The round table spread out before the gathered members of Hurdland''s armed forces, painted blue with a carved map of the world at its centre. Around them were the high marble walls of Garroway Castle''s council hall. Supreme Leader Cairo sat at the table facing the great doors that led into the hall. Sitting either side of him were Commander Arkwright of his personal guard, a giant of a man wearing a blue set of full plate, and Amber Fowler, Cairo''s personal assistant with the scar above her eye.


    Twelve Hurdland High Commanders and their entourage sat around the table too. At Cairo''s right hand side sat Field Marshal Demshir; then Admiral Demshir; Lord Giles Thorn; Lord Kryton Mirrormind; Commander Alexander of the Blue Wolves; Commander Leaf Walker of the Long Strides; Consultant Ferguson of the Second Wind; Commander Camphor of the Devil''s Fire; Commander Truesworn of the Blue Bullets; and Commander Funder of the Dark Heat; with Fayyim and Hawthorn next; then High Commander Rafael of the Order of the Silver Ram; and then a visiting party from Spirit Island at Cairo''s left hand.


    Fayyim tried her hardest to remain at ease, but her stomach failed to stay calm. She had butterflies. This event would mark a turning point in her country''s history, and in her gaming career. Hawthorn had said that this meeting would be the Red Front''s greatest battle, hopefully their greatest achievement: beating Giles Thorn and the Demshir''s at their own game, by bending Cairo''s ear to their desires and goals. It would save the country from an enemy just as dangerous as Amaratsu, all without raising arms, though it would likely raise tempers. But before the war council could commence, smaller matters had to be dealt with. Amber Fowler was consulting with Cairo, the Field Marshal, and the present politicians.


    ''The Druids of the Forest Temple have demanded that the ranging from Fort Tumblestone be halted, at least those within the area of the great forest. They wish to expand their own operations in order to defend their land, which we failed to do during the southern crisis.'' Amber read from a scroll.


    ''Is that so?'' Cairo replied.


    This is not an appropriate time to do this. Fayyim scowled, looking to the visitors at Cairo''s left. Airing out our internal problems in front of foreigners.


    ''They say that their reinforcement of those at Fort Tumblestone has gone unrewarded, and allowing this expansion would be a generous show of good will.''


    ''Why remove our forces from the forest? The presence of Hurdland and the Druids would undoubtedly be a more affective defence.'' Mirrormind enquired.


    ''The Druids wish to reduce conflict, as when patrols from both sides meet there is fighting.'' Answered Amber.


    ''That is not going to happen.'' Cairo interjected. ''Counter their request: they may not expand. We offer a formal truce and the placement of Druid representation in the capital and at the City of Rest, to deal with matters between Hurdland and the Forest Temple if they arise. Just as long as we may send a representative of our own to the Druid Temple. This will allow us to negotiate expansion, trade and perhaps joint operations with our military in those parts. You get the idea, I''m sure you can handle the details.''''


    ''Yes My Lord.'' Amber jotted a note on the scroll with a pen.


    ''Is there anything else?'' Cairo demanded.


    ''Yes My Lord. There is the matter of the murders in Holta on Trine.'' Amber replied.


    ''I''ve had these murders investigated.'' Cairo brushed the table with his hands. ''I''m told that there is a single killer on the loose, a matter for the local adventurers I think.''


    ''I would agree, My Lord, only there has been a serious incident.''


    ''Spit it out!'' Giles Thorn shouted, spittle forming on his bottom lip. He was a thin man, strong in the shoulders but with a weasel like look to his eyes. He wore a blue Tunic and trousers with a black cloak over his shoulders. ''We have things to discuss.''


    Amber gave him a deadly look, though Cairo hardly batted an eye. The assistant to the Supreme Leader continued. ''A number of our stationed Soldiers have been quite brutally killed.''


    ''How were they killed?'' Asked Cairo.


    ''Witnesses say that it was an ambush. A swordsman single-handedly slew them in the street. They tried to fight but fell quite easily, My Lord.''


    A single swordsman? Fayyim was intrigued.


    ''How many?''


    ''Seven.''


    ''Seven? That''s no small feat.'' Cairo was not wrong.


    ''Yes sir, Seven. Then five more who came to reinforce their comrades.''


    I certainly hope Willow knows about this. Fayyim had not thought about her friend for a time, she realised.


    Commander Arkwright laughed. ''Impressive. It seems that powerful people are finally showing up in Holta on Trine. What is the verdict, Fowler?''


    ''Still unclear, but witnesses swear that the Swordsman wears Hurdland''s colours.''


