Cane took an hour to himself, resting in the room Sophie was using within the ringworld cottage. After a long night, he savored a warm meal—and even warmer company.
Sophie leaned into him, one arm draped around his waist as she watched him eat with quiet amusement.
"So... it's going well?" she asked. "I don't really understand the difference between battalions and legions."
"Roughly speaking, our company has four platoons—about fifty people each. Our battalion holds five companies total. And Fury Legion is made up of five battalions."
"Oh… that makes sense now." Sophie tapped her chin thoughtfully. "So if the Zuni lost an entire Legion… plus the battalion your company took out… doesn't that mean Fury's kind of unstoppable?"
"It's a good start," Cane said, smiling. "But we're not done yet. I should get back."
Sophie sighed and picked up his empty plate. "I love you, Captain."
Cane chuckled. "Captain? That's still weird to hear. Love you too."
As he stepped out of the cottage, Gadira's voice echoed in his mind: "You will be tested today. Trust your instincts."
The command tent had its canvas walls rolled up, letting the cool morning air drift in. Cane found his platoon leaders and sergeants lounging around Fergis, who was mid-story, clearly enjoying himself.
"—and then he picked Lyon up and body slammed him," Fergis said, laughing. "I thought we were gonna get arrested for sure. I had to drag him out of there, laughing so hard I couldn't breathe."
"Hey," Cane called out, grinning. "Don't ruin my spotless reputation."
"Too late," Fergis said. "Utterly sullied."
Cane nodded to Teek. "Any updates from the scouts?"
"Not yet," Teek replied. "Last report was an hour ago. They're still out."
"I heard Dr. Hana joined us?" she added.
"Yeah," Cane confirmed. "She's setting up a field hospital in the ringworld—tents, medical gear, full setup. Terok asked, and I couldn't say no. It'll let us cycle wounded back into duty within minutes."
Fergis gave a low whistle. "She was really impressed with Dhalia, by the way. Better make sure she doesn't try to recruit her."
Dhalia had been quietly running a clinic in town for months. Her healing skills had grown far beyond most others, respected even by third-year academy healers, who now treated her like one of their own.
The sound of rapid footsteps drew their attention. Runner Belzi crested the hill trail, breathing hard but controlled.
"Why is it always the top of the hill with you people?" she muttered, adjusting her cap. She handed Cane a metallic tube. "Updated orders, Captain."
Cane cracked the seal and scanned the orders. A formal confirmation of what Terok had already said: 1st Company was now assigned as the Legion's field hospital and tasked with holding Topoc Hill.
"Nothing new," Cane said. "Thanks, Runner Belzi."
She gave him a cheerful thumbs-up—her mood lifting when Fergis sent Tazi over.
"Thanks… I really need one of these," she said, hopping onto the wolf's back.
Laughter broke out among the officers.
"Hey!" Fergis protested. "We don't ride them."
Belzi winked as Tazi bounded forward. "Pays to be small," she called back, vanishing into a rift.
A short while later, Teek's scouts returned. She listened to their reports, then made her way back up the hill to brief the officers.
"Nateeka…" Fergis said her name with a grin.
Cane nudged him with his foot. "I still can't believe she told you her first name."
"Here she comes," Fergis added.
Teek pointed to the map as she spoke. "No major troop movements. Two of our scouts ran into enemy scouts."
"And the result?" Cane asked.
"Two fewer enemy scouts." Teek allowed a quick grin, then turned serious. "This is the only high ground for miles. They will come for us."
"I know," Cane said. "So does Commander Terok. You ever go fishing?"
Teek gave him a slow look. "You're saying we're the bait?"
Fergis straightened. "Did Terok say that?"
"Does he need to?" Cane raised a hand to calm them both. "A single company holding the most strategic point in the region? Come on—you're both smart."
"Shit…" Teek muttered. "So what now?"
"We hold the hill."
At that moment, a slender figure jogged up the hill, breath quick but steady.
Teek smirked. "We could move the tent to the bottom for you."
Belzi let out a winded breath, hands on her knees. "Please and thank you."
Cane stepped forward, eyes narrowing. Something felt off.
Without warning, he pivoted and slammed a palm into the back of the runner's neck. She dropped instantly.
Both Teek and Fergis jumped to their feet in shock.
"Fergis, take Tazi to the TOC. Find out if Runner Belzi is already there." Cane reached into his ring and withdrew a length of metallic, interwoven rope. With a flick of his hand, it extended and wrapped around the unconscious woman from shoulders to knees.
