The band trebled in size. I had better than six hundred followers hailing from all three major religions and a few splinter cults. I had more than a hundred former slaves who werent Taglian at all. They could make good soldiers once they gained some confidence. They had no homes to run to. The band would be their home.

The problem with the mix was that every day was a holy day for somebody. If wed had priests along there would have been trouble.

They began to feel safe. That left them free to indulge old prejudices, to grow lax in discipline, to forget the war and, most irritating, to remember that I was a woman.

In law and custom Taglian women are less favored than cattle. Cattle are less easily replaced. Women who gain status or power do so in the shadows, through men they can influence or manipulate.

One more hurdle Id have to leap. Maybe the biggest.

I summoned Narayan one morning. Were a hundred miles from Dejagore. I wasnt in a good mood. Id had the dream again. It had left my nerves raw. Were safe for the moment. The confidence of the men in their safety showed as they started their day. Im going to make some major changes. How many men are reliable?

He preened. Smug little rat. A third. Maybe more if put to the test.

That many? Really? I was surprised. It wasnt evident to me.

You see only the other sort. Some men learned discipline and tolerance in the legions. The slaves came out of bondage filled with hatred. They want revenge. They know no Taglian can lead them against the Shadowmasters. Some even sincerely believe in you for yourself.

Thank you for that, little man. But most will have trouble following me?

Maybe. That fawning grin. Hint of cunning. We Taglians dont deal well with upheavals in the natural order.

The natural order is that the strong rule and the rest follow. Im strong, Narayan. Im like nothing Taglios has ever seen. I havent yet shown myself to Taglios. I hope Taglios never sees me angry. Id rather spend my wrath on the Shadowmasters.

He bowed several times, suddenly frightened.

Our ultimate destination remains Ghoja. You may pass that word. Well collect survivors there, winnow them and rebuild. But I dont intend to get there till we have this force whipped into shape.

Yes, Mistress.

Collect whatever weapons are available. Take no arguments. Redistribute them to the men you think reliable. Assign those men to march in the lefthand file. The men to their right are to be religiously mixed. They are to be separated from those they knew before Dejagore.

That may cause trouble.

Good. I want to pinpoint its sources. Ill give it back with interest. Go on. Get them disarmed before they understand whats happening. Ram. Give him a hand.

But...

I can look out for myself, Ram. His protection was a nuisance.