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ld tell that the eyes on his own face of flame were open and seeing。 Whether he was dreaming or awake； that fiery stare for some reason always reminded him that he had never seen with his own natural eyes any of those who were now his closest associates and chief subordinates。 The demon showed him his human wizards and warlocks as strange； hunched； wizened figures； and his generals as little more than animated suits of armor； but all of them appeared with exaggerated caricature…faces； that amplified all of their subtleties of expression； so that the Dark King might better try to read them。 Whereas demons； in the demonic vision； appeared with noble； lusty； youthful bodies； usually naked and always intensely human； except in their very perfection； their large size； and in the bird…like wings they often sprouted。 The Dark King knew of course that they had no real bodies； or wings either； and he did not believe at all in their faces as they were presented to him； shining with kindliness and honor。
Now that the King was in the field with his army； on the march almost daily； the demons sometimes appeared to him on a smaller scale； fluttering in the air inside his tent like monkbirds。 Vilkata dwelt now in a tent much smaller than his grand pavilion； because speed was of importance。 And he thought that speed was vital now； because of the reports that had recently e in； first announcing and then confirming that Sir Andrew's troops were at last out of the swamp。 The army in orange and black was moving in the direction of Sir Andrew's old lands； as if the Kind Knight for some reason thought the time might be ripe to reclaim them。
This news of course made Vilkata wonder what his erstwhile ally； the Silver Queen； might now be planning。 As far as he knew she still controlled those lands。
The report of Sir Andrew's movement had also confirmed Vilkata's recent decision that his own strategy had best be altered。 Now； he determined to destroy Sir Andrew first； before turning his attention to his other surviving enemies and rivals。 Vilkata had arrived at this decision to change his plans largely out of the feeling that his enemies must now know too much about them as they stood。
First of all； the Dark King was now convinced that he had entertained a spurious Burslem； some damned spy； at that memorable council meeting at the main camp； the one where the King had first displayed his Mindsword； and which the gods had so gratifyingly attended later。 The real wizard Burslem； Vilkata's head of Security and Defensive Intelligence； had at last returned； and had been positively identified； this time； by careful questioning。 How the spy had managed to resist the Mindsword's influence； as he or she evidently had； was something else for the King to worry and wonder about。 The Sword Sightblinder was so far the only really convincing explanation to be suggested； and the presence of that in one of his enemies' hands was far from reassuring。
Today； as Vilkata moved about his small field tent in his routine of morning preparations； the small demon that served him as sensory aid presented him as usual with a vision of the tent's interior。 Certain things； in accordance with his own long…standing orders； were edited out of the scene as he perceived it。 For example； the body of last night's concubine； curled now at the foot of the。bed in sleep or a good imitation thereof； was most clearly visible by its shapely torso； the breasts and buttocks particularly emphasized。 The irrelevances of hands and feet； and especially the face … who would care about trying to read the innermost thoughts of such a woman？ … blurred away into a semi…transparent obscurity。 In the case of a bed…partner； better a blur than a face； no matter how well…formed and schooled in smiling。 Even such smiles could sometimes be disquieting。
And the Dark King had recently ordered that； when the next battle came； the dead should be edited away too； out of his perception。 He had observed frequently； on other battlefields and in other areas where much killing was required； that the dead were a notable distraction。 Obstacles when removed ought to disappear； resources once used up were only waste materials。 The dead tended to stink； and were in general esthetically unpleasing。 He had finally decided to order them filtered out。 Someone else could count them up when necessary。
He had decided； too； that many of the wounded； most of them in fact； should also be expunged from his vision。 Those remaining should be only the ones still able to play an active part in the day's events； enough to present some possible danger to the Dark King's person； or his cause。 This might not always be easy for a busy demon to judge； in doubtful cases the filtering familiar was to let the wounded person remain visible； even if esthetically offensive。
This morning； when Vilkata left his small tent and mounted his war…steed； amid the usual thunderous applause of his troops and officers； his army appeared before him in his demon…sight as neat ranks of polished weapons； the human form attached to each blade or bow not much more than a mere uniformed outline。
A look at the best maps he had available had persuaded him that it ought to be possible to intercept Sir Andrew's force if he moved swiftly； staring at first daylight。 The morning's march was hard and long。 Scouts； some of them human beings mounted or afoot； some of them winged beasts； kept ing in with reports of what appeared to be the rear guard of Sir Andrew's force not far ahead。 They estimated that the enemy army was even a little smaller than earlier intelligence estimates had made it out to be。
But Vilkata； still prudent despite the overwhelming advantage that he thought he held； ordered his infantry forward as against a foe possibly almost their equal in numbers。 He also ordered a swift cavalry movement； a reconnaissance in force； to move around Sir Andrew's army； to try to engage the enemy front and if possible prevent successful flight。 Meanwhile he maneuvered the main body of his own troops into battle array。 Stationing himself just behind the front of this force； near the center； he awaited more reports； and remained ready to draw the Mindsword for what he calculated would be maximum effect upon foe and friend alike。
The first skirmishes broke out ahead。 The Dark King drew his weapon of great magic and advanced； mounted； holding overhead what he himself perceived as a spear of fiery glory。 He saw the enemy rear guard； in a view tailored by his familiar to his wishes； as mobile though inanimate man…sized obstacles。 Still he could see their shapes and their numbers perfectly well； and even note the fact that many of them wore orange and black。
Vilkata saw also； and felt with joy； the terror that he inspired in those men and women ahead when they first saw him； and how swiftly that terror was altered by his Sword's magic into a mad devotion。
He saw with delight how Sir Andrew's soldiers； who at first glance would have formed a rank and fought him； at sight of the Mindsword fell down and worshipped him instead。 And how； when he presently roared orders at them； they rose and turned； and went running like berserkers against their former rad