Tohl watched the Battle of Sráid from his bedroom window. He could not make out the exact details, but it was clear the first exchange was ending with the Order retreating into the city. The turrets set along the streets opened fire on the targets far below. Exploding ballista bolts helped to scatter and discourage advancing forces.

The enemy army pulled back from the hail of death to establish a defensive line. Catapults were being wheeled into position. Tohl thought this was excellent. No matter how perfectly those catapults calibrated their aim there would still be damage to the surrounding buildings. Collateral damage makes people angry. It's a visible reminder that their lands were sieged. Should the Order win today, that collateral damage would help harden the hearts of the Sráid citizens.

How long would this siege last? Sráid could hold for weeks, but so could the enemy. Tohl did not like the prospect of waiting that long for an outcome. Already he was planning fall backs for each possible end. He still had his network, but that was a tool not a solution. The Order still held Finis. He could return there and manipulate the remnants. Perhaps he had moved too quickly into expanding to the Middle Cities. If he had to start from scratch again he would take his time with it, wait for the shock to wear off here.

He looked skyward and had to do a double take. For a moment he thought he saw Kutoja’s moon clearly in the daylight. Another trick of his mind. There was no doubt the Matron was watching him. Was she watching his failure?

Failure? No. This was not yet a failure.

Tohl’s chest felt tight. This was not yet a failure. No matter how much he repeated it to himself he could not shake the gripping fear that he was losing.

He needed confirmation that this was all in his mind. With Billis following, he left the security of his bedchamber to seek out Ghetsis. If he still stood then so did Tohl’s plans. When he found the dead bodies of Keep guards his fears were not allayed. He was meant to be warned if infiltrators had made it inside. Quickening his pace, he hurried to the throne room balcony.

“Ghetsis Reballo is dead!” A voice declared loud and defiant.

The words made Tohl’s insides vanish into a void. Through the doorway to the balcony he saw a blond elden shouting to the soldiers outside. The battle had ceased to hear him. Who was he to command such respect?

Then the elden said his name: Vedek Slevelisk, Prince of Fae’Riam. He was the missing noble Tohl had been hunting. He had never imagined that it was a prince’s possessions he had been studying. In that moment, Tohl forgot the Order of Suffering. This Prince was a game changer. With a prince as a hostage he could set his manipulations beyond the Confederacy and Athshin. How would Fae’Riam react if their next King was found dead because of Spiral City? It would bring chaos and instability beyond what the Order was ever capable of.

He looked to Billis with a mad expression. He pointed to Vedek. “Leave him alive. Kill all that remain in that room. No witnesses. Bring the Prince to the tunnel beneath the Keep.”

Billis did not give confirmation. She merely set to get task. Tohl’s finger twitched excitedly. He tied his cloak tight. It was dangerous to separate from Billis, but it would only be temporary. He needed to secure their escape route. The secret tunnel in the Princess’ quarters.

He had not lost yet.