"Isn't… isn't that Belzi?" Fergis asked, already summoning Tazi.
"I don't think so." Cane nudged the tube, still gripped in the imposter's hand. It clattered across the rocks, revealing a dagger as the illusion collapsed.
"I'll be right back." Fergis vanished through the rift, running behind Tazi.
"Gag and bag her," Cane said calmly.
Teek shoved a cloth into the woman's mouth, tied it tight, then pulled a sack over her head. "What is this rope?"
Cane shrugged. "Just something I came up with."
Teek picked up the dagger, holding it gingerly by the hilt. "Poison. Acrid. Probably snake venom."
"Experience with snakes, Sergeant?"
"I've got experience with everything." She placed the blade carefully on the table.
Moments later, a rift opened. Fergis returned with the real Runner Belzi and a man dressed in all black, moving with uncanny ease.
Fergis nodded toward him. "This is Cyphus. He's in charge of, uh… special missions."
Cyphus stepped forward, eyes scanning the bound woman. "May I?"
Cane nodded.
Cyphus knelt, removed the hood, and untied the gag. He slipped two fingers into her mouth. A dry crack—like breaking twigs—echoed as he pulled a tiny capsule from under her tongue.
"Poison pill," he said quietly.
The real Belzi gasped. "Goodness… Isn't she a pretty thing?"
The tension broke slightly. Even Cyphus suppressed a smile. The illusion was still holding; it was a dead ringer for the runner.
"How'd you know it wasn't me?" Belzi asked.
Cane met her gaze. "She was out of breath. You never are. And she runs toes out—you land straight. Like someone who actually runs."
The illusion covering the second Belzi broke, revealing a woman of similar size and shape. Cyphus had already applied special restraints that disabled her senses—speech, vision, hearing, even her connection to mana. She woke like that, panic flickering across her face before training settled it into calm.
"Interesting," Cyphus murmured. "This is Zabi—my counterpart on the Zuni side. She wouldn't have risked this without direct orders." With casual strength, he hoisted her over his shoulder. "Could I trouble someone to bring me back?"
"I'll take him," Fergis volunteered, already whistling for Tazi.
Belzi wrinkled her nose. "Should I be worried? You hit her on pretty thin evidence. What if I'd twisted an ankle or had a cramp? Either of those could've explained her gait."
Cane shrugged. "True. But I was told to trust my instincts today—and I did."
Belzi squinted at him. "Fine. Just don't punch me, Captain." She wagged a finger at him before disappearing into the rift that opened in front of Tazi. Fergis and Cyphus followed.
"No promises," Cane called out after them.
Teek chuckled. "We won't see Zabi again. Those guys… they're terrifying."
Cane nodded, gaze sharpening. "If she came here, it's about the battalion we wiped out yesterday. Let's talk this through."
Teek leaned against the table, thoughtful. "Okay. She gets within range—either avoids or misses one of our scouts—then sees our nice little banner at the top of the hill."
"She decides to investigate, copies Belzi. But she had to be close enough to study her," Cane added. "How far do you think?"
"I'm not a mage, but yeah. I'd say within visual range at the very least." Teek frowned. "We should ask Fergis when he gets back."
"Not really his specialty," Cane said, "but I do have someone else."
He focused on the ringworld, and a moment later, Gadira shimmered into view.
"Whoa," Teek murmured. "Never seen this one."
Gadira wore a simple green robe, her black hair spilling loose down her back. "Bringing me out into a warzone? I thought you were supposed to be protecting me."
Cane grinned. "Fair point. Just a quick question."
He described what had happened. Gadira's smile was slow and warm, like melting butter.
"So you do listen—when it suits you."
"When it suits me," Cane agreed. "Thoughts?"
"She used a glimmer," Gadira replied. "All she needs is a clear visual and a bit of talent. If she pulled it off that well, she's more than just decent."
She stepped closer, serious now. "Search the area. She'd need a familiar or artifact close enough to see inside your camp."
Cane nodded. "Thanks. In you go."
Gadira gave Teek a playful wink before vanishing.
Teek exhaled, impressed. "You know interesting people, Captain."
"She said the imposter needed a clear look—Belzi checked in two hours ago, so Zabi could've been watching us six, maybe eight hours."
"Which means," Teek said darkly, "she was watching long enough to decide this was worth the risk."
"Because she spotted a high-value target," Cane added.
"You," Teek confirmed, already tapping her psi-rune to summon the scouts. "We need to find that familiar or artifact. Fast."
Cane took a seat and touched his falconer rune. "I'll use Pudding to search from above."