The eyes betray the heart
Offal' Kest, Great-General of Ochelon
The air in Darin was tense. Even before stepping foot in the war council chamber, Tez' Mu could tell that things had shifted. The army camp was devoid of soldiers save those on patrol, messengers ran from post to post, and dead and injured soldiers were carried in by the droves.
He made his way to Offal' Kest without delay.
The old general sat at the head of a long table, maps and reports spread before him. The seated western lords conversed in serious low tones, their brows creased as they reported casualties and gained ground.
"I see you've returned," Offal' Kest said as he spotted Tez' Mu entering. Nodding, Tez' Mu walked forward and took a seat at the table without being invited.
"Is this where we are at now?" Lord Kel raised his eyebrows. "Are we nothing in your eyes?"
Tez' Mu met his gaze and smirked. Tapping his finger on the table, he did not bother to reply, only turning to Offal' Kest.
"Jizu' He is swamped on all sides by the Haru Invaders. He is not joining the rebellion."
There was a collective intake of breath from the seated lords, but Offal' Kest sighed with relief.
"I expected as much."
"Is this good news?" Jin' Hei growled.
Offal' Kest glanced at him. "The good news is that the Dowager can't pitch him against us."
Jin' Hei let out a small 'aha'. "Then we can stop worrying about the He army."
"Did you reclaim Guho?" Tez' Mu asked unexpectedly. Lord Kel opened his mouth to complain, but Offal' Kest responded with a smile.
"Not yet. But we are close. Guho is the stronghold of imperial forces. Niari' Ru suggested we retake Uimal first."
Tez' Mu nodded slowly. "I see," he said. "You can use the Ksada forest as a mustering spot." He reached out casually and lifted one of the army pieces on the strategy board, placing it on the forest region, "And the Ru Army can move in from Gijir," he moved his hand back, picking up the Ru army piece and setting it down at the mouth of the Guho valley.
"There is no cover for your armies if you decide to retake Uimal," Tez' Mu continued, casually flexing his fingers, "The imperial forces will see the extent of your forces even before you finish marching up to the city," he shrugged. "But Ksada will allow you to advance without their knowledge."
Rising, he glanced at the assembled lords and smirked.
"Of course, this is just my youthful reasoning. I'm nothing compared to seasoned veterans like you when it comes to strategy," inclining his head briefly, he turned and started to leave the tent.
"Wait."
Lord Kel rose from his seat and rushed to him, grabbing his hand.
"My lord," he said, "Please tell us more about your plan."
Tez' Mu smirked, pulling away.
"No." he said shortly, "I'm here to see my mother, not to help you plan your battles."
Essa-kest' Mu's hands were full with taking care of the injured soldiers. Three young healers followed after her as she checked on each of the battered soldiers in a long war tent that had been converted to the camp's sick bay. As she helped a screaming man mend his broken leg, she sighted Tez' Mu standing in the doorway, his expression hardened.
Rising from her crouch, she handed over the treatment to one of her assistants, and walked forward quickly, wiping her bloodied hands on her apron. Tez' Mu bowed when she reached him, his eyes not leaving her haggard frame.
"Are you even resting?" he asked. Essa-kest' Mu smiled, her eyes betraying her fatigue.
"I'm fine. This is not work, it just looks like it's hard."
Tez' Mu did not believe her, only pressing his lips together into a thin line. Chuckling, Essa-kest' Mu finally relented.
"Alright. I'll rest more, I promise."
Tez' Mu glanced behind her, at the soldiers in various states of pain and incapacitation, and shook his head.
"It shouldn't be this way."
Essa-kest' Mu sighed. "We can't help it."
"No," Tez' Mu countered. "It can stop."
Her hands stretched out, intending to grasp his, but she remembered hers were dirty.
"Are you still going to the capital?" she asked, her voice urgent.
"Of course. I have duties waiting for me."
"Tez' Mu," Essa-kest' Mu pleaded, her eyes turning moist, "You don't have to do this. Stay here with me; your father will understand when we explain to him—"
But Tez' Mu shook his head. "It'll only get worse; mark my words. I have to return to the capital. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," he met her gaze determinedly, and put a hand on her shoulder, "I have Sari," he added with a small smirk.
But Essa-kest' Mu was not in the mood for humor. "How will you do it? What will you say to her? How will you convince her of your loyalty when you've remained here so long?"
