It was the edge of the swamp. From the looks, it was several hundred feet further inland than last time. Great camps of men were all along with it, and even now, in the waning light, they worked. Bags of sand was brought in and shoveled into the water. Trees were felled, and the lumber was used to build watchtowers and fortifications.

But in most, it was thrown aside to rot. The Sornians were working to ensure their passage and destroy these lands. Given the number of bodies piled up nearby, diseases had been set on them already.

Sen Kaba, evidently, was a practitioner of the Old Harlenorian style of warfare. Like Anoa the Bright before him, he worked to break the will of the land itself.

"There they are," said Sahshir, glancing back to his men and motioning. "Assemble."

Many guards were standing by some distance away from the swamp. They held long halberds and wore metal masks as well as helmets. There were runes on their armor to ward off disease. Meanwhile, Sornian workers labored against the marsh without protection.

Vines surged upward, grabbing several slaves and pulling them into the murky water. There was a gurgling scream as men scrambled back. The guards moved toward it, a stroke of luck.

No, the will of the gods.

The land itself howled beneath Kaiban's army. The spirits spoke in whispers, some pleading, some wrathful. But through the Sword of Order, Sahshir could sense Kaiban's only reply. "Submit. Or be destroyed."

Sahshir looked back as more guards were drawn off. The workers clustered behind them in what they thought was safety. "Now, listen to me; our task here is not to slay warriors but workers.

"We will strike hard and kill those least armored. And when we have driven them in, we shall strike again still harder. But we shall draw back into the night when the enemy line solidifies.

"Understand?"

The Silent Guard nodded.

Sahshir smiled beneath his mask. "Good. For Kalthak and Baltoth."

And they crept forward as the sound of fighting was heard. Vines rose over the trees, and flames caught on some foliage. Screams of pain echoed as they neared the worker, who was retasked.

"So, why are we working at all this anyway? Can't we just let the slaves die of disease?" asked one. "Coinfurth knows enough of us have."

"General Kaba believes that they have a deal with Laevian." said another. "Since she's decided to pit herself against him, he wants this land ruined. So once we've killed all the slaves, we'll hack down all her sacred groves and fill in the waters.

"Teach her a lesson."

"She's a goddess of plague, you fool," said a third one. "You can't teach gods anything."

"Gods need us more than we need them," shot back the first. "So long as we're willing to give as good as we get, we can keep 'em in check. It'll be just like fighting a mortal enemy, only we're fighting diseases."

"Still, I hear Kaba had a scuffle with a Knight of the Coin," said a fourth, not seeing Sahshir as he drew near.

"The Knights of the Coin are a bunch of relics, lad," came the reply. "Nobody cares about their precious contracts; it's all just ink on a-"

Sahshir stepped into the light of the fire and brought around his sword. The head fell from the speaker's shoulders, and blood spewed. Younger men recoiled in horror. "Bassar!"

"For Calisha!" cried Sahshir.

And then the attack began.

They were not fighting armed men but workers without weapons beyond knives. Most were likely conscripts, and they fell quickly. Sahshir hacked and slashed ahead of his warriors, killing as many as he could. Some scattered and ran, only to be caught by birds that pecked out their eyes. Others tried to hold back the tide and were slaughtered in mere moments.

"Press the attack! Let none survive!" cried Sahshir. "We are the retribution of the Gods! None shall withstand us!"

They charged into the camp, slashing down men where they were resting. Guards rushed to delay them while others went for weapons, and the battle began. Sahshir slashed apart a spear and stabbed through a gap in his enemy's armor. The man screamed in agony, falling backward.

Around them, the enemy began to form up, grasping weapons and rising.

"The slaves! The slaves are upon us!" cried someone.

Sahshir saw the guards of the slavers coming from the swamp to aid the defenders. But out of the shadows came Garacel, taking to the air and cleaving down two. With him came the slaves, and the reinforcements were forced to turn and fight.

Then began the slaughter.

Sahshir killed all who stood before him and saw his men slay many. But soon enough, they were facing stiffer resistance. Already he could see some of his men dying. Garacel's slaves were held in place, and many were dying. They had killed many, but the defense was growing too strong.

"Pull back!" called Sahshir. "Back to the swamps, quickly!" And drawing a horn from his side, he sounded the retreat.

Back they went, like phantoms, leaving behind them many corpses. Garacel's men drew back, repulsed by the defense. Arrows shot over their sides as they entered the marsh, but no man dared follow beyond the light of the torches.

Sahshir stood vigil at the edge, looking over the camp.

Sen Kaba came forward, speaking to the men and organizing the healing of the sick and injured. His face remained expressionless as he drew near alongside Romilis.

"This kind of operation is dangerous, Lord Kaba," said Romilis. "I did say that the slaves could emerge suddenly."