    ''Our colours?'' Field Marshal Demshir interjected. ''Sorry for the slight lack in etiquette, but does this mean that we may not be dealing with people of the world or events out of our control?''


    ''Evidently not.'' Amber Fowler turned to Cairo. ''My Lord, this may well be the beginnings of something quite dangerous. There has been unrest in the west of Kurknein as of late.''


    ''Perhaps Amaratsu loyalists posing as our own men, or even remnants of Princess Ashara''s invasion forces that have made their way to one of our cities.'' Arkwright added.


    ''It is troubling, but I highly doubt an enemy incursion that far north.'' Cairo concluded. ''It does not warrant the use of any major force. Put out a notice: Five hundred gold for anyone who brings this matter to light and ends it.''


    Fowler scribbled on the scroll. ''Yes My Lord.'' She then rolled the parchment up and vanished it somewhere below the table top.


    ''Let us move on to greater matters.'' Cairo''s voice rose. ''You have all been called here for a great purpose.'' He pointed at the carved map. ''To take the land from under our enemy''s very feet.''


    As if on cue, Field Marshal Demshir stood and spoke loudly and clearly. ''We have no way of forcing our way through The Sands again. Amaratsu has secured the southern lands and with their hold of the Great Castle Bridge they have a constant means of reinforcement. Our best chance of defeating our enemy is by the sea.''


    A tall golden haired woman raised her hand. Cairo acknowledged her with a nod. ''Commander Leaf Walker?''


    The woman stood, her leather armour creaking as she did. She was Leaf Walker, leader of the Long Strides, a band specialising in the use of Jumpers and Skimmers as battlefield messengers and fast attack units. ''Forgive me for saying, but our country''s strength at sea has never been very apparent-''


    ''Allow me.'' The Field Marshal interrupted. Leaf walker sat back down. ''The most honourable Lord Thorn has taken it upon himself to fund the construction of a new fleet for Hurdland. Admiral?'' Jonathan Demshir turned to his brother.


    Admiral of the Fleet Nicholas Demshir stood. ''We in the north have been building a large number of vessels that are capable of competing on the water against even Churash''s nimble long boats.''


    ''No small feat.'' Fayyim commended them, as sincerely as she could.


    ''Indeed.'' The Admiral continued. ''We have the ships, we have the manpower and we have the element of surprise.''


    ''Our invasion of Amaratsu is close, but first we have one obstacle. Churash. They own the oceans, despite their tiny population.'' Jonathan added.


    ''Thankfully.'' Nicholas ploughed on. ''Lord Thorn has also been securing Slug Island for use as a launching pad against Churash. One small push will see the Churashi forces removed from the island completely. This means that we, with our overwhelming forces, can conquer Churash, thus taking control of the oceans, then Amaratsu.''


    The gathered Commanders fell into abrupt conversation, commending the plan, discussing the pros and cons between each other. Fayyim was silent, her eyes focused on Cairo, then scanned over the proud Giles Thorn and the Demshir brothers. Just as Alexander and the Information Broker said.


    The room quieted slowly. Field Marshal Demshir took control again. ''Every one here will have a role to play.'' He pointed to the carved map. ''Our fleet will not be deployed until Slug Island has been taken. The Order of the Silver Ram will be tasked with this. Once secured, the island will be used as a base to send Commander Rafael and his Knights to the southern Churashi archipelago, with the Blue Wolves and the Blue Bullets at his aid.


    ''We will stage a forward base at the archipelago. The Blue Wolves will remain to hold the islands while the Order of the Silver Ram and Blue Bullets will attack Churash''s port city, Livapool, under the command of Lord Thorn and his personal forces.''


    Admiral Nicholas Demshir took over the telling of the plan. ''With Slug Island and the southern archipelago taken, and then the attack on Livapool, Churash will have no choice but to fully deploy their forces in defence. This will require their navy stationed at the Great Seafort to head south-west, the fastest route. Unfortunately for them, our new fleet would have already departed from Garrofort and made way around the northern sea of Churash, where it will deploy The Second Wind, the Dark Heat and The Long Strides on the northern shores of the island nation, who will then make their way south to Fallsfort. The fleet will then continue to the Floating City with the Red Front and Devil''s Fire on board.''


    Jonathan spoke up again, as if the two brothers had rehearsed this before. ''With Fallsfort taken, it will secure our ability to reinforce the seizure of Livapool. Once the city is taken, we will have two bases on the island to stage an invasion of the capital to the east. Taking the Floating City will allow us to tackle the Great Seafort of Churash and dominate the seas completely.''


