The Goyk scout was being held in a hollow chamber deep beneath the earth, known as a root-nest. Such root-nests had once served as refuges for the ownan, where they had hidden from the Goyk’s pursuit.

  In ages past, the ownan learned to work in partnership with the g’chun, burrowing vast labyrinths of tunnels throughout Ao’Mahgar. A fully grown g’chun was roughly the size of a calf from the Realm of Roundland. Within these underground networks, the ownan cultivated an earth-fungus whose roots spread along the passageways, emitting a subdued light in the darkness and bearing a fruit favored by the g’chun. They also tended the g’chun’s eggs and supplemented the creatures’ fare with cultivated crops. At the heart of each labyrinth lay one or two of the largest root-nests, reserved for clandestine assemblies or for sheltering many when concealment was required.

  Under the questioning of Voznugaid and Skichip, the prisoner yielded no information. Hudyn and Ramii were permitted to observe, for they had, in any case, brought about his capture.

  Each Goyk scout carried no fewer than three doses of blood-draught. Once two doses had been expended, they were required to return to Ao’Hanoorat, unless assigned a special charge. To remain beyond that limit was to invite death.

  Both of them soon realized that it was not a matter of the Goyk’s stubbornness, but of the interrogation itself, which lacked any true deterrence.

  “Hmph. Something about this sits badly with me,” Hudyn said. “Look at them, Ramii. So polite it’s grating. With manners that mild, they’ll do little more than trade pleasantries. There’s no chance they’ll wring even a hint of cowardice out of that Goyk. And now my hands are itching.”

  And so Hudyn stormed over to Voznugaid. The moment he came face to face with the agud’Aga, his oversized mouth spilled out a blunt, almost coarse tirade:

  “Listen, Voznugaid. I’ll grant that you cut an imposing figure, but all that dignity only wins respect from wretches like that. It doesn’t make them afraid. What they fear is something else. You people are unbelievably naive—soft on your enemies. Keep treating those filthy killers with this kind of decorum, and you’ll pay for it sooner or later. Scum like that need someone like me to deal with them, before they ever learn to behave.”

  For all the sharpness of Hudyn’s invective, Voznugaid remained composed and let him finish. Hudyn went on at length, though in truth he did little more than circle back to the same complaints he had voiced at the start. Only when Voznugaid agreed to let him take matters into his own hands did Hudyn’s scowl ease and his tone soften.

  ‘Yeah… now that’s more like it. See? You do have some sense after all. Not like that stubborn old fellow over there. Rest easy. Leave it to me—I’ll deal with it.’

  Hudyn charged into the root-nest. The interrogation was carried out with Skichip’s assistance, though the agud’A took little part in Hudyn’s heavy, hands-on work, confining himself instead to asking questions. After half a ga’a, Hudyn emerged from the root-nest with his head held high, sweat streaming down his face.

  “Ramii! I wrung out some worthwhile scraps about your dear mother,” Hudyn said with relish. His voice was hoarse from nonstop cursing, his expression caught somewhere between satisfaction and a trace of disappointment.

  “Hmph…” he cleared his throat “I wouldn’t have minded if he’d held out a little longer. I’ve heard Rono’s tales of dealing with prisoners more times than I can count. At last, I had a chance to put my skills to work. If the enemy is made up of cowards like him, then victory may yet be within reach. Once he comes around, I’ll go back in to pay him another visit.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  From the prisoner came the following disclosures. He gave his name as Gawaring Norol, a high dignitary of the Goykang Court. He had been assigned to accompany the Marshal Goykimar on what was to be the final reconnaissance, before the Goyk advanced their forces into Ao’Mahgar. The stock of blood-draughts had already been prepared. Their fleet now awaited only the order to depart.

  As for Tlyna, G’Norol revealed that she still lived. She was being held in a hidden prison within the Citadel of Domaryd. Of its exact whereabouts, only three figures at the very pinnacle of the court were aware: King G’Vaszorynk, Prince G’Kazdyn, and the Grand Chancellor Gumlog.