"The losses are easily replaceable," said Kaba. "With the soldiers dead, we need not worry about paying them at war's end. Instead, take the bodies and feed them to the swamp. Let the spirits choke on the dead."

Romilis shuddered. "Sir, Sahshir is a dangerous enemy. It may be wise to seek terms of a sort with him. Let him leave with his men."

"My negotiations with Marius are already underway," said Kaba. "Once Dinis is no longer a concern, a few black-skinned savages will be nothing." He looked to where the bodies of the men were being hurled into the water for fish and flies. "I'm more than pleased with the results.""Pleased?" asked Romilis. "Surely, this raid was a defeat."

"Sahshir's men escaped largely unscathed," said Sen Kaba, "but we killed many slaves. They aren't trained soldiers and are poorly equipped. A few more victories like this, and they'll be totally eradicated."

"Then who will work the fields?" asked Romilis flatly. "Need I remind you that this island will be economically devastated for years as things stand. Kill all the slaves, and Sorn may not benefit from this conquest in your lifetime."

Stolen story; please report.

"I've captured many slaves in my raids," said Kaba. "Once the situation is settled, I will transfer some of them to your people as a loan. Though I'll expect interest for it."

"Ah," said Romilis, voice holding an edge. "Well, I suppose that will profit you, at least."

"Do you have a suggestion for how this campaign should be conducted?" asked Sen Kaiban. "Or are you just going to whine at me?"

"Make a deal with Sahshir," said Romilis. "I'm already in communication with Dinis. With the Emperor dead, they want to end the war as quickly as possible."

"I'm sure they are," said Kaba, "but I want Chaminus."

"Yes, we all have a lot of things, don't we?" snapped Romilis. "Nagos has devised weapons that make his fleet more powerful than the entire Dinis navy. Moreover, he is close friends with Sahshir, who is young and impetuous. If I were him, and Dinis demanded I cede my island to you...

"I might just try to go down fighting."

"Are you implying something?" asked Kaba, voice hard.

"No," said Romilis. "Just stating a fact. The first thing he did after becoming King of Chaminus was abolish slavery. All while providing compensation for all those who lost slaves. Nagos will hear about what happened here. He will know that you broke your deal with Garacel."

"As I said, the deal was made under false pretenses-" began Kaiban.

"Nagos doesn't care about your technicalities; he hates everything you represent," said Romilis. "And he is an undefeated war leader who led a token force to confront House Magnious' fleets. If you go to Dinis and demand they cede Chaminus, one of two things will happen. First, they may refuse, and the war will continue. In such a situation, Nagos' dominance in the sea would make a land invasion of Dinis your best hope.

"There is a rule about starting a land war in Dinis. Never do it.

"Alternatively, they may yield Chaminus to you. In that case, Nagos will simply raise a rebellion against you. Chaminus is guarded by a mighty dragon sworn to defend its shores. In which case, you will lose entire fleets, meaning Dinis will likely come back to try and take it.

"Or, Calisha will make Nagos an offer. They are expanding their influence.

"Unless Nagos is defeated tomorrow, which I do not believe likely, our best solution is to seek a truce. The advantage may be lost to us soon. Once peace is restored, we can work to learn Nagos' secrets or find a counter."

"...And what would you recommend we do?" asked Seth.

"Garacel and Sahshir are sworn enemies," said Romilis. "Once Marius has received confirmation from his government, I doubt he will want to remain. So let him take his people and get out with the legions.

"Once Marius and Sahshir are gone, that leaves only Garacel and his slaves. We can take our time putting down the revolt. Calisha may even be convinced to aid us, given their enmity with Garacel."

"...Fine then," said Kaba, "I'll consider making an alliance with the leper. But I'll do so in my own way."

"Don't underestimate Sahshir," hissed Romilis. "His people are talented warriors, and he is far more intelligent than most. If you break a deal with him, he isn't just going to swear the gods will avenge it. Instead, he will become the instrument of that vengeance.

"The man speaks casually of wounding gods and commands the respect of the legions!

"Make a deal with him and abide by the terms. That's my advice."

Kaba scoffed and walked away.

Sahshir made his way into the swamp. As he did, he reflected that he still respected Romilis. The man had been acting to preserve his culture. Besides, Sahshir's authority was arguably gone with the death of Octovus.

He had gotten through to Kaba, probably.

But Sahshir suspected that Kaba would want to make the deal a display of dominance. That got him thinking. If Kaba betrayed the rules of the parley, Sahshir would be justified in killing him. Or perhaps taking him captive.

It was a matter worthy of consideration.

For now, there was a victory celebration to plan.

It seemed Garacel had already made the preparations for said celebration. It involved much alcohol and many young women from the villages. Sahshir began to suspect that the slaves freed from bondage were mere cannon fodder. Meant to do the dying so that the people Garacel had already indoctrinated could take the land.

Many of them worshipped Zigildrazia.