Tez' Mu squeezed her shoulder but did not reply. He sighted Saroin' Kest coming in in a hurry, his brows slick with sweat. Saroin' was bloodied, in armor, and seemed to have just returned from the battle front.
"Sister!" he called, loudly, "Come quickly, please! Lord Jin is critically injured!"
Gasping, Essa-kest' Mu tore in Saroin's direction immediately, her assistants rising from beside the soldiers and running hurriedly after her. Tez' Mu frowned, following them out of the tent.
In the middle of the camp Quan' Jin was lying on a stretcher, his face pale as with his left arm he still clutched his broadsword tightly, gasping for air. His right arm had been severed off. Tez' Mu paled as his stomach churned at the sight of the bloodied man.
Quan' Jin was choking on blood as Essa-kest' Mu reached him, but with a shake of his head stopped her from pouring out her energy. Instead, he gazed at Offal' Kest, who had also come out of his tent and was standing over him.
"Brother," Quan' Jin gurgled, blood spilling out of his mouth, as he surveyed Offal' Kest with half-closed eyes. Offal' Kest immediately crouched low by his head, cradling it with tears in his eyes.
"Who did this?" he groaned, "How did it happen?" glancing up at Saroin', whose face crumpled in despair.
"Three peak level Martial Lords converged on him alone, Father," Saroin' Kest replied, his voice hoarse, "It was like they had orders to take down any general in the ranks."
Shocked, Offal' Kest glanced down at Quan' Jin, who was calling him again.
"Brother," he coughed, "Take—my—sword," Quan' Jin gasped, "Give it—to my grand—daughter," his chest contracted then, and he gasped, releasing his hold on the sword to clutch Offal' Kest's hand tightly, "You must—continue—the war…The west," his grip loosened, "Must—be free."
With a last gasp, his heart stopped, his eyes dilating as his soul left his body.
"Brother!" Offal' Kest wept, cradling his head against his chest. Saroin' went around and placed his arm on his father's shoulder.
"May his spirit be with us," Saroin' Kest intoned softly, as Offal' Kest laid Quan' Jin's head back on the stretcher and closed his eyes "May the shadow of his sword guide us through battle."
A few soldiers nearby knelt in respect, dipping their swords into the earth. A call went up around the camp in the next moment.
"Lieutenant Quan' son of House Jin, fallen in battle, but not forgotten!"
***
Tez' Mu only had a few people to see before he departed Darin, and he put all the goodbyes off till the last moment.
Offal' Kest was first, although it was not much of a goodbye than a risky wager.
"I'm returning today," Tez' Mu said, grateful for choosing a time when the war tent was empty save the great-general. Offal' Kest nodded slowly, searching Tez' Mu's face for unsaid words.
"What is your mission in the capital?" he asked, when he found none.
"To relay your answer to the latest treaty to the Dowager," Tez' Mu replied, frowning as he felt he was stating the obvious.
Offal' Kest laced his fingers. "You have been among us for too long. The Dowager will want information about our plans."
"Yes, so what are you going to do about that?" Tez' Mu raised his eyebrows.
"You know too much," Offal' Kest said simply. Tez' Mu rolled his eyes.
"You must not speak of Darin or the Kest army to the Dowager," Offal' Kest said, his voice low. "I forbid it."
Tez' Mu stared, and then threw his head back in laughter. Frowning, Offal' Kest surveyed him intently until he stopped, wiping tears from his eyes.
"You forbid?" Tez' Mu echoed, irony dripping from his voice. "I don't listen to you, Offal' Kest."
With a sharp intake of breath, Offal' Kest rose. His eyes narrowed as he spoke. "When your mother told me you chose your own path, I assumed it was youthful idiocy. But it seems you are serious about it."
"Of course I am," Tez' Mu stopped laughing as his voice took a steely tone. "That's why I told mother. She tells you everything, apparently," he sneered.
"Essa-kest' is my daughter."
"And I am not your son," Tez' Mu asserted.
"So you are following Raq' Mu?" Offal' Kest growled, his voice low, as he settled back into his chair. Tez' Mu chuckled dryly.
"Didn't mother tell you that part? No. I'm not following my father either. You might not be aware of it, but I've come of age."