    ''A wonderful plan.'' Rafael spoke. ''I take it that we would then invade Amaratsu from the north?''


    ''That is correct.'' The Field Marshal nodded.


    ''What will stop Amaratsu from invading from the south, especially if they catch wind of our mass invasion of Churash?'' Truesworn of the Blue Bullets, a slender man wearing a breast plate over blue clothing, interjected. His deep blue eyes as wise and seeing as they come.


    ''The lesser Commanders of the south should be enough to hold off Princess Ashara''s armies.'' It was a throwaway comment made by Giles Thorn.


    I don''t think so. Fayyim scowled. ''If I may?''


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Cairo replied. ''You may, Fayyim Tallhart.''


    Fayyim stood. ''It was the southern Commanders that fell to Ashara in the first place. I know, I was one of them. And despite my victory in the southern crisis afterwards, the defences there have been left lacking. I would just like you to know that Lord Thorn is wrong in that matter.'' Cairo has to see that Thorn is not reliable.


    ''I disagree.'' The Field Marshal brushed her off.


    ''Even so, I am right.'' Fayyim sniffed. Demshir was stunned. ''That said, Commander Alexander has ordered a mercenary army to bolster our forces on the border between Shoulderside and The Sands. I would just like our Supreme Leader to know that some of us do have the best interests of the south at heart.''


    ''I think Ashara will learn from her experiences during the southern sieges and rally a greater force to invade Shoulderside a second time, knowing full well how inadequate our defences are right now.'' Truesworn assumed.


    Giles rebuked. ''But with an army sent south by Commander Alexander, this is not an issue. May we continue with the discussion of our plan?''


    Fayyim looked to Cairo, who had the delegation from Spirit Island whispering across the table to him. They were three Monks, a bald, young... Man? Woman? Fayyim could not tell, the person was smooth skinned and without any defining features.. They had a male and female Monk on each side, likely the person''s personal assistants or guard. Cairo spoke up. ''Let us leave the subject of the south and please continue with discussing the plan.''


    Fayyim was intrigued. ''Supreme Leader, what part are our guests playing in this affair?''


    Cairo made to speak, yet the young Monk interrupted. ''My dear lady.'' The Monk was a man by the sound of his voice. ''We of the Spirit Temple, despite our pacifism, have been in dispute with Amaratsu''s claim of our land for a very long time. No more will we passively wait for our desired outcome


    ''We of Spirit Island have come to the conclusion that in order to free ourselves, we must free Amaratsu. To be more clear: the northern lands of Amaratsu. After your invasion of Churash, the students of the Spirit Temple will ally with Hurdland in aid of your cause, on the condition that the northern lands be handed over to our rule.'' He smiled. ''Hurdland will take the south and the capital.''


    ''A bold plan.'' Fayyim nodded.


    ''It is!'' Lord Thorn laughed. ''It really is, and it will work!''


    You conniving scum. Fayyim subdued her rage. ''Is there more to it?''


    ''The invasion of Amaratsu will be planned after our victory over the Churashi. As for now, our plan has been fully disclosed.'' Jonathan Demshir replied.


    ''It is a good plan.'' Fayyim brushed her pony tail with one hand, smoothing out any loose strands of hair. ''But some of us do have concerns.'' She looked to Cairo. ''May we discuss these concerns openly?''


    ''We may.'' Cairo nodded. Giles Thorn scowled and the Demshir''s looked to each other with a quick glance. ''We will take turns around the table. I know that the Lords Thorn and Mirrormind back the plan completely, as do the Field Marshal and Admiral of the Fleet. Commander Rafael, what are your thoughts?''


    Rafael spoke immediately. ''I do whatever I am commanded to.''


    ''Spoken like a true Commander of Hurdland.'' Jonathan Demshir added.


    ''Indeed.'' Cairo turned to Alexander. ''Commander Alexander.''


    ''I believe the plan could succeed, if it wasn''t for the south. I fear that Princess Ashara would return with greater numbers while we are distracted on the northern seas.''


    ''Noted. Commander Leaf Walker?''


    ''I think the plan underestimates the ability of the Churashi navy to repel us. I agree that we require greater strength at sea, but quite frankly, the plan looks doomed to fail from my point of view. Why commit so much of our force to Churash when we could do that in The Sands? We should take the Great Castle Bridge.'' Giles snickered and rolled his eyes. ''Do you have a problem, Lord?'' Leaf Walker demanded.


    ''Trust a woman to find folly in a perfectly good plan.'' Responded Giles.


