As conversation tapers off, some of the questors, newly christened with the sobriquet, Defenders of Worlds by their allies among the Archon (and doubtless something far less complimentary by their enemies) make their way up the short flight of steps at the inner end of the great hall, where servants wait to direct them to areas where they can bathe and rest.

The bathing areas have been hastily converted from other purposes, an audience chamber and some sort of soldiers' chapel, and a flight of steps leads up from the corridor that separates the two to a freshly cleared and reassigned section of the fortress, where several small rooms now serve as guest suites...


Meanwhile, James rides Ahmad back into the forest, at a high speed which Jonnee Kay, nonetheless, has surprisingly little difficulty keeping pace with.  Around them the forest gradually changes its nature, becoming darker, more grim and sullen, as if the place itself objects to their presence.

Still, nothing seems inclined to block the progress of the odd trio...


Tahirah stands in an open space in the makeshift town being set up for her people.  There is little shelter, as yet, but the evening promises to be clear and warm, so that should present little difficulty.  The children among the refugees seem excited at the concept of sleeping in the open.  In most cases, they have never set foot outside the walls of Charyk before, let alone at night...

The commanders of the guards have brought her the names of thirty men who have agreed to go with Jonnee Kay to train his army in the use of the Staff weapons.

Now she waits to speak to those troops.  Jonnee has left for the moment, but has promised to come back this way within a day or two, just as soon as his reptilian warriors have dealt with their wounded, and are ready to move.

"G'day, yer Ladyship."  The clothing of the young lad grinning up at Tahirah is scruffy and dirty, in exactly the same degree that her own robes are not.  "Yer looks lost.  Is there anythin' I can 'elp yer wif?  Someone yer needs ter find, or somethin'?  Jus' say the word, an' Danny'll 'elp yer find what yer've lost, an' all I'm askin' is a bit o' copper."