Tiesto felt a hand clap his shoulder as Rogan met his eyes. Tiesto knew they were red. He expected Rogan to say something about how he must fight on, or Marcus's sacrifice would have been in vain.

Instead, Rogan squeezed his arm. "You did well, High Lord. You did well."

41

41

MIRO paced back and forth, doing his best to ignore Marshal Beorn. From below their vantage, the city of Ralanast appeared tranquil and calm in the morning light. The allied army waited on the broad hillside in rigid formation, any protest or wavering met with instant discipline, as Miro waited for the signal that would herald the start of the battle to liberate Ralanast.

"We should attack now," Marshal Beorn said again.

"No," Miro said shortly. He had rarely had such a contest of wills with the veteran commander before.

"Something has gone wrong. Look at the city — does it look like a city in revolt to you?"

"We can't see the whole city from here," Miro said.

"You know they'll be sending reinforcements from the east. We can't afford to wait here like this, so close to the city, with our flanks and rear vulnerable to attack."

"I've told you my reasons," Miro said. "How many lives do you think will be lost if we attack with the gate closed, compared to with it open?"

"How many lives will be lost if we're attacked here? We're like a hunter who has moved so close to his prey that he can no longer guard his back."

"We wait for the signal," Miro said.

"For how long?"

"As long as it takes."

Beorn took Miro roughly by the arm. "You trust your old teacher, I respect that. But Rogan Jarvish is just a man like any of us; he is no miracle worker. If the uprising has been crushed, then the best thing we can do is attack now, while the enemy is distracted. If the Halrana come through and open the gate while our attack is underway, even better."

"Beorn, you've seen how well-defended that gate is. Even our colossi can't touch it. Without siege weapons, we'd be dashed against the gate like a wave on the rocks. The wave breaks, but at the end of it all the rocks are still there. I won't be responsible for losing that many of our men. This war doesn't stop in Ralanast. You know as well as I do that it won't be over until our army marches into Seranthia."

Marshal Beorn opened his mouth to reply when a soldier spoke.

"Lord Marshal, look!"

From the four spires of the Terra Cathedral, four plumes of green smoke rose into the air. The city may appear peaceful, but inside those walls Miro knew people were dying.

"Launch the counter-signal!" Miro called.