The Dark Angels, nearly six times over.
The star system where Heliosa was located was a binary system. Besides it, there was another inhabited planet—Amad.
Amad was unlike Heliosa, the mountain world of the Aivene. In terrain, it was classified as a prairie world.
In the castle of House Haven, Luther, the Grand Master of the Dark Angels, dressed in black robes, stood in the shadow of the curtains and looked down through the polished window at the training ground below.
The training ground was divided into three areas:
In the nearest square training yard, five-man knight squads raised their arms. Matchlock muskets spat black smoke, and shot flew toward the targets.
Behind them, the second rank of knights watched while making their final checks.
The third rank of knights loaded their weapons, while the fourth rank cleaned their barrels.
Right next to the shooting range was the swordsmanship training ground, where knights in plate armor saluted one another in pairs.
The outermost training ground was close to the prairie.
Creatures resembling ancient Terran pictographic beasts wandered along the edge of the training ground.
Bonanot reminded Luther of Aldurukh, and Amad reminded him of the homeland he had sworn to protect—Caliban.
The knights of this world were similar to those of Caliban before The Emperor appeared.
Though they rode elephants rather than warhorses, they carefully maintained their matchlock muskets, made ammunition, and trained hard in swordsmanship.
"Lord Luther," said the head of House Haven, who stood waiting behind him, respectfully.
"I am ready. The offensive will begin in four hours."
"My lord..."
Luther slowly turned and stared at Bonanot, speaking with concise precision.
"Speak."
"I have only one thousand five hundred and eighty war-elephant knights under my command," Bonanot said worriedly.
"House Falk has ruled Amad for more than two