“Sir,” Sir Callum said slowly. “Attack a million with... sir, that’s... the odds are...”

“Twenty-five to one,” Varg said quietly.

“Shall we wait for them to wake up and come to us?” Octavian asked, his mouth spread in a wide, confident grin. “No, Sir Callum. The time for being cautious is long past.”

“What if they wake up?” Callum asked.

“What if they don’t?” Octavian countered. “What if the vord never need them? What if we do nothing while the vord at Garrision overwhelm the Legions?”

Callum frowned and bowed his head. Then he nodded.

“We’re going to hit them as fast and as hard as we can,” Octavian continued. “And we’re going to inflict a crowbegotten lot of harm on them. While that’s happening, I will lead a strike team after the Queen. As the most experienced Aleran present, Valiar Marcus will be in command once I am gone.”

Fidelias felt his stomach drop out. He began to say something, but Octavian shot him a level look, and he subsided.

“Varg will be his second,” Octavian continued. “Our objective is to eliminate the vord reserves at Aricholt, then fortify our position. Questions?”

No one spoke.

“All right, then, gentlemen,” Octavian said, smiling. “Let’s get to work. Oh, Master Marok. Would you be willing to speak with me privately for a moment? Thank you.”

Fidelias watched the assembly break up as the captain moved over to one side, speaking quietly with Marok. The Cane listened and made short replies. He nodded once, then he and the captain exchanged bows.

The captain strode over to him after speaking to Marok. “Marcus,” he said.

“That’s me.”

Octavian’s mouth tugged up at the corner. “With any luck,” he said, “I’ll be busy elsewhere once the music starts.”

“I heard,” Fidelias said.

“I’m not going to ask you if you can handle it. I’m telling you that you bloody well will handle it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Octavian nodded, and said, “We’re going all out. Maximum damage to the enemy. Everyone, everyone, including me, is to be considered expendable.” He looked back down the column. Hundreds of men and Canim were visible even within the ritualists’ concealing mist. There was pain in his eyes. “We can’t let the Queen escape us. And we can’t allow those reserves to be used against Garrison. No matter the cost.”

“I understand, Captain,” Fidelias said quietly. “I’ll get it done.”

* * *