Narcissa had been journeying for some days now.

The swamp was now around her, but Narcissa smelled very little as she walked. She'd grown used to the muck and stench. The air was humid and hot, and the sun was still beating down even if you couldn't see it. As she walked, she had to admit she had no particular destination, beyond 'find Master Garacel' and no real idea for how to conduct negotiations as Sahshir instructed. She was simply walking in a general direction. She'd eaten her last rations yesterday. And still no sign of Master Garacel or anyone else.

Meanwhile, Narcissa was wearing burrowed samurai armor that had been fitted to her, made of black plate. This is as opposed to a perfect suit of leather. It didn't show off her breasts or her stomach; there weren't any high heels. Her shoulders were covered by pauldrons. You couldn't imagine seducing someone in this armor.

Granted, it might stop a dagger or sword better. But it was the principle of the thing! Narcissa wanted to look good in battle.

At least she didn't have to wear a helmet.

Well, in any case, sometimes, you just had to wander and hope the pieces fell into place.

Even so, as Narcissa came into a scenic grove with reasonable dry patches, she felt hungry. Kneeling down, she set down her axe and her hands together in prayer. This was not a practice used by her people, who always lived in their god's shadow. However, Sahshir performed it often to speak with Baltoth, and it seemed the right time.

"Zigildrazia, I am yours to wield and destroy as you see fit." Narcissa began, reflecting that was something Sahshir would say. "However, I cannot see your will here in this place. Send me a sign, and I shall do as you ask."

Then she waited.

Narcissa heard nothing, felt nothing, and just felt silly and tired after some time as she stood up. Well, it had been worth a try. Still, perhaps she should head back before-

Then Narcissa saw the flames. They were rising in what she thought was the north. Quickly, Narcissa snatched up her axe and strode quickly toward the fire. As she did, she remembered how much she missed her old armor. Wearing an outfit showing off plenty of cleavage, thigh, and stomach would not protect her. Not outside of Zigildrazia's domain. But it would have been far more relaxed than this concealing tin can. She also would be able to wear her hair in a ponytail.

Soon, Narcissa came out of the trees into a field. Before her, she saw a huge building surrounded by fields. There were several houses in those outlying fields. Most areas were on fire, and Narcissa saw several women fleeing, raising their skirts.

However, they were cut off by men with plows and spears and were cut down in moments. They screamed and screamed, and Narcissa felt a lump in her throat as she moved forward, drawing her axe. The men looked up and moved forward, and then there was a flash as a rain of hawk feathers flowed between them.

Master Garacel landed, arms crossed. "Welcome, Narcissa."

"Master Garacel, what is happening here?" said Narcissa. "Why are you-"

"Garacel, the liberator!" cheered a man.

"Hail Garacel, the liberator!" cried others.

Garacel raised a hand to the slaves, who fell silent. "A revolution. Since my defeat of Baltoth in Dinis, I have needed a base of operations. A place from which to strike out at my enemies.

"I intend to make this realm of Macshore into my kingdom."

"But why here?" asked Narcissa. "And why cause all this death?" She saw the bodies of the women, mangled and bloody. It didn't sit right with her; it was just like Zigilus.

Garacel smiled. "Hatred is a way of life in this place. Slave and masters despise and fear one another, working to undermine the other. All I needed to do was take hold of that hatred to inspire a rising.

"Now, the best of the slaves are among us. And those who would not survive my planned adventure are released from torment."

"You killed them," realized Narcissa. It was the only means of doing so, and it had been done to Zigilus.

"I sent them to die killing their enemies, yes," said Garacel. "Several plantations have already been destroyed. Others will soon fall. Those that remain shall be wiped away by the coming of my agents."

"Is this the will of Zigildrazia?" asked Narcissa.

Garacel paused for a moment. "My service to Zigildrazia is at an end. My part of our bargain is complete, and now I must seek my own advantage. But I do not seek a war with her or her people."

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"You realize then that you are starting one?" asked Narcissa. "Sahshir is allied with Dinis. He cannot afford to let this island fall to Sorn."

"Then you must convince him otherwise," said Garacel simply.

"And if I can't?" asked Narcissa.

"Then I shall see to it that he is taken alive, as well as his warriors," said Garacel with a shrug. "His presence is still needed in Kalthak to ensure your safety."

Narcissa paused, trying to think of what to say. There was no clear answer here, no command from Zigildrazia. However, Amysta held no interest, so the choice was hers. "You do know I'm going to have to stand with him, don't you? I can't betray him, or his Uncle will wipe us out."

"I am well aware, Narcissa," said Garacel.

"He has a fleet coming," said Narcissa. "Even if you wipe these out, Dinis will arrive and interfere."

Garacel looked back and smiled. "I would not be so quick to underestimate hatred. It is an infinitely renewable resource. And Sornians hate one another as much as their enemies.

"House Kaiban, House Magnious, House Suvvest, House Yusuf, and many others. All are competing to prove themselves stronger. King Nagos' defeat of one fleet will inspire others to come."

