Chapter 9

Dargo entered the headquarters of the Black Cloaks. He did not have to send for his second in command, Tode. Tode was waiting anxiously when he arrived.

“Thank the blessings of the Gods and the blessed Gods themselves!” Tode exclaimed rising to meet Dargo. “You are safe!”

Dargo waved his hand dismissively. “A narrow escape. Thank you for the warning. What is happening?”

“The news is not good at all. I fear Kyrshom is overthrown. One thousand soldiers entered the gates from the East shortly after the festival ended. The guards were drunk as usual on the festival night and were no resistance at all to the intruders.”

“Who are they? Do you know?”

“Not yet. But we are trying to find out.”

“How did we not know Tode?” Dargo asked in disbelief. “How is it possible? Have we been compromised?”

“I cannot say for sure but the gates were opened from inside.”

Dargo was quiet as he absorbed Tode’s words. Tode was a short, round man with a bald head. Sweat glistened on his head in the lantern light a