The enemies of the Shadowmasters are my friends. Better to be cryptic than to hand him free information.

Why dont you put an end to the Shadowmasters?

I could not answer without lying. I lied. My friend is no longer with me.

Who was up there today?

Anyone can wear armor.

He smiled tightly, showing a thin strip of sharp teeth. The Captaincy, then. You dont plan to let me get out of here. Do you?

We spoke the language of the Jewel Cities, both disinclined to let our companions in on our conversation.

Men started screaming inside the encampment. I shouted, Narayan! Come on! The Shadowlanders west of us would be ready to move any moment. I told Mogaba, Theres no problem with the Captaincy. The progression was established. When the Captain dies the Lieutenant steps into his shoes.

The tradition is for the Captain to be elected.

We were both right.

Mogaba shouted, Sindawe! Lets go! It wont work. His archers and artillerymen on the wall were hard at work, laying down fire to cover his withdrawal. We know where we stand, Lady.

Do we? I have no enemies but those who choose to make themselves my enemies. Im interested only in the destruction of the Shadowmasters. My men flew past me. Mogabas flew past him. A wall of Shadowlanders hurtled toward us.

Mogaba showed me that smile, turned, headed for the city and the safety of ropes hanging down the wall.

Ram gouged me. Move, Mistress!

I moved.

A gang of Shadowlanders came after my band, thinking us the easier meat. In the hills some observer had initiative enough to bluff them by sounding trumpets. They slackened the chase. We vanished into the dark ravines.

We assembled. I asked Narayan, Did we get close?

We would have had him if those others hadnt alerted him. Sindhu wasnt ten feet from him.

Where is he? Sindhu had not come back. I hated to lose him.

Narayan grinned. Hes healthy. We lost only two Stranglers. Those you dont see got caught in the confusion and fled to the city.

For once I did not mind his grin. Quick thinking, Narayan. You think hell find many friends there?

A few. Mostly I wanted him to get to your friends. Those who might not be enchanted with that Mogaba.

Mogaba was not much of a problem yet. He was in no position to trouble me. The cure for him was to let him rot. I could just pretend to look for ways to relieve the city while actually only training my men till they suffered the illusion they were soldiers. Meantime, Mogaba could wear the enemy down for me.

The flaw, of course, was that Shadowspinner had allies who might decide to help him.