Page 305 (1/2)

Rhulad squinted, blinking rapidly as he studied the distant warriors ‘Dust has blinded us, Udinaas It is them?’

‘Yes, Emperor’

The Edur wiped at his eyes ‘Yes, that is well Good, ould have them with us, now’

‘Sire,’ Udinaas continued, ‘a fraght out the enca the battle Your ic Uruth is injured, but she will live Three Hiroth woe flickering in his frantic, bloodshot eyes, flickering, then fading ‘We sought battle, Udinaas We sought… death’

‘I know, Emperor Perhaps in Letheras…’

A shaky nod ‘Yes Perhaps Yes, Udinaas’ Rhulad’s eyes suddenly bored into the slave’s own ‘Those towers of bone, did you see theaze shiftedThe Warlock King was staring at Rhulad’s back with dark hatred ‘Sire,’ Udinaas said in a low voice, ‘your heart is true, to chastise Hannan Mosag When your father and brothers arrive Cold anger is stronger than hot rage’

‘Yes We know this, slave’

‘The battle is over All is done,’ Udinaas said, glancing back over the field ‘Nothing can be… taken back It seerieve’

‘We know such feelings, Udinaas Grief Yes Yet what of cold anger?

What of…’

The sword flinched, like a hackle rising, like lust awakened, and the slave saw nothing cold in Rhulad’s eyes

‘He has felt its lash already, Emperor,’ Udinaas said ‘All that remains is your disavowal… of what has just passed Your brothers and your father will need to hear that, as you well know From them, to all the Edur To all the allies To Uruth’ He added, in a rough whisper, ‘They would co even now about you and your power But you see clear and true, for that is the terrible gift of pain’

Rhulad was nodding, staring now at the approaching figures ‘Yes Such a terrible gift Clear and true…’

‘Sire,’ Hannan Mosag called out

A casual wave of the sas Rhulad’s only response ‘Not now,’ he said in a rasp, his gaze still fixed on his father and brothers