Across the yard in the sandbox, only Tomek remained. His friend had left with her mother, who had looked around, probably looking for Sullha, but unable to see her because the thrall forced her eyes away from the bench she and Number One were sitting on.
Tomek was left alone to keep building his elaborate castle. Several older children were playing a game of stones, and otherswere sitting in a circle and talking, but it was getting dark, and soon everyone would go inside.
The seven who were waiting outside the compound for him were getting tired of waiting, too.
"When are you going to do it?" Sullha asked.
"Soon. Probably days."
She nodded. "So, why not free everyone who wants to be freed right away? With no one to stop Losham, he can just order it."
"It's not that simple. There are still the junior brothers. There are eight of them. They are not strong enough individually to challenge Losham, but they fill positions in the army and the administration. Some of them are senior commanders. If Losham starts doing things that go against the interests of the Brotherhood, they will rebel, and the rebellion will be supported by the rank and file. Losham will be killed, and one of the juniors will take his place. They will probably make the conditions worse."
"So, freeing the enclosure has to wait."
"Yes. It has to wait until Losham has consolidated his leadership, and the rank and file have accepted him as their commander. That might take years."
"Years."
"Yes."
She closed her eyes.
He gave her a moment.
"How will you do it?" she asked.
He hesitated.
"Losham's brothers have been pushing him to provide more proof that their father is alive, and Losham has been finding all kinds of ways to deflect them. But now he will tell them that he is tired of their distrust, and if they don't believe him, they should go to the harem and verify that their father is there themselves, risking Navuh's wrath. Naturally, it will be a trap."
"Will they go?"
"They will. After pushing for so long, they cannot back down, and if needed, we can apply a small compulsion. Most likely, their pride will propel them toward the harem."
"They will expect to see Navuh, but he's not there. Instead, you and your team will be waiting for them."
"Correct."
"Are you sure you can take them? I mean, there are eight of you against three of them, but they are experienced warriors, and they might come in with many guards."
"That's the beauty of the plan. They can't bring guards or weapons with them. They will be brought to a cliff where their father will be waiting for them, angry that they defied his rules and dared to breach his sanctuary. Only instead of Navuh, it will be one of us waiting for them on the cliff, dressed in one of Lord Navuh's robes."
She drew in a breath. "You will kill them, and it will be blamed on Lord Navuh."
He smiled. "As I said, you always had a sharp mind. The harem staff will be thralled to remember Lord Navuh throwing his three sons over the cliff in a fit of rage and then retiring to hisapartment again. That will be the official story, and no one will dare to enter the harem again. The fear of Lord Navuh will be reinforced. Losham's position will be secured."
She stared at him. "That is a brilliant plan."
"Thank you."
"Was it your idea?"
"The Eight of us came up with it together."
"You are a good team."
He nodded. "We talked it over, and the others want to see if their mothers can be saved."
