“Our treasuries are empty. We can’t pay the soldiers or their families. If they know we are not going to give them any coins, they might not fight,” he says. But Mart argues with him, saying they have ordered to kill any soldier that refuses to fight. He doesn’t understand why Akhgar is so hesitant. So far, everything has played out according to their plan and it will go on the same. When they usurp Atlan, their treasury will be full again and they will give soldiers not only their wages but rewards. Akhgar knows all this but he is still anxious and unsure.

“Isn’t this what we wanted? We have been planning for it for five years now! Please tell me what really worries you?” Mart asks in a polite tone.

“I’m not sure… Maybe I always thought in my heart that we would be caught somewhere along the way… I never really thought we would reach this day!” Akhgar answers. Mart sneers.

“It’s not too late! Anyone could quit anytime and stay on the Saviour Ship living their life the way they always had… Or run away like Tirad did… But they will not have any shares after our victory!” He says indirectly but still Akhgar seems to have been upset by his rude gesture.

“We have voted for you and will always have your back!” Mart continues trying to soften Akhgar. But he seems too engaged in his thoughts and more worried. Mart doesn’t understand whether Akhgar is resisting losing the peaceful life he already has, or he is worried about the lives that will be lost in the war. The first seems more probable, having known him for a long time. It’s probably because of his age. Maybe if Mart had reached his midlife, he wouldn’t want to engage himself in so much trouble; he would have preferred to sit in his cabin on the lowest floor of the Ship and count his coins. But Mart is at least twenty years younger than Akhgar. Life has just started for him and he has so much time to rest in the future. He is not going to settle for what he has now and retire so early. The more he can gain while he is young, the more he can feel secure in the future. Thinking about retirement is so farfetched. He has many great plans and the war is only the first step. Could it be that Akhgar has guessed about his long term plans? But he has never talked about them to anyone, not even to Yuma. No one knows his inner desires to over throw the Circle after the war and become the First Disciple and take absolute power. He will change the Saviour Rules as he sees fit and even make up some new appropriate and applicable rules. He may even be able to reach all this with minimum bloodshed. The blood spill in the war with Atlan is inevitable, but how many lives would he need to take to become the First Disciple? He is still not sure. Anyhow, the war order needs to come from the First Disciple and it is Akhgar for now. Mart will not be able to persuade him to give the order yet, not before the dry season. Akhgar and the Circle are right to some extent, it will be dangerous to sail in the storms and they might lose some boats in the thunders. But he should insist on it now, otherwise he might put it off completely; he needs constant reminding and continuous justifications. Akhgar has another matter he wants to discuss.