the least。
Momentarily a near…hush spread across the battlefield； as most of the people on it became aware of that sight in the distance； and in that moment of half…silence； the singing voices of the distant gods were audible。 What words they sang were hard to catch； discordant as those far voices were； and whipped about by wind； but enough could be heard to be sure that they sang praise to Vilkata。
And the earth below the moving firebrands； and the sky above them； were no longer fully dark； the greater fire of dawn was on its way。
It was enough； it was more than enough； to turn the retreat into a mere scramble for survival。 Even if the gods did not e soon to the Dark King's aid； daylight would； daylight would end the confusion in Vilkata's camp； let his people see how few they really fought against。 Whether the scramble for escape was ordered or not； it was already under way。
Many of the city's defenders were able to get back into the tunnel before the tunnel was discovered by Vilkata's people； and a concerted effort made by them to block its entrance。 Ben was just a bit too late to be able to use the tunnel； and Mark was later still。
By chance； perhaps； the two things on which the Dark King's hopes depended came back to him almost simultaneously； even as they had been taken： the Mindsword； and his demonic powers of sight。 As the first shouts were going up from some of his people near his tent proclaiming victory over the raiders； his hand fell at last on the black hilt。 The Sword was still lying where he had left it； undisturbed and unseen； while fighting raged around it。 And at the same time the demon； able now to return to duty； brought back Vilkata's sight。 His first view was of the Sword in front of him； the column of fire that was his usual vision of the blade now muffled and enfolded within the leather sheath。
The Sword once more in his hand； the Dark King ordered his vision expanded。 He got a good look at the partial ruin and still widespread confusion that prevailed around him in his camp。 His chief human subordinates were just discovering that he was missing。 They were unsure whether he was still alive； and many of them； Vilkata was convinced； were hoping that he was not。
That would change drastically； as soon as he showed them the Blade again。 He got to his feet。 Now that he could see； it was easy to disentangle himself from fallen fabric。 If he had believed in thanking gods； he would have thanked them now。
The Dark King's sense of triumphant survival； of being indestructible； was short lived。 Haggard in the early daylight； knowing that he must look weakened and distraught； afraid of trying to seek sleep again； afraid as well of appearing tired or uncertain in front of his subordinates； Vilkata used his private powers of magic to chastise his returning demons。 Where they had been； they could not or would not say。
It was different when he demanded to know from them what power had been able to drive them so pletely and easily away。 Then they responded sullenly that it was the name of the Emperor that had been used against them。
〃The Emperor！ Are you joking？〃 But even as he said the words； Vilkata realized that they were not。 In his own long study of magic and the world； he had from time to time encountered hints of genuine Imperial power； hints and suggestions and too； of a connection between the present Emperor and the being called Ardneh； the Dead God of two thousand years ago； still worshipped by the ignorant masses。 Those hints and suggestions Vilkata had long chosen to ignore。
The Dark King punished his demons； and constrained them as best he could to serve him faithfully from now on。 Then he went； exhausted as he was； to confer again with his human wizards； who after the night just passed were quite exhausted too。
The magicians pulled long faces when their lord mentioned the Emperor's name to them。 But they had to admit that there might be some truth to the claim of driving demons away by such a means。
Vilkata demanded； 〃Then why cannot we use it too？〃
〃We are none of us the Emperor's children； Sire。〃
〃His children？ I should hope not。 Are you mad？〃 The term 〃Emperor's child〃 was monly used in a proverbial way； to describe the poor； the orphaned； the unfortunate。
Before the subject could be pursued any farther； there arrived a distraction。 It was weled heartily； at least at first； by the magicians； and it came in the form of the morning's first flying messenger； bearing news that the Master of the Beasts thought too important to be delayed。 It told Vilkata that the Silver Queen's host had now actually been sighted； marching against his rear。 This time； Vilkata was assured； the report was genuine。
The observed strength of the army of the Silver Queen was not enough in itself to give the Dark King much real concern。 But there was the dread Sword that he knew she carried； and； perhaps equally disquieting； the thought that her timely presence here might well mean that his enemies had worked out some effective plan of co…operation against him。
This last suspicion was strengthened when the Tasavaltan army was also reported to be now on the march； and also approaching Tashigang。 Rostov would make a formidable opponent。 But it would be a day or two yet； according to report； before his army would be on the scene。
And there was Vulcan … Vulcan was now almost at hand。 It struck Vilkata more forcefully now than ever before； that the gods were often stupid； or at least behaved as if they were； which in practice of course came to the same thing。
Holding the Mindsword drawn and ready in his hand； the Dark King rode out to confront this deity who said that he had e to do him honor。
Riding a little ahead of a little group of trembling human aides； his vision provided by a demon now equally tremulous with fear； Vilkata flashed the Mindsword over his head。 At the same time he cried out in a loud voice； demanding the Smith's obedience。
Vulcan's first answer was a knowing grin； shattering in its implications。 Then the god laughed at the human he had once been forced to worship。
With a wicked gleam in his huge eyes； Vulcan brandished the smoldering tree…trunk that once had been a torch； and announced that he meant to have revenge for that earlier humiliation。
〃Did your scouts and spies； little man； take seriously what I shouted to them about my ing here to do you honor？ Good！ For as soon as I have time； I mean to do you honor in an unprecedented way。 Ah； yes。
〃I am a god； little man。 Remember？ And Shieldbreaker is now in my hand！ Can you understand what that means？ I； who forged it； know。 It means I am immune to all other weapons； including your Mindsword。 There is no power on earth that can oppose me now。〃
The Dark King； as usual at his bravest when things seemed most desperate； glared right back at the god； and nursed a silent hope that Doomgiver in some human hand might still bring this proud being down。 Or Farslayer。。。 then he saw another' sheath at Vulcan's belt； another black hilt； and he knew a sinking moment of despair。
Vulcan； taking his time； had yet a little more to say。 He was going to have his revenge on Vilkata； but not just yet。 〃First of all； little man； there are more Swords that I must gather。 Just to be sure。。。 therefore I claim this city and all its contents for my own。 And all its people。 They will wish that Mars still lived； when my rule begins among them。〃
And the god turned his back on the King； and marched off to claim his city。 However many panions the Smith had had when he came over the horizon； he was now down to just one； a four…armed male god that Vilkata was unable to identify offhand。 Not； he supposed； that it much mattered。
As long as Vilkata was actually in Vulcan's presence； he had been able to confront the Smith bravely enough。 But when the confrontation was over； the man was left physically shaking。 Still； in a way he was almost glad that Vulcan was now openly his enemy。 Always； in the past； it had taken a supreme challenge of some kind to rouse Vilkata to his greatest efforts and achievements。 When he knew a crisis was approaching； fear gnawed at him maddeningly； and sometimes came near to disabling him。 But when the c