    Leaf Walker near exploded with anger, yet Fayyim spoke first. ''A woman''s intuition is rarely wrong, Lord Thorn.'' Everyone looked to her. ''Yet how would you know? Women find you so repulsive that you''ve never been close enough to experience it.''


    Arkwright laughed, as did Assistant Fowler. Giles quivered and spat. ''How dare you!''


    ''Oh please!'' Fayyim scolded. ''Commander Walker knows the truth of it, she''s the most travelled soldier here. She knows the geography. She knows our ability on sea and on land. She knows the enemy''s capabilities too. If she says we are better on land, then I''m inclined to agree with her most experienced opinion.''


    Leaf Walker sat, her anger quelled. ''Thank you.''


    ''If the good Commander Walker was with those of us fighting in The Sands, I''m sure that we would have had a serious advantage over Amaratsu. Failing that, if her Long Strides were deployed in Shoulderside as they should have been, Princess Ashara would never have been able to make her surprise siege of Shoulderside Castle and Fort Tumblestone.'' Fayyim looked to Cairo, who met her gaze. ''Commander Walker, where were the Long Strides deployed during the southern crisis?''


    ''Slug Island.'' Answered Leaf Walker.


    ''Where should you have been?''


    ''Shoulderside.'' Leaf Walker was stern.


    ''And who ordered you to the island?''


    ''Lord Thorn''


    ''Did this look to you as a wise decision?'' Fayyim looked to Thorn and then back Cairo, who in turn looked to Leaf Walker.


    ''No. As evidenced by Ashara''s opportunity to strike within Hurdland''s borders.''


    ''It gave us a tactical edge on Slug Island, a major objective in our plan to take Churash!'' Thorn countered.


    ''It took away our ability to defend ourselves!'' Leaf Walker rebuked.


    Alexander followed. ''If it was not for The Red Front, I doubt very much that we would have tackled Ashara so affectively.''


    ''Commander Rafael would have been sent from Castle Kurknein to deal with her.'' Field Marshal Demshir joined the debate.


    Rafael entered too. ''I''m grateful for your trust in the Order of the Silver Ram''s ability, yet who knows what the outcome would have been if Commander Tallhart had not been present in the south.''


    ''Do not forget that it was High Commander Griff that entrusted me with the task.'' Fayyim stood and pointed to the map, at the southern region of Hurdland. ''It was he that held Fort Tumblestone against Ashara until I arrived. Yet he sees no reward or recognition by those in the north.''


    Leaf Walker nodded in agreement. ''The southern Commanders are treated terribly by those at this table. No wonder people are rebelling in Holta, I''m surprised that the whole of the southern regions aren''t joining our enemies.''


    Fayyim continued. ''There were many factors that led to the success over Ashara after she invaded. Yet not one of these were considered by Giles Thorn when he shifted troops.'' Lord? I''ll never call you that! ''This seriously makes me doubt his strategy. Has he considered every detail?''


    The hall was silent. Everyone looked to Cairo for an answer. The man looked on Fayyim, judging her. ''Lord Thorn...'' Cairo answered. ''Was not the only mind behind this plan. The Field Marshal, the Admiral of the Fleet and myself designed this strategy. You must know this, so I doubt you would be so open towards me with your distaste without some other intention. Are you really criticising the strategy, or is this as I suspect, just a personal attack against Lord Thorn?''


    Fayyim had no hesitation. ''It''s a little of both, my Supreme Leader.''


    Cairo blinked. ''Is that so?''


    I must take power away from Thorn and the Field Marshal, without giving away that I know their plans. They are far too powerful to tackle in the open. ''I dislike the man, he ruined our defence in the south for his own glory.'' She again pointed at Shoulderside and The Sands on the map. ''That said: with the likes of Commander Rafael, Commander Walker, Commander Truesworn and Commander Camphor in the field, we can take the sands with ease.'' Camphor, a large shaven haired man whose polished armour had hints of orange painted across it, looked to Fayyim with intrigue.


    ''Doubtful.'' Short and stocky Commander Funder of the Dark Heat opposed Fayyim in a way. ''I''m convinced that Princess Ashara has been well turned off to the idea of invading us through the south, mainly due to your expert counter of her invasion. But. If we charge ahead with such a large force, she will most certainly meet us with a power far greater than we have seen on the battlefield before.''


    ''I agree, it will see us with a much greater loss, one we may not recover from.'' Consultant Ferguson, wearing the red and blue of his company, stroked his pointed beard. The man led the Second Wind, a company of healers. ''We have only just rebuilt citizen and troop morale. We could definitely not recover after suffering such an obvious loss again.''


