Vance smiled. "You're sharp, knowing exactly what I'm thinking. I suspect that bastard Andrew is deliberately setting up a smokescreen for me. He says he can't wait and wants to attack Throne City, but anyone with half a brain can see that would obviously draw attacks from all sides, maybe even massive assaults, completely counterproductive.

"So our natural assumption would be that Andrew just came here to spout nonsense and blow smoke, and that he has no real intention of striking first. Based on this seemingly rational psychology, none of us would take his threat to attack seriously. But that's precisely when this bastard exploits that psychological gap and suddenly deploys his army to launch a fierce assault on Throne City; a surprise within a surprise!"

He continued, "By then, we'd realize it too late, and trying to stop him would put us a step behind. By the time we actually get there, Throne City would already be in his hands."

Iridessa's delicate face filled with shock and fe