turning round and round, to finally settle nose to tail.
Safar signaled againManacia was making camp.
The demon king scoffed at the battle map. It was clear to him what Protarus meant to do.
'He wants to use the stone columns to make us come to his center, he said to Luka. That's where his main force is gathered.'
He gestured at the wooden markers to the left and right of the main forces. And he'll try to use his cavalry to pinch us in from the sides to make certain we stay on the course he prefers.'
Manacia slammed his taloned fist onto the table, toppling the markers.
'Well, I don't intend to meekly follow this king's commands, he said. I've fought this battle before. Hells, I've fought it four or five times at least.'
He tapped his horned head. It's all here, he said to his son. A game of minds. I almost feel sorry for Protarus. It's clear he doesn't know who or what he is up against.'
Fari cleared his throat for attention. What of the wizard, Timura? he asked. He'll most certainly figure into Protarus plans.'
Manacia scowled. It's true we haven't located him, he said. Or any source of human magic for that matter. I suppose he's shielded himself. It's not an easy thing to do, so I mustn't underestimate him. Still, I've got similar shields in place, protecting a much larger wizardly force.
'We'll wait until he strikes and reveals himself. He won't stand a chance when we reply.'
Luka and Fari exchanged quick looks. Each could tell the other was impressed with Manacia's reading of the situation.
The Crown Prince bitterly accepted his father's military expertise. He had no doubt when the battle commenced Manacia would prevail.
'We'll attack at dawn, Manacia said. Just as the humans are stirring at the camp fires.'
He gestured at the Demon Moon hanging over the northern horizon. We'll have that at our backs to confound them, he said.
Manacia slapped his thigh in delight. There's nothing I enjoy more than attacking an enemy with the light in his eyes.'
Iraj surveyed his assembled troops. He let a broad grin play through his beard. Here we are again, lads, he said. Up to our callused behinds in hyenas and no way out!'
His voice, magically amplified by an amulet Safar had given him, rang with manly good cheer. The warriors roared laughter at their king's humor.
Iraj pointed a dramatic finger through the stone pillars, which perfectly framed the Demon Moon.
'Once again, he said, we're facing a fellow who doesn't think we're fit to empty his piss pot.'
The warriors rumbled their disapproval.
'But we've taught royal prigs like that a thing or two in the past, haven't we lads?'
The warriors shouted agreement.
Iraj waved them to silence. It so happens that this time the prig we're facing is a demon.'
There were low mutters, manly mutters, but forced.
Iraj thumped his chest. I've fought demons before, lads, he said. I fought them as a boy. And it was the demons who fell, not your king, boy though he was.
'You've never heard this story. It's a secret Lord Timura and I have kept for many years. But now I think it's time for all Esmir to know.'
Iraj commenced to deliver an abbreviated, but highly dramatic account of the event.
'So you see, my lads, Iraj said when he was done, demons bleed the same as all of us. They have magic, but so do we in Lord Timura. They have us outnumbered, but I've just told you a story of outnumbered boys so you know that's no problem to men like yourselves.
'But I won't lie to you. The demons are formidable foes. Yet, what would be the pleasure of fighting if all our foes were weak?'
This struck the men of Plains of Jaspar particularly well and they all thundered their approval.
'What do you say, lads? Iraj shouted. Shall we wait until Manacia brings the fight to us?'
This was met with a resounding NO!'
'Shall we carry to the fight to him?'
This drew an overwhelming YES!'
'Then let's go to him, lads! Iraj thundered. Let's catch him with his breeches down and buried to the hilt in some demon whore.'
The skies shook with their roared approval.
As it so happened, Manacia was pleasuring himself with an enthusiastic demon maid when the news of the attack came. He wasn't buried to the hilt, but he was definitely considering such an action when someone scratched at the entrance to gain his attention.
Manacia tumbled out of his harem tent, buttoning up his breeches. Why do you disturb me? he roared.
His aide gibbered, then pointed south. Forgive mmm-mmm-me, Mmm-ajesty! But Pppp-protarus is attacking!'
Manacia's eyes shot south. It was dusk, but it was the eerie dusk of the Demon Moon, and the figures he sawhuman warriorswere cast large and bloody red.
The demon king was no hysteric. He'd dealt with surprise attacks before. He calmed his fears and shouted for his generals to counter.
It was a Jaspar blood charge. No quarter given, none asked.
It was a screaming mass of horsemen, but not a man among them offered himself as a target. Each rode bareback, a thick leather harness girdling the horse's body, a slender rope lead to its mouth.
They whirled about the harness strap, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes hanging beneath the horse's belly. As they circled their mounts, they fired a constant stream of arrows from their small bows, so many that the sound was like a plague of biting flies descending in a black cloud on a cattle herd.
It was a mad charge, a charge where death was no consideration.
Arrow swarms disturbed the dusk with their black flight.
The screams of the demon wounded defied the desert calm.
And then they were among the demons, dropping their bows and drawing scimitars. Slashing this way and that.
They drove straight up the middle, nearly reaching Manacia himself, who was clambering aboard his elephant.
Iraj led that charge. He was a monster soldier, a soldier who could not be hit when the demon arrows swarmed back. His sword was a monster sword no blade could counter, no pike could match, no battle ax could confront.
He swept through the demon ranks. He was the arrow point, his men were its wounding flare, and the Demon Moon was his target.
He drove through the massed soldiers, aiming for the moon's blood spot, then he whirled and attacked the other way.
Iraj saw Manacia clambering on his elephant. A king-against-king fury took him and he struck toward his
