That morning, a messenger led two Heavy Destriers across the ravaged battlefield to Darvey Swann's Camp.
The guards stopped him. The messenger said he had come bearing a gift in the name of Annan Reeves, City Lord of Free City, and requested a one-day truce.
The messenger remained outside the Camp while the two Heavy Destriers were led into Darvey Swann's tent.
"Is that young City Lord trying to win us over?"
The portly Darvey Swann stroked his beard. The Mad Dog Duke's lips curled with malice and contempt. He was about to order a servant to feed the Heavy Destriers to his pets, but Darvey Swann's admiration made him relent. "They even know you like horses... Mr. Darvey, will you accept them?"
"Of course. Tell the messenger outside I agree to the truce," Darvey Swann told a soldier. Then he turned to the Mad Dog Duke with a smile.
"We'll dine in his City Lord's Mansion tonight."
Annan had the same idea.
The Musketeers, their ranks replenished to a thousand, along with Olmedo's knights and mages, were all preparing for the nighttime attack Annan called the "Annan Trojan Horse."
Capture Darvey Swann alive. Dead would do, too.
To keep it secret, Annan had not even brought the Gray-Robed Mage or Lord Loran.
And to improve their chances, Annan asked Illymoyas to take human form and join them.
By evening, everyone began assembling on the battlefield. To Annan's surprise, he saw Illymoyas in human form.
She was a beautiful young woman, cold yet elegant. The coldness came from her imperious Vertical Pupils, the elegance from her gemstone-studded blue gown, and the beauty from skin as delicate as morning dew.
At first, Annan looked at Illymoyas's lovely face, but his gaze soon dropped to the gemstones on her skirt. Illymoyas