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The lines of wisdom and experience on General Kragan’s face deepened to a level of doubt and disbelief. He gaped at the Archon as he struggled to form his question. The Archon did not allow him time. ‘Good. If the general of my armies did not know of my plan, I am encouraged.’ He placed his chin in his hand and observed the old map sitting on an easel at the head of the table. ‘I have long suspected the Golesh would launch an attack, and therefore have planned a riposte before they can gain a foothold north of the mountains. This has been kept secret until now, because, if this reaches the wrong ears, I will lose the element of surprise.’ He turned to the table. ‘And therefore not a word of this is to be spoken outside of this hall until the fleet has sailed.’

The Archon slid his hand across the map. ‘You are wrong, Broon. Six years ago, I decreed the old port of Caermund to be rebuilt.’ His hand came to rest on an inlet on the east coast of Farrand. ‘Yes, you all know the stories. When I bent the waters, unpleasant creatures from the depths washed up on the shores at Caermund, which unfortunately led to a number of… incidents.’ He tapped his finger on the old parchment. ‘But once I’d sealed the area, I soon drove them back into the sea. And now, I am pleased to report, the finest fleet to sail in many a year awaits, eager to depart.’ He looked to the general. ‘And yes, that is where I assigned your men for special duties.’

‘A bold stroke of genius the enemy will not suspect.’ The Archon ran his finger in a curve from Caermund, out to sea, and back to a bay in the south. ‘A fleet of forty-four ships will carry our finest soldiers, fastest horses, and light artillery to Umnavarek. From there they will strike forth into the Lost Realms ready to—’

The Archon held the general’s gaze for a moment longer. ‘Good, I shall proceed to explain my strategy, then you can decide on your appropriate force.’ He scanned the faces at the table. ‘Yes, I admit this is an audacious plan, but if we are to pre-empt the Golesh’s strike which, no doubt, will be fearsome, extreme and could ultimately result in our demise, we have to be bold.’ He held up his hand as Kragan moved to speak. ‘At this moment, I can predict with certainty, every foul creature with a weapon in its clawed hand, and hatred consuming its heart, will shortly be swarming towards the gate. The enemy concentrates its malice purely on the pass and not on the coast. They desire our fertile lands, our riches, and are hungry for slaves. Trust me, Kragan, they will not be watching the ports for which they have no use.’ He turned to the Vice-Archon and nodded.

‘Thank you, Archon.’ She rose and stood at the other side of the map. ‘When the time is right, the Archon will lift his invocation and allow the ocean currents to flow naturally again. The fleet will take no more than two days to reach Umnavarek.’ She fixed her gaze on Kragan. ‘General, once the force has landed, the objective is to head west and strike onto Elmarand. As you know’ — she raised an eyebrow at Elodi — ‘or may not, Elmarand was our principal city before the Golesh drove our ancestors out of the Second Realm. We’ve no reason to believe that has changed and can therefore assume Elmarand will still be of strategic importance to them. We cannot know exactly what to expect as the maps are centuries old, but I doubt the backward, war-mongering hordes have built anything superior to that of our elders. I think we’ll find the walls of the once great city will be in a state of disrepair and provide little-to-no obstacle for our elite forces.’ She stood back. ‘General, that is the strategy, I will, of course, charge you with determining the tactics.’

The Archon stood. ‘As stated, the enemy’s resources are converging on the gate. Your aim, Kragan, is to cause disruption, and cast fear in their hearts for once. Upon securing Elmarand, you shall proceed to take the surrounding primitive farms and livestock, after all, they also must eat. Take what you need to sustain your forces, then burn the rest. The Golesh will have no choice but to divert resources from the gate to regain control of their city and farmlands.’ The Archon folded his arms. ‘And when they’re finally defeated, we can free our people from the southern realms who, for too long, have suffered at the hands of this vile race.’

The Archon’s mouth curled into a rare grin. ‘Rest assured, it won’t be for long.’ He pointed to the pass on the map. 'Using my gift of farsight, I shall observe events from the tower. When I see the smoke of your endeavors billowing in the southern skies, I shall focus my energy and sow seeds of doubt in the hearts of the Golesh. It will take a great deal of effort on my behalf, so the Vice-Archon will manage day-to-day events here at the citadel. But once news of the incursion reaches their ranks, they will have to dispatch a sizeable force to deal with it.’ He rubbed his hands. ‘At that moment, my trebuchets shall rain destruction over the gate onto their war machines before they can be deployed against us.’ The Archon raised an eyebrow as Kragan drew breath. ‘Yes, General’ — he turned to the others at the table — ‘then my counter-strike will, in time, reclaim the Lost Realms. I will catch them unawares.’ His eyes flashed. ‘When I open the Caerwal Gate.’