Narayan had some organizational skills though he was no charismatic leader. He could rise in a small group by demonstrated ability but hed never get a large gang to follow him just because he cut a bold figure.

Thinking that made me think of Croaker. Croaker hadnt been charismatic. Hed been a workaday sort of commander. Hed identified the task to be accomplished, had considered his options, had put the best-suited men to work. He usually guessed right and got the job done. Except for that last time, at Dejagore, when his weakness became obvious.

He didnt think fast on his feet. He didnt intuit well.

Past tense, woman. Hes gone.

I didnt want to think about him. It still hurt too much.

There was plenty of work to occupy me.

I began looking at the manpower resources that had fallen into my lap.

Not promising. Plenty of spear carriers, determined young men, but hardly anyone who stood out as an immediate leader. Damn, I missed the military engine Id had back home.

I started wondering what I was doing here, why I had come. Pointless, woman. I could not go back. That empire had moved on. It had no place for me now.

I missed more than my armies. I had no intelligence machine. No way to ferret out secrets.

Ram remained my shadow, as much as he could. Determined to protect me, Ram was. Probably under the most dire orders of jamadar Narayan. Ram, do you know the country around Taglios?

No, Mistress. I never went out till I enlisted.

I need men who do know. Find them, please.

Mistress?

This place is indefensible. Most of the men are drilling out of their homes. Why was I explaining? We need to get away from distractions and vulnerabilities. Ideally on a hill near the south road, water, and a large wood.

Ill ask around, Mistress. He was reluctant to leave me but no longer had to be ordered away. He was learning. Give him another year.

Narayan materialized before Ram returned. Its going all right. A lot of excitement. The men who were there-there must be at least six hundred of them now-are telling inflated stories about how we beat those cavalrymen. Theres talk about relieving Dejagore before the rainy season. I didnt have to start it.

During the rainy season the Main became impassable. For five or six months it was Taglios wall against the Shadowmasters. And theirs against Taglios.

What would happen if I got caught south of the river when the rains came? That would give me time to get the army whipped into shape.

On the other hand, it would not leave me anywhere to run.

Narayan, get me...

Mistress?

I forget you havent been with me forever. I was going to send you after something we compiled before we went south.