Finn was in awe, judging by his expression.

Garrick did not blame him. The events happening around them now were eccentric, to say the least. He refused to indulge in such emotions while on a mission. But that didn't mean he begrudged his associate.

The swamp had long since given way to a realm designed to support life. Rather than tolerate life as an unfortunate necessity as most of Laevian's realms did. Sentient life, at any rate, was welcome. There were no thorns or anything like on the bushes. Low-hanging fruit was all around, and the water became clear as crystal here.

"Plants grow up, yielding vast tracks of fruit and vegetables," said Finn. "Water purifies itself." He pounded a fist against one hand. "I've never seen anything like this, Garrick."

"Spirits can be induced to do this kind of thing if one can contract with them," said Garrick. Before them, the slaves were training for war. "Though rarely in such vast amounts."

"No, no, I mean Laevian doing something nice for someone else," said Finn, looking up in surprise. "She's not exactly nice company."

"Oh," said Garrick, realizing he'd misunderstood him. "Yes. That is somewhat remarkable." Then, looking up, he saw a recruit stabbing with a spear the wrong way and quickly caught it. "You, you are holding your spear like this. Adjust it."

The raids had been well-timed.

The slave revolts had been done to draw attention. Meanwhile, Finn and Garrick scavenged weapons and equipment for the colony. Though even despite Finn's raiding, he'd had to improvise some.

"My compliments, Finn," said Garacel as he landed, "on acquiring weapons." How did he get his voice to sound so metallic anyway? He was clearly in human form.

"Well, anything can be a weapon," said Finn. He was looking at where slaves were straightening the blades of pitchforks. "With a bit of alteration, anything can kill a man. You must eliminate the inconvenient parts and straighten it up a little.

"I don't get why Laevian is supporting you, though."

"Laevian must perform miracles sometimes, or no one would worship her," said Garrick. "Fear alone cannot rule the world."

"And contracts can?" asked Garacel.

"Yes," said Garrick. That was something he would not negotiate on.

"What makes you say that?" asked Garacel.

"Fear and love, hatred and compassion, these are passing feelings," said Garrick. "Things that can inspire one to act in one way or another. If not controlled, then they run amok and consume everything you are. They destroy plans and render your holdings unprofitable.

"But a contract.

"A contract outlines specific rules for what you can and cannot do. It gives a goal and the expectation of a reward. Love is a feeling. A contract is a way of life."

"Yeah, but where is the fun in that?" asked Finn. "I mean, I never see you enjoy anything."

"I enjoy efficiency and achieving the ends I have set," said Garrick, though he realized it was a lie. His own pleasure had never been a priority.

"And what do you call this?" asked Finn.

Garrick considered how far the situation had gotten out of hand. Even if he succeeded in arranging this slave revolt, Sen Kaba would be the one he'd make a deal with. House Magnious had, if the last reports were any indication, drawn back to a defensive stance. "Improvisation."

Specific definitions were only helpful if correct. Unfortunately, the situation was too fluid to be accurate. "The most important part of any leader's arsenal," said Garacel. "My men are advancing quickly under your guidance Garrick. I am pleased."

"It is a relatively simple calculation," said Garrick, glancing back to the rows of trainees. They'd been chosen from among the younger and healthier. Though some had prior experience in battles before slavery. Women capable of bearing children had been left out of the war. The same was said for children younger than fifteen.

Only the first step would be complete once the enemy was brought to heel. After that, establishing a sustainable population would be feasible. Assuming Kaba would make a deal.

"Have those who understand fighting instruct ten men each in the basics. Then have those ten men instruct another ten in the basics, and so on.

"Still, our victory will be meaningless."

"What makes you say that?" asked Finn.

"Our goal was to seize Macshore and use it to create new sugar plantations," said Garrick. "However, now that quest has mutated into a crusade. Victory can only be achieved by using the slaves to destroy the masters. As well as the government that supports them.

"This will devastate the economy of this region, and I doubt it will recover in a human's lifetime." And that was why Sen Kaba would probably never make a deal. Garrick calculated that he would probably use the slaves as disposable shock troops. Once Dinis was beaten, he could make a deal with the masters and reenslave them.

"Who cares?" asked Finn. "We'll win."

"Beggar thy neighbor as a policy merely results in all the world dressed in rags," noted Garrick. "Our goal has never been to destroy Dinis. Merely to seize their holdings and integrate them into that of their employer.

"I do not judge this to be a productive use of anyone's time."

"Then why are you here?" asked Garacel.

Garrick considered the question. "I must fulfill my contract. And Dinis will likely attempt reprisals on Sorn. But, with King Nagos' new fleet, such a war will go poorly.

"A successful slave revolt here could tie up Dinis' armies for weeks, even months. That will give House Magnious, and Sorn as a whole, the opportunity to adopt a new strategy. It also allows me to fulfill the letter of my contract, if not the intent. And when intent fails, letters must do."

"Why don't you summon another windstorm and sink the fleet?" asked Finn.

"Do you know how many favors I had to call to muster those stormclouds, Finn?" asked Garrick, annoyed by the question. He ought to know this much by now.

