Manacia exposed his fangs in a proud grin. What a fighting prince I have for a son, Fari, the king said to his Chief Wazier. He's so anxious to be off slaying humans he's barely heard a word I said."

Fari bobbed his head, old snout wrinkling into a smile. Indeed, Your Highness, Fari said, putting claws to chest as he spoke and then adding one his favorite stock phrases: Prince Luka is an example to us all."

Luka caught the gleam of amusement in the ancient demon's eyes. Fari could read his heart and was delighted at the prince's predicament. You old bastard, Luka thought. I swear I'll live just to spite you. No matter what it takes I'll survive to piss on your grave and shit on my father's.

"It's his mother's hot blood in him, Manacia said. Then, to Luka, Did I ever tell you about the time your dear lamented mother accused me of raping her?"

"I don't believe you did, Majesty, the prince lied. I'd be most anxious to hear that tale."

Manacia burst out laughing at the memory. It was after she tried to stab me and I had to tie her down, he chortled. She… She…"

The king broke off, calming himself. He wiped an eye and resettled his crown, which had been shaken over one ear from his laughter.

"Never mind, Manacia said. We have more important business at claw. I'll save the tale for some night in the future when we're all gathered about a good campfire, sharing a roasted human haunch."

He jabbed at a map, drawing their attention back to the final planning session.

"I want you to cross the desert just as quickly as you can, Luka, the king said. Ride like the winds. Don't stop for anything. And when you're on the other side I want you to secure a basecamp.

"Give the area a good scrub, mind you. If you see humans, kill them. In fact, it would be best if you scouted out a good fifty miles around the camp. Destroy any settlements you find and make sure no humans escape to spread the news of our invasion. We want to retain the element of surprise as long as we can.

"Once I have my army set and the supply lines secured, we'll roll over them like an eight-beast chariot run amok in the market place. Within six months I predict we'll be at the sea, enjoying a good fish dinner."

Luka bowed. And it will be my great honor, Majesty, he said, to cook your meal with my own claws. But he thought, If I have the chance I'll stuff it so full of poison it'll make your scales fall off, you filthy old coward, you.

Manacia rolled up the map and handed it to an obsequious aide, who dropped to his knees and knocked his bony forehead on the rocky ground before withdrawing in a backwards crawl.

"There's only the casting of the bones remaining, Fari, he said. Then I'll give the signal for the march to begin. Assuming all bodes well, of course."

He glowered at the wizard when he said the last, making it quite obvious what would happen to Fari if the casting did not meet his liking.

"Never fear, Your Highness, Fari said, drawing his casting case from his sleeve. I ordered special bones made up for this historic moment. That human we used for the last divining session proved so lucky I kept back the knuckles of his dexter hand when we disposed of his corpse."

Fari motioned and two slaves crawled over to unroll a small carpet at his feet. The carpet was night black, with the Star Houses picked out in silver.

He took an ivory cup from his casting case and a small drawstring bag made of silk. He untied the string and upended the sack. The knuckle bones made a dry rattling sound as they fell into the cup. He shook the cup and it was like the buzz of a desert viper as the bones swirled about.

And Fari intoned:

"Unloosen thy secrets, let us behold What tale the Gods will tell of us When these blessed events unfold."

He cast the bones on the carpet. King, prince and wizard leaned over to study the result.

"What's this? Manacia said, delight in his eyes. They've fallen in a pattern across the Demon Moon. He looked up at the wizard. I believe the Demon Moon is due to rise soon, isn't it, Fari?"

"Indeed it is, Your Highness, Fari said, bobbing his head. The Star Gazers tell us it appears but once every thousand years. And they predict that cycle is about to repeat itself.

"This casting brings us good news, Your Highness, as you can see for yourself."

He pointed a talon. And look here, one knuckle has fallen on a comet. The Demon Moon and the Comet, as Your Highness well knows, is the sign of Alisarrian."

Manacia slapped his thigh in delight. The Conqueror, himself! he exclaimed. Except this time it'll be a demon, not a devil human, who does the conquering!"

Fari gave a mental sigh of relief. He would have lied, if he'd dared, to make this casting come out as the king wanted. But Manacia was the most powerful wizard in the demonlands. He could read a casting as well, if not better, than any of his royal wizards. Such things bored him, however, and he left it up to his magical minions to study bones and entrails for some signpost of the future.

Overcome by emotion, Manacia rose and threw his arms around the Crown Prince. The gods are with us, my son, he said, embracing Luka. Let their will guide you on this holy mission."

Luka returned the embrace awkwardly, wishing mightily for a dagger to plunge into his father's back.

"I will do my best, Majesty, he said.

Manacia drew back. Mount up, my son, he commanded, and I will give the signal."

Luka bowed low, then strode over to his steed, a huge mailed beast with a long graceful neck, glistening fangs and polished claws. As the prince tried to mount, the beast took a swipe at him with one of those claws. Without breaking stride the prince dodged the claw and vaulted into the saddle, raking the beast with his spurs so hard he drew blood.

The beast shrieked and reared back, pawing the air.

"Good show! Manacia shouted to his son. Nothing like a spirited mount to carry one to victory."

Luka was struggling to keep his seat, but he covered this indignity by again raking the beast with his spurs.

"To victory! he cried, drawing his sword and waving it in the air.

His warriors echoed the cry, roaring in unison. TO VICTORY!"

Luka pressed the sword against his mount's neck, his next words covered by shouts pouring from ten thousand demon throats. Get your claws on the ground, you louse-bitten piece of slime, he said, or I'll cut your throat."

The beast understood and dropped back to earth as agilely as a house cat.

Luka booted his mount to the command point in front of his demon force.

Again he shouted, To victory!"

"TO VICTORY! they roared, drawing their own swords and waving them madly in the air.

"The prince is going too far, Manacia complained to Fari under his breath. This is my moment, not his."

Fari shook his head, hiding his pleasure at this criticism of his enemy. Just high spirits, I'm sure, Your Highness, he said. I'm certain it wasn't intended."

"Maybe so, maybe so, Manacia grumbled. But we'd better hurry it up just the same."

Fari signaled and demon slaves jabbed at the king's great white elephant. It lumbered forward, grand howdah lurching back and forth. More jabs brought it to its knees and the king was hoisted up, panting a little and wondering if perhaps he was letting himself become too fat.

Never mind that, he thought as took his place in the howdah. You'll be slim enough when this campaign is over.

He signaled. Trumpets blared, drums rolled and the whole army came to attention with a great rattling of armor and weapons. A slight pause followed, just a bit longer than good drama warranted.

"For the gods sake, Fari, Manacia shouted down from the elephant, cast the damned spell!"

Fari broke out of a delightful reverie in which Manacia and Luka were shrieking and turning on a spit over a slow fire.