Morale was unexpectedly high, actually.

Garacel's warriors had taken many casualties, but they hardly minded. Men and women had come from the slave villages spoken of and brought with them wine. Naturally, Sahshir and his men took no part in the resulting festivities. He dearly wished he had a priest to preach the destructive nature of alcoholism.

Unfortunately, he did not. Or not one that could speak without breaking vows.

So he settled for addressing his warriors and those who had marched with him in battle.

"Warriors, we will fast for a day and a night thanks to Baltoth for the victory. Those of you who do not worship Baltoth are, of course, exempt."

"Why do you fast?" asked Garacel, who was practicing his handwriting.

"Food, while necessary, can distract one from the true nature of reality," said Sahshir. "All things are at their fullest when according to His will.

"By fasting after a victory, we free our spirits from worldly obsessions. In so doing, we gain the strength to win many others.

"Now, let us pray."

Drawing his sword, he kneeled and laid it before him. The Silent Guard did the same, and Sahshir raised his hands. "Baltoth, the Inexorable One, we thank you for our enemies' blood spilling across the field. We ask that you infuse us with your will so that we might drive the enemies of Calisha before us. Let us see their armies shattered, their lands despoiled by your will. And their women were brought into the fold.

"Your anger burns greater than heaven's lights and hellfire's depths. Your retribution is like a thousand other gods. So grant us victory, and we shall hail your name." He opened his eyes and saw that others had looked on. "Our prayer is done. Now, cleanse yourself and see to your weapons."

"What a remarkable prayer. As if Baltoth might grant any of it," said Garacel, putting down his brush.

"Baltoth has never been defeated on the battle field," said Sahshir.

"Yes, he has. I did it myself, and Vanion Gabriel did it this year," said Garacel.

"Such victories as seem defeats are in reality greater deception," replied Sahshir. "Baltoth allows his enemies to gain the field, that they might in time become his. Or be destroyed by their own reckless hubris. All things are done as he wills them, and though some may defy him, they cannot escape their fate."

"Nor can he," noted Garacel. "For is not Baltoth doomed to die by the hand of the Heir of Kings?"

"Prophecy is, but His will incarnate," said Sahshir. "If it fails, then it shall serve as proof that Baltoth is beyond fate, above sight and sound. Yet if it succeeds, it shall be but a temporary defeat. One that helps only to make his ultimate victory all the more significant.

"For he is beyond death."

"A careful web of delusions you have set yourself in," said Garacel. "No man may escape fate. What has been preordained shall come to pass, whatever struggles one makes."

"And yet one can change the context of that fate," noted Sahshir.

"Context?" laughed Garacel. "There is only our actions and our end. So the context is irrelevant."

"There was once a King of Kalthak who read a prophecy that his firstborn son would one day kill him," said Sahshir. "Knowing that he could not escape his fate, this King ruled as benevolently as he could. He raised his son on ideals of honor and justice. No man was homeless or unhappy in his domain, and the fate that was his doom seemed inevitable.

"Then the firstborn son murdered him and seized the throne for his own. The King died, but ever after, was lamented. The son was hated and despised for his wicked act, and soon his tyranny was overthrown.

"The King could have succumbed to fear and tried to kill his son. He might have sought to root out all who opposed him. But instead, he sought righteousness and died well and mourned by thousands. His deeds and actions were within his control."

"And what of the son? Was he not fated to slay his father?" asked Garacel.

"Had he stayed true to his path, he might have had a better fate. Then, perhaps one day, killed him while hunting. Then he could have mourned him as a son should," said Sahshir. "If he had done so, he might have become a good king in his own right."

"I remember Ezek all too well," noted Garacel with a smile. "As I remember his father. And your people are not his. You came from Dinis, fleeing Safara. You destroyed that kingdom, killed the men, enslaved the women, and laid waste to all you found.

"Then, as your bloodlines mingled, you invented new stories. Delusions meant to paint yourselves as the rightful heirs of land you stole. You robbed them of their history to cover up your own history of barbarism. Now you stand before me. You act like you have some right to the ground upon which your huts stand."

"All things are afforded to the gods to decide," said Sahshir without apology. "It was Baltoth's will that we should gain victory. And Baltoth's will that the Naminese should be overthrown. Our bloodlines have mingled, and from each race, their strengths have combined." He took up his sword and rose. "We are Kalthakians. We fear no enemy."

"I am Garacel. And fear is consumed with itself at my name," said Garacel, rising to meet his gaze.

For a moment, they held the gaze. Sahshir felt Garacel's will on him as the men stood transfixed. Finally, Sahshir decided the contest served no purpose and sheathed his sword. "We shall see. We must send Baj to reach Marius and tell him to draw out negotiations.

"If Narcissa can return Nagos, the battle shall turn against Kaba rapidly.

"Tomorrow's raid awaits."