"Do you mean that?" Amelia asked.

"I do," Rogan said. He hesitantly reached forward and took her hand.

Amelia closed her eyes and breathed deeply, a sigh of mixed pain and pleasure, and when she opened her eyes Rogan was surprised to see moisture glistening there. "I'm coming with you," she said, "and I won't hear another word on it. You can wear your armoursilk and carry your zenblade, but I don't want you doing anything foolish, do you hear me?"

"I hear you," Rogan said.

He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. He knew she was a good woman, and Tapel would be the son he had never had. "I'm going to say this now before I lose my nerve. I love you," Rogan said.

"I love you too," Amelia said, and then she was crying.

"And I'm not saying this for your benefit. I'll be a father to the boy too if he'll have me."

"He doesn't like it when you call him that," Amelia said, laughing through her tears.

"When he learns some respect, then I'll call him a man."

~

PRINCE Tiesto Telmarran, the man who would be High Lord of Raj Halaran, was obviously nervous. Dressed in full ceremonial gear, he wore a brown robe, the raj hada of Halaran — a hand with an eye in the centre — displayed on a torque around his neck. His hair was shaped tall and erect in the formal style, and his aides were clustered around him. Seeing Tiesto in this light, for the first time, Rogan believed that this man could become High Lord.

Closest to Prince Tiesto were Marcus Toscan, the soldier who had been by his side since the beginning, and Salvatore Domingo, a stiffly abrupt loremaster Prince Tiesto had named High Animator.

They were in the manse of a Halrana merchant who was playing the delicate and dangerous game of sycophant to the occupiers, while giving every aid to the resistance. The merchant's house was close by the storehouses of Ralanast's cargo district, which made it the perfect place from which to organise themselves.

"Ah, Blademaster Rogan, how go the preparations?" Prince Tiesto asked.

"Just Rogan," he growled, "and the preparations go as well as can be expected. The men are ready. We are in communication with Lord Marshal Miro. In three days, we put the plan into effect."

There was a soft knock at the door, and everyone in the room exchanged glances. Marcus went to the door and opened it, speaking quickly to someone outside before shutting it again.

"News," Marcus said. "The allied army is just outside the city. From a high vantage our men in the city say they can see the green and brown banner."

The men in the room erupted in cheers, while Prince Tiesto smiled. The High Animator looked as dour as ever.