First he asks for my help, now he defies me. I should raze this city to the ground.

Lartaynior was again in his command tent, this time outside of Blosk. He had rethought his decision to leave Blosk behind. There are too many good fighting men to be had. Unfortunately, Renlo had also been doing some rethinking. Realizing that the Abyss Knights were unlikely to directly attack a walled city, such as his, he had decided not to pledge allegiance to the king after all. At least Blosk is easy to besiege. I don't know what I could have done at Almaria if Stannwick hadn't turned craven.

The siege was going well. He knew that Blosk relied on the mushroom fields in the surrounding land for its sustenance. Without those fields, they would not be able to hold out much longer. Also, he had a plan to get inside.

"Sire, Iss-tha is here."

"Send him in."

A tall, fierce-looking Slithzerikai stooped to enter the tent. He looked proud, but he was also covered in dust.

"How is that tunnel coming?" Lartaynior asked bluntly.

"Very well, my lord," said Iss-tha in a sibilant voice, "We believe that we are directly under the walls at this very moment."

"This is good news." These Sliths from have proven good allies against the men of Blosk. I never thought I would be glad for something like this, but thank the gods Renlo is a racist. The Mayor of Blosk was well-known for his hatred of Sliths. This made it quite easy for Lartaynior to ally with the Sliths of Gnass. While they refused to fight, they had no problems digging a tunnel into Blosk.

"When can I expect the work to be done?"

"We should be ready in 4 days, sir."

"Very good. You may go."

--------------------

It was the dark of night. Lartaynior, the 10 men who comprised his personal guard, and Thomys, his court mage, sneaked out of the abandoned house in the northeast corner of the city. Silent as shades, they crept along the streets of Blosk, ducking into shadows whenever a guardsman past. Finally, they reached the mayoral residence, and Thomys quickly cast a sleeping spell on the guards outside the door. His guardsmen waited just inside as Lartaynior crossed the room and quietly opened the door to Renlo's bedchamber. The mayor was snoring loudly. Lartaynior crept to his side and in one move put his dagger to the mayor's throat. Renlo jerked awake.

"Speak one word, and I'll cut out your throat."

Renlo nodded, terrified.

"Do you swear allegiance to Lartaynior, your rightful king?"

Renlo nodded again.

"I'll have a binding oath. Thomys, cast the spell."

Thomys waved his hands, and a purple light surrounded Renlo.

"Swear an oath," Lartaynior commanded.

"I pledge myself, my city, all its properties, and my men to your service, King Lartaynior," Renlo almost whispered in a terrified voice.

"Thank you. That spell makes your oath binding. If I were you, I wouldn't try to find out what would happen if you break that oath. I will leave you now. I'm sure you have matters that need your attention. Matters such as opening your gates to my men.

"O-of c-c-course, Sire," Renlo bowed and all but ran out of the room.

"You do know that my spell was nothing but a simple light spell, Your Grace?"

"Of course I do, but he doesn't," Lartaynior smiled for the first time since the siege of Blosk had started.