“Compulsion,” I said grimly, while Khalad examined the dazed Odalian guards stationed along the outer camp. They’d been asleep on their feet, blank eyes staring out at the plains. Had my azi been slower, they would have been slain. I used my own Compulsion to goad them back into wakefulness but found lingering traces of the mind that had been at work—more powerful than Usij’s or Aenah’s. “Druj.”

One of the Deathseekers swore. “What good are our preparations if they can infiltrate our minds easier than they can tear down our walls?”

“The Yadoshans have arrived,” another Deathseeker affirmed. “A man named Knox wishes to speak with you, General.”

“My azi will keep watch,” I said, “but I fear there may be more ambushes.”

“We’ll have a talk with the Yadoshans, then attack at first light,” Kance decided, rising to his feet.

I startled. “Attack, Your Majesty?”

“My army outnumbers theirs. Add in the Yadoshans, and we can overwhelm them quickly. Lady Tea is right. They attacked our camp to test us, but also to delay us. If we wait for them to make the first move, it will only give them time to regroup. Fortunately, the bulk of their troops are at Mithra’s base. The paths leading up the range aren’t wide enough for any kind of fighting. Let us concentrate on their soldiers and have Lady Tea and Kalen focus on the Faceless there.”

General Lode nodded. “Lady Likh and Lord Khalad shall remain behind with you, Your Majesty.”

But Kance shook his head. “The camp will not be as well defended, and they may try again. I will stay close by you, General. My own Deathseekers will protect me, and we’ll be on hand to offer Lady Tea and Lord Kalen assistance. Both Lady Likh and Lord Khalad shall come with me. With the azi close by, the Drychta will not be as reckless.”

The older man sighed resignedly. It was clear they’d had many discussions like this before. “Very well, Your Majesty. Lord Kalen, Lady Tea—will you be needing horses? Your own may need rest after such a strenuous journey.”

“I have a special steed, General, one with an inexhaustible supply of energy. But we will be doing most of our work on my azi.”

The general shuddered. “I never thought I would see the day when those beasts could be ridden into battle like flying cavalry.”

“Do you intend to confront the Faceless within the mountains?” Kance asked me.

“I would like to concentrate on decimating as many of the Drychta as we can first. Their small numbers have the advantage up the cliffs.”

“We will do our best to keep the battle as short as possible. Let’s go, gentlemen. The Yadoshans are waiting.”

“Will you two be all right?” I asked Khalad.