    ''Would losing against Churash not produce the same result?'' Alexander pondered. ''The ships you have built are untested, the skills of the pilots and sailors undeveloped. What assurance do we have that the Churashi navy from Livapool won''t repel us, never mind those from the Great Seafort?''


    The Admiral had no argument, only an agitated eye. You scheming bastard, we have you. Fayyim opened her mouth to speak, but Cairo''s voice sounded first.


    ''It appears that neither plan can be agreed on. Attacking Churash and then Amaratsu by sea is littered with too many unanswered doubts. Attacking via the south will see us countered by Amaratsu''s Princess.'' He laughed and turned to Arkwright. ''What are we to do?''


    Arkwright shrugged, but Jonathan Demshir had an answer. ''I am positioned as the Field Marshal for a reason.'' He sat and brushed his lap with his hands. ''I have the most experience in battle, I understand that risks must be taken in order to succeed. The plan we have devised may have some short comings, but the opposition''s opinion suffers from a much more major flaw. Amaratsu already owns the south, they know our weaknesses and have the forces to exploit them. Never mind the advantage that The Great Castle Bridge affords them. They could trap us between the coast and the mountains in the north-east of the desert while deploying troops from the Great Castle Bridge in the south-west to destroy us on two sides. We should not provoke them, only continue with our new strategy.'' He placed knitted hands on the table top. ''May I remind you that if I order it, you will follow my command.''


    Fayyim looked to Cairo. His face was blank. You really don''t have any friends in the capital. They have you under the thumb. The Demshir''s would never be swayed from their plan.


    She looked around the table. Funder, Ferguson, Camphor, Truesworn, Mirrormind, Thorn and Admiral Demshir nodded and stated their adherence to the Field Marshal''s plan. Leaf Walker looked angry. Alexander, Fayyim''s first ally, looked defeated. Rafael looked torn as Fayyim caught him looking at her from the corner of his eye. It''s now or never. She looked to Hawthorn on her left. He and the other soldiers accompanying their Commanders at the table had consistently remained silent. He nodded to her, his eyes smiling.


    ''Powerful words.'' Fayyim leant into the table, eye to eye with the Field Marshal. ''Yet the real power lays with our Supreme Leader Cairo, his word is the last word.'' Cairo looked up at Fayyim, confusion in his eyes. I know what you''re thinking, Cairo. Why would I say that when you would obviously choose to side with Demshir? Everyone knows it. Well... Fayyim cleared her throat. ''Amaratsu has a massive advantage in The Sands, but an army is only as good as its Commander.''


    ''And Princess Ashara is a very talented Commander.'' Stated Cairo.


    ''She is.'' Fayyim laughed. ''And she is also unable to take command of Amaratsu''s forces.''


    Fayyim scanned the table, confused faces bringing some light to her day. I''ll remember the look you people have on your faces for a long time.


    ''Explain yourself.'' Cairo demanded.


    ''Yes.'' Fayyim sat back in her seat, folded her arms and took a breath. ''After her defeat at Fort Tumblestone, I took Princess Ashara captive.''


    ''And what did you learn while she was captive that would affect her command?'' Cairo interrupted.


    Be patient, I''m getting to it. ''I did not learn a damned thing.'' There was an audible sigh from those gathered in the hall.


    ''What use is that!?'' Giles Thorn shouted.


    ''Settle down!'' Fayyim fired back, standing from her seat. ''Ashara will not be commanding an Amaratsu army because I ordered her imprisoned. Indefinitely. Commander Griff has been holding her beneath Fort Tumblestone ever since the siege was lifted.'' Now there were audible gasps. Actually, I''m going to remember these expressions more. There was a long silence.


    ''Gentlemen, and Ladies.'' Fayyim bowed. ''Amaratsu has lost one of their greatest Commanders, we have a valuable hostage, and The Sands are open to our attacks.'' She sat back down, the theatre over, then in very relaxed tones she closed her argument. ''If you are all still so worried about The Great Castle Bridge, do not be. If my Supreme Leader orders it, I will take the Castle from our enemy.'' And steal the Demshir''s control over a sizeable number of Hurdland''s forces. She thought.


    Fayyim looked to Cairo, ignoring everyone else. In her eyes she tried to portray power, reliability, loyalty. In Cairo''s eyes there was laughter. ''We will take a break for now.'' Said Cairo. ''Commander Tallhart, Field Marshal Demshir, Admiral Demshir, Lord Thorn, Master Oudira, please remain. The rest of you may leave until recalled.''