Trust in the Lord, Nassef. He will deliver them unto us. We have the numbers, and Him on our side. What more could we ask?

Nassef stifled an angry response. He helped guide the Invincibles into a new disposition.

At the oasis, at feast, it seemed that El Murids confidence was justified. Yousifs force was surrounded.

Whos this Hawkwind?

A Guildsman. Perhaps their best general.

Guildsman? El Murids ignorance of the world outside Hammad al Nakir was immense.

A brotherhood of warriors. Not unlike the Invincibles. Called the Mercenarys Guild. Theyre also a little like the Harish, and yet like nothing we know. They own no allegiance except to one another. After Itaskia, theyre probably the greatest military power in the west, yet they have no homeland but a castle called High Crag. When their generals frown, princes cringe. Just their decision to fight for someone sometimes stops a war before it starts.

How do you know? When have you ever had time to learn?

I pay people to learn things for me. Ive got spies all over the west.

Why?

Because you want to go there someday. Im preparing the way. But its all irrelevant if we dont get out of this alive.

Hawkwinds force was close enough to start increasing its pace.

None of the Invincibles had seen knights before. They neither understood nor sufficiently feared what they faced. When their master gave the signal, they charged. They trusted in the Lord and their name. Hawkwind increased his pace again.

The long lances and heavy horses hit the Invincibles like a stone wall. The Royalists passed through and over them, and crushed them, and in ten minutes were turning and forming for a charge into the rear of the horde beleaguering Yousif.

Neither Nassef nor El Murid said a word. It was even worse than Nassef had expected. The Wahlig of el Aswad was in a bad way. But once help arrived the battle became a rebel slaughter.

Hawkwind placed a screen of infantry between himself and the remnants of the Invincibles. He placed another of light horse between himself and the oasis, with extended and slightly C-shaped wings. Then he started hammering with his armored horsemen. Charge. Melee. Withdraw. Reform. Charge.

El Murid was too stubborn to accept reality. Nassefs troops, down in the witchs cauldron, were too confused to realize what was happening.

Hawkwind set about systematically exterminating them.

At one point Nassef wept. My Lord, he pleaded, let me go down there. Let me try to break them out.

We cant lose, El Murid murmured in reply, more to himself than to his war general. We have the numbers. The Lord is with us.

Nassef cursed softly.