What a long road it had been since the Battle of Castus. Davidcouldn't shake that thought from his mind that morning. In fact, the entire Swabian campaign had been one filled with stunning reversals and last-minute victories. Davidhad some of the highest highs and the lowest lows in the country of his ancient foe, but today, all of that struggle appeared to have been worthwhile. For today was the day that his army first caught sight of the Swabian capital city of Mukavia. And what a beautiful sight it was. It wasn't that the city was beautiful. Even from his first visit here over a year ago, Mukavia was one ugly city. It was cold, dreary, and utterly without color. They couldn't have made the Swabian capital more depressing if they tried. Davidfound it to be oddly representative of the

