Rowl could not contain his glee. He imagined the devastation the king would feel upon learning of Destiney's affair with the little brother he hated. It brought joy to Rowl's dark heart. Nabvan's and Alexis's expedient arrival was unexpected, yet perfect. The guard’s presence added an even better twist to the plot. Rowl had intended to use the queen to spread his ideas through the villages, but this scenario would work as well. He could use the king's inability to keep control of his own life as a catalyst for rebellion. Even better, he was well rid of Destiney's clinging attention and the need to pretend he cared for her son.

Rowl entered the village closest to the city. Dawn was breaking, and the villagers were already busy. Young men practiced with swords and knives, and young women were in the small gardens. Rowl despised the pleasant scene. It was a sign that King Siefer's plan could work. He looked around for someone who appeared less than pleased with their new life. A young man of approximately sixteen caught his attention. Rowl recognized the dissatisfied scowl as one that matched his own at that age. He casually walked to the man's side and whispered into his ear. The man let his sword fall to the ground and nodded. He raced away. Rowl had planted the seed of dissension and sent it on its way.

Word passed from villager to villager. Arguments began. Rowl drew the attention of all. He stood atop a hill and addressed the villagers, "Do not argue among yourselves. You need to stand together for your freedom. The homes and families you have built are yours to protect. The kings of this world left you and the other villages alone until now. They did not stand at your side and struggle for food or shelter. They were given it as a gift: one that they did not earn. The new king pretends to care for you and share his wealth. He does it to gather more worshipers. He likes to be seen as loving and kind. Yet, all he really wants is more warriors to die on his behalf. He wants your sons to fight for more planets, dying to gain more property for the king. You should not be forced to give up your sons or your villages. You should be allowed to live as you please. He can not control the colonies without your help, so he gives you small tokens and makes you believe he will treat you as equal. It is not true. He wishes to enslave the villages and colonies to use as he pleases. He will take away your freedom. If the colonies share in the spoils of war, they will be able to fight back and destroy your world. King Siefer has not seen this. He believes he can control them. He can not. He is unable to control even his own wife. She has been with another in his absence. Her loyalty is no longer with him. Join me to fight for your children's future. Send emissaries to the farthest villages. Share this warning with them. Bring back men to fight against the king's authority. Let each man rule his own life and make his own choice. Take over this world. We have no need of a king or any authority."

Rowl was very pleased to see heads nodding in agreement. He had spent many hours dreaming and planning for this rebellion. His words were persuasive. He saw fathers sending their sons to gather supplies. They would be spreading Rowl's message to the far reaches of Milisaria. He intended to impart his ideas to the next village himself. He gathered food, water, and followers from the village and struck out on his journey.

The farther from the city he went, the easier it was to convince the villagers to join him. King Siefer had found them receptive to his ideas, yet Rowl was more charming and deceived the populations. Those opposed to Rowl and loyal to the King banded together and hid in the marshes. They gathered supplies and started toward the city. They vowed to join the knights and protect the king and his authority. Rowl's attitude frightened them. They recognized the insanity in his words and the madness in his eyes. He would destroy civilization and leave Milisaria in chaos.

Rowl returned to the outskirts of the capital. He did not dare enter the city alone. Hidden behind the farthest hill, close to the sea, he waited for his army of villagers to gather. He sent young men into the city to spy and bring back news. They also stole food and weapons from the unsuspecting townsmen. Rowl took the time to rest his army and fill their heads with his lies. He grew crazier and his ideas more extreme as each hour passed.

A spy returned from the city. King Siefer's spaceship was on the horizon. It would be landing within minutes. Rowl was frantic. He needed to attack as soon as the ship set down, but his army would not be complete for days. The outer villages were too far away. He would have to make do with those he had gathered. Surely, some of the knights would turn against the king and fight with him. After all, they had been forced into service. Even Nabvan had turned on King Shene and killed him.

Rowl's army snuck into the city and placed themselves in a semicircle around the landing zone. The king and his guards would step out of the spaceship and be struck down before they realized the villagers were their enemies.

Masses of loyal Milisarians joined Rowl's army to wait for the ship to land. Most did not suspect that a treasonous army was in their midst, but hidden within their numbers were the villagers who remained loyal to King Siefer. The Milisarian Knights, led by Nabvan, were stationed at strategic points all over the landing zone. The king had been warned of Rowl's plans. He and his guards stood armed and ready inside the spaceship as it hovered over the city. One of Rowl's spies had been caught and persuaded, at the point of a sharp blade, to give away his plan. The battle lines were drawn.