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‘What I said then and what I say now are different I, too, tire of this pointless burning The appeal of the Martyr Stones re I wish to know more of this land, and all I have discovered are useless relics from useless wars’

‘May I dispute?’

‘I’d rather you didn’t’

‘I must insist,’ the Grey One That Grins said ‘Within these ruins lie secrets of the House, the methods they used to banish Ulbecetonth We must seek them out if we are to destroy her’

‘You mean if I ae when you require so else of me’

‘I would entreat you to have patience with me My presence is required at many places at once’

‘The point ree you in this vendetta against your demons’

‘You wish to see the world beyond this one? Very well But know that Gods are strange things People may not understand it, but they believe that the Gods will protect thee for their devotion’

‘Symbiosis’

‘Precisely And their devotions come with spears and swords, Sheraptus, and they are many Arkklan Kaharn numbers how many? Five hundred?’

‘That is as h the Nether’

‘Slay Ulbecetonth and you shall have more We will put our resources behind you We will open more doors to the Nether We will point you to the seats of knowledge in this world We will unleash you … if you simply perform this triviality for us’

Sheraptus stared at him for a time before he blinked The stones ceased to burn His eyes returned to their milky white

‘I suppose I can have patience for a while yet, then,’ he said

‘I a to plan?’

‘It does Yldus is scouting the overscum city you wished us to Vashnear combs this island with the Carnassials’

‘And you?’

‘I am here to speak to so

‘I was intending to inquire as to its status’

‘I am pleased to have saved you the trouble’

‘You would take no offence if I left now, then?’

‘Unless you require so else of me’

‘At the moment?’

‘Or in the near future’

The Grey One That Grins tilted his head to the side, looking thoughtful Or as thoughtful as Sheraptus suspected his co

‘I have been made aware of certain presences upon the island,’ he said after a o’

‘Beyond Those Green Things?’

‘Far beyond Humans’

‘With all due respect to your awareness and attune That Screams would have told me if any other elements arrived’

‘I do not trust that creature’

‘I would suggest, then, that you trust in my hold over her’

‘As you say Of course, should you find trust in hter these humans They continue to oppose Ulbecetonth and have dealt blows against her before’

Sheraptus quirked a brow ‘These are the ones that were at Irontide?’

‘The very saravate you?’

‘Not entirely, no The females lost were … females They’d have been disappointed if they didn’t die’

‘And the male?’

‘Cahulus eak, apparently’

‘I can trust your discretion, then?’

‘Discretion …’ Sheraptus hueement’

‘I will settle for that, then’ The Grey One That Grins turned to go, crawling upon his hands and feet ‘I trust Vashnear will arrange for the usual transportation?’

‘Of course’

‘Very well, then I leave things in your capabilities’ The Grey One That Grins continued for another three paces before pausing and glancing over his emaciated shoulder ‘Sheraptus?’

‘Hm?’

‘Sy?’

‘The ability towhere one is going’

‘Weakness’

‘The one that drives the world’

The Grey One That Grins said nothingbehind a dune Sheraptus watched hiht brushing of air against his cheeks, the faint wars, flapping

He recognised it as nethra, albeit only a faint, fleeting trace of it Weak as it was, though, the intent behind it was clear With whatever pitiful power they had, so out for him

He smiled softly, narrowed his eyes and reached back