I still had a serious problem, lack of a command structure. I had solid squads and the squad leaders by tens had picked company commanders, but none of those had had more than a few days practice. And neither of my formally organized battalions had anyone in charge.

Mather.

He set his food aside. Maam?

You strike me as a responsible man. Also, you have field experience and a reputation. I have two battalions of four hundred men but no commanders. My man Narayan can muddle through with one if I keep him out of trouble. I need somebody to handle the other. A known hero would be perfect-if I thought he wouldnt work against me.

Mather looked me in the eye for several seconds. I work for the Radisha. I couldnt.

I could.

I turned. That was Blade.

Smoke had a squeaking fit.

Blade grinned, the first Id seen him do so. I dont owe you anything, little man. He turned to Swan. What did I say? Aint over yet.

Something flickered across Swans face. He wasnt happy. Youre putting us in a bad spot, Blade.

You putting yourself there, Swan. You said it, what kind of people they are. Soon as they got what they want they going to stick it in you. That right, wizard? Like you done the Black Company?

Smoke staggered. He wouldve been dead if hed had a bad heart. He looked like he expected me to roast him. I smiled. Id let him stew a little first. Ill accept your offer, Blade. Come meet your hundred-leaders.

Once we were out of earshot of the others I asked, What did you mean by that remark?

Less than it sounded. The wizard, the Radisha, the Prahbrindrah, they hurt you more by deceit than treachery. They withheld information. I cant tell you what. I dont know. They thought we were spies you sent ahead. But I can tell you they never meant to keep their agreement. For some reason they dont want you to get to Khatovar.

Khatovar. Croakers mystery destination, the place the Black Company had originated. For four hundred years the Company moved northward slowly, in the service of various princes, till it came into mine, then of my enemies, and was reduced to a handful of men. After the battle in the Barrowland, Croaker turned back south with fewer followers than my squad leaders had today.

Wed gathered a man here, a man there, and when wed reached Taglios wed discovered we couldnt cross the last four hundred miles because the principalities of the Shadowmasters lay between us and Khatovar. There was only one way to cover those final miles. Take Taglios, already pressed by the Shadowmasters, with its pacifist history, and win an impossible war.

The agreement with the Prahbrindrah had been that the Company would train and lead a Taglian army. Once the war had been won that army would support the Companys quest for Khatovar.