Narayan did move fast. Only a few men had to be separated from their weapons by force.

Organized according to my orders, we marched all day, till they were too exhausted to complain. I halted them in the evening and had Narayan form them for review, with the reliables in the rear. I donned my armor, mounted one of the black stallions, rode out to review them with little witchfires prancing about me. There wasnt much to those. I hadnt made large strides recapturing my talent.

The armor, horse, and fires formed the visible aspect of a character called Lifetaker, whom I had created before the Company moved to the Main to face the Shadowmasters at Ghoja. In concert with Croakers Widowmaker she was supposed to intimidate the enemy by being something larger than life, archetypally deadly. My own men could use a little intimidation now. In a land where sorcery was little more than a rumor the witchfires could be enough.

I passed the formation slowly, studying the soldiers. They understood the situation. I was looking for that which I would not tolerate, the man disinclined to do things my way.

I rode past again. After centuries of watching people it wasnt difficult to spot potential troublemakers. Ram. I pointed out six men. Send them away. With the nothing they had when they joined us. I spoke so my voice carried. Next winnowing, those chosen will taste the lash. And the third winnowing will be a celebration of death.

A stir passed through the ranks. They heard the message.

The chosen six went sullenly. I shouted at the others, Soldiers! Look at the man to your right! Now look at the man to your left! Look at me! You see soldiers, not Gunni, not Shadar, not Vehdna. Soldiers! Were fighting a war against an implacable and united enemy. In the line of battle it wont be your gods at your left and your right, it will be men like those standing there now. Serve your gods in your heart if you must, but in this world, in the camp, on the march, on the field of battle, you wont set your gods before me. Youll own no higher master. Till the last Shadowmaster falls, no reward or retribution of god or prince will find you more swiftly or surely than mine.

I suspected that was maybe pushing too hard too soon. But there wasnt much time to create my cadre.

I rode off while they digested it. I dismounted, told Ram, Dismiss them. Make camp. Send me Narayan.

I unsaddled my mount, settled on the saddle. A crow landed nearby, cocked its head. Several more circled above. Those black devils were everywhere. You couldnt get away.

Croaker had been paranoid about them. Hed believed they were following him, spying on him, even talking to him. I thought it was the pressure. But their omnipresence did get irritating.