Page 68 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

After all, this would be their last public appearance, so they should look their best for their executions.

Another long silence followed. "I understand, and I agree that the devotions have been neglected since Lord Navuh secluded himself in the harem. Having the senior command offer devotions publicly is a good idea and will improve morale throughout the ranks. But shouldn't I be there with them instead of attending in your office?"

"No, you shouldn't. I want it to look like something they do every day of their own accord. Besides, there are issues I want to discuss with you that are not suitable for the phone."

"Yes, sir. I understand, but it's going to be difficult to reach your side of the island, sir."

"I'm well aware of the difficulty. Zorath, Modak, and Borhash arrived last night and complained about the state of the roads. That was the main reason for my decision not to summon the entire command here."

Losham had decided to spare three of the junior brothers. He might regret it later, but Zorath was an experienced commander who wasn't a troublemaker, Modak was a follower who would not dare initiate anything himself, and Borhash was a joker who no one took seriously. Losham had sent them on a fool's errand to find replacement parts for the radar. The parts were already on their way, but they didn't know that.

"Commanders Zorath, Modak, and Borhash will miss the ceremony," Bertram pointed out.

"I'm well aware of that, but the radar needs to be repaired. It takes priority over the affirmation ceremony. We're sitting ducks until it's back up."

"I agree, sir."

"I want you to arrive Wednesday evening and spend the night at the hotel. We will meet in the morning to review everything that requires your attention before we contact the commanders on the other side. Once the devotional portion is over, we will issue orders accordingly."

"I see. So, it's not just about the devotions."

"No. It's not. Some changes are coming, and I want to first remind the commanders who the ultimate authority is that they answer to."

"Of course. Will Lord Navuh be watching?"

No one had seen or heard their lord in months, so the question could be Bertram's way of indicating that he knew something was up.

"The lord has eyes everywhere," Losham said. "He will know who attended and who did not. All who value their lives should be there and perform the devotions as if that determined whether they would live another day. I'm having Rami email you the list of mandatory attendees. Make sure everyone on that list is there."

"I will," Bertram said. "Good day, my lord."

"Good day, Bertram." Losham ended the call.

Rami turned the volume back up. "That went well."

"He is not stupid. He knows something is up, but he will follow orders. That's how he's programmed."

Without Dave, Losham had to rely on his intuition. It had served him well enough before Dave had shown up; it would serve him just as well now.

"Tell housekeeping to prepare a room for the general."

"Yes, sir."

As Rami took his tablet and walked out the door, Losham leaned back in his chair and let himself enjoy a few moments of Bach.

The beauty of his plan was that none of the plotters would dare to be absent from the devotions’ ceremony. The guilty would arrive early and sit up front, and he would lead them in the devotions and then the sermon for as long as it took. He had spent two thousand years listening to his father fill entire mornings with nothing but the sound of his own importance. He could do the same.

Glory to Lord Navuh, the wise and the just.

With his bounty we thrive.

By his will we live or die.

On Thursday morning, the words would carry a new meaning, but instead of Navuh, they would live or die by Losham's will.

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SULLHA