  As for his own fate, the prisoner gave his confession under pain and humiliation. He declined to take the remaining dose of blood-draught and offered no reason. Perhaps he regretted his cowardice. Perhaps he sought a swifter death. Or perhaps it was the savage demon, its hair standing on end. The high official requested only one mercy. He wished to know what the demon’s horrific screams had meant as it worked upon him so brutally. In the tongue of the people of Roundland, beyond a torrent of coarse curses that defied explanation, there was only one phrase the demon kept barking—simple enough to understand:

  “Spare no foe, or you die!”

  The three found themselves turning the events over in their minds, and came to recognize a fault within their Warhost: the gentle, benevolent nature of the ownan. In their hearts, the ownan had never wished harm upon any living being. Only because the Goyk had oppressed them and driven them to the brink of annihilation had they risen in resistance. Thus, most of their tactics, weapons, and magic had been shaped toward defense, survival, and healing.

  Katuo recalled something Master Tiknahah had once said:

  ‘The henan possess qualities the ownan do not. Courage and compassion alone are not enough to stand against evil. The war against the Goyk will require the henan.’

  ~~~

  Not long after, Ramii went to Voznugaid to make his request.

  ‘Agud’Aga, I ask for your leave, and your assistance,’ he said. ‘At present, the Goyk know us better than we know them. Our forces must learn the enemy’s condition before they advance upon us. Only then will our chances improve. I intend to go to Ao’Hanoorat. I ask only that you unseal a Zon’A Gate for me. As for the journey itself, I will see to it alone.’

  ‘OaaKiteh ~ What you say is true, Ramii,' Voznugaid replied after a moment’s thought. ‘But the road is far from simple. This charge belongs to the ownan, not to you. I will send Skichip to Ao’Hanoorat to bring back intelligence on the enemy. As for you three, you are to remain.’

  ‘I am going,’ Ramii said firmly. ‘If you will not help me, then I will find my own way to that land.’

  Hudyn shot Ramii a sideways glance. “What? Why the look? You know me well enough.”

  ‘OaaKiteh ~ Ao’Hanoorat is a land of death,’ Krutas spoke up. ‘Some of our own have gone there and never returned. Allow me to accompany you and lend my support. I have been there before. Among us, none knows that land better than I. Agud’A Skichip has also been to Ao’Hanoorat, but that was before the Goyk migrated there.’

  Not long ago, Voznugaid had assigned Krutas, together with another agud’A, to travel to Ao’Hanoorat to observe the Goyk. They were discovered and pursued by the enemy. Krutas alone survived to return. At the time, he reported that he had not yet detected the great army the Goyk were quietly building in secret.

  ‘OaaLacqua ~ Brother Ramii,’ said Voznugaid, his tone still steady, though his voice rose. ‘I do not bar your path for want of trust. Since ages uncounted, that land has been a land of death, as Krutas has said. Yet your eyes and your voice tell me that nothing will turn you aside. And so I have come to my decision.’

  He stepped forward to stand before Ramii, the staff Arasock clenched in his hand and planted upright upon the earth. His great stature and commanding presence made Ramii falter for a moment, yet he forced his expression to remain resolute.

  ‘Brother Ramii,’ Voznugaid said in a clear, carrying voice. ‘Form your party as you see fit. Skichip will unseal the Gate for you, go with you, and abide by your judgment. The ownan still bear a measure of responsibility toward the henan.

  Go to that land, and return without delay. For the sake of your own life, remember two things above all: always be cautious, and know when to withdraw.’

  With that, Voznugaid granted his approval for Ramii to travel to Ao’Hanoorat and gave him full authority to make the necessary arrangements.

  Krutas pressed his request to go along, but Ramii refused him. In Ramii’s judgment, a scouting party required no more than three; any additional member would only increase the risk of discovery. Moreover, he knew that the comrade Krutas had lost on their earlier mission was his own father, once a fellow warrior of Voznugaid. Ramii deemed it best not to let Krutas join them.

  Katuo, too, was not permitted to join the party, for her wound had yet to heal. She could only remain behind, not without quiet regret. Still, she took some comfort in knowing that Voznugaid had arranged for her to be placed among the Ogos Wardclan, from whom she would learn much.

  ~~~