In the course of those three fateful days, however, things had proceeded beyond the female aide's wildest expectations.

As she was treating Resna to a drink of warm tea to soothe his nerves after another day of tough body-building, new rumors seeped into the tavern that Balaras was at long last physically mobilizing to take the fight back to the enemy; of which there was only one to speak of.

Senna, very rarely in her soldiering life, gawked when passed the news.

"Ehh... so much for the troubles and subtleties we've taken to get here..."

"Let's not jump to rash conclusions, Sen," Resna reminded. "Do the rumors have any ground at all? Suppose it were true, who shall lead it, now you're here?"

"I am, as you know well, not the only commander who had fled Elbar. Sadanastra, Velandis, Bohma... each one of them is highly possible to be at the head of an army."

"Bohma?" Resna squinted in confusion. "I seem to remember that he's but a land surveyor. What of Balaras' mayor, or even the prince himself?"

"Yasnar would be brainless to leave his city's defenses unattended when the raids are still going on," Senna returned thoughtfully, "or... does he really believe the raids are ceasing? How?"

"You don't even consider the prince? Is that wise? Could be that lad's become so eager to prove his metal this time around."

"His lady mother would have something to say in that case. Besides, as you said, these are all still assumptions until solidly proven otherwise..."

"Be that as it may, this necessitates a second session with Rahman, don't you think? I for one am interested to know his view and plans. There's also a fair chance that Adim could prove his worth once again, wouldn't you say?"

Senna nodded, smiling despite herself. "About time we take the well-deserved offensive."

***

Rahman called for said session that same evening, with much the same attendants. This time, however, he saw little need for precautions; if Balaras was indeed on the move, he reasoned, then Arenda would in all possibilities be too busy paying immediate attention to their next possible moves to even consider those of Ardis--at least for the first few days.

"Looks like the time has come to take more straightforward approaches," the mayor began, poring together with five other heads over a map spread out on his table in his office: the very same map depicting the fields and 'lanes' stretching between the two cities, much like the one Senna had once seen in Yasnar's possession. "Whatever the grounds, this military adventure on Balaras' part necessitates us to take similar steps, if we are to be of any aid to their main host."

"To do that," Adim pointed with his hand at a location on the map, "first we must pacify our immediate opposition, here in Tosca Point..."

"Wait, hold on," his brother put in. "Should we not pause to consider the rumor's weight? If we were to actually move against Tosca, and the rumor does not ring with any truth, we'd be doomed..."

The room was completely quiet for a while.

"Indeed, as it is, we have almost no way to ascertain the news," Rahman returned, "but, given the prevailing circumstances, that might be best. If any of the leaders of said expedition were to try sending instructions of any kind to us, and any of the messengers were captured, then they would have faced a forewarned enemy with little to no hope of gaining further reinforcements. If, on the other hand, we proceed against Tosca and manage to secure it, then we'll have an invaluable toehold within enemy territory that would be ready to assist the main army marching from the north."

"This Tosca Point," Senna put in, "have you any estimation of their strength, Mayor?"

"About a hundred soldiers," came the response. "Way less than that of its sister outpost, the Tuvka Point to the north, partly due to the fact that the latter has only to watch over a small town."

The female aide smirked. "They'll be in for a surprise, by the Infinite One's Grace. When are we moving?"

"You're that certain of victory, are you?" Aydan scowled. "A glance at our state of weaponry might give you second thoughts..."

"Oh, there might be no need for wanton acts, sir," she assured, "provided it's done quickly and neatly. With your permission, Mayor, I would like to volunteer to lead your ambush group tonight."

"Tonight?" Even Rahman was blinking with surprise. "You are sure? True, we have about three hundred townspeople here, but most have never wielded, let alone seen, swords and the like--"

"But you have seen and wielded axes and saws," Senna countered smoothly. "Under the right hands, they could be as deadly as any sword..."

Senna found herself still ringed by skeptical faces.

"Well? If such is the case, then I would only ask for any number of volunteers. I'll wait at the town's entrance for ten minutes after the evening prayer. Good?"

Some heads nodded. Rahman cleared his throat to regain attention.

"That aside, we must now consider the likely routes that the main force will take. There are several clearings here..."

"The first one, no doubt, past the Ramisa Plains," Resna put in. "Only it would be able to accommodate an army. They would be held up by Tuvka Point's defenses for a time, to be sure, but that merits no discussion of them changing directions."

Rahman considered this and nodded.

"More to add?"

"Instead of waiting at the entrance, lady," Qulsum offered, "how about at the tavern, with nice warm tea to help refresh the mind?"

This too was readily agreed.

"Then, ladies and gentlemen, we shall pray for your success in the upcoming operation. That would be all for today."

"May our cause be allowed to prevail," Senna murmured. "Viva Hospodia."

***

Sundown, after prayer.

Resplendent in her military garb, and just starting to experience some of her vampiric traits (heightened senses etc), Senna, as promised, waited while mulling over her mug of tea, holding on to it with both hands for warmth. Incidentally there were few other visitors, so much that Ruwaida, from her station, looked like she could use a casual chat.

Two minutes later, she went for the female aide.

"How are the feelings?"

"Thrilled." Senna smiled at her. "Never thought I'd lock blades again, though I'd prefer to avoid it. Army life is not always predatory, you know."

"I... honestly am surprised, for a graceful lady such as yourself to end up taking this trade."

