Hali halted a few, paces away. My apologies, Lord. I wouldnt disturb you for anything less than a disaster.

El Murids lips stretched in a rictus of a smile, cracking because they were dry. Disaster? What now?

The rumors are true. Aboud has engaged Hawkwind again.

El Murids stomach knotted. He fought to keep his fear off his face. They had whipped him like a cur at Wadi el Kuf. They had branded terror upon his soul. He could not be reminded without cringing. Hawkwind? he croaked.

I saw them with my own eyes, Lord. I was leading the Fourth through the gap between el Aswad and the Great Erg. My scouts reported the presence of a large body of foreigners. I took the battalion forward, and engaged briefly. They drove us off like swatting away flies.

El Murid swallowed. Memories of Wadi el Kuf swarmed, helter skelter, chaotic. He simply could not think straight.

Hali interpreted his silence as a patient wait for continued illumination. There were a thousand of them, Lord, including many lances of heavy cavalry, and a large baggage train. They have come to fight a long campaign. I kept patrols close till they entered el Aswad, but could gather little more information. Their column was screened by Abouds best light cavalry. I trust our agents in the Eastern Fortress will provide better reports.

El Murid just could not grasp the news. Finally, he croaked, It was Hawkwind? Youre sure?

I was at Wadi el Kuf, Lord. I havent forgotten his banners.

Nor I, Mowaffak. Nor I. The shock began to recede. So. Aboud is frightened enough to hire foreigners. Why, Mowaffak? Because the Scourge of God has the temerity to defend Hammad al Nakir against Throyen predations?

I think not, Lord. I think the King wants revenge. Kalis tone was strained. He was hinting round the edge of something.

Aboud has a special reason for wishing us ill? Beyond a desire to perpetuate his dynasty of darkness?

Thats the point, Lord. There can be no dynasty. With Prince Farid dead he is left no successor but Ahmed. Our friends and the Royalists alike consider Ahmed a bad joke.

Farid is dead? When did that happen?

Long ago, Lord. Karim himself undertook the mission.

Our people did it? Karim? Meaning the Scourge of God sent him? He hadnt heard a word about this. Why did they keep the unpleasant news secret? What else is Nassef doing? What else dont I know?

He is destroying the Quesani, Lord. Using the Invincibles, mainly. But perhaps he felt Farid was too important a task to entrust to anyone but his personal assassin.

El Murid turned away, both to conceal his anger at Nassef and his disgust with Halis obvious politicking. The Invincibles loathed Nassef. They were convinced he was the bandit the Royalists claimed.

The Scourge of God is somewhere near Throyes. Too busy to bother with this.

This is a task for the Invincibles, Lord.