Where did you get this? Aren asked.

From your friend, Syenna said, stepping suddenly forward and placing her hand on his shoulder.

Wait! Aren said suddenly. That may not be a good"

A dome of deep blue light erupted around them.

The dome of light collapsed with a thunderclap.

Aren blinked as his eyes became accustomed to the sudden absence of light. Syenna was still touching his shoulder, but they were no longer in the barracks of Opalis. Above them, the shattered moon, its fragments preceding and trailing it across the sky, shone light down on them, its bluish rays illuminating the gentle rise on the prairie. As Aren turned, he could see a small encampment farther down the rise, to the north, he gauged, judging from the positions of the moon and stars.

Well, if it isnt the late Captain Aren Bennis, said a figure approaching from the encampment.

Im not late. Aren grinned as he recognized the voice. Lets just say Im early in a unique way.

The man approaching wore the robes of an Obsidian sorcerer. He held out his arms wide, giving a hearty laugh that was reciprocated by Aren as both men embraced.

You do know this man? Syenna stepped back from them in wary antic.i.p.ation.

Of course I know him! Aren beamed. He turned his friend toward the shieldmaiden. May I introduce you to Evard Dirae, Craftmaster of the Obsidian Cabal.

Weve met, Syenna said in a tone as dry as dust.

Enthusiastic as ever, Evard commented with a slight nod.

Ive brought him to you, as I said I would, Syenna said, stepping forward. Now you have a bargain to fulfill.

A bargain? Aren said, stepping away from the sorcerer and gazing on him with mock respect. You mean you actually bribed a shieldmaiden to bring me here?

Even in the dim light of the moon, Aren could see that Syennas face had flushed.

It seemed much simpler than asking you to walk out through the Opalis guard and Karpasics army, the sorcerer observed.

True enough, Aren agreed, standing back as he casually rested his left hand on the hilt of his sword. It would have been difficult to know who wanted me dead more, the Opalis Legion or General Karpasic.

Our bargain, Syenna reiterated in a stronger, more insistent tone.

Oh, go ahead and give her the bribe. Aren grinned. Whatever it is, Im sure Im worth it.

I sincerely doubt that, the sorcerer said, laughing. But if you insist The sorcerer reached within the folds of his robes. He produced a vial with a stopped cap. A thick, greenish liquid glowed within. He stretched out his hand with the vial toward Syenna.

As promised, Evard said with a gracious smile. Have your sister drink this, and within a day she should be released from the mistakes that were perpetrated on her form.

Syennas eyes narrowed at the sorcerer.

Well, if youre not interested. Evard shrugged as his fingers started to close.

Syenna s.n.a.t.c.hed the vial from his hand.

If youll wait a moment here, Evard said with a slight bow, Ill arrange the return to your city.

Evard walked with Aren, moving in silence to a distance of about a hundred yards from where they left the shieldmaiden before Evard stopped, just at the edge of the rise.

Aren turned his gaze to the south. The city of Opalis lay in the distance, its walls and towers lit by the fires of the Westreach Army encircling it.

I thought Karpasic was supposed to take the army north, Aren observed.

He was, Evard agreed. And he didnt.

Well, Im sure that as a member of the Obsidian Cabal"Aren smiled"youll be more than happy to explain to the general that he has a mistaken sense of direction, and why he should move himself and his army back to where they are supposed to be.

No, Evard said. I think not.

Aren looked sideways at his friend. Youre going to let General Karpasic get away with this? I didnt think the Cabal of the Obsidians was so forgiving.

We are not forgiving, but we are pragmatic, Evard observed. The city will need to fall to us eventually; the army is already here, so why not take advantage of it?

What advantage is there in having the Westreach Army reduce the city to rubble? Aren said, his eyes fixed on his friend.

Order must be structured, Evard said as he gazed over the city in the distance. When a garden is left too long without the care of the gardener, it grows wild. Weeds infest it, and the symmetry of the planted crops and ordered rows is torn asunder. After a time, when the gardener returns to find his plot of ground overrun and in shambles, it behooves him to burn down the field, rework the ground with a sure plow, and bring order again to the garden.

Vegetables do not suit you, Aren said. You always seemed more of a dealer in meat.

Plant or animal, it doesnt matter, Evard said. We raise and harvest them both.

To the greater purpose of the Obsidian Cause, Aren said.

To the greater purpose of the Obsidian Cause, Evard repeated in affirmation. Oh, Karpasic will have to pay for his reckless insubordination. Ill find a way to deal with him. But in the meantime, Ive come for you as I said I would, and we can leave this butchers work to those who have a bigger taste for blood than we do.

And just where are we going? Aren asked.

Why, I am going to escort a hero of the Obsidian Cause back to Desolis. Evard smiled, clasping his hand on the captains shoulder. You are going to present this famous sword of yours to the cabal so that you may personally receive what I have already been a.s.sured to be their very substantial and valuable thanks.

Aren nodded. And Im a.s.suming theres something in this for you as well.

Well, there certainly will be some measurable consideration for the sorcerer who brings you safely home, Evard said with a smug grin.

Aren considered the city in the distance. Campfires fanned out around its walls in all directions as the warriors of his own Westreach Army prepared for another a.s.sault. The magical shield fell over the city like a glowing dome. He knew that the t.i.tans could not maintain it for long.

But why settle for so little? Aren continued. Presenting a little sword is nothing compared to a city full of slaves.

Where is the advantage in surrendering the city to Karpasic? Evard asked, turning toward his friend.

None, I quite agree with you, Aren replied. But there is considerable advantage for us both if the city surrenders to someone else. Say, someone whom we both know and trust.

I see that you have someone in mind, Evard chided.

