In the dark forests of Cormanthor, at the end of Moander's Road, beside a muddy woodland trail barely twenty kilometers from where Aaron and Xvim had once joined forces against Be'lakor.
Xvim quietly watched the situation unfold. Bane's Godspawn had never felt so clearheaded.
Fuzor and Disma sat below Xvim, one on either side, while Bane's iron-fist banner and Xvim's black-hand banner fluttered slowly.
"Father." Disma looked invigorated, and the Warmaster spoke impatiently. "I'm certain our men are ready."
"Disma! You need to learn to value your subordinates' lives!" Fuzor clearly took a longer view. The tyrant of the Moonsea glanced at the knights sitting all around them, gasping for breath, their warhorses even foaming at the mouth, and said impatiently, "Didn't you hear what His Highness said?"
Disma rolled his eyes. Looking at Xvim, who was smiling without speaking, he suddenly asked, "Father, could we wait until both sides have battered each other, then charge out?"
At that thought, the dark Warmaster immediately felt he had hit upon a brilliant idea. He continued eagerly, "Exactly! Once Aaron and Manshoon have worn each other down and both armies are utterly exhausted, we'll charge out of Cormanthor Forest, defeat the Cormyrians in one stroke and drive them back to the Great Desert, then destroy Manshoon of the Zhentarim! We'll return Father to the Dark Throne and restore his divinity, stun the entire multiverse, and go on to rule the whole north of the Realms!"
Xvim laughed and shook his head. "Too small. You're thinking too small, Disma. You need to learn to look further ahead."
"Huh?" Disma did not understand. Confusion crossed the dark Warmaster's face. Wasn't I already looking far enough ahead?
"Please enlighten us, Your Highness." Fuzor gave Disma a contemptuous glance.
This fellow was still too young. What