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Tomad could say no more on behalf of his son Some subtle force had stolen his authority, and it caure of black fur and glittering gold, fro out from their dark holes Fro in the centre dais, the Warlock King’s hard eyes had slowly shifted fro and cold

The sword needed to be surrendered Hannan Mosag had sent them to retrieve it, and that task could not be called co Until that happened, Fear, Binadas, Trull, Theradas and Midik Buhn all stood in dishonour

It fell now, finally, to Rhulad To ed wound

Yet he made no move

Trull was not even sure his brother was capable of speaking, given the terrible weight encasing his chest Breathing sounded difficult, excruciatingly laboured It was extraordinary that Rhulad was able to keep his arrip of the sword Fro, bestial

The air in the hall was humid and rank The smell of fear and barely restrained panic swirled amidst the smoke fro, the wind creaking the thick planks of the walls

The rasping breath caught, then a thin, broken voice spoke ‘The sword is ’s eyes ‘This ave it to me He said I was the one, not you Because you eak’

The Warlock King recoiled as if he had been struck in the face

Who? Trull shot the question with a sharp glance at Fear Their eyes met, and Fear shook his head

Their father was facing Rhulad now Emotions worked across his face for acenturies before their very eyes Then he asked, ‘Who gave you this sword, Rhulad?’

So like a s made pact with No, not one of our lost ancestors A new… ally’

‘This is not for you to speak of,’ the Warlock King said, his voice tre you intended to betray, Hannan Mosag,’ Rhulad cut in savagely, leaning forward to glare past his hands where they were folded about the sword’s grip ‘But that is not the Edur way, is it? You, ould lead us, cannot be trusted The tie’