He kissed her neck. “Come. Let us survey this army.”

The two exited the castle to see tents covering the castle courtyard, all waving small banners with a yellow fist. Qurrah shook his head, but was not surprised. He had slept horribly that night, each demon passing through the portal sapping a bit more of his strength. He wondered if Velixar fared any better.

“Do you know how many?” Qurrah asked.

“They have almost a thousand,” Tessanna said. “But no more come through the portal. I think Ulamn is nervous.”

“As he should be,” Velixar said, coming up behind them from the castle. “He knows both of us are sorely taxed. He will bring in no more, not for a few weeks. I think the two of us could both use the rest.”

“When do we leave for Mordan?” Qurrah asked.

“Soon,” Velixar said. “But we have a few things to take care of first.”

He pointed to a group of orcs that made their way among the tents. They were led by their masters, Trummug and Gumgog, and each looked furious.

“We was lied to!” Gumgog shouted as they neared. “Lied! Lied!”

“Shaddup, Gumgog,” Trummug said, elbowing the orc before offering a clumsy bow to Velixar. “We not happy, pet of Karak. Not happy at all.”

“What is the matter?” Velixar asked, his smile condescending.

“You promised me an army and a kingdom,” Trummug said. “Yet we have nothing.”

“You raped and burned this city to a shadow of its former self,” Qurrah said, scratching his chin. “Was that not worth your losses?”

Gumgog heard this and roared with laughter.

“No, the fighting more than good, lopped off so many heads…”

“But your new pets, the demons, they do not care,” Trummug said. “They no like Karak. They not listen to us. They claim this city, but what we get? Not going back to the Wedge! We staying here!”