A Web Spun From Water
Inam Niu looked around nervously as she approached the gatehouse. Of all the graduates of The Xuan Wu Academy, Inam Niu was the best military engineer, and she knew that she had performed her survey admirably. But this was only the second time she had been summoned to the Pagoda of Infinite Strategy, and first that the summons had come from Storm of Amber himself. She was to sit at his war council and offer her advice. But how was a mortal, even an Amalgam like herself, to advise a prince of the earth?
The girl's jade-bound hand clicked as she touched a large stone statue that sat in the gatehouse. She said a quick prayer that she would impress her lords.
"Relax," said a voice from the stone. "It'll be fine. Now hurry along - they're waiting for you."
Inam Niu started and ran inside.
The army's chief commanders were waiting for her in the council hall at the Pagoda's base: Cathak Nekuto, the Sweet Voice of Brass and Glory, Serrakeen and, of course, Storm of Amber. Inam Niu stopped at the door, but Storm waved her in, a smile on his face. "Welcome, Inam Niu. Take a seat, put yourself at ease. Have some tea."
The girl blushed to think that Storm knew her on sight. Master Rivers knew her, of course, but he had made her; Storm had never even met her before. Inam Niu caught a strange look from Sweet Brass and looked down. She poured herself some tea to hide her awkwardness.
The five sat drinking tea for a time, speaking of horses and the weather. Soon, Inam Niu was at her ease, even in the presence of such august personages. And as the conversation drifted to Master Rivers' roads, Inam Niu placed a scroll on the table before her. "I have the measurements," she said.
Storm of Amber put his cup to the side and reached for a blank scroll and writing brush on a side table. "Then we'll organize the list by strategic importance, and discuss fortifications at each in turn. Let's get started..."
The Length of the Strands[edit]
- As Measured From God Crossing
- To Celeren: 361.5 miles
- To Deren's Ford: 306 miles
- To Lookshy: 459 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 403 miles
- To Nexus: 542 miles
- To Puyo: 320 miles
- To Thorns: 486.5 miles
- To Varsi: 375 miles
- As Measured From Celeren
- To Deren's Ford: 76.5 miles
- To God Crossing: 361.5 miles
- To Lookshy: 563 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 737 miles
- To Nexus: 855 miles
- To Puyo: 465.5 miles
- To Thorns: 181 miles
- To Varsi: 646 miles
- As Measured From Varsi
- To Celeren: 646 miles
- To Deren's Ford: 625.5 miles
- To God Crossing: 375 miles
- To Lookshy: 834 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 238 miles
- To Nexus: 660 miles
- To Puyo: 222 miles
- To Thorns: 688 miles
- As Measured From the Marukan Redoubt
- To Celeren: 737 miles
- To Deren's Ford: 695 miles
- To God Crossing: 403 miles
- to Lookshy: 778 miles
- To Nexus: 486.5 miles
- To Puyo: 396 miles
- To Thorns: 820 miles
- To Varsi: 238 miles
- As Measured From Lookshy
- To Celeren: 563 miles
- To Deren's Ford: 486.5 miles
- To God Crossing: 459 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 778 miles
- To Nexus: 542 miles
- To Puyo: 785 miles
- To Thorns: 744 miles
- To Varsi: 834 miles
- As Measured From Puyo
- To Celeren: 465.5 miles
- To Deren's Ford: 465.5 miles
- To God Crossing: 320 miles
- To Lookshy: 785 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 396 miles
- To Nexus: 764.5 miles
- To Thorns: 479.5 miles
- To Varsi: 222 miles
- As Measured From Deren's Ford
- To Celeren: 76.5 miles
- To God Crossing: 306 miles
- Lookshy: 486.5 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 695 miles
- To Nexus: 778.5 miles
- To Puyo: 465.5 miles
- To Thorns: 257 miles
- To Varsi: 625.5 miles
- As Measured From Nexus
- To Celeren: 855 miles
- To Deren's Ford: 778.5 miles
- To God Crossing: 542 miles
- To Lookshy: 542 miles
- To the Marukan Redoubt: 486.5 miles
- To Puyo: 764.5 miles
- To Thorns: 1,001 miles
- To Varsi: 660 miles
