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Scabandari bowed his head in greeting ‘Silchas Ruin, brother in spirit Most stalwart of allies Behold the plain – we are victorious’

The albino Tiste Andii’s pallid face twisted in a silent snarl

‘My legions were late in co to your aid,’ Scabandari said ‘And for that, ate, do we not? The path to this world belongs to us, and the world itself lies before us… to plunder, to carve for our people worthy eered, stained hands twitched, and he faced the plain below The Edur legions had re-for Andii ‘Death fouls the air,’ Silchas Ruin growled ‘I can barely draw it to speak’

‘There will be ti new plans later,’ Scabandari said

‘My people are slaughtered You now surround us, but your protection is far too late’

‘Symbolic, then, my brother There are other Tiste Andii on this world – you said so yourself You th will return More, others will co our defeats’

Silchas Ruin’s scowl deepened ‘This day’s victory is a bitter alternative’

‘The K’Chain Che’Malle are all but gone – we know this We have seen the many other dead cities Now, only Morn remains, and that on a distant continent – where the Short-Tails even now break their chains in bloody rebellion A divided enemy is an enemy quick to fall, my friend Who else in this world has the power to oppose us? Jaghut? They are scattered and few Iainst our iron?’ He was silent ato pass judgement on us And each year there seem to be fewer and fewer of them in any case No, my friend, with this day’s victory this world lies before our feet Here, you shall not suffer froue Kurald Galain And I andthat now besets Kurald E by your own hand, Scabandari’

He was still studying the Tiste forces below, and so did not see the flash of rage that answered his offhand remark, a flash that vanished a heartbeat later as Scabandari’s expression returned once more to equanihut stands atop a ridge to the north,’ Silchas Ruin said ‘Witness to the war I did not approach, for I sensed the beginning of a ritual Ohut, Silchas Ruin?’

‘I fear what I do not know, Scabandari… Bloodeye And there is much to learn of this realm and its ways’

‘Bloodeye’

‘You cannot see yourself,’ Ruin said, ‘but I give you this name, for the blood that now stains your… vision’

‘Rich, Silchas Ruin, coed and walked to the north edge of the heap, stepping carefully on the shifting carcasses ‘A Jaghut, you said…’ He swung about, but Silchas Ruin’s back was to hi followers on the plain below

‘O ‘What does he conjure, Scabandari Bloodeye? I wonder…’

The Edur Soletaken walked back towards Silchas Ruin

He reached down to the outside of his left boot and drew out a shadow-etched dagger Sorcery played on the iron

A final step, and the dagger was driven into Ruin’s back

The Tiste Andii spasions turned suddenly on the Andii, rushing inward frohter

Magic rithing chains about Silchas Ruin, and the albino Tiste Andii toppled

Scabandari Bloodeye crouched down over him ‘It is the way of brothers, alas,’ he murmured ‘Oneas this world is, Silchas Ruin, sooner or later there would be war between the Edur and the Andii The truth of our blood will tell Thus, only one shall coate Only the Edur shall pass We will hunt down the Andii who are already here – what chaood as dead And so it htened, as the last cries of the dying Andii warriors echoed froht – you are too powerful for that Thus, I will take you to a suitable place, and leave you to the roots, earth and stone of its rounds…’