Heren Flisk seemed to sag at the prospect of not having enough men. The Commander kept his mind on General Klamath’s immediate question.

“Thank you, sir. We will do what we can. But we have another concern.”

Klamath took a deep breath. “Name it.”

“Ice,” stated Forguile flatly. “In this cold, any water freezes on stone. Rain. Even spray. Snow when it comes. Ice makes every surface treacherous.

“We have run lines down both sides of the road.” With a gesture, he indicated the ropes. “They are well anchored. But they are not enough. The road is too steep. Any man can slip.” With an edge in his voice, he finished, “The ice will weaken us before the enemy comes.”

The thought of men sliding downward until they crashed against the boulders of the strand made Klamath wince.

“The terraces are no better,” put in Flisk as if he were arguing. “Already, ice sheets the lower levels. Soon it will be everywhere. Men running to the guns may break limbs.” After a moment, he remembered to say, “Sir.”

More for the Captain’s sake than the Commander’s, General Klamath mustered a tone of confidence. “That peril, at least, sirs, we can ease. You have a number of stoves. Use them all. If they do not produce enough ash, build bonfires. Ash will corrode the ice. Land-Captain Erepos will keep you supplied with firewood. No doubt, he will also deliver salt if he can, but ash will serve as well.”

Trying to hide his relief, Heren Flisk sagged against his comrade. Forguile could stand the weight. He was not hampered by an old wound. Without calling attention to himself, he supported the Captain.

“Thank you, General,” said the Amikan. “I had not thought of ash. As you say, it will serve.”

Klamath gave the officers a moment. When he saw that Flisk had recovered his balance, and Forguile was waiting, he said, “So much for the present. Now we must consider our defense when the enemy comes. King Bifalt will send Magisters, but he needs to know which Decimates will be most useful.” And how many Magisters he could afford to risk. “What are your thoughts?”

“Lightning,” said the Commander at once. “It has range. It may be able to reach ships when they pass the reef.”

Flisk shook his head. “But not fire, sir. The winds will scatter it.”

“And not earthquake,” put in Forguile. “Not unless the King wishes the road and the emplacements broken.” All of his work and the Captain’s wasted. “That may slow the enemy. It will not defeat him. He will be prepared to devise his own passage up the cliff.”

General Klamath agreed. Nodding, he asked, “What of pestilence? What of wind and drought?”