What? Now Longshadow was testy.

They expect me to sit still. Mogaba indicated Singh, who nodded agreement reluctantly. Their strategy assumes that I will defend one fixed point. Because your orders constrain me to do just that they scatter their forces and attack everywhere. Blade cannot blunt their sword alone. The villages will not resist because the people know no help will come. I could defeat the fools in detail, in a short while, if our strategy changed suddenly.

I dont think so, I thought, floating there smug in the knowledge that we had Smoke.

No! Longshadow forced his quaking flesh to face southward. He glared at the plain of glittering stone. We will discuss military matters in private only, General.

Howler delivered a horrible scream edged with mockery. Singh practically dove through the hatchway. His contempt for the Shadowmaster was obvious to everyone but Longshadow himself though it was likely Longshadow would not have cared. To the Shadowmaster the Strangler was little more than a useful termite. In his mind none of us were much more than pesky insects.

The child left last. She considered Longshadow coldly. Her eyes seemed as old and wicked as time itself. She was a scary little thing for sure.

I wondered what the Old Man thought when he saw her.

Or if he even dared look.

Longshadow said, They dont think I know what Im doing.

My soldiers are wasted where they are, Mogaba replied. Theyre losing what edge they had.

You may be right. But to attack in any direction you will have to leave what protection I am able to afford you. Without my lost comrades I cannot reach nearly as far as once I did. Will you risk their sorcery without mine to support you? Mogaba grunted. He glared at the glittering plain. You believe I am a coward for fearing that, General?

I stipulate the danger. I grant the value of your protection. But there is much that I could do anyway. Blade has been allowed to act on a limited scale and has accomplished great things. For certain he has demonstrated repeatedly how these Taglians will collapse if you attack their weaknesses.

You trust Blade?

More than most. Like me, he has nowhere else to run. But I trust no one completely. Our allies least of all. Neither Howler nor the Deceiver joined us out of love for our cause.

Indeed. Apparently amused, Longshadow seemed to relax. I must explain, General. Mogabas surprise told me that this was an extraordinary eventuality. I do not stay bottled up here because of the plain. I can leave Overlook for short periods. I will if I must. The Shadowgate wards are fresh and strong and reliable and entirely under my control. But if I do venture out I will have to so do by stealth. Mogaba grunted again.

The reason I stay here is that there are some less obvious players in this game.