Page 154 (1/2)

Itkovian watched Brukhalian return to where he and Karnadas stood just within the entrance

Hetan and her brother strode to take position on the millstone She studied the priests, then lifted her head and called out, ’The White Face is inRath’D’rek was on his feet, the Worain? By the Abyss, you deliver your tribe’s clai words! The same idiotic assertion! The ansas no the first time, no the second time, no every time! This audience is closed!’

’ It is not!’

’You dare address us in such a tone-’

’I do, you fart-fouled runt!’

Eyes wide, Itkovian stared at Hetan, then at the Council

The Barghast wonore theun a soft chant The air swirled around the two savage warriors

On all sides, the Gidrath guards reached for their weapons

Itkovian stu behind the priest in his haste ’A moment, please!’ he cried ’Holy brothers and sisters! Would you see your loyal guards slain? Would you see the Thrall itself destroyed, with all of you killed in the process? Look carefully upon the sorcery you see before you, I beg you! No sihast spirits have assehast Spirits are here, in this room!’

Silence, save for Cafal’s low chant

Brukhalian drew close to Itkovian ’Shield Anvil,’ he , sir, of e see before us?’

’The possibility had not even occurred to me,’ Itkovian murmured ’An old petition, this one I did not think-’