But he did not allow the enemy to advance unopposed. Occasional squads of riflemen rode near enough to fire a few shots, then galloped away. At unexpected intervals, bolts of lightning struck from the cloudless sky, killing infantrymen indiscriminately. From time to time, Klamath’s men paused to dig trenches in the snow. The infantrymen stepped over them easily; but when several ranks had passed, the trenches erupted in flames. They must have been filled with oil and lit by a Magister of fire.

As a result, Rile’s forces made no attempt to close on the General’s army.

Before much longer, the Farsighted spotted the Great God for the first time. Magister Avail sounded alarmed as he described what they saw.

Accompanied by two of his priests, Rile rode on a long platform apparently strapped to the backs of four tusked beasts, beasts he managed without reins or teamsters. He was a tall man, unnaturally so, hairless and entirely nude. Even at that distance, he looked more like a statue fashioned of bronze than a living being. Yet his perfect form seemed to glow with gold sorcery. He traveled through a nimbus of vapor as his emanations melted the snow around him.

Only his eyes were not golden. They blazed with the red of burning rubies. In one hand, he gripped a staff, a tall shaft forged in the shape of a cross. On the end of each crosspiece, and atop the staff, were gems the color of his eyes. Like his eyes, they shone with scorn and power.

The image made Queen Estie’s guts squirm. She had never seen the cross and the naked statue in the Great God’s Church, but she had heard about them. Vaguely, she had supposed that Rile might resemble his emblems. Still, she was not prepared for the fact of his appearance. Anyone who looked at him would quail.

That night, she spoke briefly with Avail. From her bed, she asked, Is he alive? Could that figure be a statue? Could his priests give a statue the appearance of life?

No, retorted the deaf sorcerer. What purpose would it serve? His fright had become irritation. It is a distressing sight, yes. But if it were a lifeless thing, its effect would fade.

Then he sighed. The Great God must command his forces from somewhere. If he is too distant, his control might falter.

Remembering how she had reprimanded Avail in his quarters, Estie said quietly, I understand, Magister. Thank you. I am grateful for what you share with me.

After a moment, he replied, You said it yourself, Queen. We are not alone.

Then he was done.

For the next few days, Queen Estie continued her teaching. When Magister Avail addressed her, she marked Klamath’s progress on her vague mental map of Belleger. More anxiously, she measured her husband’s distance from Rile’s horde. They would confront each other soon.