You are near the desert. If you hope to oppose Rile there, you will fail. The theurgy of his priests thrusts obstacles aside. If it shifts entire dunes, they can clear a path for themselves.

Clear a path? thought Klamath. Can they do that?

It is a frightening prospect, Klamath. But you will have help. There will be supplies waiting at the desert’s edge. And guides who know the secrets of the dunes. They will lead you to the caravan-track.

“General Klamath?” asked Captain Rowt for the third or fourth time. “What troubles you?”

Klamath demanded silence with a glare. The Queen had more to say.

I will not urge you to be brave, Klamath. You are already that. But I must test your courage.

King Bifalt has met the horde. He was beaten back.

As if she could imagine the effect of her news, Queen Estie allowed the General a moment to master himself.

Klamath did not try to think. Holding his breath, he waited.

He was repulsed by sorcery. There are priests among the horde, many of them. King Bifalt could not penetrate their power.

Since then, he has been in retreat. He may have attempted to draw the horde away from you. If so, he failed. The el-Algreb still harry the horde. His Magisters strike at the priests. They fare poorly.

Klamath heard Queen Estie sigh. This is frustrating for me, my friend. It must be maddening for you. King Bifalt cannot tell us what is in his mind. We do not know what he will do. As matters stand, the horde will join Rile’s army soon after you reach the desert.

Pressure welled in Klamath’s chest. He ached to question her, but she would not hear him. Nevertheless she was Estie of Amika, the Queen-Consort he had known for decades. She knew what some of his questions would be.

We believe that King Bifalt is unharmed. Elgart and Prince Jaspid remain with him. His Magisters and riflemen give him their best.

Again, Queen Estie paused. After a moment, she admitted, I fear for him, Klamath. He is who he is. Only extreme actions will content him. He is distant now, but he may try to join you.

The General agreed. King Bifalt was that kind of man. And for his own part, Klamath refused to imagine facing the last battle without his King. He had already done as much as he could. He could not do more without King Bifalt.

Protect him if you can, my friend. He heard tears in Estie’s voice. We all need him. I cannot bear to lose him.

Then her voice was gone. It left an empty space like a sob in Klamath’s mind.

The change must have shown on his face. Almost immediately, Captain Rowt asked again, “General, what is it?”

Klamath resisted an impulse to slap himself. He needed a jolt of some kind to break the Queen’s grip on him.