Brukhalian spoke. ‘The Destriant and I have held counsel with the Kron T’lan Imass. Bek Okhan informs us that their offer of alliance is in answer to the K’Chain Che’Malle. They will not fight mortal humans. He further informs us that the K’ell Hunters have gathered half a league to the north, perhaps eighty in all. From this I surmise that they will represent Septarch Kulpath’s opening gambit – an assault on the north gate. The appearance of such formidable creatures will strike terror in our defenders. The gate will be shattered, the Hunters will enter the city, and the slaughter will begin. Kulpath will then send his Urdomen forward, against the other gates. By dusk Capustan will have fallen.’ He paused, as if chewing his words, then resumed. ‘No doubt the Septarch is confident. Fortunately for us, the K’ell Hunters will never reach the north gate, for fourteen thousand T’lan Imass and however many T’lan Ay with them will rise to block their path. Bek Okhan assures us the denial will be absolute, and final.’

‘Assuming the validity of his assertion,’ Itkovian allowed as they approached the Old Daru district, ‘Septarch Kulpath will need to adjust his plan.’

‘And in circumstances of great confusion,’ Karnadas said.

Brukhalian nodded. ‘It falls to us to predict his adjustment.’

‘He won’t know that the T’lan Imass are interested only in the K’Chain Che’Malle,’ the Shield Anvil said. ‘At least not immediately.’

‘And that limitation may prove temporary,’ the Destriant said. ‘Once this Gathering takes place, the T’lan Imass may find themselves directed to a new purpose.’

‘What more have we learned of the summoner?’

‘She accompanies Brood’s army.’

‘How far away?’

‘Six weeks.’

Hetan snorted. ‘They are slow.’

‘They are a small army,’ Brukhalian growled. ‘And cautious. I find no fault in the pace they have chosen. The Septarch intends to take Capustan in a single day, but he well knows that the longest he can safely take to conclude the siege is six weeks. Once he fails in his first effort, he will step back and reconsider. Probably at length.’

‘We cannot hold for six weeks,’ Itkovian murmured, his eyes reaching over the row of temples lining Old Daru’s front street and fixing on the high walls of the ancient keep that was now the Thrall.

‘We must, sir,’ Brukhalian replied. ‘Shield Anvil, your counsel, please. Kulpath’s campaign at Setta – there were no K’Chain Che’Malle to hasten that siege. Its duration?’

‘Three weeks,’ Itkovian immediately replied. ‘Setta is a larger city, sir, and the defenders were unified and well organized. They stretched to three weeks a siege that should only have required a week at most. Sir, Capustan is smaller, with fewer defenders – and disputatious defenders at that. Further, the Tenescowri has doubled its size since Setta. Finally, the Beklites and Urdomen have been honed by a hard-fought contest. Six weeks, sir? Impossible.’