Even with the Radisha against us? He was convinced the woman was an enemy.

That could work for us if we appeal to resentment of the powers that be.

Narayan understood. Such resentments brought recruits to the Deceivers. Theres less of that than you hope. This isnt your land. My people are very fatalistic.

They were. But they had their handles. There would not be two thousand men under my standard now otherwise. Theyll respond to the right spark. True?

We all will, Mistress.

Absolutely. Ive provided that spark for you and your friends, havent I? But how about a spark to fire the masses? One that will make them forget their fear of the Black Company and their objections to a woman commander? I understood why the Company was feared now. For his sake maybe it was best Croaker had gone before he figured it out. It would have broken his heart.

Narayan had no suggestions.

I said, We need an electrifying rumor to hand your brotherhood, to whisper everywhere.

Word should have reached all the jamadars now, Mistress.

Wonderful, Narayan. So every band captain has heard that your Strangler messiah is come. Assume they all believe because the news came from you, famous and honored master Strangler. My tone was getting sarcastic. How many men will that bring to a standard that needs thousands? Id rather have your friends stay where they are, as our hands and knives in hiding. Are there other legends I can exploit? Are there other fears?

The Shadowmasters are scary enough, at least in the country, where they remember last year.

True. We were getting volunteers from across the river already, men whod had no chance to enlist before we marched on Dejagore. The men we had taken down had come from the city or were slaves we had liberated after overrunning Ghoja. The country folk, intimate with the terror of the Shadowmasters, should prove a rich source of manpower. And would be hardier than city folk. But I might have to gather my harvest quickly.

Around here power emanated from the palace and the temples of Trogo Taglios. A few frightened men there could issue bulls and dictates forbidding the faithful from joining me.

Do you have friends in the city?

Not many. None that I know personally. Sindhu may know some.

Ram came from the city.

Yes. And a few others. Whatre you thinking?

It might be wise to get established there now, before the Radisha, and especially that whimpering runt Smoke, can swing opinion against us. I said we and us always but meant I and me. Narayan was not fooled much.

We cant leave Ghoja. Thousands more men will come here. We have to collect them.

I smiled. Suppose we split what we have? You take half, stay here, do the gathering, and I take half to the city?

He reacted the way I expected. Almost panicky. He didnt want me out of his sight.