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A huge presence lunging in fro beneath the first Toblakai’s ar round as the second attacker sla upward, seeking the soft space between the lower iant’s head, and the Avowed’s sword point speared its right eye, plunging deep in a spurt of what seemed to be sater

A shriek

Iron Bars found hi over the ruined barrow, the other Toblakai stuain – with a heap of boulders, mud and ripped-up roots in the way

The Avowed leapt down onto level ground oncefroed socket and burst eye, the Toblakai he had attacked was staggering back

The other four were spreading out, silent now, intent

Until they could edge round the entire barrow, their approach would be difficult, the footing treacherous

One down Iron Bars was pleased-

And then the fifth one shook itself and straightened One-eyed, but turning to face the Avowed once more

‘You hurt our brother,’ one said

‘There’s ood, hurting gods’

Gods?

‘We are the Seregahl,’ the lead Toblakai said ‘Before you hurt us, you ht have knelt in worship, and perhaps ould have accepted you But not now’

‘No,’ the Avowed agreed, ‘I suppose not’

‘That is all you would say?’

He shrugged ‘Nothing else co Why?’

‘Well, I’ve already killed a god today,’ Iron Bars said ‘If I’d known this was going to be a day for killing gods, I ht have paced myself better’

The five were silent for a od have you killed this day, stranger?’