It was Offal' Kest's turn to laugh. "Oh, welcome to adulthood, my latest thorka," he used the Esek term for lord, his eyes gleaming, "I look forward to seeing what you will do."
Tez' Mu nodded, accepting the taunt as a compliment. A cough sounded outside, and he turned slightly.
"Come in," he said to the person outside, and Huiran' Kest entered the tent, looking confused. Offal' Kest glanced at Tez' Mu, wondering why he had invited Huiran' in.
"I'm holding you both to your word," Tez' Mu said, as Huiran' crossed the room to take a seat at the table.
"What word?" Offal' Kest asked with a frown.
"In twenty-one days," Tez' Mu declared, his voice low, "I'll be back, to participate in the Breakthrough Matrix."
Huiran' glanced at his grandfather, who smirked.
"Only if you have brought the king before then; or come with him," Offal' Kest replied smugly.
"Then it's settled," Tez' Mu nodded. Offal' Kest chuckled.
"I have searched for Keol' Han since the day he was born, and you think you can find him so quickly?" he snorted.
Tez' Mu did not answer, neither did he bow as he turned to leave the tent. Huiran' rose and rushed after him, grabbing his hand as soon as they were outside.
"The capital is dangerous. You must be careful," he warned, his expression serious.
Tez' Mu grinned. "Danger is my forte."
Huiran' nodded, then after a beat pulled Tez' Mu into a hug. Shocked, Tez' Mu reached out to return it but Huiran' had pulled away.
The next person was Essa-kest' Mu. Tez' Mu found her in his uncle's tent, nursing his injuries. Saroin' in the last battle had taken a dagger to the thigh. They both looked up when he came in, and Essa-kest' Mu paled when she saw Tez' Mu's traveling cloak already thrown around him.
She rose from her brother's side and approached him, wringing her hands.
"Tez'—"
"Goodbye, mother," he bowed, touching his fist to his chest and lowering his head.
Keiran' Ru was alone in the tent allocated to her, sharpening wooden arrow tips. She did not raise her head when Tez' Mu entered, nor acknowledge him. Tez' Mu was unbothered, having become used to her cold manner.
Therefore he was startled when she suddenly rose and rushed into his arms.
"Tez'," she said, her voice muffled against his chest as she embraced him. "Promise me something."
Tez' Mu raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to put his arms around her or not. He was shocked at the sudden softness in her tone. "What is it?"
"Promise you'll write to me. At least, if anything goes wrong—if you can't come back... tell me. Don't just disappear."
A lump formed in Tez' Mu's throat. "I promise."
Keiran' looked up, her eyes moist with unshed tears. Warning bells went off in Tez' Mu's head. Why was she suddenly like this? Could something have happened to her family he wasn't aware of?
"Are—are you alright, though?"
Keiran' nodded, pulling away as she stepped back from him. "Mother asked me to stay here. She says Gijir is too dangerous, that she'll rest assured if I'm somewhere safe."
"Oh," Tez' Mu was relieved. "She's right. I'll also be confident knowing you're here." He said, "My mother's also here to watch over you. You can go meet her if—"
"I don't need anyone to watch over me."
"Right," Tez' Mu held back a smile. "Then don't worry about me too, Keiran'."
"You'll be alone in the capital, surrounded on all sides by enemies. What if they find out you've defected? What if—"
"Keiran'," Tez' Mu took her hands in his, "No one will find out anything. I'm smarter than I look."
"You look smart but you aren't," Keiran' retorted, earning a smile from Tez' Mu.
"Whatever. Also, I won't be alone. I have the entire Onan Desar at my command, and there are a few people there who I can rely on."
Keiran' did not look convinced. Instead, she retrieved a jade pendant from her spatial ring. Tez' Mu froze at the sight of it. It was the token of their betrothal, given to her when he was eight. He barely remembered the event, but remembered that Keiran' had threatened to throw the pendant into the river at first opportunity.
"Bend your head," she said, and Tez' Mu frowned.
"No," he said, waving his hand as if she was asking the most horrifying thing of him. "I appreciate your sentiment, Keiran', but no way am I going to wear that—," he called the word as if the object were the most repulsive thing ever, "—round my neck."
Her mood lightened, and Keiran' laughed. She took back the pendant, and wore it on her own neck.
