Stalwart was seething. n.o.body save for Hartwell dared come close to him. In fact, all soldiers stayed a hundred feet away from their fearsome leader. Any who ventured close risked dying instantly. Such was Stalwart's might. In his anger, his energy flared outwards, harming any who came close. 

"They're a hundred thousand men strong now, give or take," Hartwell went on with his report. 

"How many in the capital?" Stalwart asked. 

"Sixty thousand," Hartwell replied. "They have the Church's portals to thank for. King Boris reached the capital three days after he left Kasmuk." 

"I've heard enough," Stalwart sharply cut in. "Get me the marshals. It's high time we showed the arrogant kings what the mad wizard's capable of." 

Hartwell hurried outside the tent, leaving Stalwart to his thoughts. He stared at the map atop the large table before him. This declaration of war had the Bishop's invisible hands all over it. The Church didn't just want to kill Stalwart. They wanted to completely erase him from existence. That was the only way they could destroy his reign over the western continent. 

'Just who the h.e.l.l is Dhobor?' Stalwart was absorbed in thought. 'First I lose Empor's support. Then my grandson gets a gift from Minsec, and my most trusted spy turns her back on me. Now this? Could Omega be behind all this? No. He loathes the Church and its ideals...' 

He started pacing the room. 'Despite the ban, Omega can still influence the outcome of the wars. Sam will do what he must, I know it.' He went to the map and stared at it once more. 

If he wanted to regain his foothold on the western continent, Stalwart had to think outside the realm of possibilities. The Church had already gained influence in the west. Even if he won this war, he'd be stuck fighting rebellion after rebellion until all his resources were drained. 

The Bishop had made a smart move. He riled all of Stalwart's allies against him. All he had to do was stand back and watch. If Stalwart prevailed, he'd train more militias to cause him trouble. The Bishop was draining the western continent's resources. He was preparing to invade and occupy the entire territory. Just as soon as they were weak enough...

"Over my dead body!" Stalwart swore under his breath. 

Hartwell came in, followed by five men clad in steel armor. It looked castle forged, the best the entire western continent could provide. The men knelt before their master. They wouldn't budge until the Supreme Leader beckoned them forward. He invited them to look at the map before them. 

"We're splitting up as soon as we reach the Dark Woods," he announced, pointing at a vast expanse between Merinsk and the Capital. "Marshal Olivier, you are to head southwest. Aslanor has sent their army to flank us as soon as the main battle starts." 

He pointed at the hills south of the capital, right after the Sera Trench. "General Hartwell will ride with you, along with all of his Hors.e.m.e.n," Stalwart went on. The marshal winced, but didn't protest. "You'll pillage and destroy every village you find on your way. Once you reach Aslanor's army, you take no prisoners. I wanted them obliterated, do you hear?" 

"Yes, Supreme Leader," Marshal Olivier said. 

"Now, go," Stalwart ordered. He turned to look at Hartwell. "Your sacrifice will be well rewarded," he said with a stern face. Hartwell nodded, put on his steel helm then left with the marshal.

Stalwart turned to look at the remaining four. He appointed each their mission then dismissed them. It was then that a voice whispered inside his head. He had his psionic link open only to Sam and Hartwell. None of them would dare whisper in such an insolent way.

'Long time no see old man,' the voice said.

'Cicero...' Stalwart's eyes narrowed. 'What brings out of your rat hole?' 

'I want in on the war. Let's face it. You could use a hand right now,' Cicero replied.

'What's in it for you?' Stalwart asked. He didn't believe the old man would help him just out of the goodness of his heart. 'Better yet, why don't you show up? Let's talk the old fas.h.i.+oned way.' 

Cicero chuckled. 'Nice try old man.'

Cicero was an expert at hiding. n.o.body, not even the mighty Omega, could find his real hiding place, his museum. If he'd shown up before Stalwart, he was sure the mad wizard would instantly figure it out. 

'How about we meet at a location you suggest?' Cicero asked. 'Two days from now. I'll join your marching army. Then we can discuss our alliance.' 

'What's in it for you?' Stalwart asked. 

Cicero sighed. 'There's a boy, Wojtek. He's part of the Coalition's army. I want him on your s.h.i.+p to Milogac.' 

'No more asking eh? You're practically demanding. You've grown bold, Cicero,' Stalwart replied with an appreciative smile. 'What will you give me in return?'

'Aren't I enough?' Cicero asked. There was a hint of sarcasm to his tone. 'I'll fight at your side, like the good old times. What say you?' 

'You'll come fully equipped with your strange treasures and create a mess. If you want to fight with me, you have to bring something valuable to the table,' Stalwart said, frowning.

'You'll keep the boy alive then?' Cicero asked.

'It'll be your job to protect him,' Stalwart retorted. 'Now, what will you bring?' 

'How about I get the king to split his forces?' Cicero suggested. 

'I'm already working on that,' Stalwart retorted. 'Are you here to help or extract information from me?' 

'I mean I can, and will get King Boris to withdraw his support,' Cicero said. 

'You'll need a catastrophe to get the old man to move back to Kasmuk,' Stalwart said.

'Exactly,' Cicero replied. 'How about we meet then, huh? You pick the place, two days from now.' 

'No, you still didn't say what you're offering,' Stalwart cut in.

'Hmmm...' Cicero seemed to think for an eternity. 'How about I bring you Luna?' he asked. 

'Omega's sword?' Stalwart's mind began racing. 'How did you do that? Wait – Is Omega...' 

'Dead? Oh, h.e.l.l no!' Cicero said. 'I wouldn't be fighting your war if he was. He just found a better sword. So I took Luna.' 

'You sly devil!' Stalwart said. 'You know, no matter how much I loathe your wrinkled old face, you're always useful, little man.' 

'Right back at you old man,' Cicero replied with a light chuckle. 'So how about it? Are we fighting or what?' 

'There's a village deep within the Dark Woods,' Stalwart said. 

'Sera, just near the trench, right?' Cicero asked. 

'That's the one,' Stalwart confirmed. 'Meet me there in two days. Bring Luna with you or don't come at all.' 

Stalwart cut his psionic link then. He looked at the map with renewed enthusiasm. 'If we manage to split them up...' He took King Boris's banner and pushed it all the way back to Kasmuk. 'The Church will certainly not allow them to use their portals.' A devilish smile slowly took shape. 

"Eli!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. 

Shortly after, a young burly man entered the tent. He put one knee on the dirt and brought his right fist to his heart. "Supreme Leader," he solemnly said. 

"Change of plans, marshal," he announced to Myles's old friend. "Your people may yet have their chance to triumph!" 

"The Children Of The Forest are in your debt, Supreme Leader," Eli said with religious vehemence. "We are yours to command."