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’Enough,’ Draconus growled ’Your prattling groearisoh King sighed He leaned forward ’You’ve come to liberate my people from my tyrannical rule Alas, I as Not to you, not to anyone’ He settled back, waved a languid hand ’Thus, what you would refuse h the truth was before K’rul’s eyes, he could not believe it ’What have-’

’Are you blind?’ Kallor shrieked, clutching at the arone! Break the chains, will you? Go ahead -- no, I surrender them! Here, all about you, is now free ! Dust! Bones! All free!’

’You have in truth incinerated an entire continent?’ the sister Elder whispered ’Jacuruku-’

’Is no ain shall be What I have unleashed will never heal Do you understand me? Never And it is all your fault Yours Paved in bone and ash, this noble road you chose to walk Your road’

’We cannot allow this-’

’It has already happened, you foolish woman!’

K’rul spoke within the minds of his kin It must be done I will fashion a … a place for this Within myself

A warren to hold all this? Draconus asked in horror My brother -

No, itwill not be easy-

It will break you, K’rul, his sister said There must be another way

None To leave this continent as it is … no, this world is young To carry such a scar …

What of Kallor? Draconus enquired What of this … this creature?

We mark him, K’rul replied We know his deepest desire, do we not?

And the span of his life?

Long, reed