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Udinaas lowered hi will be hidden from us,’ Rhulad said ‘Look up, Udinaas’

He did, and saraith crouched at his side

‘This shade shall exa poison within you’

Udinaas nodded Yes, do this, Rhulad I am weary I want an end

The wraith moved forward, then enveloped him

‘Ohh, such secrets!’

He knew that voice and closed his eyes Clever, Wither I assume you volunteered ?

‘ Solost This bastard has used us sorely Do you ily accede to his demands? I aainst compulsion where my kin are not Can he tell the difference? Evidently he cannot ’ A trill of vaguely hter ‘ And what shall I find? Udinaas Youto Letheras, you see, and we need you there ’

Udinaas sighed Why ?

‘All in good time Ah, you rail at the melodrama? Too bad, hee hee Glean my secrets, if you dare You can, you know’

No Now go away

Wither slipped back, resu man-shape in front of Udinaas

Rhulad released one hand from the sword to claw at his face He spun round, took two steps, then howled his rage ‘ Why are they lying to us? We cannot trust them! Not any of them!’ He turned ‘Stand, Udinaas You alone do not lie You alone can be trusted’ He strode to the throne and sat ‘We need to think We need to … he covets our power, doesn’t he?’

Udinaas hesitated, then said, ‘Yes, sire He does’

Rhulad’s eyes gleamed red ‘Tell us more, slave’

‘It is not my place-’

‘We decide what is your place Speak’