The pyramid stood overlooking the vast and empty desert. Sand, and nothing but sand, for miles and miles, as far as the generals could see. General Grooms had removed his armor, and was standing in the shade of the pyramid wearing only a breechcloth and a thin undershirt. His feet were wrapped in swaddles to keep the burning sand from baking his toes. General Wynn was still wearing the lower half of his chain mail, having removed his chain shirt and helmet. He had a large strip of wet cloth wrapped around his head to keep him cool.

Off to the right of the pyramid stood several large tents, occupied mostly by the generals’ soldiers. Occasionally one of the soldiers would come out of the largest tent to watch the generals, standing alone up by the pyramid staring off into the distance. This never lasted long as the sun would eventually chase the weary young officer back into the shade and comfort, little as it was, of the tent.

Grooms took a swig of water from a leather bottle hanging from his neck and rubbed some of it on his forehead. He looked at Wynn and waited for the man to say something. It had been hours now, and the halfling should have already arrived.

“He is coming, right?” Grooms asked.

“He’ll be here.”

They stared for a while longer, wishing the blasted sun would fall from the sky and leave them with darkness and cold. Grooms thought about his days in the north, when he fought trolls in the snow at Eagle’s Peak, and how when he was there all he could think about was how much happier he’d be if it were hot. Well, now it was hot and all he could think about was how much happier he’d be if it were cold.

“At least in the cold you can bundle yourself up, you know. You can’t get any cooler by taking off more clothes. At some point you’re naked and that’s it. That’s as cool as you can get.”

Grooms looked at Wynn and smiled. He’d never worked with General Wynn before, and truth be told, he wasn’t going to work with him now. They were leaving it to the halfling. For once he didn’t really mind.

“Another murder at Drumskeep, did you see?” Wynn asked.

“The black halfling?”

“I think so. Do you think it’s him?”

“Who, Brandon?”

“Yeah. Could it be?”

“Don’t know. Is that a dust trail?” The two men stood and looked off into the distance. Sure enough there was a group riding towards the pyramid across the vast beach of sand.

“Is it him?” Grooms asked.

“I don’t think so. Too many riders.” Wynn stepped around the pyramid’s base and yelled to his men in the tents. Seconds later he had an armed group waiting for the riders to approach. No point taking any chances, they could be bandits, or they could be nomads. Didn’t matter, they were going to be ready.

Grooms men stayed in their tents, but were also prepared. It was an old military tactic; make your forces look smaller than they were. If they were attacked Grooms men would wait until the battle was begun and then appear out of nowhere, confusing the enemy and making him rethink his tactics on his feet.

They needn’t have worried though. As the horses got closer Wynn recognized the lead horse, and it’s black clad rider.

“Thor’s Hammer,” Wynn cursed, “It’s Hollows.”

Hollows was a fellow general in the kings army, though he was the most ruthless and hated of all. The man was arrogant, merciless, and damn good at his job. Unfortunately none of the other generals could stand to spend more than five minutes with him. Grooms and Wynn looked at each other and grimaced. When he had ridden up they didn’t move to greet him, but instead waited by the pyramid, hoping he’d set up his tents and ignore them.

Of course, though, he dismounted and strode directly to them. Hollows was a tall broad shouldered man. He wore black banded mail, and kept his black hair and beard trimmed neatly. Without bothering with greetings or hellos, he dove right into complaining.

“Why are you out of uniform?” He bellowed, sneering at Wynn and Grooms.

“It’s hot.” Wynn said, tired. Hollows looked disgusted.

“Is this it?” Hollows asked, looking up at the pyramid.

No, there’s another pyramid we’re hiding from you

Hollows kills Grooms and Wynn, then absorbs their troops into his forces. His own troops hate doing it, but they’ve seen many of their comrades killed before for trying to desert or to let anyone know how evil this motherfucker is. They lament that no one seems to be able to save them from his tyranny. Brandon will.