You got a serious attitude problem, Kid. Im an old man. One-Eye did a fade. He has that knack when he is about to find himself in an indefensible position.

A city seldom is buttoned up so tight that no news gets in from outside. Sometimes it seems almost mystical but the word does come through. In Dejagore rumor seldom brought in anything Mogaba wanted to hear.

I was studying the discovered books, so intrigued I was letting duties slide. They were written in Jaicuri but the written form thereof is almost identical to written Taglian.

Goblin stepped in. You doing all right? No more dizziness?

No. You guys worry too much.

No, we dont. Look, some new rumors are going around. Theres supposedly a relief column headed our way. Blade, of all people, is in charge.

Blade? He isnt...Hes never run anything bigger than a reduced company. Before we ever got here. Fighting guerrilla style against amateurs.

I dont make them up, I just report them. He did do well.

So did Willow Swan and Cordy Mather. But that was accident and luck and Shadowlander stupidity more than anything those three actually did. Why on earth is he commanding an army?

Hes supposedly Ladys second in command. Not much doubt anymore that she survived. Shes also pissed off. And putting together a new army.

Bet Mogabas jumping for joy. Running around hollering, Were saved! Were saved!

You might say hes jumping.

Over the following few days we heard a thousand wild stories. If a tenth were true some really bizarre changes were underway out there in the world.

You heard the latest? Goblin asked me one night when I took a rare break from the books to examine that outer world from the wall. Lady aint Lady after all. Shes the incarnation of some goddess named Kina. A real badass, too, apparently.

She would be. Thai Dei. You know Kina, dont you? Tell us about her. Thai Dei wasnt allowed into our warrens but he always turned up whenever I came up for air.

He forgot all three words of Taglian he had admitted to knowing. The name of that goddess scrubbed his brain clean.

I said, Thats what happens when you mention Kina to any of these people. I cant even get our prisoners to talk about her. You would think she belonged to the Black Company.

Must be a real charmer, Bucket opined.

Oh, she is. She is. Theres one. I meant a shooting star. We were keeping count. Also of enemy watchfires. The southerners had scattered in small unit encampments around the plain recently. I guess they were afraid we might sneak away.

You know something about her, then? Goblin asked.