"Then you'll play the sides against one another," said Narcissa. "As you did at Zigilus."

"But, of course," said Garacel. "That is the nature of victory. To weaken and divide your enemy while keeping your own power unified.

"Everything else is luck."

The slaves were assembling before him even now, gathering. They raised farm tools and hammers. Garacel drew out the Blade of Chaos at his side, and as he did, the blade seemed to snarl with hatred. "My children. I am overjoyed to see so many of you gathered here before me. Your hate has made you powerful. It has broken the chains of your weak masters. But there are strong overlords. Ones who will seek to place new chains upon you.

"How will you defeat them?"

"Will you protect us, Garacel?" asked a woman.

"Would that I could alone," said Garacel. "But with your aid, I may do just that. Whoever you are, Kalthakian, Harlenorian, Medi, Dren, or Dinian, you are all of one people now.

"My agents will train you in the art of war. And when the time is right, we will overthrow them." And then he turned around to look behind Narcissa. "Is that acceptable, Lieutenant Garrick?"

Narcissa turned and saw nothing. Then Garrick emerged from the shadows alongside his men.

"You seem to have me at a disadvantage. I do not know you, but from your manifested powers, I would guess you to be Akalmush, the Lord of Hatred.

"I was led to believe you dead."

"I am his brother, Garacel," said Garacel, sheathing his sword. "And I am not yet his successor. But, Bas, you led them to me as I asked. I am pleased."

"What is the meaning of this?" asked Garrick flatly.

"I foresaw the coming of the Sornians and their defeat," said Garacel. "Thus, I set my servant Bas to watch for those who escaped and lead them away. Now with the army assembled, you and your men will train it."

"I have signed no contract," noted Garrick, looking around him. Did Garacel really know Garrick would join him? How? And what would he do to ensure his loyalty? This seemed too great a chance to take publically.

"Contract or no, our fates are tied," said Garrick, raising a hand. "So long as Dinis remains a power on this island, you are doomed to defeat. And my children will burn and die beneath their whips.

"We stand together or die apart."

"And what do you propose?" asked Garrick, shifting his sword on his back. His gaze turned to Narcissa, who met his and wondered at his intentions. Could Master Garacel really trust this man?

"You already grasp what I propose," said Garacel, moving toward Garrick. "You and your men will instruct those untrained in battle in the art of it. But for now, we have other matters to attend to." He glanced at his people. "The time for preparation has come. We must now establish a great stronghold within this marsh."

"A marsh?" asked Garrick. "Laevian's diseases often run in these. It would be wiser to choose firmer ground, where insects are uncommon." And insect buzzed near him, and Garrick reached up to crush it.

"Laevian is on our side," said Garacel. "I have long prepared this. For I knew Zigildrazia would arrange the destruction of Zigilus. And I knew that Sorn could not resist an easy target.

"The Goddess of the Wilds has sworn that no sickness shall touch us so long as the battle wages. Now quickly, we must begin our efforts." Then he looked to Narcissa, raising an eyebrow. "Narcissa, you have something to say?"

"How could you have foreseen this?" asked Narcissa.

"My contacts among your people told me that Sahshir was mobilizing for war," said Garacel with a smile. "And I observed the fleets gathering. I anticipated that he would take aggressive action, and this seemed the logical place for it.

"The Sornians, however, came expecting an easy victory. They were not anticipating an alliance against them. And they were acting in disunity, competing to be the first to win.

"Because of this slipshod offensive, I calculated that Sorn would be defeated here. Of course, unchanneled power is no power at all. But, in truth, the actions of the slavers were of precious little relevance to me. Regardless of events, I planned to exploit the ensuing chaos. And use it have.

"The only way their conflict could have gone against me was if one wholly annihilated the other.

"Though I confess, the destruction you have unleashed is quite impressive. I've had to rewrite my plans to account for it already." He sighed. "Go to Abdul Sahshir. Tell him we are free and seek no conflict with him or Dinis."

"Dinis won't accept a truce like that, and you know it," said Narcissa. "Hell, your plan counted on it." If Dinis had been the sort to cut their losses, they'd just have sold the island or made a truce. "They will fight to the bitter end to keep this place. Once they finish the Sornians, they will come after you next.

"And the two might unite to destroy you as well."

"Go nonetheless," said Garacel with a smile. "We must seek to avoid a useless war if only to remain sympathetic. I shall provide you with supplies, of course."

Narcissa couldn't see the harm in what he was asking. And it might help later. So Narcissa bowed traditionally, meant to show off her body. "As you wish."

Narcissa missed the low-cut armor she used to wear. If she'd been wearing it, she'd have looked very seductive. It really made her breasts look good, and her neck was great with the collar. It just didn't have the same effect in samurai armor. You couldn't even see the curve of her hips! So why did Sahshir insist on her dressing like she was some sort of samurai?

She was a battle-luster, and she wanted to wear high-heels and low-cut leather armor!

It wasn't fair!

Oh, and she also had to do something about this slave revolt.

She missed Zigilus.