"That was before this long silence," General Atesca said, nervously pacing up and down in the large pavilion they shared. Atesca wore his uniform and his gold-inlaid steel breastplate. "The Emperor’s well-being and safety are my responsibility."

"They're as much mine as they are yours." Brador was absently rubbing the furry tummy of the half-grown cat lying ecstatic in his tap.

"All right, why aren't you doing something about it then? We haven't had word of him in weeks. Not even your intelligence network can tell us where he is."

"I know that, Atesca, but I'm not going to disobey an imperial command just because you're getting nervous or bored."

“Why don't you stay here and take care of the kittens, then?” Atesca said acidly. "I'm going to move the army out tomorrow morning."

"I didn't deserve that, Atesca."

"Sorry, Brador. This long silence is making me a little edgy, and I'm losing my grip on civility."

"I'm as concerned as you are, Atesca," Brador said, "but all of my training rises up in protest at the notion of flying directly in the face of an imperial command." The kitten in Brador's lap nuzzled at his fingers affectionately. "You know," he said, "I think that when his Majesty returns, I'll ask him if I can have this kitten. I'm really growing rather fond of her."

"That's up to you," Atesca said. "Trying to find homes for two or three litters of kittens every year might keep you out of trouble." The broken-nosed general tugged thoughtfully at one earlobe. "How about a compromise?" he suggested.

"I’m always willing to listen."

"All right. We know that Urvon's army has largely disbanded, and there's fairly strong presumptive evidence that Urvon is dead."

"I'd say so, yes."

"And Zandramas has moved her forces into the Dalasian protectorates."

"That's what my people report."

"Now then, we're both senior officials in his Majesty's government, aren't we?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't that mean that we're expected to use our own initiative to take advantage of tactical situations that arise in the field without consulting Mal Zeth?"

"I suppose so. You’ve spent more time in the field than I have, though."

"It's standard practice, Brador. All right, then. Darshiva is virtually undefended. What I'm suggesting is that we restore order across the river in Peldane and move in to occupy Darshiva. That way we cut Zandramas off from her base of support.

We set up a main line of resistance along the edge of those mountains to repel her forces if they try to return. We'll have effectively brought these two provinces back under imperial control. We might even get a few medals out of it."

"His Majesty would be rather pleased if that happened, wouldn't he?"

"He'd be overjoyed, Brador."

"I still don't see how occupying Darshiva is going to get us any closer to locating his Majesty."