---
The silence lasted because none of them had expected the order.
They had arrived outside Slik City prepared for a much longer stay. Their supplies had been calculated for months, perhaps longer if Mihos decided to continue playing with Sekhmet. Information channels had been arranged inside the city. Scouts had been placed along several important roads. Servants had already become familiar with nearby markets, and several of Mihos's people had been given long-term duties that assumed they would remain in this territory for some time.
Now Mihos wanted everything packed immediately.
More importantly, he was not merely changing camps.
He was leaving Slik City territory altogether.
One of the camp commanders opened his mouth as if he wanted to ask where they were going or what had happened inside the city. Then he saw Mihos's face properly.
The question disappeared.
Mihos noticed anyway.
"You have something to say?"
The commander immediately lowered his head.