"I accept our betrothal," she said, shocking Tez' Mu again. He knew she had never accepted it all these years, but had kept quiet about it. After all, it was an agreement between their mothers. He had admired her from a distance while she loathed him politely.
"Why now?" Tez' Mu found himself asking.
But Keiran' did not reply, only turning her back on him.
"Goodbye Tez'," she said, her voice small.
***
Things started to go wrong as soon as Tez' Mu crossed into the capital.
He had decided to take the normal route through Gaban because ancestors forbid him voluntarily set foot in Mirin again. However, the official road was full of checkpoints mounted every two leagues, manned by stern faced imperial soldiers who stopped travelers, ransacked their luggage and demanded to know their identities even till their grandparents to ascertain they were not spies heading to the capital.
With the city gates in sight, Tez' Mu had stopped briefly to take a drink, thinking the officers in front were yet another checkpoint.
He had not gone two paces forward when they rushed to surround him, spears and lances leveled at his horse. They were dressed in the dull red of the imperial constabulary, who were responsible for maintaining law and order in the capital. Tez' Mu frowned.
What now?
"Lord Mu, dismount!" one of them shouted, "By order of the Dowager!"
Tez' Mu exhaled slowly, his fingers flexing against the reins. Of course.
He swung down from the saddle without hesitation, landing lightly on his feet. The soldiers advanced at once, stripping him of his weapons. Essence shackles clamped around his wrists before he could utter a word.
But Tez' Mu had no intention of protesting.
The chief-constable, a middle-aged officer with wary eyes, watched Tez' Mu with pursed lips as he complied meekly with all their demands. A quiet order, and Tez' Mu was ushered toward the waiting cart, the kind reserved for parading convicted outlaws. Even as they bundled him inside with all the flair of arresting a war criminal, Tez' Mu did not say a word.
"To the palace!" the chief-constable ordered with a shout, and the cart rolled forward, one of the officers mounting Tez' Mu's horse and riding ahead beside the chief. Tez' Mu ignored the stares and whispers of the onlookers as they passed, closing his eyes and thinking.
Twice now, Hu' Ran, you've caused me to be bundled in a cart like a traitor.
The main road soon eased into Ahava, and the chief-constable called frantically to his subordinates to halt, the cart jolting suddenly to an abrupt stop, causing Tez' Mu to bump his head against the wood. Smarting from the pain, he opened his eyes to see shopkeepers and straggling hawkers fleeing from the road as a team on horseback pulled up with their leader at the head, completely blocking off the street.
"What is this?" The chief-constable shouted angrily as he rode towards the party, "We're on imperial business!"
"So are we," the cool answer came back.
The officers surrounding the cart shifted nervously, allowing Tez' Mu to see the speaker's face clearly. It was a woman with a piercing gaze and confident demeanor, dressed in the livery of the Onan Desar.
She pointed at the cart. "Hand him over. We'll take him from here."
The chief-constable bristled. "And on whose orders is that?"
The woman threw him a disdainful look. "Mine."
"Hah!" Charging forward, the chief-constable brandished his spear as he shouted, his hard tone causing the bystanders to flinch and retreat. "And who are you to override imperial order? Stand aside now, and let us pass!"
The woman rolled her eyes as she raised her hand, drawing a matrix to arrest the chief-constable's horse mid-motion, to gasps from the crowd.
She expertly steered her horse until she drew level with the head constable, her eyes locked on his. "Who am I?" She smirked as she snatched the token on his waist, "Na' Raa, lieutenant of the Onan Desar."
The constables whispered nervously among themselves, unsure of what to do. Tez' Mu's eyes widened in recognition of the name. In the short time since becoming the commander of the imperial bodyguard, he had heard of the fiery lady who had been deputy before Kal' Yu's demotion.
Na' Raa's gaze swept over the officers, her expression unyielding. She held up the head constable's token, for all to see. "Look," she said, her eyes glinting as she mocked, "I'm in charge now. Stand down," her voice took a firmer tone, her eyes narrowing. The constables hesitated, then lowered their weapons. The constabulary's logic was simple. Whoever had the token was to be obeyed.
The Onan Desar knights rode forward at a finger beckon from Na' Raa, as the officers stepped aside, and took their places around the cart. Na' Raa dismounted and marched forward, throwing open the cart's door. She reached in and unbound the essence shackles on Tez' Mu's wrists, her movements swift and efficient.
