His royal cousin was becoming a royal aggravation. His bluster, wishful thinking and vain edicts would not alter the situation one iota.

Radetic joined him a few minutes later. He looked grim. He was becoming ever more dour and remote as el Aswads position became ever less tenable.

Another command to victory? Yousif asked.

More like a petition this time. But he has started to realize whats happening. After all this time. I mean, Nassef has got to be more than a bandit if he can fight a war with Throyes. Doesnt he?

Eh? Yousif turned. You mean he said something positive? That hes going to take us seriously? Now that its too late?

A little. A little too little too late. Hes hired Hawkwind again. Hes sending him out here.

Hawkwind? Why a mercenary?

He didnt explain. Maybe because no one else would come. The messenger says the negotiations have been on since Prince Farids death. For three years! Hawkwind was reluctant But Aboud finally made a sufficiently convincing presentation to the Guild generals, and paid over a handsome retainer. And he put huge bounties on El Murid, Nassef, Karim and that lot. Hawkwind is on his way already.

Yousif paced. How many men?

I dont know. I was told a substantial force.

Enough to change anything?

I doubt it. We both know there will be no more victories like Wadi el Kuf.

But why wont he send Royal troops?

I think all is not well in the Royal camp. Some wahligs apparently refuse to send men into the witchs cauldron. They want to sit tight and let El Murid come to them. It seems if he wanted to send anyone, it had to be mercenaries. He did the best he could in the circumstances he faces.

But not enough. Yousif smote the weathered, lichened stone of the parapet.

No. Not enough. Radetic studied the smoke from the brush fire. Is Haroun out there?

Yes. Fuad says hes doing well. Is there more news? You looked grim when you arrived.

Radetic kept his own counsel for a few minutes. Then, Prince Hefni was killed.

A pity. The Harish again?

Yes.

Hefni had been the last of Abouds sons, excepting Crown Prince Ahmed. He had been much like his brother Farid. There were rumors that Aboud wished Hefni were Crown Prince instead of Ahmed, and that Ahmed was being pressured to abdicate in his favor.

The Quesani are going to become extinct.

Wahlig...

Yousif turned slowly. Dont tell me any more bad news, Megelin. I dont think I could stand what I think youre going to say.

I dont want to. But I have to. Now or later.

Yousif peered at the fire. In time, he murmured, Out with it, then. I dont want to break down in front of everybody.

Your sons, Rafih and Yousif. They were killed in the attack on Hefni. They acquitted themselves well.