This was a well-chosen place for such an enterprise.

It was a massive tower of immense strength, built as a memorial--and also as a "keep"-- after one of the massacres of the invading Turks.
It stood on the summit of a rocky knoll some ten miles inland from the Port of Ilsin.

It was a place shunned as a rule, and the country all around it was so arid and desolate that there were no residents near it.
As it was kept for state use, and might be serviceable in time of war, it was closed with massive iron doors, which were kept locked except upon certain occasions.

The keys were at the seat of government at Plazac.
If, therefore, it had been possible to the Turkish marauders to gain entrance and exit, it might be a difficult as well as a dangerous task to try to cut the Voivode out.

His presence with them was a dangerous menace to any force attacking them, for they would hold his life as a threat.
I consulted with the Vladika at once as to what was best to be done.