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Tanya were prominent in the image and a dozen other advisers were also present. The group stood around a table with a map spread over it, and the map had two-dozen coins placed upon it. Garth stared at the map as the king spoke.
    “We now know the locations of twenty-four Doors in Alcea,” King Arik said. “I suspect that we have found them all, but that knowledge by itself is insufficient to develop a proper defense. If we assume that all Doors will be used simultaneously, a quarter of a million men will be streaming into Alcea around our four most important cities. With foreknowledge of the attacks, we might inflict heavy losses on the enemy, but we will be spread too thin to win. Worse, they might send all of their men to one city at a time. If that happens, Alcea is surely lost. It is imperative that you locate the Doors on your end. By doing so, you can keep us informed of troop movements and how they are planning to assemble for the attack. We need as much information as you can provide to help us survive this coming storm.”
    “Also,” Queen Tanya interjected, “if they all do attack one city, destroying the Doors after they come here will prohibit them from going back to use other Doors to get to another of our cities.”
    “Right,” agreed King Arik. “That will leave them fighting on our side of the portals and they will not have the supplies they need to survive. Find those Doors, Alex.”
    The vision winked out and Garth frowned in concentration.
    “Alex?” asked General Skye. “Who is Alex?”
    “I am,” answered Garth. “Our real names are Alexander and Jenneva Tork. As our names were well known to the forces of Balmak, we have traveled under assumed names. Garth and Kalina are merely the names we are using at the moment.”
    “Why don't they just destroy some of the Doors?” asked Sidney. “Wouldn't that limit the number of troops they have to fight?”
    “It would,” Garth nodded, “but it presents other problems. As soon as the Alceans destroy a single Door, the Federation will know that we are aware of the portals. I think that secrecy of the Doors is the only thing forestalling a full attack on the horse countries. We cannot afford that. If the Federation conquers Zarocca and Korocca, there will be no attack on this continent to destroy the Federation's home base.”
    “It will also prompt the Federation to send more Doors to Alcea,” added Kalina, “and our people will not know the locations of the new ones.”
    “What about moving some of them?” asked Natia.
    Everyone turned to see that Tedi and Natia had entered the room.
    “We need to pay better attention to our own security,” scowled Garth. “We are getting lax.”
    “What do you mean, Natia?” Kalina asked the gypsy princess.
    “When the gypsies move and set up a new camp,” explained Natia, “it is hardly apparent that the campsite has moved. With the exception of the location of some trees, the encampment often looks identical to the one we just left. Why can't we choose where we want the Doors to be and then recreate the look and feel of the original location?”
    Garth nodded silently for a moment before speaking. “That suggestion has merit. It would take a good deal of preparation to make the locations appear the same, but it could be done.”
    “Where would they move the Doors to?” asked Tedi.
    “I do not know,” answered Garth, “but any movement would disorient the enemy and give us an advantage. If their plan calls for coordinating the various armies, which I am sure it will, the enemy will be in disarray.”
    “It could even be worse than that,” interjected Kalina. “Imagine if some of the Doors were moved to the island of Grakus. The enemy would have no means of reaching the mainland.”
    “Which makes it more imperative for us to find the Doors on this continent,” stated Garth. “Those on Grakus would turn around and come back here only to use a different Door. We need to be able to make