"Men and women," he said, "people of Altura and Halaran, I'm afraid the night is far from over. This area crawls with the enemy, and your friends and families are anxious to have you safely home. At the speed we will travel, Ralanast is a half day's journey from here, which means walking through the night. I know it will be difficult, and I'm sorry to ask more of you when you have already been through so much, but there will be light at the end, for with the dawn, the people of Ralanast will show those who would believe otherwise, that they are free. Your people will welcome you with open arms, and even the Alturans among you will soon be among more of your countrymen, just as I will, for a great army lies outside the walls of Ralanast, an army of Alturans and Halrana, and we intend to welcome this army with the new day. Now, please, gather yourselves. We have water and we have some food. It will be a long night."

As Rogan's men gathered the prisoners, Amelia came forward. "Rogan?" she said.

"What is it?"

"We always knew this might be the case. Many of the prisoners are unfit for travel. I need twenty of your men."

Rogan closed his eyes. He could hear the steel in Amelia's voice, and knew it wasn't worth the attempt to argue. He sighed, opening his eyes again. "You'll have twenty-five men," he said, "but it's all I can spare. Lord of the Sky, I wish I could give you more."

"It'll be fine," she soothed. "They just need to help us hold here until tomorrow. I'll do what I can for these people's injuries and illnesses. Some of them have been very poorly treated."

"If anything happens to you…"

"It won't," Amelia said.

"I'll come back for you," Rogan said. "As soon as I can, I promise."

"And I would say that I will fear for you…" Amelia shook her head. "But after seeing you fight tonight…"

Rogan saw Amber come forward, a tall Halrana woman at her side. "This is Lina. She'd also like to stay to take care of the others."

Amelia nodded.

"And you, Amber, are you able to make the journey?" Rogan asked.

Amber looked up at him with a disturbing amount of steel in her eyes. "You remind me of someone," she said. "He always thought I was just a little girl. Don't make the same mistake."

"I won't." Rogan grinned.

He looked around him, at the burning mounds of rubble and the pits in the earth where orbs had exploded. Corpses were scattered at all ends of the prison camp, most wearing black, he was pleased to see. His men had gathered the freed prisoners in a column. They were ready.

"Move out!" Rogan called.

40

40

THE uprising of Ralanast commenced at dawn.