression. "I will expect it back, of course."

"Are you certain of this?" asked Marius.

"I am certain I can kill him before he can escape," said Sahshir. "And I doubt he has anything to gain by turning on us. We have a much greater enemy to face." Then he turned to Garacel, who was testing the weight of the blade.

"We have much work to do," said Garacel after a moment.

And so they set out.

The marshes were filthy, stank to high heaven, and were infested with flies. But, oddly enough, none of the flies went after them. Instead, they strode through the water, and the worst of the muck seemed to shrink away from them.

"You have an alliance with the spirits of this place," guessed Sahshir.

"Yes," said Garacel. "One long in the making. With Laevian taking my part, I have complete dominion over these lands.

"Often, slaves have dwelled here in hiding for some years. There are villages within this place, where many have spent long years hiding. The slavers are forbidden to cut these woods, you see."

"And how do you know of them?" asked Sahshir.

Garacel tossed Marius' blade into the air, then caught it halfway down. "During my years of service to Zigildrazia, I came here often. I created the communities within this place and kept them hidden.

"See here."

He pointed to a tree, and looking at it, Sahshir perceived a faint symbol, half-covered by green moss. As they drew near, the character shone brilliantly for a moment. Then, the earth rose from the mud, revealing a stairway.

"What is this?" asked Sahshir.

"A spell cast long ago thanks to deals with the spirits," said Garacel. "Come, we have much to discuss."

Together they descended the staircase and were greeted by a deformed man. One wearing many garments. With him were dozens upon dozens of men with spears trained on them. "Lord Garacel, you've returned. Are these those you spoke of?"

"Indeed they are, Baj," said Garacel. "My servants, we now face a common enemy. For as I foresaw, the Sornians have betrayed us. Even now, their scouts are streaming through the lands, looking for us. So bring clothes and food for them.

"But, there is time yet."

"I would know your plans, Garacel," said Sahshir,.glancing back to his guard.

"Then let us speak of them elsewhere," said Garacel. "You need not fear me here."

"I fear nothing," said Sahshir. Death was inevitable; what did it matter if it came a year or two early? Garacel's assurances were as meaningless as water pouring into sand.

Garacel smiled. Sahshir didn't see what was amusing, and he didn't particularly care. "As you say. Come with me."

Sahshir glanced back and motioned an order. The samurai nodded and dispersed.

"Not a talkative bunch, are they?" asked Garacel.

"They are the Silent Guard," said Sahshir. "Samurai, who has sworn never to speak so long as they serve in the Royal Guard. Speech is only permitted them when making reports, and their names are not to be spoken."

"What purpose could that serve?" asked Garacel.

"A man who cannot speak cannot plot against his master," said Sahshir. "It is also a form of monkhood."

"Both debatable statements," mused Garacel. "Though I imagine it would make things more difficult. Would you care for something to drink? There is little here, but such as they have is yours."

"No," said Sahshir flatly.

Garacel eyed him carefully as Sahshir sipped from his waterskin. His expression was unreadable, and his eyes were hard. "You hate me, don't you, Sahshir? I might inquire as to why. Aside from defeating that priestess in fair battle, what crime have I committed-"

"You slaughtered an entire city," replied Sahshir. "You unleashed armies of monsters on those you were meant to protect. Then, for the sake of your designs, you exterminated your own subjects."

"Zigildrazia's subjects, and it was Zigildrazia's will," said Garacel. "Do you Kalthakians not maintain that loyalty to a lord is the great virtue."

"A lord has obligations of their own," said Sahshir. "You betrayed your people. As did Zigildrazia."

"Perhaps you should ask them if they are furious as you are," noted Garacel.

"They should be," said Sahshir simply. "You have no right to call yourself a lord."

"And I do not," said Garacel. "Others gave me that title. Can you say the same, Kalthakian?

"The people of Zigilus devoted themselves wholly to Zigildrazia. They understand well that they were hers to use or break as she saw fit. Therefore, you will not find any moral outrage from them."

"They will have it when Baltoth restores them to as they should be," replied Sahshir.

For the first time, Garacel looked angry as he turned to Sahshir. "Baltoth? Baltoth crucifies thousands of his subjects as he praises his enemies. Baltoth, who has a harem of thousands and yet who denies his subjects more than one wife.

"He has no idea what things should be, for he is an aberration. The one true God, Valranor, was usurped by him. But the day shall come when Valranor shall rise again, and on that day, those who aid Baltoth shall die with him.

"His curse is on him even now."

"That day will never come," replied Sahshir simply. "And if it does, you shall never see it. For I will slay you someday. Though my body may fail me, my spirit shall see you dead."

"Then try yourself against me when we no longer have a common enemy," said Garacel. He shrugged in resignation and checked the sword at his side. "This is a fine sword." Then he glanced to where Baj had crept up. "What news, Baj?"

"The Sornians are marching toward our strongholds," said Baj. "Sen Kaba is filling in the marsh with bags of sand, and the militia is working with him. Others have dispatched messages to Marius, seeking to negotiate his surrender. In addition, Kaba's forces are establishing a perimeter of walls outside the fort.

"Even as we speak, he is bringing in more troops from his fleet."

"Then we will have enough time. Laevian's diseases may serve us well here," said Garacel.

Sahshir contemplated this. He considered that Kaba had divided his forces. If things continued like this, they'd have a lengthy war. One with massive cost to all sides, culminating in a meaningless truce. Even if won, it would only result in the will of Garacel being fulfilled.

Sahshir contemplated what he knew of Kaba. From this, he concluded that any deal made with him would be worthless. Any negotiations that would be worth having would require his removal. Now the question became: How could he use the fact. "I need no god of Harlenor to win my battles," said Sahshir. "Garacel, can you bring me out near their number?"

"Baj can take you anywhere on this island unseen," said Garacel. "But if you are pursued into the swamps, I will not open the gates for you."

"So be it," said Sahshir. "I will gain this victory without you." Then he turned to the Silent Guard. "Brothers! Samurai of Kalthak! We go to fall on our enemy while they stand guard! Any who wish to fight alongside us are welcome! Those who would remain here may cower here!"

"I'm compelled to ask what your plan here is," noted Garacel.

"Death or glory," replied Sahshir. "And a calculated risk."

"Of course," said Garacel with obvious sarcasm.

Sahshir did not expect him to understand. Nor did he want him to. Garacel deserved neither.