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The Letherii nodded ‘As you wish,out, only to awaken at the sound of my own voice’ He shook his head helplessly ‘I don’t even knohat I have said to your brother-’

‘It matters not,’ Fear cut in ‘What you have done…’ His words trailed away, and for a moment it seemed his face would crumple Trull saw the muscles of his brother’s neck tauten, then Fear’s eyes closed tight, he drew a deep breath and was himself once more He shook his head, unable to speak

Trull crouched beside Udinaas and Rhulad ‘Udinaas, I understand You need rest But stay for a few er, if you can’

The slave nodded

Trull shifted his gaze, studied Rhulad’s ravaged face, the eyes still shut – but there was movement behind them ‘Rhulad It is Trull Listen to et this – this armour – off you-’

At that Rhulad shook his head

‘They are funereal coins, Rhulad-’

‘Y-yes I… know’

Words raw and heavy, the breath pushed out from a constricted chest

Trull hesitated, then said, ‘Udinaas has been with you, alone, preparing you-’

‘Yes’

‘He is used up, brother’

‘Yes Tell Mother I want I want hio now, please-’

The hand dropped away froly insensate on the floor The other hand, still holding the sword, suddenly twitched

And a ghastly sed on Rhulad’s face ‘Yes I hold it still This This is what he htly

Udinaas crawled off a short distance, leaned up against the chest of coins He drew hi that of Rhulad, and, in the e fill with anguish

Exhaustion or no, for Udinaas peace and rest was ten thousand paces away – Trull could see that, could understand that brutal truth Rhulad had had the slave, but whoht

But nothing – nothing – was as it was Trull rose andround to the entranceway Mayen was still standing there, at her side the Letherii, Feather Witch Trull gestured at the slave, then pointed to where Udinaas crouched

He saw her face stretch in horror Saw her shake her head