Well, I never thought the t.i.tle of captain suited me very well. Aren nodded toward his friend. Imagine the spectacle of the two of us riding at the head of a column of victory, me with the sword of an Avatar, and you with an entire city of prisoners for the Obsidian Cabal to transform into whatever form they wish!

What about Karpasic? Evard asked, folding his arms across his chest as he considered Arens plan.

Who do you think theyll follow? Aren asked with a twisted smile on his face. The man who is offering them another chance to charge the walls of Opalis, or the man who will end the siege?

That would solve a number of problems at once, Evard agreed. What is your play?

Send me back into the city with the woman, Aren said as he reached up, rubbing his chin as he considered. Ill convince the elders of the town that Im leading them to safety as refugees. I figure that if Karpasic agrees, it will take three days to empty the city. Ill lead the refugees out while delivering the city to Karpasic intact.

And how am I supposed to convince Karpasic to do that? Evard demanded.

Tell him he can have the city and everything in it once Ive left with the refugees, Aren said. All he has to do is let us leave the city with enough food for the march to Hilt and enough worthless sentimental junk to convince the people to leave.

You think Karpasic is fool enough to accept that? Evard asked.

Hes fool enough to accept a great deal less than that. Aren chuckled. But tell him well leave the weapons behind, as well as all the gold and jewels the city has to offer. Once the city is emptied, that magic shield over it will come down, and the city and everything in it are open for plunder.

h.e.l.l think youre out to cheat him, Evard suggested.

Tell him he can even inspect everything my prisoners are carrying just to make sure none of them are smuggling out anything of value, Aren said. In the meantime, you have three days to get to Hilt, muster the army a.s.sembling there, and prepare to receive the slaves"I mean, refugees"who Ill deliver to you. Then, as heroes of the Obsidian Cause, well be in a position to deal with Karpasic.

I have to admit, Aren, I am impressed. Evard nodded with a smile. Are you sure about that Syenna woman? Do you really need her?

She has a great deal of pull with the people in Opalis, Aren said with a shrug. Shes come too far not to cooperate, and her word has a great deal of influence with the elders of Opalis. I can guarantee her cooperation.

Evard considered the plan in silence under the stars.

Its only three days, Aren urged. Three days and Karpasic gets his city and we will practically own the rest of the world.

Evard looked at him with a thoughtful gaze and then nodded.

They both turned back, walking with long strides down the slope of the hill toward the glowing sphere that had transported Aren and Syenna from the city.

So, can I see this fabled sword of yours? Evard asked as they walked.

I wish you could, Aren said casually. This one is a reproduction something they made for me to carry around in public.

A false sword? Evard frowned. Where is the real one?

In Opalis, Aren said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Its troublesome, but its one of the reasons I have to go back. You did want me to bring it with me, didnt you?

Without doubt, Evard answered as they stepped up to where Syenna stood, waiting, her eyes downcast. He turned toward Aren and took him by the shoulders with both hands. Three days to get to Hilt?

Three days and Ill be coming to meet you, Aren replied, beaming as he took his friend by both shoulders in return. You know where to find me.

Until that day, friend. Evard smiled.

Until that day, Aren returned. He then took Syenna by the arm and stepped into the blue glowing sphere.

Aren and Syenna vanished.

The sphere collapsed with a thunderclap, disappearing as well, leaving Evard alone on the slope beneath the shattered moon.

Aren and Syenna stood again in the barracks room of the Legion commander as the glowing sphere imploded out of existence behind them.

The smug look on Arens face contorted into sudden rage. He leaned back, raising his clenched fists in front of him as he screamed at the ceiling above them.

Startled, Syenna took several steps away from him.

Aren opened his right fist. He had clutched the black obsidian stone so tightly that it had left an impression in the palm of his hand. The captain drew back his arm and hurled the stone with as much force as he possessed toward the wall. It caromed into the corner, rebounding off the walls several times before skittering to a stop beneath a stool by the door to the room.

Aren? Syenna asked. What happened?

The captains face turned toward her and was red with fury. They lied He lied! To me! To you!

Who lied? Syenna said in confusion. What do you mean?

Aren rushed toward her, prying open her hand, stripping the vial from her grasp.

No! she screamed, clawing at him.

Aren held her off with his right arm as he threw the vial hard against the wall. The gla.s.s shattered, the liquid drawing a stain as it flowed toward the floor. Aren turned back to Syenna, his arms gripping the woman tightly in her panicked frenzy.

Poison! Poison! he shouted at her again and again until the word registered through her pain. She suddenly stopped struggling. What did he promise you? Exactly what did he promise you?

Answers, she said as she sagged in his arms. I wanted to know what could be done to save my sister.

I could have told you that answer, Aren said, his voice hoa.r.s.e. Nothing. Nothing can possibly be done except to end her existence. Thats the answer he put in your hand. Its the only answer the Obsidians have for their failed abominations.

Aren helped Syenna toward the commanders chair that lay on its back on the floor. He reached down, righted the chair, and set Syenna down onto it. He knelt in front of her, looking into her tear-stained face.

We cant save the city? Syenna asked quietly.

No, Aren said. But we may be able to save its soul.

Syenna looked into his eyes, uncomprehending. What?

The Obsidians are not interested in studying the blade of the Avatar, Aren said. They want to bury it deep in the tombs beneath Desolis"and they want to bury me there with it. They are afraid of this blade and what it represents"the truth. The truth about them"about me"about all of us and our past. They dont mind Karpasic and his brutes burning all the books, scrolls, and records because they want them burned"they want nothing left that would question the lies behind their power, their superiority, and their authority. Thats where the real battle is taking place. Thats the war we have to fight.

How? Syenna sighed. You said we only have three days.

Were going to lose the city, Aren said, looking with intensity into her eyes. But in three days we may still be able to win the war.