Hallyd Bahann rose, grunting at a twinge in his lower back. He’d never much liked riding. ‘It’s the worst of winter – what’s driven the highborn out from their keep, I wonder?’

Lieutenant Esk had no suggestions.

‘Assemble twenty of our best, lieutenant, for some night work. We’re taking that keep, by stealth if at all possible.’

‘Sir?’

‘We need to resupply, lieutenant. Do you imagine the castellan would be generous to the enemy?’

‘No sir.’

Seeing her hesitate, he said, ‘Go on, out with it.’

‘Thus far, sir, we have not overtly drawn noble blood—’

‘Lord Andarist would beg to differ.’

‘But no such accusation has been formally levelled, has it, sir?’

‘You have something to suggest?’

She nodded. ‘Sir, the word’s out, from the surviving scouts who reached us. The Deniers are now organized, and since that is so, then it follows that someone is doing the organizing. It would be a stretch to imagine the forest-grubbers managing that on their own. I understand the Shake monasteries have proclaimed themselves neutral, but they do share the same faith, sir.’

‘Go on. I am intrigued.’

‘Yannis and Yedan monasteries, sir. If stealth can win us entry into Manalle’s keep, then why not the monasteries? In terms of resupply, we could do no better, and besides, we would be effectively removing the Shake from the field, and thereby not have to rely on their promises of neutrality. Besides, how much faith can we place in goodwill, sir, in the midst of civil war?’

‘An attack, justified by the charge that their agents have turned their forest-dwelling followers into an army?’

‘As I said, sir, someone is organizing the forest-grubbers. Who else would have reason to do so? And more to the point, who else could claim the authority?’

‘The priestly warriors of the Shake, lieutenant, are formidable. It won’t be like facing the Wardens.’

‘Stealth, sir, as you said. A night attack, an opened gate. If we catch them unawares.’

Hallyd considered. There was merit to this. What a coup it would be! Hunn Raal would have no choice, then, but to acknowledge Hallyd Bahann as second only to Raal himself. The annihilation of the Shake was tactically sound. Esk was right – it would be foolish to trust in that official pronouncement of neutrality.

We could loot the temples, strip their stores, their weapons. We could cut out the heart of their pathetic cult. But most of all, we will be ending the old line of regal blood, thereby eliminating any complications for the future. No possible rivals to the thrones, not with Sheccanto and Skelenal dead.

‘Inform your fellow officers, Esk, we ride southeast, to Yannis.’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Oh, and how many scouts made it back?’

‘Eleven thus far, sir.’

‘Execute them on charges of cowardice and abandoning their comrades. Cowardice is rot and I’ll not see it fester in my ranks.’

‘Yes sir.’