Mention of the shadowweavers rocked Longshadow. I thought he would fly into one of his famed foamy-mouthed rages. Those strange little old men were a resource he dared not squander. It took a lifetime to train them. And we have taken care of a bunch of them over the years.

Longshadow sucked in a deep breath, held it, restrained his insanity. My error. I should not have sent them. Have you any idea how our enemies could appear at a time so propitious to their cause?

Nobody volunteered the news that we could hover over his shoulder any time the urge hit.

Longshadow observed, This is not good. Each day they develop new resources. Each day ours dwindle. He glared at Singh. What are we getting from these Deceivers?

Mogaba replied. They spy. Before long they will undertake selected assassinations. The enemy shows no awareness of that program. If their assassinations succeed the results will be of more value that anything but a decisive encounter on the battlefield.

Mogaba invited comment from Singh with his glance but Narayan held his tongue.

Mogaba said, Unfortunately, the intelligence the Deceivers gather grows less reliable with each report. The enemy have enjoyed considerable success in their efforts to eliminate the cult.

Still no one else spoke.

Mogaba continued, Lady and Croaker have become very aggressive against spies. I believe that indicates a major move is imminent.

Its winter, Longshadow said. And my enemies are in no hurry. They are content to nibble me to death. This so-called Liberator will never be satisfied that he has men and weapons enough.

He was right about that. Croaker never stopped going after more.

The Howler joined the group, stifling a scream as he did so. He husked, The enemy labor battalions have completed the paved road linking Taglios and Stormgard. A similar road is almost complete from Stormgard to Shadowlight.

Shadowlight lies near the heart of the most populous and prosperous region of the Shadowlands. Shadowspinner had been overlord there. Nominally, the city and its environs still owed allegiance to Longshadow. Yet our soldiers were building a road in the area untroubled.

I wondered why. Croakers strategic plan did not require it. He had no intention of besieging Shadowlight. That would tie up too many men for far too long.

Mogaba grumbled, They press us everywhere. No day passes but that we hear of the fall of another town or village. Many places the locals no longer resist at all. And it would be folly to assume that Croaker and Lady will respect the season.

Longshadow turned his dread mask toward Mogaba, who flinched. Have you done anything to make it difficult to sustain a major campaign, General?

An army must live off the land if it ventures far from home. You cannot carry enough food and fodder to sustain it any length of time.

Very little. Mogaba didnt show an ounce of contrition. I have my orders. And our enemies know what those orders are.