Pauwna shuffled into the tunnel, trailing one hand along the wall to right herself. It was not a large tunnel. She could touch the other wall if she reached out with her other hand. Every ten or so paces, the rough stone of the wall would be interrupted by carvings. Though the light had never touched this place, she knew they were suppression runes of the highest quality. It wouldn’t do for a geomancer or other specialist to discover this secret. Normally, the pitch blackness would pose little problem to her enhanced senses but she took care to restrain her gifts to the bounds of her body. Even considering the abundant protections in place, she would not tempt fate. The variety of magics bestowed by the Divine were boundless and it was impossible to ward against everything.


    Being bereft of her gifts, save those provided by her attributes and auras, was always unnerving. It took her a few minutes to feel right on her feet again. But time was something she had in abundance. After a while of fumbling, the wall stopped and was replaced by stagnant air. Pauwna had been expecting this. These tunnels were extensive and ever-changing. Sections were added and removed as circumstances required. Likely no one knew the true extent of the tunnels.


    Not even her.


    She brushed her fingers across the corner of the intersection, first reaching high, then low. There. She ran her fingers over a particularly dense network of carvings. These were different from the wards on the wall, being characters rather than pictographs. However, these letters could not be found amongst any of the known languages. It was a code known only to followers of the cause. Pauwna would know.


    She was the one who had made it.


    Let’s see … stockpile … meeting hall … ah! Audience chamber.


    She continued forward. Several more intersections came and went. Pauwna tracked her progress and soon was able to place where she was on her internal map. She grimaced at the particular path her journey had taken her. It looked like they had to give up most of the tunnels close to the front. That was where the Empire was the most vigilant and they had to be cautious. Regardless, it looked like the network had shrunk by about a third.


    Pauwna put such distractions from her mind as she approached her destination. For the first time since she had entered here, a glimmer of light shined from ahead. It was faint, but more than enough for her enhanced senses. With it, she could make out the magic supperressing runes. They were far more crowded here and were only becoming more dense. She turned the corner and came face to face with a door framed by two magelight enchanted crystals.


    The door was distinctly different from the architecture so far. It was made of metal for one, and was inscribed by miniscule runes crammed so thickly together it appeared like the door was cracked. The sight of it caused a spike of dread and she had to take a moment to build up her nerve. Once she had recovered her composure and was projecting a calm, assured air, she opened it.


    Inside, she found herself in a perfectly spherical room. It was sizable, an entire platoon could fit down here comfortably. Every inch of it had the same degree of magical script inscribed on it in a stunning display of complexity. It gave her a migraine when she looked at it too closely, so she looked elsewhere. A walkway led to the center of the sphere, where a crystal orb hung suspended in the air. From the rounded walls of the chamber protruded massive crystal prongs, many women long, all pointed at the orb.


    At the top of the chamber lay a small hole that extended into the ceiling as far as even her enhanced sense could see. It was packed with metallic rope which stretched from the hole to various points around the chamber. Many ritual paper charms hung from each like leaves on a vine. She was always impressed by the audacity of it all. Especially given the knowledge of where it led.


    Pauwna pictured it, the threads running from this room to the Empire’s command pavilion above. Each thread tapped into a different part of their magical network. Just observing, unfortunately, anything more active would be picked up. Still, the sheer audacity of it all. Spying on the Empire in its most secure place. Save the Royal Palace of course.


    It turns out that the best place to hide was right beneath their noses.


    Every time she entered this place, a wave of resentment flooded her system. The resources that had been expended to create this room were staggering. To create such magical arrays so quickly, an expert from Avlend had been hired. One of the best in the world. He had to be smuggled into the camp discreetly and left to do his work for days. The raw materials were a princely sum and restricted to boot. It was a colossal waste. Only the scrying orb in the middle and the wires were needed.


    However, their benefactors demanded it. She would be a fool to go against them.


    Preparing herself, she walked up to the suspended crystal orb and tapped it thrice. It began pulsing steadily and Pauwna settled in to wait. She had arrived early with this in mind. She couldn’t afford to be late. It would be a grave insult, ‘superior beings did not wait.


    Pauwna loathed it. She wished that they didn’t need them. But, the cause couldn’t be accomplished without resources. Their collaborators, for all their flaws, had that in spades. Still, the day would come for a reckoning.


    The pulsing of the orb steadied and a low hum resounded through the room. Sections of script light up on the walls, lights began to play through the crystal probes, and colored mist coalesced. It billowed out through the chambering, coalescing into a large figure. First came the serpentine shape, then the wooden texture, and finally brown and green colors. The illusion sharpened into an image indistinguishable from reality.


    In front of her, in all of its majesty, was the Black Wind.


    It’s bulk swelled to fill the chamber, making the sizable space feel cramped. Its deer-like skull alone was many times her size, the fire within each socket a blazing inferno. The scales of bark that covered its form were now whole, no gashes or burns remained. Even then, only the dragon’s head and chest fit into the chamber. Coincidentally, the image only came up to the tops of its forelegs.


