Page 83 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

Mandated religious instruction, with appointed teachers reciting an approved doctrine to a captive audience of women, seemed an efficient solution. It was how his father had asserted control over the army for millennia, but Navuh had used compulsion to cement it, while Losham had lost his compellers.

The five daily devotionals that still played across the island in his father's recorded voice carried traces of a demigod's will, but they were mere echoes of the power that had infused the devotions he had led in person.

Words alone would not be as effective. The Sacred Mothers had followed a charismatic leader who used fear and despair to recruit members and brainwash them into believing her words. If he had Dave, he could have used him to compel her to continue while under Losham's boot.

There was no room for independent agents in the Brotherhood.

He needed the teacher to be an immortal with a decent thralling ability. It would set a precedent, but after the elimination of the juniors and other commanders, there would be no one left to call him out on it. He could do whatever he pleased.

"It's a good plan," Losham said. "But it needs further thought. We'll take it up properly after the meeting." He turned to Bertram and smiled. "I have a treat for you."

It would keep the general occupied throughout the night and leave no room for rumination about the upcoming meeting.

It was crucial that Bertram suspect nothing and not warn any of the invitees.

The general raised an eyebrow. "More treats, Lord Losham? You are spoiling me."

"Indeed, I am." Losham reached for the wine bottle and refilled their glasses. "When you return to your room, you'll find two lovelies waiting for you in bed. Enjoy them."

Bertram's surprise and pleasure were not feigned. "You're too generous, my lord."

"I reward those who serve me well." Losham stood and clasped the general's forearm again. "Remember this."

When the door closed behind him, Losham sat back down and let the smile fade from his face.

"He suspects nothing," Rami said.

"No." Losham reached for the wine and found the bottle empty. "We played this well."

"You don't look pleased."

"I'm worried about the enclosure. Your idea has merit, but without a compeller, it's not going to take hold."

"Where would you even find one?" Rami asked, not as a challenge but as a question laid on the table between them.

"It doesn't have to be a compeller." Losham looked at the empty bottle and regretted not bringing more. "The women are human. Any immortal with passable thralling ability would do."

"No immortal has ever been allowed inside the enclosure," Rami pointed out.

Losham smiled. "I guess there's a first time for everything."

32

ANNANI

The machines arrived shortly after nine, wheeled in through the double doors by two Guardians, with Julian walking ahead of them.

There were five in all.

Two had come down from the village, where they had done their work on Ell-rom and Morelle and then idled in a storage room. One had been brought from the keep's clinic, where it had spent recent months rehabilitating Navuh's legs. The last two were brand new and had arrived at the keep last night. The Guardians delivered them to the village this morning.

They still smelled of their packing materials.

"Continuous passive motion," Julian said, wheeling the first to the foot of the nearest bed. "They'll do the work the muscles can't yet do on their own. Bend the knee, straighten it, over and over, until the tissue remembers what it's meant to do."

Annani rose from the rocking chair and leaned over Khiann, who had woken up from all the commotion, and took his hand. "They are going to put a special device on your leg to help it regain function faster."

He squeezed her hand once, letting her know he'd understood.