A hell of a coup if youre Nassef. Hes carved the heart out of the Quesani. You know whos left? Who our beloved Crown Prince is now? Ahmed.

Ahmed? I dont know the name.

With reason. Hes a nothing. I wish I didnt know him. Hes a damned woman, if you ask me. I wouldnt be surprised if he prefers boys.

No wonder Yousif was so grim.

Megelin? Haroun piped. Does that mean its over? Uncle Fuad? Did we lose the war when we werent looking?

Fuad laughed sourly. A good turn of phrase, Haroun. A fine way to say it. Yes.

No, Radetic countered. Its never over till you surrender. In your own heart.

Fuad laughed again. Bravely spoken, teacher. Fine talk. But it doesnt change the facts.

Radetic shrugged. Haroun, lets see if theyre ready with that spoon trebuchet.

The crew was cranking the machine for a test shot when they arrived. Radetic watched while they ignited a bundle of brush, tipped it into the spoon, then flipped the blazing missile over the New Castle wall.

Will it start a fire, Megelin?

Probably not. But itll keep them nervous.

Why do it, then?

Battles can be won in mens minds, Haroun. Thats what I meant when I told your uncle its not over till you surrender in your heart. The sword isnt the only weapon that will wear an enemy down.

Oh. Harouns face took on that look he got when he wanted to remember something forever.

Two days passed. And still Nassef did not come. Megelin could feel the contempt radiating from the coast. Nassef did not consider them dangerous.

He would learn.

Megelin sent for Yousif, who wore a bright expression when he appeared. The Wahlig seemed to have made peace with himself.

Im going to bring her down now, Radetic told him. He gave a signal. Fuad, get the men ready. The way we rehearsed it.

Fuad muttered something uncomplimentary and stalked off. A gust of activity swept the valley. It became a gale. Yousifs warriors gathered for the assault.

The trebuchets ceased pounding the old castle. The wall had held, but barely.

The engine crews dragged their machines around to face the New Castle.

An hour passed. Yousif became impatient. Whens something going to happen? he demanded.

Radetic indicated smoke trailing out of cracks at the base of the wall. When you mine a wall you have to shore it up with timbers. When youre ready to bring it down you fill the chamber underneath with brush and set it afire. It takes time for the timbers to burn through. Ah. Here we go.

A deep-throated grinding assailed the air. The cracks grew. Pieces of masonry popped out of the wall. Then, with a startling suddenness, a twenty-foot-wide section dropped straight down, virtually disappearing into the earth.

Perfect! Radetic enthused. Absolutely perfect. Fuad! he shouted. Go ahead! Attack now! He turned to Yousif. Dont forget to watch the New Castle for a sally.