Just when General Pineau's forces have the Torqyeli army surrounded, primed to crush them once and for all, Mahmut launches a brilliant counteroffensive that instantly turns the tide of battle, and turns the would-be pursuers ... into the pursued. As the dramatic turnabout unfolds and the victor is decided at last, what sort of thoughts linger in the minds of Pineau, Kokoschka, and Mahmut?