Rypan gazed across the darkened plains that lay between his army and the sleeping village below. The master of thieves smiled with contempt at the peaceful land. He cared no more for the peasants’ safety than a hyena would for that of a resting lion cub.

More than one raid was to occur that night, and Rypan wanted to be sure that each transpired with no outside interference.

“So weak and so poor, yet the very lifeblood of the kingdom,” he mused. “Foray, stay here. No one must travel to Lord Nastri or the capital for help.”