They left in the afternoon, escorted by some twenty soldiers in light armor. Drakk had remained at the palace to handle routine affairs. Kira rode beside Kael, silent, eyes sweeping the horizon.
The southern road first crossed fertile lands, fields of dark flowers, orchards heavy with fruit. Then the landscape changed. The crops thinned. Trees grew sparser, more twisted. The earth became dry, grey, cracked.
"So this is the border?" asked Kira.
"Part of it, yes."
"It's desolate."
"It's strategic. Not beautiful."
They reached an outpost at sunset. A square stone tower, reinforced with black beams, surrounded by palisades. Tired soldiers stood guard, armor worn, gazes empty.
The post commander greeted them. He was a stocky demon, his face seamed with scars. He bowed.
"My king. You honor us."
"Rise. What's this post called?"
"Fort Lower South. The last before the contested lands."
"Show me."
The commander guided them along the ramparts. Kael observed. The walls were thin, cracked in places. The catapults were covered in dust. The supplies seemed meager.
"How long since you received reinforcements?" Kael asked.
"Months. Maybe more."
"Why?"
"Priorities were elsewhere. The Regency Council concentrated troops on the trade routes."
"That's a mistake."
"Yes, my king. But I'm only a commander."
"You're a soldier. That's enough."
Kael stopped at the edge of the plain. In the distance, the Vorlath lands smoked, bristling with new palisades and watchtowers.
"They've fortified," said Kira.
"Yes. And they're watching us."
"Do you think they'll attack?"
"Not yet. They're afraid. But fear can push them to strike."
Kael turned to the commander.
"What are the natural defenses?"
"A river to the north. Hills to the east. But the pass, there, is open."
"The Krell Pass."
"Yes. That's where the caravans used to pass."
"Before I ceded the basin."
The commander lowered his head.
"It wasn't you."
"Indirectly, it was."
"No, my king. It was the council."
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It doesn't matter. What matters is what we do now."
"And what do we do?"
"We rebuild. We repair. We replace."
"With what means?"
"I'll take care of that."
The commander nodded, a little light in his eyes.
Kael spent the rest of the evening inspecting the fort. The barracks, the warehouses, the armory. He asked questions, mentally noted weaknesses, assigned tasks.
"The catapults are repairable?" he asked.
"Two out of four," said the commander.
"Repair them. And dig a ditch in front of the palisade."
"We'd need more men."
"Above all, we need organization."
Kael turned to Kira.
"You have an eye for details. Stay here tomorrow morning and help with logistics."
"And you?"
"I'm going to ride along the border. See the other posts."
"Alone?"
"With a light escort."
"It's risky."
"It's my job."
Kira didn't insist.
Night was falling. The southern sky was darker, redder, as if the air itself bled. Kael sat on a parapet, legs dangling.
"You're not sleeping?" Kira asked, joining him.
"No."
"What are you thinking about?"
"About what I gave away. About what I'll take back."
"The Krell basin?"
"Yes. And the pass. And the roads."
"Do you want to strike soon?"
"Not yet. But soon."
"What's holding you back?"
"The state of the troops. The alliances. And the fact that I don't want to start a war without being certain of winning."
"You've changed."
"I've learned."
"The dream taught you?"
"Defeat taught me. The dream showed me something else."
"What?"
"That patience can be a weapon."
Kira sat beside him.
"You were impatient before."
"Yes. And I lost."
"You won't lose again."
"I don't plan to lose. But I no longer plan to win by force alone."
"What will you use?"
"Fear. Patience. Strategy. And when necessary, destruction."
They stayed there a long time, watching the distant fires of the enemy outposts.
"Tomorrow, I leave at dawn," said Kael.
"I'll be ready."
"No. You stay here."
"Why?"
"Because I need someone reliable inside."
"And if you need me outside?"
"Then I'll call you."
Kira lowered his head.
"Very well."
"Don't make that face."
"I'm not making a face."
"Yes, you are."
"No."
"Kira."
"What?"
"I'll come back."
"You always say that."
"And I always come back."
Kira almost smiled.
"So far."
"Exactly."
Kael stood.
"Go sleep. The day will be long."
"You too."
"I'll sleep when the border is safe."
"Then never."
Kael smiled.
"Maybe."
He walked back toward the tower, leaving Kira alone under the red sky.