The southern outpost had been constructed many years ago by the Odalian queen, Bregane, and it has since withstood the test of time, with fortifications added to and improved by her descendants. Though simple and utilitarian in appearance, the star-shaped bastion was heavily defended. Ditches and sharpened spikes surrounded the fort, making it impassable for most attacks.

There was no sign of the Dark asha or her azi. Lord Fox stared into the sky, searching every cloud for the telltale speck of black. I saw his mouth move and had no need to hear his whispered, Where are you, Tea? sent out into the air like an open secret.

“The Gorvekai tell us that this so-called First Harvest is not in the Hollow Mountains,” General Lode rumbled, “so what devilry do the Drychta intend to do here? Invade Odalia? They no longer have the element of surprise. Draw out the Dark asha and her daeva? Surely they could do so in other territories where they could maintain the advantage.”

“Reports tell me that these are Aadil’s most devoted soldiers,” King Kance observed. “All ten thousand members of the Golden Rod, his private army. Then another ten thousand men from his special forces, handpicked for their brutal efficiency. And there may be more.”

“That might pose more of a problem than General Lode thinks,” Lord Fox decided. “We expect them to leave the range and engage us in battle, but they show every indication of staying put. Our defenses amount to nothing if they do not come down the Hollows, milords.”

“We outnumber them five to one,” Lord Balfour pointed out.

“That makes no difference, Sir Balfour. We won’t be able to keep our formation if we go through those narrower paths, and the crevices ensure archers can pick us off before we reach the bulk of their army. If we go in, they’ll have the advantage.”

“So this is going to be a protracted siege?” Lord Aden groaned. “I hate sieges.”

“If you have any ideas for luring the Drychta out of the Hollows, Lord Aden, then I would be more than pleased to let you assume command.”

“What do you think, Althy?” Lord Fox asked.

“There are enough of us asha to try and shake the mountain asunder. But it would destroy the Hollows and cause quite a few problems—landslides, earthquakes, and the like. I would not want to make that attempt until we have exhausted all other options.”

King Kance turned to Lord Agnarr, who’d been silent throughout the deliberations. “You know more about Tea’s intentions than any of us. What has she told you?”

“The Faceless have allied themselves with the Drychta for generations, Your Majesty, but it is only recently that they have infiltrated the ranks of royalty with King Aadil.”