Chapter three
An aerial skirmishFrom the air, the vadvarate province of Kavinstock looked peaceful enough.
The ruler of this province, holding the noble rank of vad, had been Nalgre Sultant. He and his son Ornol, members both of the once-powerful political party of the Racters, had vanished after their defeat and the reunification of Kavinstock with the rest of Vallia.
As the small armada sailed on through the level air, I studied the land below. It looked in good heart, although occasionally we flew over areas of decay and destruction resulting from the late war.
Far ahead over the horizon the ugly smear of black smoke rising into the air told us that death and destruction still prevailed here.
“The black-hearted cramphs,” said Targon the Tapster at my side.
“Aye, Targon,” I said, h