Finn shifted uneasily. "...No."

"A great many," said Garrick. "I had to steal the Gem of Enlightenment from the Castle of the Winds to get that windstorm. Though I suppose one ought to call it the Gem of Contentment- Nevermind. Don't even ask me that question again." That brought his thoughts to another matter. "...We should kill King Sahshir."

"What, the Leper Prince? Why?" asked Finn.

"He is the one who allied with Dinis," said Garrick. "And he has strong ties to Nagos. So if he is killed, his successor may choose to break off contact. That, in turn, will weaken Dinis in future wars."

"We will do no such thing," said Garacel, voice hard. "Sahshir is necessary for my plans."

"You might want to improvise a solution without him. I hear he hates your guts," said Finn with a smirk.

"That is the point," said Garacel.

Ah, so he was refusing to explain his plans to add an aura of mystery. But, of course, the answer to that mystery was likely depressingly simple. Garrick had seen many men adopt this policy, and very few were alive to tell of it. Negotiations were more straightforward when everyone knew what everyone else wanted.

"Well, fine then, keep your cards close to the vest," said Finn. "How did you get this alliance with Laevian?"

Garacel smiled. "I owe thanks to a young paladin of Elranor named William Gabriel."

"Gabriel?" Garrick frowned as he remembered him. He was reasonably calculating, immensely strong for his age, with a scar over his eye. "I've met him."

"You have?" asked Garacel, sounding surprised.

"Yes," said Garrick. "He was an accomplished swordsman despite his young age. And Lady Rusara mentored him. She says the Dusk Elves have a use for his house." And Rusara's word was, for strategy purposes, law these days.

"Wow, that's high praise," said Finn, clapping him back before looking back to Garacel. "But how did he arrange an alliance between you and Laevian?"

"It was indirect," said Garacel. "You see, I have an alliance with Typhos, the Mother of all Monsters. She is returning to the world slowly, and William Gabriel has assisted in that. First, he rebuilt a temple for her. From there, he was instrumental in defeating Calisha on the banks of Savior's Run in Artarq.

"Elranor used his actions to arrange an alliance between them.

"Laevian is interested in the power of the God Triumvirate being maintained. So when I approached her for assistance in starting a slave revolt, she was happy to oblige. In fact, she has already set things here, new diseases ready to crop up at the opportune moment."

Finn nodded, then glanced at Garrick. "Garrick, what does Coinfurth think of this?"

"Coinfurth desires that his realm be made powerful and prosperous," said Garrick. "Those inefficiencies be purged from the world and all contracts fulfilled. I do not think he has paid any heed to the Calishan Harlenorian vendetta. Save insofar as it affects the economic prosperity of Sorn, of course." Then, an impulse hit Garrick, and his god made things plain.

"Still, events are in motion to ensure our 'victory', such as it is."

"What events?" asked Finn.

Garrick turned to the trees, and out of them emerged a man clad in a long black coat. It flowed dramatically around him, and he had two long knives. His hair was brown and hung low behind his head, and his blue eyes were veiled in shadow. The emblem of a white dragon was emblazoned on a broach at his neck.

"There," said Garrick. "Sen Kaba, you are expected."

"I don't remember giving you any forward notice," noted Kaba.

"Coinfurth's schedule exists beyond mortal comprehension," replied Garrick.

Finn clenched a gauntlet and took a step forward at that moment, but Garrick caught him by the shoulder. "Not here, Finn. Your personal vendetta has nothing to do with the present circumstances. Pursue it on your own time."

Kaba looked at Finn scornfully. "Does your attack dog know me?"

"His family had been loyal servants of House Kaiban for generations," replied Garrick. "When you became the head of the family, you let all of them go. His mother and father starved to death because of your actions."

"They were my employees to keep on if I wanted," replied Kaba. "I needed to cut costs, and they were superfluous. If they couldn't find other work, that isn't my problem or responsibility." Garacel stared, opened his mouth, closed it, and turned away. "Garrick, I have nothing to say to this man. I'll leave negotiations in your hands."

And he moved off. Garrick wondered if Garacel actually trusted him. Or was he merely looking for a pretense to break whatever deal was made? Perhaps both?

"I take it you're in charge of this warband," said Kaba.

"I am an authority in this army, yes," said Garrick.

Finn looked to Garrick, then stalked off.

"Then we have a common cause," said Sen. "My fleets are coming as we speak, but I am here to arrange an alliance."

"If it is an alliance you desire, then I will certainly hear you out," said Garrick.

"We require a safe beachhead upon which to land," said Sen. "This island is not well scouted. I am concerned that our enemies will launch an assault against us before we are disembarked.

"If you were to find an ideal location for my ships and ensure Dinis cannot interfere."

"And what do you offer us in return?" asked Garrick.

"I will guarantee the freedom of all those who serve you," said Sen, probably lying through his teeth. "I will also allow these people to settle on these lands, so long as they pledge loyalty to House Kaba."

"Garacel's servants may pledge loyalty to House Kaba. But he certainly will not," replied Garrick, obligated to tell the truth. "He is, or claims to be, the Lord of Hatred and intends to rule over this domain. He will likely want the island to be ruled in his name."

