Kaiser remained bent over the rough map for a long moment, the knuckles of his fingers pressed against the edge of the table. He ran his finger along a wide arc that circled the city from the west, then he drew a second, tighter one that enclosed the inner gate. The idea took shape in his mind with a brutal clarity, and that very simplicity inspired absolute confidence in him.
The lieutenants were not long in returning. They entered the tent escorted by six demons they had personally chosen for the reconnaissance mission. All these scouts already wore the mist amulets hung around their necks. Kaiser straightened slowly, and his gaze weighed on each of them in turn.