    Hiding the missing leg that High Princess Ahzi had claimed.


    It was a conscious decision, she was sure. All the other times they had met, the dragon had presented the entire front half of their body. It stuck in Pauwna’s mind since the Black Wind loved to threaten her with them.


    So it seems like the Black Wind’s pride will not allow them to appear weak before me.


    That, more than anything, confirmed to her that it was still injured. Important information that she filed away for later. Pride was inherent to their kind. It was why this chamber had been built. And why she hated them nearly as much as the Empire.


    Oh, what could have been if they had not ended up in control…


    Before the image had entirely manifested, Pauwna Swept into an Ahsmati bow that ended with her on her knees. It was perfect, a fact born of much practice. It was the main reason she had been selected for this task. She loathed it, but endured it. For the cause.


    The dragon would beget nothing but perfect respect.


    “Your humble servant awaits your command, your Excellency, The Black Wind that scourages the land, Antithesis of the Sūnsians, Ravager of the W?lian Empire, and they who brings the end.”


    The Black Wind snaked its head down to peer closely at her. The baleful fire in its eyes radiated heat despite being a projection and each of its teeth were as long as she was tall. Even knowing it was an image, Ahzi had to fight to keep from trembling. It sniffed her, the wind gusting towards it, and she had to wonder if the illusion transfer that information.


    “Barely acceptable, you have missed ‘The most ancient of the Ahsmati.’”


    Oh please you overgrown lizard, like that is impressive. Even I am older than you. They didn’t require that title last time either…


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Pauwna let none of that sentiment appear on her face. Instead, she bowed forward until her head touched the cold floor.


    “A thousand pardons, Ancient One. This one’s poor memory failed her and she most humbly asks for your grace. Before your splendor, I forgot myself.”


    The dragon puffed itself up, visibly preening, before saying: “I suppose in my boundless mercy, I can find it in myself to forgive you. Rejoice mortal, for not many earn a second chance.”


    Too easy.


    “I shall tell tales of your generosity to my children, Great One.”


    “As you should. Now, you have tidings worthy of my priceless time?”


    “Yes, Great One.” Pauwna took a second to reorganize her thoughts, “The Awlsul guard have left the capital and are preparing to take to the field, as they must to have a chance to resist your power.”


    This revelation received only silence and Pauwna was forced to wait on his grace. Unlike Sūnsian sensibilities, it was rude to stare. So she was forced to stay in her prostrate position without moving or looking up. The dragon had not given her permission to stand. Likely the thought never crossed its mind. Just as her bare knees were beginning to ache from being pressed into the raw stone, the Black Wind spoke.


    “So the False Queen is finally sending away her protectors. She must have tired of being bled like a stuck pig.” Pauwna could feel a breeze and out of the corner of her eye she could see a tail as tall as a cliff coiling around her.


    “Tell me lesser, the high ranks are taking the field too, aren’t they? Along with that blasphemer who dared blemish my scales?”


    For all that the elemental dragons were arrogant and shortsided, they were not stupid. Pauwna wondered just how much she should tell it. She wanted the creature to value them, but also didn’t want to give too much knowledge away. The Ahsmati were already winning the war handily and that wouldn’t do. At the very least, there was one piece of information she had to give away.


    “The Blasphemer intends to take the breach personally. Based on past operations, the majority of the high ranks will accompany her. However, she is rash and has been known to abandon them.”


    With luck, he will be satisfied with just that. If he pushes, I can give a few more scraps, but I cannot mention the second operation.


    “And the rest of the army?”


    “Concentrated for the assault, leaving the rest of the defensive line spread thin.”


    “Is there anything else?”


    “None, Great One.”


    “Are you sure? Nothing … strange has happened? Something that was so far out of the ordinary that it defies explanation? Anything at all, however small.”


    What in the world is that question?


    Gone was the ceremony the dragons were attached to. Gone was the bluster. Its tail was flicking from side to side and the Black Wind had adopted a slight hunch that reminded her of a startled cat. If Pauwna didn’t know any better, she thought the Black Wind might look nervous.


    Pauwna did not like this. This was not normal, unexpected. What was not known could not be accounted for. What could the Black Wind possibly be concerned about?


    Something strange, completely out of the ordinary, and unexpected?


    A face leapt unbidden into her mind. One with unusual features, eyes as green as grass, and hair the color of straw. A visage she had seen earlier that day.


    Dante.


    No. That can’t be right, can it? Sure, his circumstances fit what the Black Wind was asking, but what possible reason could they be interested in him?


    Pauwna had no idea. While strange, he did not seem special or noteworthy enough. Then again, the princess had a personal interest in him as well. Perhaps she should reevaluate his worth. But that was a question for another time. The Black Wind was looking increasingly out of sorts and a nervous dragon was not good for anyone.


