The Durrani’s eyes widened. “You, Master, utterly and completely. You are father to my race. We owe you everything and live to serve.”

“Your fidelity is most appreciated.” Nelesquin gestured and the warrior rode up on his right side. “But among your people, how easily do you trust?”

“Within my clan, Master, trust is complete. There may be rivalries, but this is only the way that we improve ourselves, as per your wishes. Outside of my clan, trust must be earned.”

“If you were given a wife from another clan, would you trust her?”

Keerana frowned. “She becomes one of my clan then, so I must trust her. If she betrayed me, it would benefit neither her nor her clan, for you would punish such treachery, would you not, Master?”

“I would indeed.” Nelesquin smiled. In creating the Durrani he had fashioned the greatest of warriors. Fierce, implacable, arrogant in combat, respectful in repose, they were everything a leader would want. Intelligent, too, for Keerana’s face already betrayed he was thinking more about the question he’d been asked.

“What do you expect of the enemy, Keerana?”

“They will be resourceful, but this will avail them nothing against us.”

“Well said, but Gachin was slain and his army thrown back from Tsatol Deraelkun.”

The warrior’s expression sharpened. “Gachin dismissed the clues to what awaited him as aberrations. The force that broke out from Kelewan later ambushed our troops in the forests, and stood against him at Tsatol Deraelkun. Because they struck from hiding and ran from the siege, he perceived them to be cowards.”

“But you do not?”

“I expect a viper to coil and strike. That it does not fight claw with claw surprises me not at all.” Keerana pointed off to the northwest. “Tsatol Deraelkun is well positioned for defense, and having an able warrior leading troops makes it still more effective. It is an interesting puzzle to be solved.”

Nelesquin smiled as a large, leather-winged, short-legged creature hopped up on the lead ship’s wales. A warrior sat in a saddle fastened where long neck met body, and gold control rods had been inserted into the creature’s spine. The beast threw its triangular head back and shrieked, then launched itself. It swooped low over the river to pick up speed, then beat its wings and rose easily to where it could float on the air currents above the land.

Nelesquin pointed to the flying beast. “That is a jarandaki, and I mean it for use in scouting. I supposed a couple of archers could be put in a saddle on its back, but they would have to master shooting while in a swoop.”

Keerana recovered himself and nodded. “It would not do for them to shoot the jarandaki in the wing.”

“No, not at all. The nice thing about them is that they will provide perspective on a battle. Had Gachin had a scout up on one, he would have known of the ambush that took his troops.”

“It is possible, Master, but even with that knowledge, he might not have reacted correctly.” Keerana bowed his head. “Those who fight beneath the Ram Crest are often given to vainglorious displays. Gachin might have dismissed the threat, or assigned a subordinate to deal with it.”

Nelesquin regarded his warlord closely. “You would not make such a mistake?”

“I could not, Master. I do not serve myself; I serve you. To fall prey to such an ambush would be an abrogation of my duty. My service to you is paramount.”

“Have you determined your strategy for taking Tsatol Deraelkun?”

“My plans shall be revised to account for the wonders aboard the ships, Master, but I have studied the matter and have worked out a strategy.” His eyes became keen. “To win Tsatol Deraelkun’s wall one must attack strongly at a single point. Relentless pounding will win through at least the first set of walls.”

“But if you attack that way, you allow your enemy to slip a force out to harass your flanks.”

“So I cannot allow myself to be flanked.” The warrior gestured toward the black ships on the river. “I will deploy my forces in depth. An attack against my flank will be repulsed by an attack against the enemy’s flank. With the jarandaki, signaling between units will be much easier and more direct. If the rider carries a flag aloft, he will be able to communicate information between the units.”

Nelesquin clapped his hands. “Brilliant. Your attack must be relentless and swift.”

“I beg your pardon, Master, but it is likely to be one or the other.”

The Prince frowned. “Enlighten me.”

“The line between swift and haste is thin. So is the line between relentless and obdurate. To move fast is to surrender flexibility. Relentlessness can become stubborn support for strategies that are not effective. I would not waste your troops, Master, in an effort unworthy of you and incapable of victory.”

“Yet is there not a chance that by remaining too flexible you will refuse to push at a time when one more effort would carry the day?”

Keerana’s expression hardened. “A coward might, Master.”

Nelesquin nodded approvingly. “And you are no coward. Good. And flexibility means you will employ my gift to you in the proper way.”

“Have no fear, Master, Tsatol Deraelkun shall fall. It is your will, and I am the instrument of your will.”

“Exactly.”

The two horsemen headed off into the forest, letting the kasphani draw the ships toward Kelewan. They passed through a vale and crested a low hill. Nelesquin reined back quickly, while the Durrani rode forward and interposed himself between the cloaked figure which revealed itself on the road and the Prince.

Nelesquin snarled. “Why do you play at this game, Kaerinus? I find you lurking, and Keerana is again prepared to kill you.”

The sorcerer smiled and turned toward them, holding out a hand. A black-and-emerald butterfly clung to one finger. Kaerinus smiled, then puffed breath at it. The insect took flight and quickly vanished in the branches above.

“It is not out of disrespect, Prince Nelesquin, but urgency.” The vanyesh shrugged. “I have spent so much time away that I sometimes forget Imperial manners. Wonderful creatures you have there. I pray the winged ones do not eat my butterflies.”

“They prefer somewhat bigger prey.” Nelesquin rode around Keerana. “What is so urgent?”

“Do you recall, my Prince, Mount Shanfa in Moryth?”

“You know I do.” Nelesquin glanced back at Keerana. “It was a nasty place, dark and dismal, a stone thorn shoved up through the world’s flesh. Virisken Soshir spent much time there.”

“I recall the place from my brief campaign in the Five Princes.” Keerana nodded slowly. “This tells me much of value.”

“Good.” Nelesquin returned his attention to Kaerinus. “What of that place? I’d sooner forget it than remember.”

“Then you are in luck, my Prince.” Kaerinus pointed to the south. “There have been reports. The mountain is gone.”

TheNewWorld