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’We shall e, then,’ Caladan Brood said after a hed and reached for his cup of wine ’So resolved Easier than you’d iined, Brood, wouldn’t you say?’

The warlord bared his teeth in a satisfied, if hard, grin ’Aye We’re all riding the same track Good’

’Time to proceed, then,’ Rath’Burn said, eyes on Caladan Brood, ’to other issues You are the one as gifted the hammer, the focus of Burn’s power To you was entrusted the task of awakening her at the tirin grew feral ’And so destroy every civilization on this world, aye No doubt you judge her need as sufficiently pressing, High Priestess’

’And you dare not?’ she snapped, leaning forith both hands on the table ’You have deceived her!’

’No I have constrained her’

His reply left her -seller’s shop,’ Gruntle said, ’in Darujhistan To cross its floor is to scale layer upon layer of woven artistry Thus are the lessons of ods Pity that they keep stu so -- you’d think they’d have learned by now’

Rath’Burn wheeled on hi of this! If Brood does not act, Burn will die! And when she dies, so too does all life on this world! That is the choice, you fool! Topple a handful of corrupt civilizations or absolute annihilation -- ould you choose?’

’Well, since you’re asking-’

’I withdraw the question, for you are clearly as insane as the warlord here Caladan Brood, you must yield the ha Goddess, I de the weapon ’Here, then’ He held it out in his right hand

Rath’Burn’s eyes blinked, then she shot upright, strode round the table

She grasped the hammer’s copper-wrapped handle in both hands

Brood released it

The weapon plunged earthward The snaps of the woh the air Then she screamed, even as the hill trembled to the impact of the hammer’s massive head Cups bounced on the table, splashed red wine across its surface Rath’Burn had fallen to her knees, no longer holding the weapon, her broken arms cradled on her lap

’Artanthos,’ Dujek said, his eyes on Brood -- who looked down on the woood one’