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Now

Surging forward, filling the cave, then into the narroisting tunnel

To the heart The wondrous, blessed heart of power

Joy and hunger burning like twin fires within it Close, so close now

Squir with the vast pressure of overlying stone and earth A little further

Reaching out, the space suddenly opening, blissfully wide and high, spreading out to all sides, the water welco-still silts sweeping up, blinding, shadows of dead things cavorting before its countless eyes

The heart, the enormous cavern beneath the lake, the city’s very soul – the power-

And Brys heard Kuru Qan speak

‘Now, friend Bugg’

Thirty paces fro skidded to a halt He cocked his head, then smiled

Ahead, Iron Bars slowed, then turned round ‘What?’

‘Find the girl,’ the manservant said ‘I’ll join you when I can’

‘In afirst’

The Cri back

Bugg closed his eyes Jaghut witch, hear me Recall my favour at the quarry? The time has come for… reciprocity

She replied in his‘ I hear you, little man I knohat you seek Ah, you are a clever one indeed …’

Oh, I cannot take all the credit, this time

The demon expanded to fill the cavern The heart was all about, the power seeping in to enliven its flesh The chains of binding rasp hold

The strength of a thousand gods awaited it

Reaching

Countless grasping, clutching hands