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On their e that had defied the Embrace Toc had watched as Anaster released hisboys alike, their knives drivingover the bodies in a hts he had felt then were now carved deep in his soul They were hues and towns no different fro their homes and yard animals They danced, and they wept, they were pious and respectful in propitiating the old gods They lived normal lives

There was a poison within the Pannion Seer and whatever god spoke through him A poison that seeh to dismember those most ancient of bonds A child betrayed, perhaps A child led by the hand into terror and pain This is how it feels -- all that I see around htmarish role A mother not a mother, a wife not a wife, a woman not a woman

Shouts rose to announce the appearance of a group of riders, eate of Outlook’s outer wall Toc swung his head, studied the visitors as they rode closer through the deepening gloom Armoured An Urdo commander, flanked by a pair of Seerdo in their wake

Behind the troop, a K’ell Hunter

A gesture from Anaster drew his lieutenants towards the low hill he had chosen as his headquarters, Toc the Younger a them

The white of the First’s eyes was the colour of honey, his pupils a ht illuely red He’d ree, weary horse, slumped as he studied his chosen officers ’News comes,’ he rasped

Toc had never heard him speak louder Perhaps the lad could not, born with a defect of the throat or tongue Perhaps he’d never found the need

’The Seer and I have spoken within our minds, and now I know more than even the courtiers within Outlook’s holy walls Septarch Ultentha of Coral has been called to the Seer, leading to much speculation’

’What news,’ one of the lieutenants asked, ’from the north border, Glorious First?’

’The investment is nearly complete I fear, e’

Breaths hissed on all sides

I fear our hunger will not end This was the trueof Anaster’s words