Tez' Mu rubbed his freed wrists, feeling a surge of relief. "Did Kal' Yu order this?" he asked softly, looking up at her.
Na' Raa's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with disdain, as she snapped the cart door shut. "No, he did not."
Tez' Mu's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he asked, "Where are we going now?"
Na' Raa raised her eyebrows, her gaze icy. "Where else?" she replied coldly. "The palace, where you're wanted."
With that, she turned and remounted her horse, in a fluid motion, breaking into a gallop immediately. The Onan Desar knights closed in around the cart, forming a tight escort, and rode after her.
***
The Dowager's chamber was surrounded by tassel-helmeted imperial guards, their eyes unfeeling as they watched Na' Raa help Tez' Mu dismount from the cart. With her hand on his back, she walked behind him as she led him forward. The guards at the entrance glanced at them once, and then pushed open the door.
"This is where I leave you," Na' Raa took a step back. Tez' Mu turned towards her and watched her make a formal salute. He noticed her carefully maintained cold expression and realized whatever was waiting for him beyond the doors was not good.
"Thanks for escorting me," Tez' Mu offered her a small smile, and then turned resolutely and marched inside.
The Dowager was seated at a lone chair placed in the center of the room. The large table on which the strategy board was mounted the last time Tez' Mu was here was missing, and so was the royal steward, another staple item. Tez' Mu sneered internally. He was quite glad though, that he would be able to avoid seeing Hu' Ran's hateful face for a while.
"Your Majesty," Tez' Mu bowed. The Dowager's green eyes were cold as they bored into him, but he did not flinch. He raised his head and stared back at her, his jaw clenched.
Finally, the Dowager crossed one leg over the other as she tilted her head to examine him, her lips parting as she spoke.
"Darin must have been comfortable for you."
Tez' Mu smiled, his eyes cold, "Why do you say so, Your Majesty?"
She shifted on her chair, her arms resting lightly over the side.
"Was the envoy mission really so hard to deliver? You stayed there too long."
"Are you doubting my loyalty then?" Tez' Mu cut in, his voice measured. She narrowed her eyes, and her lips curled up into a smirk.
"Should I not?"
Tez' Mu lowered his head as he chuckled. "No, Your Majesty."
"Then give your defense," the Dowager retorted coldly.
"I have no defense to give," Tez' Mu replied, "Only a report. It is up to you to decide whether to trust me or not."
"Is that how to speak to your monarch, son of Mu?"
Tez' Mu ignored the question. "As we speak, the Kest and Ru armies intend to reconquer Guho, using the Ksada forest as coverage."
The Dowager stilled. Her eyes widened.
"Guho?" She repeated, "Not Uimal?"
She's hooked, Tez' Mu thought, with a smile in his heart. Keeping his face impassive, he nodded.
"Yes Your Majesty. The main Kest force will attack Guho from the north, while the Ru army will attack from the south. Guho will be retaken."
"Not when I now know this," the Dowager replied, her fists clenched, "I shall prepare for them," she said with finality.
Tez' Mu nodded. "Also--"
She turned her face to him. "What else?"
"Offal' Kest intends to draw on the He army's support."
She scoffed as she pursed her lips. "Jizu' He cannot heed him."
"Not for the reason you think, Your Majesty," Tez' Mu replied, his tone ominous, "Jizu' He refused to join the rebellion because he has no soldiers to spare, not because he is loyal to you."
She pulled in a sharp breath, clutching the chair's armrest. "What did you say?" Her voice went up an octave.
Tez' Mu clasped his hands behind his back and said nothing. The Dowager rose, her eyes flashing with anger.
"How do you know this? What makes you think Jizu' He would betray the kingdom?!"
"Because I was there, Your Majesty," Tez' Mu replied, his voice low.
"Where?" Her tone contained disbelief.
"Irvan," Tez' Mu responded.
"You--" for the first time the Dowager faltered, gaping as she retook her seat, "You went to Irvan?"
Tez' Mu nodded. "Yes."
The Dowager closed her eyes as she took three deep breaths. When she opened them again, her eyes held a tinge of respect.
"You are right," she said, relaxing back into her chair, "You really do not have to defend yourself."
