The discussion of plans and strategies brought home to Reynevan that an offensive and a war were actually only weeks away. The three members of the Vogelsang were absolutely certain that the Hussites would attack Silesia when the spring came. Urban Horn neither confirmed nor denied that; he kept his own counsel. Pressured by Reynevan, Horn let him in on a secret. He said that it was more than certain that Prokop would attack Silesia.

“Forces from Silesia and Kłodzko attacked the regions of Broumov and Náchod three times: in 1421, 1425 and this August, right after the victory at Tachov. The atrocities they committed demand equally cruel reprisals. The Bishop of Wrocław and Půta of Častolovice need to be taught a lesson. Thus, Prokop will teach them a lesson they won’t forget in a hundred years. It must be done, in order to raise the morale of the army and the people.”

“Aha,” said Reynevan.

“That’s not all. The Silesians have sealed the economic embargo so tightly they’ve practically annihilated trade. They are also effectively blocking the route for goods from Poland. That blockade is proving very costly to Bohemia, and if it lasts much longer may cost the Czechs their lives. The papists and supporters of Sigismund cannot defeat the Hussites militarily and are suffering defeat after defeat on the battlefields. In the economic arena, however, they are beginning to win and are landing painful blows on the Hussites. This cannot continue. The blockade must be broken. And Prokop will do it. Breaking, at the same time, if possible, Silesia’s spine. With a crack. In order to cripple it for a century.”

“Was it only about that?” asked Reynevan, disappointed. “Only that? And the mission? And the message? And preaching the true word of God? And the fight for true apostolic faith? For ideals? For social justice? For a new, better world?”

“Why, of course!” Horn raised his head and smiled with the corners of his mouth. “Those, too. It’s about a better, new world and the true faith. It’s so obvious it doesn’t bear mentioning. Which is why I didn’t.

“An offensive against Silesia is thus certain,” he said, interrupting the lengthy, heavy silence. “It will occur, beyond reasonable doubt, in the spring. One thing I still don’t know is the direction from which Prokop will attack. Which way will he enter: through the Lewin Pass? Through the Mladkov Gate? From Landeshut? Or perhaps he will come from Lusatia, after first giving the Six Cities a hiding. I don’t know. But I’d like to. Where the hell is Tybald Raabe?”