Yousif came to Megelin three days later, while Radetic was inspecting his projects. How long till you drop that wall, Megelin? Were running out of time. Nassef should be on his way by now. There was little force in the Wahligs voice. He seemed dazed.

Im having trouble. The soft earth doesnt run all the way to the foundations. Im running a mine to the New Castle, too, but I dont have much hope for it. Those walls were engineered by westerners. You can tell that from the camber of the base.

What?

The way it slopes out at the bottom. Instead of coming straight down. It increases the thickness and coherence of the wall, making mining difficult.

Nevertheless, Megelin.

Yes, Wahiig. Well persist. Any news from Al Rhemish?

Yousif became more sour. His lined, rugged, aquiline face darkened. The messenger returned an hour ago.

Radetic watched as his hastily constructed trebuchets hurled a barrage against the old castle. One of the engines groaned and fell apart. The rocks rumbled against the castle. The wall shuddered. A merlon stone slid off the battlements and plunged downward. Cracks had begun to show in the wall. The engines might be enough. If I can keep them working. Whats the bad news?

Aboud says we have to chase Nassef off the coast. He was pretty definite about it.

Did he have any suggestions? How much help is he going to send?

None. And no ideas either. Just a flat-out order to do the job.

Radetic peered at Yousif. The Wahligs face had gone gray with despair.

This is the beginning of the end, Megelin. Unless you can produce a miracle here. Theyve abandoned us.

Radetic thought he understood. You could pretend the letter never arrived. You cant commit suicide.

Megelin, I cant. Im a man of honor. I dont think I could explain that to a westerner. Even a westerner who has been around as long as you. You see my men there? They know Im fighting a losing battle. But they stick with me year after year. They dont see that they have any choice. Neither have I. Pledges of honor have been made. Abouds orders leave me no room for maneuver. I have to try to beat Nassef even when I know that I cant.

Haroun? Are you listening?

Yes, Megelin. The youth was as close as Radetics shadow. As always. He followed his teacher everywhere, watching with those wide, curious eyes, logging every detail of the siegework in an infallible memory.

Pay attention to this. Listen to your father. Hes talking about paying the price of an absolute and inflexible concept of duty. Dont ever push a man into the corner hes in. And dont ever let yourself get shoved into one like it. Yousif, there has to be a way around destroying yourself because of Abouds stupidity.

Its our way, Megelin. Its mine. I have to do something.