"Which is why I demand an apology for the spectacle I was made into, Your Majesty," Tez' Mu said, his tone hard. The Dowager smiled.
"Fair. You are Raq' Mu's son after all," she said, placing her hands in her lap and starring down at them, "The only House whose loyalty has never wavered."
"Your Majesty, I demand an apology," Tez' Mu repeated, slowly, as if she had not heard the first time, "for the ridiculing display that was executed on me in the presence of Ochelon's citizens."
The Dowager stared hard at him, and Tez' Mu held his head high, his eyes unrelenting. Finally, she sighed.
"You shall have it," she said, her voice quiet. "Come in!" She called out, and two people entered the chamber behind Tez' Mu.
Kal' Yu stopped when he reached Tez' Mu's side, and bowed to the Dowager, but Hu' Ran continued forward.
"Halt," the Dowager spoke, and Hu' Ran paused mid-step.
"Your Majesty?" He raised his eyebrows.
"You were so convinced, steward, of Tez' Mu's disloyalty, that you insisted he be arrested on sight once he returned to the capital," the Dowager spoke, examining her fingernails, "I trusted your judgment," she continued, raising her head, "But it turned out to be false."
Hu' Ran's brows met in a frown. "What has he told you, Your Majesty?"
The Dowager sneered. "That is none of your concern, but it is enough to prove his innocence. For the uncivil way you ordered him treated, you shall apologize."
"I shall--? Your Majesty!" Hu' Ran gaped in shock, then turned around to glare at Tez' Mu, whose face remained calm. Raising a hand to point at his face, Hu' Ran made to speak but was interrupted by the Dowager's cold voice.
"Apologize, Hu' Ran!"
Swallowing his rebuttal, Hu' Ran's eyes were red with anger as he placed his fist over his chest and lowered his head to Tez' Mu.
"Forgive me, my lord," he said through clenched teeth.
Tez' Mu sneered, and chuckled lightly.
"I don't accept."
Hu' Ran's eyes were bloodshot as he raised his head, veins bulging as he flared. "And why?"
"Because if a dog bites a person, it is the master that will apologize. All the dog can do is bark."
Beside Tez' Mu, Kal' Yu sucked in a sharp breath as he whipped his head towards his captain. Hu' Ran's face grew pale with fury, while the Dowager's eyes grew wide with shock.
Then Tez' Mu burst into laughter, slow cold chuckles that held no mirth. He raised a finger and pointed at the steward who was able to explode, and then turned to slap the shoulder of Kal' Yu, who looked like he had just gotten a death sentence.
"I'm kidding, of course." He wiped a non-existent laugh tear from his eye, and sobered up, "I accept your apology, steward." His tone was cold, his eyes hard, "I was not too inconvenienced," he shrugged, "But," he added, his voice low, "Don't try it again."
Chest heaving, Hu' Ran stared as if into Tez' Mu's soul. Meeting the harsh glare, Tez' Mu passed his hand over his chest and inclined his head briefly to him, then faced the Dowager.
"Do you have further instructions for me, Your Majesty?"
The Dowager took a second before she replied, the time in which Hu' Ran turned around with an angry flick of his robes and stormed out of the room, slamming the door on his way out.
"I do, in fact," the Dowager said.
"Then I am at your command," Tez' Mu replied, his tone respectful. The Dowager did not hesitate any longer.
"Give him the brief, Kal'."
Kal' Yu started, shocked that she called his name informally. Quickly composing himself, he nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he turned to Tez' Mu, "My lord, we've been keeping tabs on lords of the Scith who are leaning towards the rebels' side."
Tez' Mu sucked in a breath. "Oh."
"Yes," the Dowager responded, her tone icy, "You should know by now, Tez', that I do not tolerate treason."
Tez' Mu nodded.
"I want you to work together with your deputy and arrest any lord, any judge, any official, no matter how high-ranked," she narrowed her eyes, "As long as there is even the slightest hint of betrayal."
Tez' Mu clenched his jaw as he nodded slowly. "I understand, Your Majesty."
The Dowager smiled. "I am relying on you now," she said, her tone final, "You may leave."
Tez' Mu bowed as beside him Kal' Yu did the same. As they turned to leave, Tez' Mu smirked. He had entered the chamber a criminal, but was leaving with more power than he had ever had.