“It is not possible,” interjected Brakas. “We could never get a quarter of the men that Grulak had amassed.”

“You need even less than that,” declared Karnic. “We have three clan lords in Khadora that have agreed to work with us. Do you know of them, Zygor?”

“I do,” Zygor nodded. “They agreed for their own selfish reasons, though. I believe they planned to use Grulak as a distraction to gain more power for themselves. I warned him about that.”

“We do not care about their reasons for cooperating,” Karnic said. “We are changing the agreements made with them, and the terms are not negotiable.”

“What do you wish for me to do?” asked Zygor, feeling relieved that he was not going to be executed for his failures.

“I have brought a caravan of food with me from Khadora,” explained Karnic. “Brakas will gather the former Jiadin warriors. The food will lure them in. You, Zygor, will visit these three lords in Khadora. You will change our agreements with them. Each of their estates will host five thousand Jiadin warriors. The Jiadin will wear the uniforms of the host clans.”

“So no one will know that the three groups are aligned,” Zygor nodded appreciatively.

“Precisely,” continued Karnic. “You will assume the leadership of a fourth clan. That estate will also host five thousand warriors under your direct command.”

“Assume?” frowned Zygor. “The clan lords of Khadora are very old men. Surely you know what you are asking of me?”

“No more than I am asking of myself,” nodded Karnic. “I will also assume a leader in Omunga to prepare for the Time of Cleansing.”

“But you are already old,” protested Zygor. “I have many years ahead of me yet.”

“You have given away your youth by your failure here in Fakara,” Karnic replied sternly. “Do you wish to refuse this order from Vand?”