“I can imagine,” Janus said. “So either they were no longer interested, or some other target had become a priority.” He grimaced. “I can only think of one that would qualify. If they knew you carried a demon, they must also know that we have the Thousand Names. I fear poor Augustin must have fallen into their clutches.”

Winter had almost forgotten about the aged manservant. “We never found a trace of him.”

“You wouldn’t have, if he was abducted by Penitent Damned.” Janus sighed. “He had served my family his whole life. This was a poor way to repay him. I hope he didn’t suffer unduly.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Well,” Janus said, “I’m glad you escaped, and I thank you for the information. I will do what I can. We still have work here—”

“General Vhalnich?” a voice called, from farther down the slope. It took Winter a moment to recognize Fitz Warus. The young man had acquired an air of authority that matched his advancement in rank.

“Yes, Colonel?”

“A party’s just arrived from the capital. It’s—you’d better come and see, sir.”

*   *   *

The last time Winter saw de Ferre, he’d been slinking off with his tail between his legs, summarily sacked by Janus after his performance at the battle of Diarach. If he’d had a tail, it would have been bristling now. He rode a tall white stallion, and a dozen officers and as many guards, all mounted, rode in his train. The eagles marking his colonel’s rank were gone from his shoulders, replaced by silver stars amid a tangle of gold braid.

A ranker stood nearby, waiting to take de Ferre’s horse, but he’d apparently refused to dismount until he saw Janus approaching. Now that he’d sighted the general, he swung grandly out of the saddle, gilded spurs jingling on the stony ground. His escort followed suit. They’d halted on the open ground south of the camp, where the uneven lines of tents petered out. While much of Janus’ army was off digging fortifications or standing guard against the possibility of a Hamveltai sortie, a good number of off-duty rankers had drifted over to see what was going on.

“Colonel de Ferre,” Janus said, no hint of surprise on his face. Winter stood respectfully behind him, flanked by Fitz. “What brings you back to the Army of the East?”

“General Vhalnich,” de Ferre said. He strove to keep his expression neutral, but didn’t have Janus’ control. There was the hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth, and his tone was that of a man savoring every word. “Orders, of course. But I must correct you. It is General de Ferre now.”

“So I see,” Janus said, looking over the officers and men de Ferre had brought.