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’Is denied this man,’ Itkovian said ’Captain Norul’

She strode to Rath’Fener, reached out and plucked him from the hold of the priests and priestesses He see histones She then straddled hi his arms out forward yet side by side The man shrieked with sudden comprehension

Itkovian drew his sword Smoke drifted fro over Rath’Fener’s outstretched arms ’Betrayal, to trade Brukhalian’s life for your own Betrayal, the foulest crime to the Reve’s law, to Fener himself Punishment is invoked, in accordance with the Boar of Suement’ He was silent for a moment, then he said, ’Pray, sir, that Fener finds e send to him’

’But he won’t!’ Rath’Trake cried ’Don’t you understand? His realer waits within it!’

’He knows,’ Paran said ’This is what happens when it gets personal, and believe me, I’d rather have had no part in this’

Rath’Trake swung to the captain ’And who are you, soldier?’

’Today Right now I am the Master of the Deck, priest And it seeod’s behalf Alas,’ he added wryly, ’the Shield Anvil is proving admirably … recalcitrant…’

Itkovian barely heard the exchange Eyes holding on the priest pinned to the ground before hione Indeed So … best pray, Rath’Fener, that a creature of mercy now looks kindly upon you’

Rath’Trake whirled back to the Shield Anvil at those words, ’By the Abyss, Itkovian -- there is no crime so foul to match what you’re about to do! His soul will be torn apart! Where they will go, there are no creatures of mercy! Itkovian-’

’Silence, sir This judgement is mine, and the Reve’s’

The victi down the sword Blade’s edge cracked onto the flagstones Twin gouts of blood shot out from the stumps of Rath’Fener’s wrists The hands … were nowhere to be seen

Itkovian jaainst the stumps Flesh sizzled Rath’Fener’s screams ceased abruptly as unconsciousness took hi on the flagstones

Paran began speaking ’Shield Anvil, hear one -- he strides the mortal realm Thus, he cannot bless you With what you take upon yourself … there is nowhere for it to go, no way to ease the burden’

’I am equally aware of what you say, sir’ Itkovian still stared down at Rath’Fener, as stirring to consciousness once e is worthless’

’There’s another way, Shield Anvil’

He turned at that, eyes narrowing