“Another, my lord?”

He smiled at that. “Indeed. I believe your plan for the campaign against the Kathaldi is progressing nicely, is it not?”

I shrugged. “I think so. It mainly consists of reaching out to everyone who might want to participate and then gathering enough supplies to get us there. Then it’s just a matter of our troops protecting the mages so they can destroy the Kathaldi.”

Lord Tarin nodded thoughtfully. “What more is there to do? I can only think of one thing.”

“My lord?” I asked. What had I overlooked?

“We need to confirm that this is truly the headquarters of the Kathaldi.”

“How will we do that? Even if we are certain that there are Kathaldi there, and enough to seem like it’s their base, we still can’t be certain that all of them are there, or even most of them.”

“That is true. I cannot imagine that every single Kathaldi will be gathered in one place. That is too much to hope for. However, we must know that we will hurt them badly. That there are enough of them gathered there to make the enormous effort of the campaign worth the cost in lives and money.”

“You want me to go investigate?”

“I do. You and Thilos both. With some warders to act as scouts and enough mages to ensure you survive to return and report on what you discover.”

“I see.”

He smiled. “I am sure you do.” His smile faded. “If this is just another ruse, I do not intend to fall for it. I know not if they would just distract us by drawing our forces out so they can try something else during our absence or if they merely want to convince us, again, that the Kathaldi are destroyed so they can try again in another few hundred years.”

“That does sound like them.” I said.

Lord Tarin turned to Thilos. “You have not said anything yet, commander. Would you share your thoughts?”

“I am not sure what to say, my lord. I will go, of course, but as to figuring out what the Kathaldi are up to, that is best left to Dirk.”

“When do you want us to leave?” I asked.

Lord Tarin smiled. “As soon as possible, of course.”

“Ah, and when do you think that will be? It should be soon if we’re going to travel to Mount Kathaldi and back during the winter.”

“The day after tomorrow. That should be soon enough, I think.”

Thilos and I looked at each other then both turned back to Lord Tarin. “How can we leave with the drant army still out there? I know it’s somewhat smaller now, but I still doubt they’ll honor your letter of safe conduct.”

He laughed. “Too true, Dirk. They seem to have no manners at all. Do not fear. Tomorrow we will hold them off as we have been doing. Neither of you, nor the rest of the people you intend to take with you, will participate. Instead, you will make ready for your journey. The day after we will seem to falter and let the drants in through the west gate. We will be ready for them. As they enter the mages will destroy them. I believe that when the gate falls it will serve to concentrate their attacks at that point, leaving them weaker at the south gate, which is where you will be.”

“Won’t there still be hundreds of drants there that we’ll have to fight our way through?” I asked. “This could be a very short journey. One where we don’t even live to report our failure to learn anything of use.”

Lord Tarin laughed again. “Never fear. The majority of our heavy mounted forces, supported by a few mages, will sortie out of the south gate to carve you a path through the drants. We just have to pick the right time.”

“Timing is everything. How many people should we take with us?”

“I think that is best left to you. See Rithers for anything you need. Just try to give him enough time to be able to actually accomplish what you ask of him. He is rather frazzled these days.” Lord Tarin gave us a smile and nod of dismissal so we turned to go. “And gentlemen, best of luck.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Thilos said.

“Thanks, I imagine we’re going to need it.” I added.

When we were back in the hallway and the doors were closed behind us, I turned to Thilos. “That is not was I was expecting to hear.”

He shook his head. “Me either. I wonder if Imprid will want to come with us.”

I laughed out loud at that. “What? Of course she will! She’s not letting you out of her sight any time soon. You should know that.”

He grinned and started down the hall back toward the dining room where the awesome blind date had taken place. “I guess you are right. I am a very lucky man.”

I hurried after him. “You certainly are.