A thin, bald, middle-aged individual stood up. ‘Transport, including supply of horses, mules, oxen and other working animals. We’re fortunate in having a renewable resource, and

we’ve already got a number of breeding herds ready to go. A good stockpile of wagons, too.’

He sat, and a mature woman near the front got up. ‘Food and water,’ she announced. ‘We’re renewable too, of course, and as far as drinking water goes we know the island is well provided with springs and wells. We’ve got good stocks of most dried foodstuffs, but I am a bit worried about a possible food gap.’ She half turned to explain to the audience. ‘That’s the period of time that might exist between the food we take running out and the first harvest. I think my colleague in charge of agriculture may have something to say about that.’ She nodded to another woman, who took the floor.

‘I’m fairly confident about the prospects for farming. The island’s central plains are fertile; the soil’s good and well drained, though naturally there’s no accounting for unexpectedly bad weather. There are some gaps in our seed stores, and I’d be pleased to hear from anybody who could assist with that. And I could do with more people to help with the crops and animal husbandry, not to mention experienced fishermen.’

Karr picked another speaker.

‘Gives you some idea of the scale of the thing, doesn’t it?’ Kutch remarked in a hushed tone.

Caldason nodded.

It was the turn of a short, muscular man with mousy, shoulder-length hair. ‘Armourer,’ he explained. ‘I also speak for fletchers, sword-wrights and the weapon-making brotherhood generally. We have substantial arsenals secreted. Blades are ample, as are bows, arrows, spears and axes. Shields, chainmail and helms we could use more of. That’s down to a shortage of suitable materials rather than skilled labour.’

‘Buildings and island fortifications,’ the next man stated. ‘We have a materials problem too. Wood is plentiful but it

won’t last long once we get started. There’s some stone out there we can quarry, and we can adapt the existing buildings, but we’ll have to consider importing it. The workforce isn’t too big a headache because a lot of the requirement’s for menial labour. And I’d guess that if nothing else they’ll be plenty of people about.’

‘You should be able to count on it,’ Karr agreed, ‘gods willing. Quinn, what about you?’

Disgleirio rose. ‘The Fellowship of the Righteous Blade is handling island defences, martial training and general security. We’re meeting our targets on all those. But let me remind you that we’ll be forming a people’s militia as soon as the island’s secure. That’s anybody who can lift a weapon, basically, and it’ll be Blade members who instruct them. Beyond that, we’ll be building a standing army as fast as we can. So spread the word that we’re willing to consider fit, motivated men and women.’

He was replaced by a chubby, weather-beaten man with black hair and a goatee. ‘I speak for artisans. That includes blacksmiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, glass-blowers, potters and the rest. Our trades are well represented in the Resistance ranks. Like others who have spoken before, the problems we see are the supply of materials to work with, and fuel for our stoves, braziers and furnaces.’

Phoenix talked of magical provisions and the part Covenant would play. Goyter, in charge of logistics, appealed for more clerks, and scholars with a head for numbers. And there were others, covering every imaginable aspect of state-building from scratch. They related their achievements and shortcomings, their needs and difficulties.

At last, everyone had spoken, and Karr took charge again.

‘Many of you are wondering when the move will happen. Of necessity, we have to keep that flexible. All I can say is that the most favourable time will be chosen, and that you’ll

be given as much advance warning as possible. We already have people on Batariss, smoothing the way. So, in a sense, the exodus has already begun.’ He paused and looked them over. ‘Now that I’ve given up the political forum to devote myself unstintingly to the cause-’ there was clapping and a few shouted compliments ‘-I’ll be working as hard as I can to bring nearer the day of our departure.’

Serrah and Reeth exchanged apprehensive glances amid the applause.

‘To less happy matters,’ Karr went on, stilling it. ‘Many of you will have heard that a great supporter of our struggle, and a man I count as a dear personal friend, Kinsel Rukanis, has been arrested. We don’t know what charges, if any, will be brought. I’m sure that your thoughts and prayers will go out to him and his loved ones. Kinsel is a man of honour, who would never dream of telling what he knows about our activities. But…realistically, he’s being held by determined and unscrupulous enemies well versed in cruelty. We must assume the worst and act accordingly. Before you leave here tonight you’ll be told of certain safe houses to be avoided, contacts it would be best not to approach, and any other information concerning Kinsel’s knowledge of us you’ll need to know about. I’m sorry to end on a sad note. Now, please, take this chance to mingle, talk and exchange ideas.’

As everyone began to mill about, Serrah and Reeth approached Disgleirio.

‘Any word on Kinsel?’ Serrah asked.

‘Nothing. And not for want of trying. I’ve got more ears to the ground than…well, than I can usually spare. But they’ve got him sealed up too tightly. How’s Tanalvah?’

‘About as you’d expect. She’s with some good people at the moment, and well guarded. I’ll go there myself after this.’

‘What do you think his chances are?’ Caldason said.

‘Of what?’ Disgleirio replied. ‘A quick death? A long prison

sentence? I don’t mean to be facetious, but there are a limited number of options in a situation like this.’

Serrah looked unhappy about that. ‘We can’t just give up on him.’

‘Nobody’s suggesting that. It’s a question of what’s possible.’

‘Lots of things are possible given the will,’ Caldason told him.

Phoenix came by at that moment and Disgleirio collared him.

‘Tell these two what you told me earlier.’

‘What was that?’ Realisation dawned. ‘Oh,

that

. It’s not the sort of thing I like making a fuss about, Quinn.’

‘What is it?’ Serrah asked, curiosity whetted.

The sorcerer didn’t answer, so Disgleirio did. ‘Phoenix here is shortly to celebrate his hundredth birthday. That makes you and him contemporaries, doesn’t it, Reeth?’

The Qalochian regarded him stony-faced.

‘Er…Congratulations, Phoenix,’ Serrah said, hoping to move things along.

‘Thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have many people to talk with.’ He moved off.

‘I believe he was

embarrassed

,’ Disgleirio reckoned. ‘That must be a first for the old boy. But I have to say, Reeth, that you’re wearing a lot better than he is.’

It was probably intended as friendly mockery, but from the look on Caldason’s face, Serrah wasn’t sure he saw it that way.

She need not have worried. The guards had let in a messenger, and he made straight for the Righteous Blade man. They had a whispered conversation before Disgleirio dismissed him.

‘Well, we have some news,’ he told Serrah and Reeth. ‘It seems somebody very important just arrived from Gath Tampoor.’

‘Who?’ Serrah asked.

‘We don’t know yet. But it warranted a fast chartered ship and a very heavy escort to paladin HQ.’

‘You’re assuming this has something to do with Kinsel?’

‘It’s a fair assumption. Some top official arriving so soon after such a high-profile arrest; it’s hardly likely to be a coincidence, is it? And we’ve heard nothing about an official visit being due.’

‘Any hunches?’ Caldason wondered.

‘Only nagging worries.’

‘Such as?’

‘Suppose they’ve brought in a really skilled interrogator, or a master torturer?’