    “My heart weeps Great One that I may not satisfy your dictate, no such events come to my feeble mind.”


    A gust of warm air gusted over her and she could smell the sickly sweet smell of rot. She struggled not to gag. Then the head withdrew.


    “Disappointing.”


    Pauwna’s pulse skyrocketed before the dragon said the next words almost offhandedly.


    “But not unexpected for an inferior to be ignorant of the affairs of dragons and gods.”


    She let out a constrained sigh. Sometimes, very rarely, the Ahsmati bigotry worked out in her favor. She would make them regret that.


    “Hear me, servant and obey.”


    The Black Wind reared back to its full heights and spread it wings to envelop the chamber. Pauwna knew that it was meant to be intimidating, she intellectually understood it was posturing, but her body still reacted. Her breath drew short, limbs shook, and the rank smell of sweat filled the air.


    And she hated the dragon for it.


    “When the moment of the assault comes, ensure that Empire overreaches. When they are overextended and are at their moment of greatest need, abandon them. Sabotage their support and cut their supply lines.”


    Pauwna froze. She was so shocked that she nearly forgot a perfunctory, “Your will be done, Great One,” before the connection was cut and the image dispersed into colorful motes. Fortunately, the dragon didn’t seem to notice her slight disrespect.


    That order … it means coming out openly in support of the Ahsmati. To backstab our homeland. We would be dubbed traitors and no one would trust us again. Why would the Black Wind do such a thing after all of our years of cooperation?


    Pauwna left the chamber for the tunnels, hardly paying attention to where she was going. She contemplated the problem, approaching it from every angle she could conceive. But only one answer made sense.


    The Black Wind is certain of victory.


    Why? What has changed? Have they discovered some wonder weapon or some new vector of attack?


    Currently, while the Ahsmati were winning. It was a slow thing but sure thing, like a poison. The high ranks of the Empire refuse to give battle and rely on their homefield advantage. At great cost to their lower-level members. It was a losing strategy because, while the number of high ranks largely remained unchanged, no new ones are joining them. The Ahsmati by comparison, had been steadily building their strength. It was a fact that levels decided everything and that was unchanged between the kingdoms as far as Pauwna was aware.


    She simply did not know.


    Her fingers met the rungs of a ladder and she realized that she had arrived at her destination. The night was not over for her and Pauwna felt a wave of weariness. As she leafed through her bag, she promised herself that she would rest after this task. For a few hours anyway.


    From her bag, she swapped her clothes. Now, she wore an obscuring cloak and plain clothes. A quick application of powder and makeup changed the tone of her exposed skin. Subtle shading changed the structure of her face. The disguise was completed with a wig, which changed her hair color from black to a lustrous red.


    She ascended the ladder and lifted the lid at the top. Pauwna found herself in the back of a busy mess tent. None of the cooks seemed surprised as she clambered out of the oddly sturdy barrel she had exited from. One even gave her a nod before he went back to stirring his pot. She adjusted her clothes, reseated the lid of the barrel, and then exited by ducking under one of the tent sides.


    Looking up at the sky, she cursed as she realized that daybreak was close. She hustled to her next appointment, back the way she came but overland this time. She soon arrived at a massive command pavilion. A constant stream of messengers and officers streamed out of every single entrance, even at this hour. She made for one of the less trafficked entrances. As she approached, the guards eyed her but did not bar her entry.


    Inside, she found herself in a small office that had been sectioned off from the rest of the tent with dividing screens. There was a diminutive women sitting at a desk paging through reports stacked so high they nearly hid her. She gazed at Pauwna with eyes framed by sagging black bags and blinked blearly. Recognition lit them a moment later and she stood up with a start, nearly causing a deluge of papers.


    “Miss Tanla!” The mousy woman exclaimed as she hurriedly righted her stacks, “We have been expecting you! If you wouldn’t mind coming this way.”


    Pauwna blinked, her earlier unease returning with a vengeance. This was also not normal. What was with today? She did follow the mousey woman, but had a brief urge to flee.


    Something has changed.


    The urge built up as she was led deeper into the command center, past rows of desks filled with sleepy clerks. She had never been this far. They finally turned off into another sectioned off area and her panic crescendoed. Sitting at a desk facing the entrance, was a man she had only ever seen from afar.


    Moeris, the right hand of Princess Ahzi.


    “Ah, Miss Tanla! I am to understand you have information for us?” He pointed at a chair in front of his large desk, “Please, take a seat.”


    For a long moment, she contemplated her chance of fleeing, then disregarded it as unlikely. Instead, she took the proffered chair and did her best to look as respectful as she waited, feeling like she was in the belly of the beast even more so than earlier. And wait she did, completely at his mercy. Eventually, he dipped his quill back in ink and leaned back in his chair. He inspected her and Pauwna wished she had put more effort into this disguise.


    “So, what do you have for me?”