Long pools of orange light stretched across the marble floor, each terminating at a tall, westward-facing window. The last pool was obscured by a long shadow. The Shadow belonged to the Emperor, who watched as the red sun dipped below the horizon.

The rhythmic clicking of hard boots on the polished floor echoed from the vaulted ceiling of the chamber. The Emperor turned to see his visitor, Kurt Helborg, walking purposefully toward him.

"What news, Reiksmarshal?" asked the Emperor. Kurt's expression told him that it wouldn't be good.

The Reiksmarshal bowed in salute and then spoke, his voice grave. "The enemy army has crossed the border into Reikland. With your consent, I will order the destruction of the bridges at Zurin and Unterbaum. It will buy us time."

The Emperor exhaled slowly. He considered the ramifications of the plan, and tried to think of a good reason to say no. The bridges would not be easy to rebuild when the war was over, but the Reiksmarshal was right about the need to slow the advance of the invading army. Reikland's defenses were not ready for such an assault. It would take time.

"Destroy the bridges," said the Emperor at last.

At that moment, a vast distance away in the north, in the very heart of the Inevitable City, Tchar'zanek stood before a large metal bowl. A silvery, almost metallic liquid bubbled and frothed in the vat, stirred by several women clad in robes.

Suspended in the vapors above the cauldron was a ghostly image of two men speaking. One was the Emperor, the other his war leader, the Reiksmarshal.

It was the Reiksmarshal who spoke first. "The enemy army has crossed the border into Reikland. With your consent, I will order the destruction of the bridges at Zurin and Unterbaum. It will buy us time."

Tchar'zanek's voice boomed throughout the city. "Send word to my army! They are to make for the villages of Unterbaum and Zurin with great haste!"

The Scryers ceased stirring and the image flickered and was gone.

"You have done well," said the Warlord to the Scryers. "Continue your vigil and see what else we might learn about the enemy's plans."