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Jakan shook his head in disappointment and glanced up at Shimrra. “Less than half the minimal amount required for a ceremony of such magnitude.”

Shimrra gazed stonily from the hard bed of his palanquin, but said nothing, even when the seers began to consult their divination biots and moan in distress.

Nas Choka separated himself from the procession and gestured to Bhu Fath and his subalterns.

“Our warriors acquitted themselves well by destroying many enemy fighters and reclaiming two of the ships that might have escaped with the rest. One warrior in particular is noted for having saved our own escort vessels from destruction, in addition to other acts of bravery.”

“Bring this one forward,” Shimrra said, “so I might cast my benevolent gaze on him.”

“Commander Malik Carr,” Nas Choka called.

Nom Anor couldn’t believe his ears. After the calamity at Fondor, Malik Carr had been demoted and removed from battle. Now here he was, standing in Shimrra’s gaze, a hero! Would everything reverse itself in due time?

Carr genuflected to Shimrra, then Nas Choka, and remained on one knee. At a motion from the warmaster, a subaltern hurried forward with a command cloak, which Nas Choka draped over the horns implanted in Carr’s shoulders.

“Rise as Supreme Commander Malik Carr,” Nas Choka intoned, “reinstated because of his courageous actions at Selvaris. We will soon assign him to a command more worthy of his station.”

Malik Carr snapped his fists in salute and returned to the ranks.

“Dread Lord,” Jakan said a moment later, “occurring as they did in an arena of battle, the death of many infidels at Selvaris counts for something. But as I say, the captives on hand number too few to constitute an appropriate appeal to the gods. We must offer more than this paltry lot.”

Commander Blu Fath risked a forward step. “My Lord, could we not let these virulent Peace Brigaders substitute for those they surrendered?”

Fath’s proposal met with a few shouts of approval, though mostly from members of his domain.

“Such acts of replacement are not without precedent—” Jakan started to say, when Shimrra silenced him with a look.

“They are not worthy of honorable deaths,” Shimrra said. “Not only did they allow their league to be infiltrated by enemy spies, but several of their ships also abandoned the arena at the first sign of engagement, taking with them supplies and a number of sacred objects that were en route from Obroa-skai.”

Shimrra stepped down from the litter, causing a stir among warriors and priests alike, a group of whom unfurled a living carpet in advance of Shimrra’s steps. Onimi followed, capering as he trailed his master.

“On which worlds are we currently engaged in surface contest?” Shimrra asked Nas Choka.

The warmaster thought before speaking. “I could name twenty, Great Lord. Fifty.”

Shimrra grew angry. “Name one, Warmaster.”

“Corulag, then.”

Shimrra nodded. “Corulag it shall be. See to it that the Peace Brigaders are implanted with surge-coral and sent to the front to join the ranks of our human thrall. In battle, perhaps they will redeem themselves.”

Nas Choka saluted. “Your will be done.”

Shimrra turned then, and beckoned to Drathul and Nom Anor.

“Momentous plans require momentous ritual. Therefore, the sacrifice can neither be delayed nor interfered with. Make certain that the consuls and executors in your charge be advised that I will brook no further upsets. Should anything untoward occur, I will look upon you and your charges as I would any who seek to meddle in our holy venture.”

“Understood,” Drathul and Nom Anor responded in unison.

Nas Choka waited patiently for Shimrra to settle himself on the palanquin before saying, “A suggestion, Great Lord.”

Shimrra granted him a gaze. “Proceed, Warmaster.”

“We are presently engaged in a campaign to occupy a world known as Caluula. If you would permit our efforts to be doubled there, the planet will fall and many captives will be available to enrich our supply. Why not let the brave defenders of the orbital complex serve to compensate for our dearth