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The T’lan Imass, who, as one, slowly turned round

Warrens flared on the hilltop

Bellowing, Gruntle ordered his followers to take position on the south slope He stood, od’s power The promise of murder filled him, impassive yet certain, a predator’s intent that he had felt once before, in a city far to the north

His vision was too sharp, everyat his attention He realized he had his cutlasses in his hands

He watched Orfantal stride fro behind hi down on three corpses Then the warlord was pushing past her, sparing but a single glance at the bodies on his way to where a fourth body lay -- closer to where Gruntle stood A Tiste Andii woures crouched beside her, flesh rent, one whose soul still writhed in the grip of savage, chaotic sorcery The other … Silverfox, round face streaked with tears

He saw Kruppe, flanked by Hetan and Cafal The Daru was pale, glassy-eyed, and seee, that, for it was not grief that so assailed the Daru He saw Hetan suddenly reach for hi for was nowhere to be seen

He strode to the south crest to observe the positioning of his legion They were readying weapons Asse to advance on the city-a city shrouded in smoke, lit with the flash of sorcery, ofitself apart-

Gruntle’s hunting gaze found thetowards the T’lan Imass

A sharp cry sounded from the hilltop behind Gruntle, and he turned to see Silverfox straightening fro round-But the tens of thousands of T’lan Imass faced Itkovian now

Gruntle watched his friend’s steps slow, then stop when he enty paces from the undead warriors

Silverfox screa-

Aye, Suainst the K’Chain Che’Malle Gruntle did not need to stand within hearing range to knohat Itkovian said, then, to the silent T’lan Imass

You are in pain I would e to overwhel to their knees Heads bowing