"Oh, don't mind me. It's good that you have a satisfactory occupation with decent pay, and which does not expose you too often to brawls. Your mayor isn't the type to just let it happen anyway, I see."

Ruwaida smiled back, and slowly took her seat facing Senna.

"Thank you. Might I ask, though... have you any plans after this is properly finished?"

Senna shrugged. "If I'm destined to still be alive at the end of it, well... I might try to seek my superior, ask to be relieved, and create a little happy family. Been through fights more than I care to count, it's about time to taste the sweet airs of peace, wouldn't you say? What about you, bartender?"

Her interlocutor blushed. "You can call me Ruwa."

"Ruwa, then."

"Er, I... might end up similar to you. Women are destined to nurture families, after all."

"Please, dear. So are men, just with different roles. As long as each do their proper shares, it functions."

"Is that... why you tend to have rather, er, bumpy times around men?"

Senna blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"B-because... I must admit, I've seen you and that spy man at this table so often. You stroke me as wanting to admit quite a few things to him, but... you just wouldn't."

Urdin's female aide took a good look at the maid before her, then chuckled.

"My, so I have been tracked after all, with almost no realization! You're showing traits of being an agent yourself, do you know?"

"Eh..."

"A handler falling for her subject; now, wouldn't that be a sight? I wonder if Ukara had really been the one appointed for this job... o ho ho..."

"Ukara, my lady?"

"Ah, just the name of a witty associate back home. A bit of a jester as a father, with three children and a dazzling woman for a wife. Friendly terms with all, I must say."

"Wow, you sure have many interesting acquaintances... I hope I could meet them too, someday."

"Never too late," Senna assured. "Once Arenda is ours again, you might want to move with your mother to Elbar, our capital. You might even get to meet my superior, General Urdin."

"I'd welcome it... but I can't speak for my mother. She's already complaining about advanced traveling."

"Just tell her, alright, and let me know of her response. Meantime, I got a mission to tackle."

Senna stood up; and just then the tavern's door was unceremoniously opened from outside, without even a knock, revealing Adim in leather armor over his casual garbs and a short sword tied to his waist. He stopped before Senna and Ruwa's scrutinizing gazes.

"What?" He spread out his arms innocently. "Thought I'd give militia life one more try..." he paused and looked around. "...No one else's coming? You serious?"

"As can be seen," Senna returned flatly, but laughing hysterically inside. "Army business it shall be, then. Let's hit the trail, Greenhorn; be kind enough to guide a lady along the way meantime, eh?"

Adim sulked. "You're not just any lady."

***

The Tosca Point, it turned out, was but two hours' walk from the pleasant town. All the time, Senna tried her best not to be noticed by any of the patrols, if any, before she wanted them to. Her companion, in contrast, acted like he was doing one of those casual strolls.

"Calm down," he had tried to assure her, "they won't bite if you're nice enough."

Such a remark, meant to be a casual joke, had instead made Senna pause, turning sharply.

"Are they vampires?"

"How would I know?"

"How, then, could you be so composed? We're about to subdue them, you know, one way or another!"

"Please. This is where I take my daily break having chopped down a good amount of wood. No reason for the alarm, really. Might want to let me do the talking as well?"

She hesitated. "Can you really..?"

He chuckled. "So much from one daring to name me a greenhorn in my first mission after some time. Just watch and learn, would you?"

Senna silently nodded.

"Now that's more like it."

Another fifteen minutes saw them right in front of said outpost.

"Oh, it's you again, Adim," one of the guards casually said. "Bringing your girlfriend along, now?"

For the success of this particular mission, Senna opted to remain silent; but under the torchlight her face turned a shade redder.

"Is that so bad, Selim? Look, I even had her try one of my father's old armors. Took one heck of a day to scrub it clean, good thing it fits."

"Lucky indeed," Selim chuckled.

"That aside," his companion brusquely cut him short, "to be here at this hour, you must have something important to say."

"Oh, come now, Bishir, quit acting like a braggart. At least say hello to him."

"No point," the stocky Bishir grunted, holding his spear straight. "Enter if you got decent business, leave if you don't. Simple."

Adim shrugged. "We'll take the first offer. Is Sir Barad available?"

"Happens he is. Enjoy your stay."

A short while after they passed the guards, Adim winked at his 'girlfriend'.

"Your turn now, sweet lady. Be subtle yet firm."

"Would girls be allowed inside?"

"Your problem."

***

As it turned out, busy as Barad was, it took some effort on Adim's part to have him allow Senna remain in his presence.

"So," Barad said finally with considerable irritation, "what to talk about?"

Tosca Point's overseer was a good listener. For the next ten minutes he let Senna lay down her plans, as well as what part he was supposed to play in it.

"Can we count on this Balarian main force arriving on time?" he asked at one point.

"If they are indeed taking the first lane, they'll be before Tuvka Point in three days at the fastest and start to besiege it just as quickly. Your outpost will then likely be asked to put its soldiers on high alert. Do so, but be ready to launch a quick raid the day after that, aiming for Arenda's outskirts. That would distract them, hampering any attempt to reinforce Tuvka."

"A sound plan. Who will lead it?"

"Would you be willing to accept Mayor Rahman's directions, sir?"

Barad grunted. "Knew him. Always like the fellow." He stood and offered his hand, which was taken with due gratitude.