Maybe luck had bought me time enough to raise my legions and train them, to mount leisurely expeditions, to find capable commanders, to retrain myself in the use of my lost skills.

My immediate goals had been attained. Taglios was in no immediate danger. I had my base. I was in undisputed command and unlikely to have more trouble with the priests or Mogaba. With care I could lock up the Stranglers as an adjunct to my will, an invisible arm able to dispense death anywhere someone defied me. My future looked rosy. The biggest potential nuisance was the wizard Smoke. And he could be handled.

Rosy. Positively rosy. Except for the dreams and the sickness, both of which were getting worse. Except for my beloved sister.

Will, Lady. The Will will reign triumphant. My husband had said that often, confident that nothing could resist his will.

He had believed that right up to the moment I killed him.

Chapter Sixty-One

Chapter Sixty-One

Croaker trotted his mount into the garrison encampment above Vehdna-Bota ford, which was a minor crossing of the Main used mostly by locals and open only a few months each year. He dismounted, handed his reins to a gaping soldier who had recognized the Prahbrindrah Drah.

The prince needed help dismounting. The ride had been hell for him. Croaker had shown no mercy. The ride had been little better for him.

You really do this for a living? the prince groaned. His sense of humor had survived.

Croaker grunted. Sometimes you cant waste time. Its not like this all the time.

Id rather be a farmer.

Walk around. Work out the stiffness.

That will irritate the sores.

Ill put ointment on after we talk to whoevers in charge.

The soldier now held both horses. And stared. By now others had recognized them. Word flew around like swallows dipping and darting. An officer loped out of the only permanent structure in the compound, gathering his clothing around him. His eyes bugged. He dropped onto his face before his prince.

The Prahbrindrah Drah snapped, Get up! Im in no mood for that.

The officer rose murmuring honorifics.

The prince grumbled, Forget me. Im just following him. Talk to him.

The officer turned to Croaker. Im honored, Liberator. We thought you dead.

I thought I was, too. For a while. And I need to get that way again. The prince and I are joining your company. Were not being watched now but well be hunted soon by a distant and wicked eye. He was sure the search had not yet begun because no crows had chased them during their ride. When the search passes this way we want to be indistinguishable from your soldiers.

Youre in hiding?

More or less. Croaker explained some. He stretched the truth some, bent it some, made it clear that powerful enemies wanted to find him and that the fate of Taglios could hinge on their remaining anonymous till they joined Lady at Dejagore.