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A black box with a golden disc

'Balduur … Balduur '

She muttered the name softly and removed the lid

A dark face stared up at her The close-cropped hair retained soer but little else remained Mould covered the lips and eye sockets Decay was evident throughout She picked up the head and held it in her hands

'Balduur ' her voice fell to a whisper

The tallow lanition

'Balduur ' She repeated the na For all these many years I have held you captive Now, by soht will escape into the void, ready to be reborn No one can foretell what '

Her irl, she had plucked the head froround on Baddon Plane and fresh blood had sprayed onto her white dress

A knock interrupted her thoughts

'Majesty, Thunder son of Lightning is here'

She returned the head to the box and replaced the lid as a sandy-haired uard He was dressed as a warrior: blue cloak, red tunic and tartan pants When the door was securely closed, she pushed the box towards him