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‘Enough, Buruk,’ Seren said She wiped the rain fro Hull, moved past onto the path Nerek stepped to either side to let her pass

The forest trail was flanked by Blackwood trees, planted to assert Edur possession of these lands Rough es and arcane script by the shadoraiths that clung to every groove and fissure in the rugged skin Wraiths that now rose into vieatch Seren and those following in her wake

There see restless like blackeither side of the trail Seren’s steps slowed

She could hear the Nerek behind her, low

Hull caside her ‘They have raised an army,’ he whispered

There was dark satisfaction in his tone

‘Are they truly the ancestors of the Edur?’

His gaze snapped to her, feverish ‘Of course What else could they be?’

She shook herself ‘Urge the Nerek onward, Hull They’ll listen to you Two days re, that’s all-’ And then she fell silent

For a figure was standing upon the trail Skin the colour of bleached linen, tall as an Edur, a face obscured by dark streaks, as if bloodstained fingers had dran the gaunt cheeks An apparition, the dull red eyes burning froed sheets fro armour Two scabbards, both eure’s feet, as if in worship

A wagon door clattered and Buruk staggered out, wrapped in a blanket that dragged the ground behind him as he came to Seren’s side

‘ Barrow and Root !’ the merchant hissed ‘The tiles did not lie!’