“Hells, Rowt!” he snapped as if he were furious at his aide, not himself. “Give me a moment.” Then he commanded, “Gather Hegels and Hellick. The leaders of each Decimate. We have new orders. I will only explain them once.”

The young man flinched in surprise, but he obeyed without hesitation. Digging in his heels, he galloped away.

Rubbing his face with both hands, General Klamath began to change his plans.

Keeping Rile’s forces in sight was no longer important. Neither was setting traps. And he could not afford to be slowed by King Bifalt’s wagons. He had to reach the Repository’s supplies and guides in time to benefit from them before the enemy caught up with him. After that, his work would be done, at least until someone like Queen Estie told him what to do next.

The next day, Queen Estie sat with Magister Oblique while the Farsighted watched. Their reports came promptly.

The Repository’s commanders kept their word. When General Klamath’s army reached the stretch of barren hardpan that marked the edge of the desert, loaded supply-wagons were waiting, tended by a number of servants and guides with a small herd of fresh horses and plenty of feed. By then, the General had increased his lead on the enemy. His riflemen and Magisters had time to eat a good meal and rest for an hour before the guides led them eastward among the dunes.

Magister Oblique remarked:

—Without prior knowledge, Queen, those paths are difficult to find. And the servants will follow, erasing signs of the General’s passage. He will reach the caravan-track safely.

More carefully, Oblique added:

—Then Magister Avail will speak to him for Magister Rummage. He will give the General his orders.

Estie assumed that Rummage wanted Klamath to hold the track if he could and contest it if he could not. But she did not ask. The Farsighted had news of King Bifalt.

The King had sent the el-Algreb ahead of him. Following them among the twisted hills of eastern Belleger, he raced away from the horde. If he did not turn aside, he would come up against the unbroken line of the Great God’s infantry, cavalry, and wagons.

Magister Oblique estimated that the horde would join the Great God’s main army in a few hours.

Estie shuddered to guess at her husband’s intentions. At the same time, she felt a form of relief. He was still fighting, still risking himself. He would not shy away from one battle until he found another, more dangerous struggle.

He had known what he was doing when he destroyed Belleger’s Fist. She had to trust that he was sure of himself now.

TWENTY-EIGHT

FEARS

Although Queen Estie did not know it, she was right about Magister Rummage. He was afraid. He believed that he was going to die.