Kaba looked distantly to where Garacel was meditating. "Whatever you want. I don't need this island. My only interest is in denying it to my enemies.

"Do you agree?"

"That depends," said Garrick, drawing out one of his tubes and magic quills. Laying his sword on the ground, he quickly wrote a contract with the quill, then offered it to Kaba. "Would this summarize your offer?"

Kaba read it over carefully with the usual scowl. "Yes. That will more than suffice."

Garrick nodded and brought it over to Garacel. "Is this contract acceptable to both of you?"

Garacel blinked. "So that's why you always keep paper on you."

"Contracts are important," noted Garrick. "They are proof an agreement happened. Not merely ink on a page. Money represents value. Likewise, a contract means the binding word of both businessmen.

"A violation is akin to using gilded coins," He offered Garacel the pen.

Garacel read through the details with a raised eyebrow. "Far too good to be true. When someone offers you terms that are this good, they are one of two things. They are either desperate or have no intention of abiding by them."

"Be that as it may," said Garrick, "both of you need the other for victory. So even if you intend to tear one another apart in the aftermath, this contract will serve as a means to cooperate. Which is necessary for both parties in the short term.

"Rest assured, Coinfurth knows well those who break their agreements. And he will see them punished in time."

Garacel looked up at Garrick. "...Very well, I will humor you. But this 'contract' shall not be broken by my hand. Some of us consider our word of honor to be worth something." And he wrote his signature in simple, plain letters that were a bit messy, and had to try several more times. "I hate writing. My old hands were not suited for it, and I still haven't learned the knack again."

Garrick took the contact over to Kaba. "Garacel has agreed to your terms and vows not to break them by his hand. Though he does not altogether trust you. I will need your signature."

Kaba drew out his own quill and drew out an elaborate and keenly made signature with a flourish. However, as he finished it and the contract went down, Garacel stood there in front of Kaba. Garrick flinched, despite himself. Garacel seemed to be the size of a mountain without changing its size. Kaba, however, looked at him with precisely the same look of mild contempt; he looked at everything.

"Then our word is given," said Garacel, raising a hand. "Give me your hand in pledge."

Kaba raised his hand and took Garacel's. Something seemed to happen as they did, though Garrick was not sure what.

The hand was lowered, and Garacel returned to normal. Kaba did not notice. "My fleet will be within sight of the shore tomorrow. Signal us with torches."

And he moved off without a word.

Finn came back. "... He's going to rip that contract up as soon as he wins."

"I'm well aware," said Garrick.

"So what now?" asked Finn. "Do we lure him into a trap or something?"

"No," said Garrick. "We will not break our end of the deal."

"You're kidding me," said Finn. "We don't have to break it, per se; we just give him a disembarking point that isn't all that great. Maybe put it somewhere that Sahshir can see."

"We will follow both the spirit and letter of the contract so far as it goes," said Garrick.

"You're not serious," said Finn. "Garacel, what do you think of all this?"

"We have agreed to provide Kaba with a landing point and a safe entry onto the island. And we will provide him with that," said Garacel as a messenger arrived. "It is bad form to break agreements. In letter or spirit. What news, Baj?"

"Master Garacel, we have erected the symbols you taught us to," said Baj. "As you said, we are expanding the defenses. I have not built walls and houses in ages."

"You were an architect?" asked Finn.

"Yes," said Baj. "I was taken as a slave by the raids of Argath Marn and sold in the markets of Sorn. From one master to another, I was sold until I came here.

"I had a... comfortable life. Better than those who worked in the field.

"But I had no power. Garacel gave me a chance for real power. Thus I escaped and joined the gangs of slaves. I had them build these hidden enclaves on behalf of Garacel. When that rebellion was crushed, I took over leadership.

"Now, at last, we will come into our own.

"Still, many of them are... afraid. They are concerned we'll be destroyed, and they are mourning the older slaves and the weak-"

"Embrace your hate," said Garacel. "Hate makes one strong. It drives one to move on, even when there is no hope. We will see the slavers and planters of this island burn by our hands. Those who betray us will suffer the same fate.

"Only when you have driven out all doubt and embraced the destruction of your enemies can your mind be clear. Know their weaknesses and your own. Know their plans and your own."Then use those things to destroy them.

"Garrick, you will take your warriors and less experienced militia." Garacel did not refer to them as 'slave militia.' Instead, "Signal the invasion and ensure a favorable wind."

"What about us?" asked Baj.

"I'll deal with Sahshir myself," said Garacel.

"We do not have the forces to defeat Sahshir behind his defenses," noted Garrick.

"We need only contain him," said Garacel. "And I can achieve that without an army."

"There is one other thing, Lord Garacel," said Baj.

"Speak freely," said Garacel.

"Many of our Kalthakians have abandoned the camp," said Baj. "They left with a large supply of fruit. They are headed for the port."

Desertion? Sahshir must have been arranging for the freedom of his former subjects. That could be a problem. But Garacel smiled. "So much, the better. It will be the straw that drives Sahshir into my hands."