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‘Untrained fodder, Preda A terrible waste of citizenry Are they even armed?’

‘Spears and shields, sire Leather ar leaned back ‘Nifadas Still no word on the fate of my wife and son?’

‘Our emissaries do not return, sire’

‘What does he ith them?’

‘I am at a loss to answer that,’ the First Eunuch admitted ‘This Tiste Edur emperor is… unpredictable Sire, despite the Preda’s confidence, I believe it would be wise to begin plans for your temporary displace Letheras, sire Southeast, perhaps Tallis on the Isle, or Truce’

‘No’

‘Sire-’

‘Nifadas, if I a destruction upon other cities, for it is destruction my presence will invite The protectorates, should I be usurped, will fall in line Peacefully, with no loss of life This Tiste Edur emperor shall have his empire For myself, if I must die, it will be here, on this very throne Or, rather,’ he said with a wry smile, ‘on the one in the Eternal Domicile’

Silence Then the Preda turned slowly to face Brys

He returned her regard dispassionately The king had made his wishes known If he would die on his throne, then his Champion would of necessity already be dead There was no other path to Ezgara Diskanar, after all

‘It is my intention, sire,’ Unnutal said, ‘that the situation you describe does not arise The Tiste Edur will be thrown back Beaten and broken’

‘As you say,’ the king replied

These were not new considerations for Brys Ever since the first defeats up north, he had been thinking about a final stand before his king The passage leading into the throne room in the Eternal Douards he felt he could hold it for some time But without relief his death would be inevitable The least palatable thought of all, however, was the possibility of dying beneath sorcery Against which he had no defence The Ceda’s see descent into madness was the most painful blow of all Should the enemy reach the palace, the loss of Kuru Qan would be decisive

Brys wanted to die honourably, but he was helpless to choose, and that stung

The doors opened behind hiuard step inside

‘What now?’ the king asked

‘Finadd Gerun Eberict, uard announced

‘Very well’

The ize for arriving late There were household affairs to attend to-’

‘Taking precedence over an audience with your king, Finadd?’

‘Sire, in rieved to hear that’