I said, You have a right to know what happened to your loved ones. But the soldiers and I have a great work before us yet. If youll cooperate well handle this quickly. If you dont remain orderly well never get it done. My Taglian had improved dramatically. No one had trouble understanding me.

When I point you out name the man you want to know about in a clear, loud voice. If one of the soldiers knew him hell speak up. Go to that soldier. Talk quickly and quietly. If the news is bad, contain yourself. There are others who want news, too. They have to be able to hear.

I doubted it would go smoothly for long but it was just a gesture meant to get me mentioned kindly outside the corridors of power.

It worked well for longer than I expected, but Taglians are pliable people, used to doing what theyre told. When disorder did develop I just announced that we would leave if it did not stop.

Some of my men were the objects of queries. I had Narayan moving through the formation. Those he knew were industrious, cooperative, hard-working, and loyal he could grant a short leave. He was supposed to remind the less diligent why they would remain on duty. Carrot and stick.

It held up. Even the greenest behaved. It took all night but we satisfied half the crowd. I reminded everyone frequently that Mogabas legion and who knew how many more men were trapped in Dejagore, thanks to the desertion of Jahamaraj Jah. I made it sound like everyone not accounted for was among the besieged.

Most were probably dead.

Whips and carrots and emotional manipulations. Id been at it so long I could do it in my sleep.

A messenger came. There were priests at the barracks to see me. Took them long enough, I muttered. Were they late because they were off balance or because they waited till they were ready for a confrontation? No matter. They would wait till we finished.

The rain stopped. It was never much more than a drizzling nuisance.

Once we cleared the square I dismounted and walked with Narayan. We were seventy fewer now. He had let that many go. I asked, Did you notice the bats?

A few, Mistress. He was puzzled.

Are they special among the omens of Kina?

I dont think so. But I was never a priest.

Theyre significant to me.

Eh?

They tell me, plain as a shout, that the Shadowmasters have spies here. General order to the men. Kill all bats. If they can, find out where theyre roosting. Watch out for foreigners. Pass the word to the populace, too. There are spies among us again and I want to lay hands on a few.

Wed probably end up swamped with useless reports about harmless people, but... A few wouldnt be harmless. And those needed their teeth pulled.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven