Thecharactersandeventsportrayedinthis book are fictitious. Any similarity torealpersons,livingordead,iscoincidentalandnotintendedbytheauthor.Text copyright 2013 Mark BarnesAll rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced,orstoredinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted in any form or by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording, or otherwise, without expresswritten permission of the publisher.Publishedby47NorthSeattle,Washingtonwww.apub.comISBN-13: 9781477807606ISBN-10: 1477807608LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2013936768Cover illustrated by Stephan MartiniereTo the family and friends who neverquestioned that this was what I shoulddo.To the storytellers, past and present,who lit the way.ContentsTitle PageCopyright PageDedication PageCONTENTSSOUTHEASTERN ASHRANBEFORE12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031CAST OF CHARACTERSGLOSSARY OF TERMSACKNOWLEDGMENTSABOUT THE AUTHORSOUTHEASTERN AYEAR 495 OF THE SHRANESEFEDERATIONSHRANYEAR 495 OF THE SHRANESEFEDERATIONTHERE ARE THREE GREAT RIVERS:THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THEFUTURE. NEITHER THE PASSAGE OFTIME, NOR OURSELVES, ARECONSTANT. WE, LIKE TIME, ARESUBJECTIVE AND VIEWED WITH ASMANY LENSES AS THERE AREPEOPLE TO SEE. WE, WITHIN TIME,ARE AT ONCE THE INITIATOR ANDOBSERVER OF PASSING EVENTS,SAILORS ON A RIVER OF CAUSEAND EFFECT: THE MOMENT WEHAVE CAUSED AN EVENT, ORWITNESSED ITS EFFECTS, WE ARESWEPT BY THEM AND LEFT ONLYWITH IMPERFECT MEMORIES OFTHE SMALL PART OF THE WHOLEWE HAVE SEEN. NO MATTER HOWMUCH WE TRY, THERE IS NO GOINGBACK, AND THERE IS NO SEEINGEVERYTHING THERE IS TO SEE. NORCAN WE BUT GUESS AT WHAT IS TOCOME.From The Three Rivers, by Ahwe,scholar, philosopher, and explorer(First Year of the Awakened Empire)Ithas beenalmost fivecenturiessincetheformationoftheShraneseFederation,anallianceofthesurvivingsixGreatHousesandtheHundred Families of the Avn, who fledthe fall of the Awakened Empire and itsmonarch, Mahj-Nsarat fe Malde-ran, asthe result of the Human Insurrection.Thelandwithinandaround Shran is littered with the detritusof past empires, echoes of glory and thehighwatermarkofcivilisationslosttotime,internecinewar,andblindambition.SetagainstShraneseimperialismandthereturntodaysofglory,istheHumangovernedIronLeague,anallianceofnationssetonensuringnonewempirerisestoseizecontrol.TheHumans, alsoknownastheStarborn,remembertheirdaysofservitude and are unwilling to bend theirnecks again.Rahn-ErebusfaCorajidin, the leader of the Great HouseofErebus,andleaderoftheImperialistpoliticalfaction,isdying,hisbodyfailingfromthepoisoninhissoul.NeitherthepowersofhisAngothicWitch, Wolfram, nor the cures availabletohimhavebroughtrelief.Shrinkingfromthethoughtofdyingbeforehehasachievedtheheightsexpectedofaleaderofhisfamily,CorajidinbeginssecretexcavationsoftheRmarqaplacerichintheancientandpowerfulartefactsofagespast,whereCorajidinis suretheanswers tohisillness can befoundinthelostworksofSedefke,thegreatestinventor,explorerandscholarin history.Toprovidebetteraccesstothetreasureshewants,Corajidinpersuadeshispeopletofollowacourseofcivilwaragainsthispeer,Far-ad-din,whoseprefectureborderstheRmarq.ItbecomesclearFar-ad-dinsforcescannotwinagainstthemightoftheGreatHousesandtheHundredFamilies.Indris,formerSqKnight turned mercenary, is both Far-ad-dinsgeneralandson-in-law.Driventoservehisfather-in-lawscausethroughtheguilthefeelsatthelossofhiswife,Anj,IndrisurgesFar-ad-dintofleeforhislife,leavinghiscityofAmnonforever. Once Far-ad-din is safely away,Indris surrenders to the invaders.WhileIndrisiskeptaliveforquestioning,heseesthatmanyofthosewhosupportedFar-ad-dinareexecutedquickly,andinsecret,byCorajidinsforces.Onthevergeoflosinghisownlife,Indrisissavedbyhisuncle,Rahn-NsaratfaAriskander:theAsrahn-ElectandtheArbiteroftheChange,settooverseethecourseofthewar against Far-ad-din.Indrisissurprisedwhenbothhimselfandhiscomrade,Shar-fer-rayn,arepardonedfortheirpartinthecivilwar.Hisreliefisshortlived,ashesuspectsAsrahn-Vashne,leaderoftheFederationistpoliticalfaction,willwantIndristorepaythedebt of his pardon. That night, overcomeby the nearness of death, Indris becomesinvolvedinatrystwithanunknownwomanand,afterasinglenightofpassion, wakes to find her gone.Mari,Corajidinswarrior-poetdaughterandaseniormemberoftheFeyassintheAsrahnselite personal guardis shocked that herfatherwantstocontinuehisransackingofthenearbywetlands.Theglowshefelt after her assignation with a namelessloverthenightbeforefadesrapidly,asshe listens to her fathers schemes to risetoevengreaterheightsofpower.Sheisevenmoreshockedbyhowsickandagedherfatherhasbecome,aswellashisobsessionwiththewordsspokentohimbytheoracles:thatCorajidinisdestined to become the father of empire,andtheleaderofhispeople.DespiteMaris urging him to find another way tocurehisailment,CorajidinrenewshiseffortsintheRmarqtothefindtheanswersheneeds,aswellastheweaponsofpastcivilisationsthatmayaidhiminfulfillinghisdestiny.Corajidinsyoungwife,Yashaminofan age with Mariis one of Corajidinsmostvocalsupporters,wantingtoseeher husband as the most powerful man inShran.Corajidinssons,thewitch-trainedKasraman,andthedeadlyswordsmanBelamandris,areenlistedmore fully in his plans.HesitanttobecomedrawnintoShranesepoliticsandthevendettasoftheGreatHouses,IndrisplanstoleaveAmnonthecityfilledwithnothingbutpainfulmemories.Itishisfriends Shar, Haydenandthe WraithKnight, Omen, who convince him to staylongenoughtopassonwhattheyknowabout Corajidins activities in the nearbyRmarq.BeforeleavingAmnon,Indrisspeakswithhisuncle,Ariskander,andtheAsrahn-Vashne.Herevealsthatheand his comrades had been investigatingtheillegalexcavationsintheRmarqandtheirbeliefthatitwasforcesworkingfortheErebuswhowereresponsible.Vashneand AriskanderaskIndriss help to locate and return Far-ad-din, so the truth of Corajidins falsehoodandcorruptioncanbemorefullyunderstood.Thoughinitiallypreparedtoalloweventstounravelastheywould,Corajidinisthwartedwhenheisinformedthat,ratherthanVashnesteppingdownfromhispostasAsrahnattheendoftheyeartheMagistratumisconsideringallowingthewell-lovedmonarchtoremainasAsrahnindefinitely. Corajidin is furious, yet it ishis Master of Assassins, Thufan, as wellasWolframandYashamin,whoconvinceCorajidintotakemattersintohis own hands and to seize power beforeit is too late.MariisdrawndeeperintoherfathersschemeswhensheisaskedtohelpinVashnesassassination.SheissurprisedtodiscoverIndris,themanshehadaone-nightromancewithandthechildoftheGreatHouseofNsaratshehadbeentaughttodespise,wouldbepresentduringtheproposedattacks. Yetshequestionswhatshehadbeentaught,aswellasherfathersambitions.Duringtheassassinationattempt, Mari decides to distance herselffromherfamilysgrabforpower,andtakesnofurtherpartinit.Herinactionleads to her brother, Belamandris, beingbadlywoundedinabattlewithIndris,andcausesherfatherandhiscolourstorevealthemselvestoVashneandAriskander.ThoughVashne,hiswife,hisdaughterandoneofhissonsarekilled,andAriskanderandanotherofVashnes sons are kidnapped, Indris andhiscomradesmanagetoescape.MariseekstoabsolveherguiltbypresentingherselftotheFeyassinshebetrayed,taking responsibility for Vashnes death.Sheknowsitissomethingshemaynotsurvive, and is beaten almost to death inretribution.Indris,badlywoundedin the assassination of Vashne but savedby Shar and Ekko, wakes to find his oldSq teacher, Femensetri, has healed himofhiswounds.She,likeVashnebeforeher,triestoremindIndrisofhisdutytohis people, as well as to himself. It is ata place of peace, in the heart of troubledAmnon,thatIndrisandMariareoncemore reacquainted.IndrisandMarisfeelingsgrow,despitetheenmitybothhave been taught to feel for each othersHouses,anddespitetheguilthefeelsoverhislongmissingwife.Drivenbyasense of obligation and duty, Indris goesinto streets of Amnon to see what kind ofplaceCorajidinandthosewhoflyhiscolourswouldmakeoftheworld.Seeingtheharshtruth,andunabletodenywhathemustdo,Indrisandhisfriendsagreetohelpfind Ariskandertheman intended totake Vashnes placeasleaderofShran,asmuchasCorajidinwouldhaveitotherwise.HealsoagreestotryandfindFar-ad-dinandbringhimback,tofurtherthwartCorajidins play for the highest office inthe land.As Corajidin continueshisdriveforpower,MariandIndrisworktogethertofindandreturnAriskander:Indris,motivatedbyadeepsenseofwhathesecretlyfeelsishisfailedobligation,aswellasadmirationfor his missing uncle; Mari, because shewantstosaveherfatherfromthedoomsheclearlyseescoming.Indrisandhiscomradessetoutintothemonster-infestedRmarq,themarshlandsthatholdtheancientruinsoflostcivilizations, to rescue Ariskander. Mariremains in Amnona spy in her fathersownhouseholdwithnewfoundallieswho fight to maintain order. Mari finallyrealisesherfatherwillnotbestopped:his obsession with survival justifying hiscallous actions, time and again. When hetalksofallyinghimselfwiththeexiledcovensofthewitches,sheknowsshecannotsavehim.Shealliesherselfirrevocably with Indris.Whilespyingonherfatherandthoseclosesttohim,Marifinds an unexpected ally in Thufans son,Armal.ItisArmalwhorevealsthatVahineh, Vashnesdaughter,managed toescapethepurgeonherHouseandwaslatercaptured.Though Armaldiesinanambush in the streets of Amnonhe andMarikillingtheirattackersMarifreesVahinehandguideshertosafetywiththeir allies.IndrisandhisfriendstrekthroughtheRmarq,thehauntedlandsofthevanishedTimeMasters;survivedangerousbattleswithmalegangers,thehideousmarsh-puppeteersandtherat-folkFenling.During their trek they fight off a party ofFenlingwhohavejoinedwithThufanandBelamandris.IndrisshootsandcriticallywoundsThufan,anduseshismysticabilitiestothwartBelamandrisandtheFenlingfromtheirpursuit,sending Belamandris and Thufan back toAmnon.IndrisandhiscomradesarriveinFiandahariat,aTimeMasterruin,soonafterbutfailtosaveAriskanderfromCorajidinsspite:AriskanderisexecutedandhashissoulboundintoanAngothicSpiritCasque.Indrismanagestorecoverthecasque,butCorajidinescapes.IndrisrushesbacktoAmnonwhere he, his friends, and his allies defyCorajidins ambitions.Vahineh,knowingofMarisinvolvementinthedeathofherfather,motherandbrothers,triestorecruitMaritoenactvengeanceonCorajidin. Mari refuses, but a maddenedVahinehdecidesinsteadtohaveherrevengebykillingYashamin,andtellstherecoveringThufanthatitwasCorajidinwhowasultimatelyresponsibleforthedeathofhissonArmal.Seeinghisplansfallingapartaroundhim,CorajidinattemptstofleeAmnon.Refusingtoadmitdefeat,heformulatesaplantogatherhiscoloursandtomakeastandelsewhere. Betrayed by Thufan, his ownMaster of Assassins, Corajidin is nearlykilled,butnotbeforeheseeshisbelovedson,Belamandris,mortallywounded.ThoughIndris,Mariandtheiralliesarevictorious,itisnotwithoutcost.Mariisoutcastfromherownfamily. Thereisnoclearcandidatetolead Shran,andtheIronLeaguenowseesaweakerShran,easytoconquer.TheGreatHousesandtheHundredFamiliesknowtheirstrugglehasonlybegun.CampedfarfromAmnon, recovering from his near-mortalwounds,CorajidinssupporterssweartheirloyaltyasWolfram makesgoodonhispromisetofindCorajidintheallieshe needs to make his future a reality. Asthestormcloudsgather,CorajidinbroodsoverhisdyingsonasheisintroducedtotheEmissary,aservantofpowerfulandenigmaticmasters.TheEmissarypromisesCorajidinmuch:power, majesty and long life. He acceptsitall,wantsitall,thoughpartofhimwondershowtheEmissarycametobe,for though now she is the servant of darkforces, she once was Anj-el-din, Indrissmissing and presumed dead wife.And nowWHILE I MAY CALL MY MISTAKESOPPORTUNITIES, TO OTHERS THEYMAY BE SEEN AS DISASTERS.From The Darkness Without bySedefke, inventor, explorer, andphilosopher (751st Year of theAwakened Empire)DAY 347 OF THE 495TH YEAR OFTHE SHRANESE FEDERATIONIndrissatintheshadeofafadedawningonthebalconyoftheIronDog,eyesnarrowedagainsttheglarefromthesun-searedgraniteoftheCaleph-Avnweh.Thedarkbordersofthe balcony and flapping awning becameapictureframearoundafrenetic,colorfulworld.ThecityofAvnweh,cupped in the meshed fingers of hills andvalleys between snow-capped mountainsandtheshimmeringmirroroftheLakesof the Sky, teemed with people. VisitorshadgatheredfromoverlandandseainthevividhuesofafistfulofnationsfortheNewYearsFestivalwithitstroupers,dramatists,martialtournaments,sportingeventsandthefamous Nsir Flying Carnival.Hesmiledattheprocessionofpeople,thecolourandshapeofthecrowd,evenasherelishedthesolitudeofhisseat.Itwaslikewatchingtheworldperform,withthousands of interwoven stories he couldwatchif onlyhewentoutamongstthecrowd.Buthere,intheshadeandcomfort, he could just be.Sippingthelastofhissharbat,Indrisstretchedhislegsoutunderthetable.Thechippedoldglasswas cool and rough in his hand, bubblesandsmallcracksfloatinginthetranslucency.Theflavoursofyellowlotuspetals,orangeandpineapplewererefreshing.TheIronDogwasmostlyemptyduringtheday,patronisedbyafewhard-bittennahdiinquietconversationwiththeirsilk-drapedfactor,atallmanwhotalkedhisclientsthrough a handful of letters of offer. OneoranotherwouldglanceupatIndriscuriouslybeforereturninghisattentiontowherehisnextemploymentwascoming from.Indrisrubbedaworncorner of his tanj board. Unfolded it wasalmost a metre wide, with seven hundredandsixty-ninehexagonaltileslaidoutlikealargesix-petalledlotusflower.With twenty-seven pieces per player andup to six players a game, tanj was not forthefainthearted.Thepiecesfromthismorningsgameremainedwheretheyhadbeenabandoned,littleeffigiescaughtmiddramabeforetheirstoryhadbeenfullytold.ThegamehadbeeninterruptedwhenMarihadtokeepanappointmentwithanarmorer.Shar,Hayden,Ekko,andOmenhadlefttoo.Hesuspectedtheywerelookingforanyexcuse to do something other than play agame invented as not only a metaphor fortherulesofsende,butthecomplexandfluidrelationshipsbetweentheGreatHousesandasatoolforstrategicthinking.Hisfriendsgotannoyedwhenhe won, and even more annoyed when heplayed badly to make the game, and theirtimetogetherinpeace,lastlonger.Sonowhehadtimealone,arareandpreciousgiftneithertobeoverlooked,nor wasted.Rummagingaroundinhissatchel,Indristookouthisjournal,brush and ink, and a few small pieces ofwood and precious metals. He caught theattentionofthehousekeepandorderedanother sharbat, and bread and vanushagroundpasteofeggplant,herbsandspices. Opening his journal he looked athismostrecentsketchesofthingshewantedtobuild,orimprove.Roughsketches of a new Tempest Wheel, mademoreefficientbytheplacementofdifferentmetalsinalongscrew,ratherthanaseriesofplatters.Somehalfthoughtoutformulaetomaketravelalong the outer edges of the Drear safer.Eventhedesignsforanewone-personwind-boathehadnamed the Skylarkanagileclockworkeagle,poweredbydisentropy.Therewereafewolderprojects,discardedastoohardatthetime,whichhehadnotlookedatinalongwhile.Oneinparticular,aDrearjammer,piquedhisinterestagainaspiecesofthepuzzlearoundhisoriginaldesignfellintoplace. Somanythingstodo,hethought, butwheretostart?Afiguretooktheseatoppositehim,headcoveredbythedeephoodofanover-robe.Indrisshanddroppedtothehiltofhisdragon-toothknife, the move hidden by the table. She,forhetookthestrangertobewomanfromthelongslenderfingersandsoftness of her hands with their shadowsofblueveinsraisingthepaleskin,wastall. Her over-robe was toned dark sand,patternedwithbrownvinesandtinyyellowflowers.Thehoodedheadwastilteddown,athickbraidofdarkhaircoiling free of the obscuring hood.MarisgameplanisAncestors awful for a warrior-poet, thewomansaidinasharpvoice,whichIndrisrecognisedwithshock.Haydenis waiting to get the game over, knowinghecantwin.EkkoplayslikeheshammeringnailsandSharsgameiselegant and beautiful, as Id expect. IvenoideawhatOmenthinkshesdoing.But,hesdeadandthedeaddontmakeso much sense when theyve lingered solong.Femensetri.Indrislookedaroundtoensurenobodyhadoverheard.Shefoldedherhoodbacktorevealfinefeatures,dominatedbythebrillianceofheropal-colouredeyes.Hermindstonewascoveredbywhatpassedforafringe,thoughitwasmorethe artless hang of hair that needed to betrimmed.Femensetricasuallysweptmostofthewoodentanjpiecesintoabox.Youdontmind?Iassumeyourememberwhereallthepieceswere.Shelookedup,arahnpieceinonehand,SqKnightandwarrior-poetpiecesintheother.Yearsofusehadflakedsomeofthepaintfromthewooden statues.Indriswavedhishandforhertocontinuewhatshewasdoing.Femensetrisettheboardfortwoplayers,eachwithanallytomakeitmoreinteresting.Fifty-fourpieceseachwith meaning, strengths and weaknesses.Tanjhaditsownvocabulary.Everysetofmoves,countermoves,andfeintsasentence.FemensetristartedbymovingherSqMasterfromamongsttheranksinalongstraightlinetotheedgeofherterritory. Indris responded by moving hisPoetMastersoitcouldsupportthewarrior-poets and nearby rahn.Heglancedacrosstheboard, then at his former sahai. Though ithadbeenyearssinceshehadbeenhisteacher,sittingtogetheratatanjboardbroughtbackmanymemories,someofwhich were pleasant.Youlookdifferent,heventured,gesturingatherhairandclothes.CantjustwanderheretoseeyoudressedlikeaSqMasternow,canI,boy?ShescoopedupsomeofIndrissyanushwithtwolongfingers.Henoticedwithsomedistastethecrescentsofdirtunderherfingernails. Afteranuninvitedsip ofhissharbat, she ordered one of her own andaplatterofwarmbreadandgrilledmeats. He slid the glass across the table,insistingshefinishtheonehehadnothad the chance to touch.Thetwoscholarsspokeofnothings.Therealmessagelayintherapidplacementoftinywoodenstatues,complexmovesandcountermoves.Sacrificesandboldheroics,leadingtovictoryordownfall.Movebymove,Femensetrisstoryunfolded for Tanj had been used by Sqspiestosharesecretmessagesandintelligenceforcenturies,thefateofnationshiddenamongstthesubtlemanoeuvringoffigurines.Femensetriwasreplayingthehistoricalinvasionbythe Avnese of Eidelbon, an ancient cityin the Golden Kingdom of Mant. It wasacitywealthyinculture,historyandmoney,invadedduringthecelebrationsofitsnewmonarchbeingcrowned.IttookIndrisafewmovesbeforeherealizedwhatFemensetriwasdoing,thenhefellintotherhythmsoftryingtochangehistory;withoutaboutasmuchluck.Thereareeasierandlessobscurewaystotalk,Indrissaidbetween small bites of his bread.Andeverywaycanbeoverheard.Hertonewasconversational. After moving a piece shenoticed she had left a smear of yanush onit.Shelickeditoffandsetthepiecedownagain.Dontbesonaveastothinkotherwise,especiallyhereinAvnweh.Are your brothers andsistersunderthemountainlisteningnow?Amer-Mahjin,theSqChapterhouse,wasdeepinsideajen-mar,oneofthethreepeaksintowhichAvnweh was built. A sprawling warrenof natural and artificial chambers, it hadbeen home to the Sq in Avnweh sincethe rise of the Awakened Empire. LargerthanthefortressofIrabiyat,Amer-MahjinwasstilljustaruraloutpostwhencomparedtoAmarqa-in-the-Snows,theSqsgreatfortressintheMar Silin.Alwaysandespeciallythose.Wevemoretofearfrom family than anybody else.Yourfamily,hethought, not mine.Tanjmovesunfoldedthoughtsandstrategies,oneaftertheother,thoughsoonenoughFemensetriwas telling a different story from history.ThewayshereplacedtheMahjpiecewithherSqMaster.ThewaytheMahjwas then contested by its ally. The use ofnahdireinforcementsclaimedfromadditionalpiecesinneutralterritory.Thesenahdipiecesfacedoutwardfromtheotherpiecesindicatingtheywerehonorless,criminalsorinsomeotherwaycouldnotbetrusted.Thefigureshadtheheadsofdogs,showingtheywere held in low esteem. In truth it wasanaccuratedepiction:inHigh Avntheword nahdi meant iron dog. The basesof these figures were painted with a golddot, saying they had once been people ofinfluence.Thesenahdireplacedthemoretraditionalpiecessupportingandprotectingtherahn.Aradicalshiftinpower. Alliances made with traitors.ThedivisionofherSqpiecessomewiththerahn,somemovingtowardstheunoccupiedcentrewheretheMahjor Asrahnpiecewouldresideandsomeremainingaloofwasenoughtogivehimpause.Helookeddownattheplacementofthepiecesonthe board, reading the message.Can youproveany ofthis?Hesippedathiscoolsharbat,wishingitwassomethingstronger.Thedrink did not stop the sweat that prickledhis spine and lower back.Itshappeningnow.Femensetripickedatherteethwithachipped nail.Whatareyoudoingaboutit?Hehatedthetensioninhisvoice.WhatIcan,whichisthree-quartersofsod-all,shesaidbitterly.Ourbrothersandsistersaredivided.TheSurethasdecreednoneofusaretoinvolveourselvesinexternalmattersuntilaunifieddirectionisagreed.Somewanttobecomemoreinvolvedinpolitics.Otherswanttomaintain a distance. There are those whowanttoassumeabsolutepower,hungeringforareturntotheoldtimes.Fewseemtorememberwhywewereformed in the first place.Arewetalkingaboutanother Scholar War? he asked tensely.Morelikeanesotericrebellion.Weveamongstournumbersomewhowanttoseehowcomfortableathroneandcrownare.AndifthehatfitsSweetNsarat,hewhispered.Theotherpiecesontheboardcameclearlyintofocus.AllthisduringtheAssembly?Itsnotasiftheresnotenoughtoworryabout,withthe elections for Asrahn so soon.WhichwontbeassimpleavictoryasNazarafineisexpecting,ifCorajidinmanagestorallyenough support.SoIsee.He noddedtowardsthenahdipiecesontheboard.Seeing them so close to the rahn, who inturnwasonhisjourneytothecentreofpower,wasalarming.Dowehavenames for these unexpected guests?Femensetri withdrew ascrollfromherover-robe.Sherolleditacrossthetable,scatteringpiecesleftand right. Indris wondered how much ofthegesturewasmetaphorversushowmuchwasfrustration.Hecrackedtheseal, then read the names.Howmanydifferentkindsoftroublewillthisbe?Indrisasked.Howmanycommanders do you count on the list?Fifteen or so.Which is about fifteenor so different kinds of trouble we dontneed.Femensetrisippedathersharbatthen spat it on the floor. She grimaced atthetasteofthedrinknowthatithadwarmed.Andnotallthetroubleweregoing to get.TherehadbeenalmostthirtysayfsoftheHundredFamiliesIndrisknewofwhohadbeenExiledunderVashnesrule.Somehaddiedinforeignwars.Othershadsettledformorepeacefullives,nevertobeheardfromagain.Thentherewerethosewhohadmadenamesforthemselves,relishinginbloodandwarandthewealth it brought them. Imperialists, theytoowereexiledbyVashneforvariousreasonsovertheearlieryearsofhisreign.AllCorajidinsImperialistfriends,Femensetrisaidwithmockexcitement,witharmieshardenedinforeignserviceandcofferslinedwithgoldandjewels.Likeyousaid: trouble.Indrislookedoutacross the Caleph-Avnweh. There werehundredsofpeoplemeanderingintheearly afternoon sun. Summer was almostover.Avn,HumansandtheSeetheintheirpastelcolorsand serill,thedrake-firedglassshiningbright.HeevensawthreeoftheslenderYarrow-te-yi,nolargerthanadolescents,saplingslenderandwoodhuedwithleavesandtinyflowersgrowinginthefrondstheyhadforhair.AprideofTau-selionfolkstrolledamongstthem.Shortermanedfemalesinfeltvestsandbreechesdecoratedwithfortunecoinswalkedwithasmallnumberofmaleswithonelarger, black-maned male as their alpha.Theytried,laughing-purring,toherdtheirexcitableandenergeticcubs.TheyoungTau-sespedaroundthemarketsquare. Pounced on each other. Tumbledlike clawed balls of fur and muscle, untiltheirmothersscoldedthem.Thecubswouldbestillforawhile,dustingofftheirfelttunics,beforegraduallyandinexorablyreturningtotheirfreneticrampage. A lone figure, nose improbablylong and pointed between wide eyes andcheeks so sharp Indris could slice breadwiththem,stalkedthroughthecrowd.ItmayhavelookedlikeapersoninaFestival costume, but Indris knew better.Thesoft-lookingleathermaskwithitsswirlsofcolouranddeeptriballineswereitsskin.Thefeatheredcloakitsfoldedwings.TheIkuwasdressedinshadesofweather-stainedgreylikeatravelling daikajthe various orders ofwarrior-asceticsawidesashwithhundredsofcolouredknotsarounditswaist.Afoldingfanmadeoffeatherswithsteelveinswasthrustthroughitssash,andtheIkucarriedasturdywalkingstick,aweapondentedandbleachedfromuse.Indrisdoubtedanybody knew the lone creature for whatitwas.TheIkuweremystics,thinkersand teachers, and the enigmatic watchersoftheworld.Andoftenharbingersofstrife.IndrisrestedhishandonChangeling,rememberingyearsoftutelageatAmarqa-in-the-Snows,undertheblackbeadeyesofanIkuweaponmaster who had made not only what wasinIndrisshandsdeadly,butmadeweapons of his body and mind also. Andhereonewas,alone,sofarfromhome.Areyouheretowatch,toteach,ortodestroy?Perhapsameasureofallthree?Indrissattentionwasdivertedbyabeatenoldwind-galleythat hummed over the square, misalignedTempestWheelsclattering.TheDisentropySpoolswobbled,grindingagainst their mountings. Faint veins, likespinning heat-haze, distorted the air as itpassed by towards the lakes, looking foraplacetoland. Aboveitallaflightofgryphonspoweredacrossthesky,riders armor and spear points glitteringastheenormousbeaststurnedinformation.Indriswishedhewereuptherewiththem,aboardthe WandererwithMariandhisotherfriends.Therewas a sense of freedom in being able tosoarabovetheproblemsoftheworld.Tolettheprowturninwhateverdirectionthewindwasheadingandsimplydriftalong.Seeingeverythinggavetheworldperspective,puttingintocontexttheimportanceoftheonesheloved.Femensetrisnappedherfingerstogethisattention.Shehadanexpectantlookonherface.Indrisknew he had the option of walking away.Or sitting there and ignoring her. He alsoknewshewouldeventuallygetherwaybecause she knew he cared.Isupposeyouwantme to do something about this, since youcant?You and yours are theonlyonesItrust,Femenestrisaid.Hergazesoftenedasshestood.Treadlightly,Indris.YoudrewattentiontoyourselfatAmnon.TheSqreleasedyou from public service, but not from theOrder.Someofourbrothersandsistersseeachanceforascholartositthethroneagain.Andhereyouare,thescholarsonofoneofthemostancientand respected bloodlines in the country.When are you and theSqgoingtoleavemebe?Thereareotherpeoplewhocanassistwiththeselittle dramas, you know.Youretheonewhoagreestohelpwhenasked.Femensetrishrugged.Icantseeyoulosingyourconscience,ethicsormoralityanytimesoon.How inconvenient forme, Indris said. He did not try to matchFemensetristoothysmilewithoneofhisown,itbeingtoodishearteningtoeven fake enthusiasm.Werenotgoingtohavethosequietfewweeksyoupromised,arewe?Sharsaid,pokingIndris in the chest with a stiffened finger.The lotus wine had stained her blue lipsadeepindigo.Herlightinebriationcausedthewarchantersskintoshinesoftly,likeitwasbacklitbycandles.Whosebrilliantideawasittocomehere?WehadtogetOmenhisnewbodyandyou,Shar,saidyouwantedtoseeAvnweh,Indrisreminderher.Andyes,wellgetourquiet time. I doubt itll be here, thoughor now.IdratherworkalmostanywherethanrelaxinthesameplaceasthemExiles.Haydenranafingerandthumbalonghisdroopingbrassymoustache,eyesnarrowedinhisweathered face. I figure nothin goodllcome of them being here.WeneedtotellRosha, Indris muttered.Marisbrowscurvedinafrown.Thebreezesnaggedatherblondelocks,thesunmakingsapphiresofhereyes.Surelyherownspieswilltell her what she needs to know?Canttakethechance.Sharshookherhead.Lookwhathappenedlasttimewedidntownuptowhatweknew.IdrathernotexperienceanotherAmnon,orthelikesof our little wander through that faruq-taRmarq.Pointtaken,Haydenwinced,hisexpressionbetrayinghismemories.Thenhisweatheredfacebrightened, his colour improving a little.WhatsonemorejauntbeforeIheadhome? I suppose the meadows of Ondeacan wait a few days more for me.Indrisslipsalmostmanaged a smile at the thought of losingHayden.TheyhadfoughttogetherintheBraveCompanions,thenagainafterIndris had escaped from Sorochel whileonhisquesttofindhismissingwife,Anj.ButHaydensdaysofadventuringhadruntheircourse,andtheolddroveraccepteditwithgoodgrace.Indrisenvied Hayden his coming peace.Amonindris?Ekkosvoicewaspitchedlow,intherumble-purrofwhatpassedforaTau-sewhisper.Maywetalkprivately,youand I?Ofcourse.Indrisexcused himself as his friends listened toHaydensplansofhowheintendedtorebuild his homestead, raise horses, anddrinkhome-brewedbeeronhisverandahashewatchedthesuncomedown.WithEkkoalooming presenceathisside,Indriswanderedtoonesideofthebalconywherehecouldseescoresofpeopleinbrightlycolouredandfantastical costumes in the market squarebelow.Ahandfulofchildrenwererunningaroundthecentralfountainandits obelisk, kites in the shapes of eagles,dragonsandshieldswheelingontheendsofknottedstringsclutchedintheirhands.Ekkoleanedonthebalconyrail,hiseyesnarrowedwithpleasure,nostrilsflaringasheinhaledthestoriestheworldtoldhim.Indrisalmost did not want to intrude.Whats bothering you,Ekko?ItisSassomon-Omen,Ekkoreplied.IamnotalongtimefriendoftheWraithKnightindeed,hiskindIfinddisturbing,inmuch the same way as do you Avn. ButIvenoticedhis,lapses.Heseemstoloseawarenessofwhattranspiresaroundhim,andIhavemymisgivingsabouttravellingwithacompanioninwhom I do not have complete trust.Indristurnedtolookback at Omen, who was lurking amongstlong streaks of shadow, as motionless asaroofgargoyleandsilent,despitethechatter around him. Hayden going home.Omenfadingaway.Anj.Losingfriendswasalwayspainful,andtolerableonlyinthecompanyoftheoneswhoremained.Iunderstand,Ekko.Indrispattedthegiantlion-manontheshoulder.Andthanksforyourhonesty.Keepyoureyesopen.Ifwedonttakecare of each other, wholl do it for us?TheQadirNsaratwascutintoacreviceontheCaleph-Rahn on Mar-Silamari, called by its lesspoeticnameofStarCrownMountaininmoderntimes.Tallphoenix-cappedcolumnsofbluemarbleandgoldleafmarked the entrance. Balconied galleriesandtallwindowswithstainedglassdotted the red stone face of the mountain.Appleblossomsgrewamidstnaturalponds,fernsandnativevioletsgrowingbetween moss-covered rocks exposed tothejaggedcircleofskyhighabove.There were several heavy-looking doorsofiron-bandedwood.Smallcoveredbalconieswithfretworkscreenslookedinwardamidstlongteartracksofwateron the ruddy stone.Marihaddeclinedtocome,feelinguncomfortablebeingcaughtinthepalaceofherancestralenemy. Indris did not blame her. ThoughsheandRoshanahadseeneyetoeyeatAmnon,itwasfarfrombeingafriendship.Moreacessationofhostilities.Theywereescortedinside, then up a seemingly endless flightofstairstoasolarium.FromtheretheMarJiharawasasaw-backedmountainwallalmostcloseenoughtotouch.Cloudsswirledlikelazyseafoamaroundthemountaintops,darkenedandswollen with rain. High above the qadir,thepeaksoftheajen-marrearedlikeafistful of bloodied sword blades, cappedin snow. Beyond World Blood stood thelastofthethreesisters,toweringMar-Asrafah, the Skyspear.Theywaitedforanhour.Haydenstoodwithhisbacktoacarvedmetalcolumn,sunlightmakingabrassy halo of his bobbed hair. His facewasinshadow,saveforpalescoresoflightacrosshisnose,temple,cheekandjaw.Theelderlymancradledhislong-barrelledstorm-rifletohischest,eyesdistant. Hiscomplexionseemedashenunderthetan;eyeswashedoutandskinslack.Ekkoloomedlargebesidehim,tailtwitching.IndrisunderstoodEkkosnervousness:RoshanahadbeendispleasedwhenherKnight-ColoneloftheLionGuardhadresignedhiscommissiontotravelwithIndris.Omenhadpausedbytherailing,staringsouthwardoverthediamond-strewnblanketoftheLakesoftheSky.Theglazeonhisnewceramicbodywaseitherblueorgreen,dependingontheangleitwasviewedfrom.Hisjointswerepolishedbrass.Hisnailswhorledonyx. The Seethe crafters who had madethe body had given him the face of Tyen-to-wo,theLaughingWindspiritoftheSeethe:sharpfeaturedwithalongpointednoseandchin,andfacetedemeraldcrystalsforeyes.Itwasadeparturefromhispreviousface,whichhadbeendevoidofallfeatures.IndrishadnotdecidedwhetherhepreferredOmensnewvisageornot.Itwasatoncemoreandlessthanthefaceofaman in touch with the world around him.OurtriptoAvnwehnotquiteturningoutthewayyoudexpected?Sharsaid.ShewasperchedonthebalconyrailatIndrissside,abowl of bitter-smelling green lotus tea inher hands.Not so much, no. Hewinced at a lancing pain behind his eyes.YouvebeenhavingheadacheseversinceAmnon,Sharwhispered.Youneverhadthembefore.IthinkallthedisentropyIused,plusmyAwakening,hasThesoundoftheglassdoorsopeningcaughtIndrissattention.He looked over his shoulder as a bound-casteservantinashortsleevelesstunicapproachedhim.Theyoungwomanwouldnotmeethiseyes,thoughwithquietwordsandasmallgestureindicatedheshouldjoinRahn-Roshanain the Phoenix Room. As the others madetheirmovestojoinhim,theservantpolitelyinterceded.Indriswastocomealone.ThestonewallsofthePhoenix Room had been carved with theimagesofhundredsofphoenixesindifferentshapesandsizes,flockingwithinachurningmaelstromofflame.Blue andgoldceramictiles coveredthefloor.TheouterscreensthatshelteredthePhoenixRoomfromtheelementswere flung wide, turning the round roominto something of an eyrie.Roshasattallinherchair,square-shoulderedandsquare-jawed,herdarkhairdrawnbackfromevenfeatures.Herclothingwassimple:asleevelessblueleatherjerkinbezaintedwithbronze,loose-leggedtrousersand highsuppleboots.Shelookedlikeawomanofgentlesummer.Ofolivegroves,sun-dappledfieldsandlakesthatshoneassharpasswordedges.Roshanasmiledbroadly,risingfromherseattotakehiminawarmembrace. Her companions likewise rosefromtheirchairs:theelderlyPoetMasterBensaharn,layersofclothingelegantlyarrayedonhisslenderframe,his high ponytail and braids plaited withthe gold and gems of his commendations;thebookishKnight-GeneralMaselane,scarredhandsatoddswithhisgentle,softfeatures;andDanyn,withhislambswoolhairandblueeyes,thesouthernerallhardplanesofmuscleincommonwarrior-casteclothing.Youngforhispost,theNsaratsMasterofSpies was an accomplished operative oftheIshahayans,theGnosticAssassinsfromthemountainsbeyondtheRmarq.OnlyMauntro,hercommanderoftheLionGuard,wasabsent.Nodoubtkeeping the qadir secure.This is an unexpectedpleasure,Roshasaid,gesturingforIndristotakeaseat.Hecastacasualglancearoundtheroom.Severalmapslayonanearbytable,curlededgesflutteringinthebreeze. AlargesheafofparchmentswasweigheddownbythesmallbustofKohar,ageneralfromantiquitywhohadhelpeddevelopsomeofthecavalrytacticsstillusedtoday.Closebyonasmallwritingtablewasmoreparchment,ascratchedoldink-wellandaragged-lookinginkbrush.Oneofthemapshadseveralsetsoffiguresonit,representingtroopmovements across Shran.Imafraidthisismore about business, he said. How areyou settling in as the Rahn-Nsarat?Wellenough,shesaid,bravadomaskinguncertainty.Shetappedhertemplewithtwofingers.Stillcomingtotermswitheverythingmyfatheriswas.Thoughyouprepareforit,nobodyevertellsyou Awakeningis soBreathtaking?Violent. She crossedherlegsandsatbackinthechair,morehiscousinthanthemonarchofaGreatHouse.Theimpositionofsomanythoughts.Aspirations,hopes,victories,defeats.Everything.Itslikeseverallivestryingtofitwithmine.Ortakemine over.Youvesurvivedthestorm.Nowyouneedtowaitforthewaterstosettle.Heleanedforwardtoresthiselbowsonhisknees.Howarethe household taking it?Liketheyhaveachoice?Roshasmiledtotakethestingfromherwords.BensaharnandMaselanesmiledsmallsmiles,whileDanyncockedaneyebrow.Mystaffwill be much as Father left it. MaselanewillbemyMasterofArms.OurrelationshipwiththeGnosticAssassinsof the Ishahayan is a long one, so Danynwillstayon.HopefullytheconversationsImhavingwithSayf-AjomandyanwillnetmeanewSkyMaster,nowthatFar-ad-dinandhisSeethe arent with us.AndImlookingtoretire,Bensaharnsaid.Thesunflaredfrom his long white hair and short whitebeard.ButIwillserveasPoetMasteruntil we can appoint somebody new.YoualwayssaidMari was your greatestIndris!Roshagrowled. An Erebus as the Poet Masterof the Lament? Be serious.I suggested the same,Bensaharn pointed at Rosha. See! Sheistheperfectchoice.OneofthebestIhaveevertrained,nowevenmorefamous after her heroism at Amnon.Notnow,Bensa.Besides,whatIreallyneedatthemomentisaLoreMaster!Roshasexpressionwasfrustrated.TheSqhavenotrespondedtomyrequest.ShelookedatIndriscritically.Youservedmyfather,Indris,andIdhaveyouwithme.IadvisedAriskanderas and when I could, Rosha, Indris saidgently. But my path is elsewhere.Yourefamilyandyouhaveanobligation.Hervoicewashard,withechoesofolderrahnslongdead. Family.Washe,though?IndriswasremindedofAriskanderswords.Mysisterwasavessel,onewhowillinglyacceptedhergreatburden.YourmotherriskedallwhenshesentyouforwardRoshacontinued,AsyourrahnIexpectyoutoservetheNsarat,inwhatevercapacityIdeembest.Indris ignored this, andinsteadtookFemensetrislistfromhissatchel.HegaveittoRosha,whodidnotsomuchasglanceatit.HasyourMasterofSpiestoldyoutheImperialistExiles have returned to Avnweh?Oldnews,Danynsaid.Theyreturnedtoday,viawind-frigates from Tanis.Indrispointedtothelist. The real leaders, the ones you needtoworrymostabout,arrivedviafasterwind-skiffs over the last couple of days,no doubt to make their plans in secret.Whatmakesyousocertain?Maselaneraisedaceramicteacuptohislipsandsipped.Thesea-patternedglazeshoneagainsthisdarkfingers and rough nails.Its what Id do. If thekeyleadersoftheExileshaventbeenseen yet, its because they dont want tobe.WereIthem,IdbeintalkswithfellowImperialiststostakemyclaimbeforetheotherscan.Corajidinwillbelooking for new friends.Roshapursedherlipsforamoment,thennoddedtoDanyn.Themanshruggedand,withoutaword,lefttheroom.Indrisstudiedthefelinewaythemanwalked,thefluidgrace,asheseemedtoglide soundlesslyfromtheroom.Indris,Roshabegantentatively,myselfandtheotherFederationistshavebeendiscussingouroptions.AftertheeventsatAmnon,Shran is in something of a predicament.Welostmanyexperiencedleaders,myfatherandFar-ad-dinoftheDin-maTroupenotwithstanding.Weneedhelpstabilising the country.IlldowhatIcan.Indris said.Roshasatstraightinherchair.Thecousinwasgone.Therahnremained.TheFederationistsagreeweneedyourtalents.Shranisdivided. The Iron League threatens morewar.WerisklosingtheConflictedCities.Weneedtorewardyouforpastservicessoyouhavetheauthoritytodosome real good.Indrisbowedhisheadtohidehisapprehension.IappreciatethegesturebutIvedonemoreforlesson Shrans behalf over the years. I helpfrom conscience, not coercion.Title,Maselanebegan, lands, money, influenceIndrisshookhishead.Have some. Dont need more. Therereplenty of people who could do some realgood with what you offer.Andwerefindingplacesforthem,shesaid,frustrated.Theywantit.Youdont.YourespectpowerandIknowfirsthandyoudnotabuseit.Youknowwhatsgoingonhere!Indristookadeepbreath as Rosha talked. He listened withpartofhismindashiseyeslosttheirfocus.ThebranchesofthePossibilityTreewere blurredatfirst.Shadowyimages,likewatercolorbrushstrokesacrosshisvision.Soonenough,individualbranchesbegantotakeonshape.Causesilluminatedeffectsasspecificbrancheswerelimnedinpallidlightinhismindseye.FactionfightingbetweentheFederationistsandtheImperialists leading to more civil unrest;Far-ad-din deposed; Ariskanders death;VashnesdeathandthereturnoftheExiles;aweakeningoftheAvnpresenceintheConflictedCitiesastheExilesdeparted;thepotentialfallofTanistotheIronLeague;thegreaterprobabilitytheIronLeaguewouldturntheirmilitarymightonShran;theImperialistsusingthethreatofforeigninvasion as leverage for their agendasIndris? Rosha asked.Did you hear anything I just said?Heblinkedhiseyesslowly. Allowedtheroomtocomeintofocusashescannedhisrecentmemory.YouwereofferingmetheestateofIrabiyat,onthebordersofTanis.Youthinkascholarensconcedthereasitsgovernorwillbeadeterrent.YoualsowantmetokeepaneyeontheSq,expectingtheyllcooperatewithme.Idont think itd make a lick of difference,one way or the other. If anything, the Sqwill not react well to me at all.I also want you as theLoreMasteroftheNsarat,Roshaadded.OryoucouldbecomemyPoetMaster.Nottheperfectchoice,butfarfromabadone,Bensaharn said.Imnotthatgoodaswordsman.Indrisshookhishead.And we return to the Sq. Theyd haveacollectivestrokeifIrevealedtheirtechniques to outsiders.OnceyouwereappointedtheSayf-IrabiyatsomethingIlldohereandnowyoucouldstartyourownFamily.Roshastrodeacrosstheroomtoherdeskandsat.Shetookink brush in hand.Rahn-AriskanderwantedRahn-Roshanatomarry YagooftheNsar,tostrengthenyourtieswithyourdistantrelations.Maselanedrummedhisfingertipsonhisteacup.Thats out of the question now.ButRoshaaddedyoucouldjustaseasilymarryhisolder sister, NevaTheladyImwithisjustfine.Indrissaidwithanembarrassedlaugh.HerememberedNevafromwhentheywerechildren.Aprecocioustomboy,defiantandheadstrong,alwaysgettingherselfintotrouble.Indrishadlikedher.Hehadheardshehadgrowntobecomearemarkablewoman,theheirto Sayf-AjomandyanoldUncleAjoofAvnweh and the commander of his SkyKnights.Surely you dont thinkyourrelationshipwithMarihasafuture? Roshas voice was harsh. Thatshesurvivedat Amnonwasunexpected,some may say remarkable, but theres nowaytheTeshriwillallowaformalunion between the two of you.NeitherMarinorIaregoingtoinheritanythingmeaningful.Hisvoicewascalm,maskingtheangerthatflaredwithin.Roshaseyesnarrowedathistone.AnalliancebetweentheNsaratandtheErebus would strengthen our nation withnorisktothebloodlines.Quitetheopposite.ItmightlessensomeoftheinternecinefrictionbetweenourGreatHouses.Roshashookherhead.Youdbothbecomeoutcastsifyoueven tried. I wont allow you to throw abeneficialalliancewiththeSkyLordaway,soyoucanplaywithyourforbiddenprincess.Wooher,bedher,andthenabandonher.Therearebetteroptions for you.Indristookadeepbreathinhissearchforpatience.Rosha,IllhelpyouasbestIcan,buttherearelimits.IvebeendownthatroadwiththeSq,theCrown,andtheState,anditdidntworkoutwellforanybody, least of all me. Leaving Shranagain wouldnt be such a hardship.Wouldyoumakeanexile of Mari as well? Maselane asked,surprised.Thewomanalmostdiedtoregainourtrust.Youneedtorespectwhatshedidtoremainpartofwhatwere trying to build.Thereareplansforher future as much as there are plans foryours.Rosharubbedherhandstogether,asifhersayingitmadeitso.Easierforyoubothtoenditnow,beforeitcutstoodeep.Trustme.Iknow.Mari.Wouldshewanttobepartofthelifebeingofferedhim,ortheonehewantedforhimself?Shewas the daughter of a Great House, onlyrecentlycomeintoherindependence.Indriswouldnothavebeensurprisedifshehadbeenofferedlandsandtitlesofherown,givenherverypublicdisplayof heroism in Amnon. He could not makeanychoicethatimpactedher,withouttalkingtoheraboutit first.To workouttheirfuturewasoneofthereasonshewas here.ThinkingofMaribroughtbackmemories.Tenderness.Peace.Passiongladlygivenandjustasgladlyshared.ThebeginningofsomethingIndris hadnotthoughthewouldexperienceagain,oratleastcertainlyhadnotplannedonexperiencing more than once.Indristurnedtolookthroughtheglassdoorstowherehisfriendswaited. Asmilequirkedhislipsat seeing Hayden throw his hands up, nodoubt at something Omen said. Shar andEkko almost doubled over with laughter.Well?Roshasnapped.Areyougoingtodowhatweneed of you?Indrispausedforamoment before he replied.Whatyouwantandwhatyouneedaretwoverydifferentthings.IfMari,myotherfriends,orIcantenjoyaplacewithoutyourthreatsandagendas,thenyouvenothingtooffer.Letmeknow whenyourewillingto listen, rather than talk.He had his hand on thedoorwhentherecameaswirlofuseddisentropyacrosshissoul,likeinhalingold smoke. It was followed by the soundofacolossalexplosionsomewhereinthe city below.BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS AREINEXTRICABLE. WE BEGINSOMETHING NEW, BECAUSESOMETHING HAS ENDED WE EITHERNO LONGER NEED, OR IT NOLONGER NEEDS US. OFTEN, WENEED TO EMPTY THE CUP OF OURBELIEFS TO SEE HOW NECESSARYCHANGE IS.From Climbing From the Top of theMountain, by Kobaqaru, ZienniMagnate to the Serpent Princes ofKaylish (490th Year of the ShraneseFederation)DAY 347 OF THE 495TH YEAR OFTHE SHRANESE FEDERATIONAs Mari leaned againsttherooftopbalconyrailofNanjidas,the fortress of the Feyassin in Avnweh,shelookeddownatthesheafofcanvasflappinginthebreeze.Ithadbeenawhilesinceshehaddrawnanything.Slenderlengthsofcharcoal,pointed,chisel-edged,andbluntlayinanoldbox,thevarnishontheedgeswornpalewith use. The boxonce her motherssatalongsideoldjarsofpigment,usedbrushes,andasmallbowlofwaterandapestleformixing.Sheknewthesamenervousthrillsherememberedwhenabouttoembarkonanewproject,wonderinghowherhandswouldrenderwhat her eyes saw and heart felt.Marimixedthepigmentsandwatertomakeherink.Tookabrushinherhand,closedhereyes.Exhaled.Whensheopenedthemagain the image was beautiful and clear,whichsherenderedinsurestrokesonthe canvas.ThemassofWorldBlood Mountain seemed to lean over herin the gathering dusk. Silhouettes bustledalongnearbystreets,pastthelantern-litwindowsofartisansandvendors.Students from the Habron-sk, the HeronSchoolofwarrior-poets,walkedinasmallgroup,longspearsacrosstheirshoulders,swordsattheirhipandshieldsslungontheirbacks.MemoriesofhertrainingatTheLamenttuggedather. Of long days, short nights, pleasure,pain,anddreams.Alwaysthedreams.Of greatness and glory. Of being a nametoringtrueamongstthelineofheroeswho had come before.The long held breath ofthedaywaspreternaturallydeepasitexhaled into evening. Mountain shadowswererazoredged,vermillionhued,andsharp against an indigo sky marbled withstreaksofyellowcloud.Itwasasifthelighthadbeenfrozen,reflectedfromtheredorangestonesofthecityandthemountainsintowhichitwascarved.Hardshadowsframedtownhousesthatseemedtothrustthemselvesfromtheterraced rock, or pooled around the baseofthecitywhereitroseandfellinvalleys and foothills.Marisetdownherbrushasthesunrolledbehindthemountain,andshadowsfellinasilentavalanche.ThetinysparksoflanternsignitedacrossAvnweh.Itwasifsomebodyhadscatteredbrightchipsofamber,sapphire,anddiamondacrossarumpledcharcoal quilt.Thetemperaturedroppedsharply.Marifoldedherarmsacrossherchest,shivering.Inthirteendaysautumnwouldcome.Itwouldbeanewyear.WithanewAsrahnandtherelentlessanvilofsummeronlyavaguelyrememberednostalgiaasthenewworldturnedandhopefullybothtempersandthecountrycooledwithautumn.Itseemedanagesinceshe had last been at Nanjidas. Some ofthegreatestwarriorsofherpeoplehadlivedwithinthesewalls.Hadtrainedinitswidecourtyard.Meditatedunderitsarchedcolonnades,initssculptedgardens,orunderitsdomeswiththeirmosaic ceilings.Somuchhistory.HeraffairwithIndris.Vashnesdeath.HerdefianceofherGreatHouseanditslegacy. Estrangement from her father andbrother.Nazarafinesoffertocommandthe Feyassin. Indris had spoken to her ofhisencounterwithBelam,howThufanhadtakenrevenge.IndrisdidnotknowwhetherBelamhadsurvived,thoughMariwassureifherbrotherhaddiedtheworldwouldhaveknownofit.History.WhatwasitIndrishadsaidtoher? The ripples of today were stones inthewatersofyesterday.Weformourtruthsfromthefactsofwhatsgonebefore.Youcantseparatewhatwasfrom what is. You can only change whatwill be.Sohereshewas.Ready to try for a new tomorrow whereheryesterdaysdidnotmattersomuch.Todaywashernewbeginning.Toomanypebbleshadbeencastintothepondforhertoseeclearly.Everythingwasripples,themirrorofherlifedistortedDangerlashedhersenses.Marithrewherselfsideways.Sparksflewastheblademeantforherbackstrucktherailingwhereshehadstood.Sheletmomentumcarry her. Rolled smoothly to her feet.Therewerethreecowledfigures.Theyworedark,tight-fittingshortcoatovertrousersboundwithcordaboutthelegs.Theirexposedskinhadbeenblackened,ashadthebladesoftheirlongcurvedknives.Spreadout,theyapproachedonsilentfeet.Youvesomestoneson you, she admitted. But no brains.The assassin on the leftsped forward. A blur in the gloom. Maristeppedwithinthearcofherenemysarm.Graspedthewrist.Twistedsavagely.Smashedanelbowintotheassassinsjaw.Caughttheknife,whichfellfromtheirhandbeforeithittheground.Theassassincameagain.Usinghis momentum, Mari blocked; folded herhand down. Grasped the assassins wristand elbow. Spun. Propelled the assassinoverthehighrailingintotheemptyair.Theassassintumbledsoundlesslyintothe darkness.Lookwhatyouvedone.Maritappedthelong-knifeagainstherthigh.Smiledlopsidedly.Now Ive got a knife, too.Theassassintotherightapproachedmorecautiously,oneknifeextendedbeforethem,theotherobscuredbehind. Afterthefirstfreneticpassofsteel,Maridancedback.Weaponsrangagainsteachother.Steelscraped.Shekeptherassailantbetweenherselfandthethirdassassin,whotriedtocirclebehindher.Pridewarredwithcommon sense and lost.Assassinsontherooftop!Maribellowedasaknifescoredherribs.Hopefullysomebodyheard her shout. She bared her fangs in asnarl.Herownbladebouncedfromsomekindofarmorbeneaththeassassinshooded robe.Theshudderinherwristandforearmtoldheritwasmetal.Allshehadwasasleevelessjerkin and kilt.Marifoundherselfforcedbacktotherailing.Knivesflashedinthejade-tintedmoonlight.Fistspummelled.Feetlashed.Kneesstruck.Shinsandforearmsslammedagainsteachother.Shefocussedonherbreathing.Onremainingcalm.Onmoving.Alwaysmoving,tofaceoneopponent at a time.She found her opening.Swunglow.Marifelttheburnastheassassins knife arced over her shouldertoopenherback.Herdaggerpunchedthrougharmor.Piercedtheassassinsinner thigh. The knife came out followedby a torrent of blood. A bit-down curse.The assassin stumbled backward. Marisbladeopenedtheassassinschin,ratherthan the throat as she had intended.Bloodtrickleddownherback.Herribs.Thefinalassassincameon.Flowedfromfoottofoot.Itseemedasifhisbodyswayed,anillusionofmovement. Atthelastminuteheleapedforward,knifeablur.Maribentaside.Feltthehorrificforceoftheblowasfist,notsteel,hammeredintoher.Theassassinshehadwoundedrushedforward.Shesheathedher knife behind his collarbone.Yetherfootingwasoff.Therewastoomuchbloodontheground.Theassassinsbody,drivenbymomentum,crashedintoher.Mariwasforced back. Bent painfully over the rail.Sheexpecteditwouldnothavebeenhardforthelastassassintokickherfeetoutfromunderher.Topushonhisfallencomrade.Tospillthembothovertherailing,intothegulfbeyond.History,thewordechoedinhermind.Whatwasbecomesis.Makeswhatis,whatwillbe.Theripples of her past struck the riverbanks.Falling.Impactdrovetheairfrom her lungs. Cold, wet stone. Sliding.She may have imagined the sound of herribscreaking,thoughnotthepain.Thepain was very real.Mariflungherarmsout.Grabbedahandfulofthebougainvilleathatclimbedthearchedaqueduct,sometenmetresbelowNanjidas.Shetriedto settlehermindintothelelhemthemeditativestatewherethewarrior-poetcouldignorepain, or fatigue. It failed miserably.Herbodyanachingmass,Mariclambereddownthevine-wreathed arch that held the viaduct aloft.Had she been flung even a meter further,therewouldhavebeennothingtostopherdescentintothelantern-brightradiance of the city below. She tried nottothinkaboutit.Onehandaftertheother.Findherfooting.Getdowntosolid ground.Above her the heavensopened up. Rain poured down.Eyesnarrowed,shestaredupatNanjidas.Itwastoodangeroustoreturn,incasemoreassassinswaited.Indriswastoofaraway,the WandereroutintheShoals.Headdown,Mariforcedhertired,achingbodythroughtheraintosomebody she knew would help.Dontyouhaveanyotherfriends?ZiairejokedasMaricracked open her eyes. Why does it feellikeImtheoneyoualwayscometowhenyouneedyoursorryhidepatchedup?Maritenderlypushedherselfupinbed.Thepainwasalotless than she had expected. She proddedatthedressingonthewoundonherflank.Ziairewasreadingfromathickstackofparchmentsinherhand.Otherhourehcameandwent,addingtoorreducing the stack one by one.Actually,itwasFemensetri who healed me the first timeat Samyala and Indris the second time atthe Healers Garden. You just happenedto be there, Mari gestured to her healedwounds.Whodidthehonorsthistime?AlotofPearlCourtesanshavecometoAvnwehforthe New Years Festival. Ziaire handedMari a bowl of watered apple juice. Thefamouscourtesanwasradiantinherlayersofpearl-graysilk.Herswasthekind of beauty other women did not findthreatening,anymorethanonedidextraordinaryart.OneofourhourehfromTanisstudiedwiththeNilvedicScholars.Hesquiteagiftedhealer.IntimehellgoontoreplacehisfatherasthePrimeofTanjip,governingtheHouseofPearlsintereststhere,asIdohere. But you were lucky this time. Yourwounds werent so bad.MaybeImnottryinghard enough?Oh,no.Yourequitetrying.Ziairegrinned.Youhadsomecutsthatlookedworsethantheywereandbruisesthatwillheal.Otherwiseyoure fine, you poor baby. But now itstimeforyoutogetup.ItsabeautifuldayandIveanassignation.Comewithme. We need to talk.ZiaireshowedMaritoaroomwhereshecouldbatheandchange.Shestaredatherselfinthemirror,notingthehardnessaroundhereyesandmouth. Asmemoriesfromlastnight shot across her mind, she started totrembleviolently.Herbreathcameinshortgasps.Sweatprickledherhairlineandupperlip.Shegraspedtheedgesofthemirror,knuckleswhite.Forcedherbreathingintoaregularrhythm.Caughtandlockedherreflectedgazeuntilthetrembling ceased. She washed and driedher face, startled at Ziaires voice at thedoor.Joiningherfriend,Marisfacerelaxedintoasmile.Ziairethreadedherarmthroughhersastheytooktothestreets.Neithersaidmuchofconsequenceastheywovethroughthemidmorningcrowd.Thetwowomenpassedbeneaththeshadowofanaqueduct. Flowering ivy had crept up thearchesthatsupportedtheoldwaterway,red buds like drops of blood amongst theleaves.Inthedistance,overthebackgroundhumofcitylife,Mariheardthebassogroanofwaterwheelsandthedulltwangandcreakofgondolacables.Green-coatedkherifewalkedpast,noddingtheirheadspolitely.NanjidaswasnearbyaswellastheHabron-sk.Whetherinrecognitionofsende,orsimplerespect,courtesywasasafecoursetotake.Maricouldnothelpbuttoflickhergazearound,searchingforkillers in the shadows.Ziairestoppednearashadedwell,tiledwithamosaicofvividly coloured birds and flowers. Shetook a ewer from a hook, wiped it with abandannashehadfoldedinhersleeve.With casual elegance, the courtesan heldback her sleeve as she dipped the ewer,thentookadeepdrink.SheofferedthevesseltoMari,whofinishedoffwhatremained. The water was cold and cleanonhertongue.ZiairetookMarisarmagain and they walked on.Whathappened?theother woman asked quietly.Icutmyselfknitting,Marimutteredsourly.ZiairelaughedevenasshesqueezedMarisarmhardenoughtohurt.What?Alright.Assassins tried to kill me in Nanjidas.Assassins?Ziairesexpressionflowedintoworriedlines.Why do you think they came for you?My list of sins is longandcolourful,shemocked,thensoberedatZiairesglare.Erebussballs,youvenosenseofhumourtoday.And no, I dont actually find it too funnymyself.IfIthinktoomuchaboutitIdidnt escape, so much as avoided beingkilled.Asforwhy?Ziaire,itcouldvebeenforanything.MypartinVashnesdeath?MybetrayalofmyHouse?ThechanceImaycommandtheFeyassin? Ajiltedlover,ofwhichtherevebeenmore thanAreyougoingtodoit?Ziaireaskedabruptly.CommandtheFeyassin,Imean?Nazarafineneedsto know, Mari.ItsalotofworkandI dont know if Im ready to exchange myfathersyokeforNazarafinessoquickly. Mari struck a pose, one fist onher hip, the other held palm upward as ifbalancing the world in her hand. Makethemasgreatastheywereinthedaysof the Awakened Empire, Mari.IdontknowthattheSpeakerforthePeopleappreciates how difficult that will be.Probablynot.Butthats yourproblem,ZiaireeyedMarishrewdly. Or not.ThePoetMastersSchoolsarentwhattheyusedtobe.Where elitism hasnt culled numbers, thesoaring costs of training have. Ive beenheretendaysandhaventmadetheprogressIdhoped.IfNazarafinewantsthe Feyassin to be what they were in theolddays,Illneedtorecruitoutsidethewarrior-poetschools.Someoftheotheracademies have students with real talent.They can be given the additional trainingthey need.HowmanyFeyassindoes she want?Duringthe AwakenedEmpire,eachofthetwelveGreatHouses sponsored a company from theirownPrefecture.Theyalsotrainednewrecruits.EvenifIcouldgetthesixremaining Great HousesFiveatthemoment,with Far-ad-din gone.Siamakwillreplacehim, Im sure. Even with six companies,thatsonlysixhundredFeyassin.Morethan weve had, but less than she wants.Thegoldenageofthewarrior-poetislong past.Gonewerethedayswhen being a warrior-poet was a call toservice.Thesedaysmostwarrior-poetsgraduated,thentookoncontractswithforeignnobles.Orbecomepamperedteacherstoentitledstudentswithmoremoneythanskill.Worse,herfathersagendaagainstFar-ad-dinhadmade therahnsandthesayfsnervous.Theywanted to keep as many warriors as theycould to defend their own interests.But youre not bitter.Ziaireslipstwitchedinasmile.Marirolled her eyes in response. Nazarafinechose you for a reason.Hersenseofhumour?SheslikelytobeAsrahn,Mari,Ziairesaidbluntly.YouvewalkedawayfromyourGreatHouse. What else do you have?AfuturewithIndris,Marireplied.Theluxuryofmakingmyownchoices?Thefreedomtogowherever I want?Dontcountonit.RoshanaplanstoarrangeamarriagebetweenIndrisandtheSkyLordsgranddaughterShestoppedtalkingsuddenly,handoverhermouth.Herlaughsoundedforced.ShesqueezedMarisarmandbestowedadazzlingsmile.Imsorry,Mari.IdontknowwhatImsayingtoday.Rumourandinnuendoascuresforboredom,youknow how it is.You always know whatyouresaying,Marithought.Herfaceflushed. Roshana was trying to arrange amarriageforIndris?Indrishadsaidnothing of the kind.Whatdoyouknowoftheexplosionyesterday?Mariaskedtersely,simmeringangerhardeninghertone.Hardlythebestquestiontolightenamood,thoughthewordswereoutofher mouth before she could rethink them.Notmuch,Ziaireadmitted.ApparentlysomeHumans,Mantansfromthelook,werefounddeadamongsttherubbleneartheArbitersTribunal.ItanswersthequestionsmanyhavebeenaskingabouttheIronLeaguesteppinguphostilitiesbecausemyfathermaybecomeAsrahn.Youmayaswellsay it. I wonder whether all the murdersanddisappearancesinthecitywillbelaidathisfeetalso? Whetherheorchestratedthemornot,whichisanybodysguess. SomeofthedeathsIve heard about have beenMonstrous?Ziairechewedherlip.Idheardthesame.Bodiesmauled,asifbyananimal.Throatstornout.Bloodmissing.Thatswhere theres a body to be found. SomearesayingitstheHumans,sendingNomadsintothecityaspartoftheirefforttodisrupttheAssemblyandtheelection.Or,somebodywhodfinditconvenientifHumanswereaccused of such things.ZiairegaveMarianappraisinglook,seemedabouttospeak,but remained quiet.They came to a galleryoverlookingtheplazathatledtotheIphyrone,thegreathorseandsportstrackofAvnweh,whichhadbeencarvedthroughravinesinthemountain.Dioritecolumnsshapedintorearinghorses supported filigreed bronze archessofinetheyseemedspunfromsugar.Sunlightstreameddown,asyrupyglowthickwithlazymotesofdustthatflaredlikegoldenpinheads.Thesoundsofhooves,iron-shodwheels,andtheroarofthecrowdswelledfromshadowedstonecorridors.Thosewholoiteredtherewereprivileged.CuriousheadsturnedinMariandZiairesdirection,facespartiallyoccludedbyhoods,parasols or awnings held aloft by bound-casteservants.Ziaireflickedopenhersteel-veinedfan,silkpanelspaintedwithcheerfulflowers.Marirecognisedafewfaces,thoughnonebelongedtopeopleshewascuriousenoughtoapproach.Shewonderedwhethertheperson who wanted her dead was amongthem.ItsbeenalongtimesinceIvebeentotheraces,shesaidinsteadofvoicingthatthought.Memorybroughtthetasteoftobacco,whiskey,andrichover-pricedfoodtoMaristongue. And Ive never seen the NsarFlyingCirq,whichImeantoremedy.Whats on today at the Iphyrone?Chariotsthismorning.Ziairesparedasmileforthosewhosoughtherattention,expertlyweavingherselfandMariawayfromthosewhosoughtconversation.Thenhartmountedarcheryandriflesthisafternoon.Thevariousskswillbehavingtheircompetitionoftheweaponsforms.Bensaharn,youroldteacher,isherehavingsomegood-naturedfunwithNirnoftheHabron-sk.DelfyneoftheGrievearrivedthismorningandproudyoungJarrahoftheSaidani-sk.OnlytheBeysdidntsendtheirPoetMaster:apparently theres more trouble brewingwiththeFenlingandthemarsh-puppeteersintheRmarq.Theresrumourofagryphonorwyvernrace,too.Neva,theSkyLordsheir,willnodoubtwinthegryphonrace.Shealwaysdoes.Haveyoumether?Shesquiteawoman.No,Ivenot,Marisaid tersely.Iwonderwhetheryourfatherwillbehere?ZiairescannedthecrowdasifoblivioustoMaristone.Hisstatusisstillinquestion after Amnon.Itsnomorethanhedeserves,Mariwasunsurprisedatthesour taste of the words in her mouth. Shehadtriedtosaveherfatherfromhisdestructive course.Therehadbeennostoppinghim.Notthen,notnow.Imtired of being what my father wanted meto be and Ive no intention of walking inhis shoes. Given what hes done, justicewas bound to catch up with him.Ziaireshrugged.TheArbiters Tribunal is still deliberating.Didmanywitnessesfrom Amnon come forward?Some,ZiairerestedherhandonMaris.Itwassoftanddry,theskinunblemishedbythesun.Bandsofredandyellowgoldencircledherfingersandthumbs,shiningbrightly.But its out of your control, Mari. Let itgo.Icouldvetestified!shesnapped.Shehadbeenthere,seenherfathersliceintoVashneshearts.Ithad been her most shameful day, the dayshe had betrayed the man whose life shewassworntoprotect.Tryasshemighttogivefatethechancetoredressthebalance of her crimes, Mari had lived.Ziaireslookwashard.NazarafinedidntwantyouinvolvedWait aNo, Ziaire shook herhead.AsaFeyassinyouservetheCrown. The Speaker for the People, ourmonarchuntiltheelection,forbadeyoufrom testifying. If you testify you becomeimplicatedandNazarafinedidntwantthat.TheArbitersTribunalhasalltheevidence it needs to make a judgement.Andmyfatherhasenoughgoldtobuyone.Evenaftereverything,peoplestillunderestimatedherfathersinfluence.Idheardmyfather called all his old allies back fromtheir exile.Ziairenodded.WithVashnegone,manyofthemhavereturned to Shran.Alltheiroldtitlesandpositionshavebeengiventonewsayfs.Itllbeafree-for-all.Iwonderhowmanybodieswillwashupinthecanals,convenientlyopeningpositionsof power?Ziairewavedtoaplain,somewhatserious-lookingmanwhostoodintheshadeofafountain.MarirecognisedSelassinfaMartm,oneofVashnesnephews.HehadoftencalledontheAsrahntointerveneinsome financial disaster or another, moreoften than not sourced in an addiction togambling and courtesans.Martm?Mariasked.ItsafavourtoNazarafine,Ziairesaiddourly.WithVahinehsickassheis,theywanttopresentMartmasthepotentialnewhead of the Great House of Selassin. Imto take a look and see whether he may bethe man for the task.Hisreputationsaysotherwise.Theygenerallydoabout people who actually want power.ThecourtesankissedMarifarewell.Butdutycallsandwemustbeprofessionalaboutthesethings.Keepyourbeautifulheadlow,Mari.Imrather fond of where it is.You and me both.MariremainedinthegalleryabovetheplazaafterZiaireleft.Blushingorchids,vinesofhoneysuckle,andleafyfernsswayedinthesoutherlybreeze.Thegroundwasdampenedbythefinesprayfromasmallwaterfallnearby.Sheallowedthebuzzofvoicesaroundhertodriftintobackgroundnoise.Forpeopletobecomesunlit,shadow-etchedshapes,abstractpatternsof movement in her periphery.Until conversation wasstilled.Astreamofwomenandmenpassedunderthesouthernarchoftheplaza.Theywereamismatchedgroup.SomeweredressedinoutdatedShranese styles. Others in the vivid silkcoats and jewels of Tanis, or the scaledserpentleatherofKaylish.Someworethe flamboyant shirts, breeches, and highbootsoftheMarbleSeacorsairs,whileothersthesuppleleatherandfeltoftheHorseClansofDarmatia.Nomattertheirchoiceinfashion,fromtheirfeaturesandcarriagetheywereclearlyupper-caste Avn.TheExiles.Marisheart thumped when she caught sight of afacesheremembered.Somebodyshehad not seen in many years. As if sensingher,helookeduptoscanthecrowd.Saw Mari and smiled.Nadirwasleanerthenshe remembered in his Tanisian silk coatand trousers. Two gold-washed, sharplycurveddaggerswerethrustthroughthesashathiswaist.Arowofsmallemeralds was affixed above his left eye.Hewastall,withahighbrowbeneathred black waves of shoulder-length hair.His nose had been broken and poorly setsinceshehadseenhimlast.Thepaletraceryofoldscars,aclawwoundperhaps,linedhischeek.Hiseyesweredarkaspolishedjet.Sherememberedthewayhisvoicehadsounded,smoothanddeepwhenshehadrestedherheadonhischest.Nadirhadbeenafellowstudent at The Lament before his parentshadtakenhimfromtheschoolinhisgraduating year.Hissisters,RavenetandKimiya,werewithhim.ThetwowomenwereafewyearsyoungerthanNadir. Ravenet was patrician and aloof,while there was something of the wantoninKimiyasgazeandbearing.Theylooked exotic in their Tanisian silks andbraceletsofgoldenbells,hairplaitedwithamberandemeraldbeads.Theyliftedtheirchinsinchallenge,smilesknowing.JhemoftheFamilyDelfineh,Nadirsfather,idlednexttothem.Hisdarkeyeswereophidian,hoodedunderthebuttressofhisbrow.Grey-fleckeddarkhairwassweptbackfrom his high, lined forehead. A tall reedofaman,heeyedthosearoundhimdispassionately.Mariheardpeoplewhisperthemansname,whichbroughtawrysmiletohislips.Jhem.TheBlacksnake.NadircaughtMarisgazeandheldit.Herskinflushed.Hesmiled.Shelookedaway.TheExiledwarriorrepresentedahistoryshepreferred remain in the past.Marifledassubtlyasshecould.Shehasteneddownseveralflightsofstairs,patternedwithfloralshapesthatshonethroughthenearbywoodenscreen.Herfootstepsechoedhollowly in the quiet places, where onlythemoistairandthegentlevibrationofnearbycataractskepthercompany.Thestairsexitedonajacaranda-linedstreetthatcrossedtheshallowcradleofAvnweh. Heading south she reached thebustleofthewaterfrontpromenadeknownastheGahn-Markesh.LookingaroundshesawNadirinherwake,hishandraisedingreetingassheturned,mouthopenedtoshoutsomethingshewouldneverhearoverthecrowdorrespond to even if she did.TheGahn-Markeshwasalong,wideroadwithhotels,stores,brightfloweringgardensandmyriadstairs.ThethreesistersofAvnwehstabbedattheheavenstothenorth.TheLakesoftheSkyundulatedintoablue-greyhazetotheeastandwest, with the tall peaks of the Mar Ejirstretching away from the nearby southernshore. A thicket of ship masts swayed inthe warm wind, surrounded by wheelingkestrelsandgulls.Asmallnumberofwind-galleys,skiffs,andyachtsdriftedoverhead,thetoysofthewealthy,searchingforaplacetoputdown.Mariwatchedawind-galleythathadseenbetterdayscometorestinthewater. Apowerfulexplosionofsteameruptedaswater bubbled around the madly rotatingTempestWheelsandthespinningdumbbelloftheDisentropySpool.Thewaterchurnedforseveralmomentsbeforeiteventuallysettledintoasimmer,thenagentleseriesofripplesthat lapped at the weather-beaten hull.FromtimetotimeMariwouldpauseandlookback,sometimesseeNadirsearchingforherandothertimesnot.Shethreadedthroughtheamblingcrowd.Breatheddeeplyofspices,weatheredtimberandsun-warmed water. At the eastern end ofthe waterside market was a bridge to theShoalsaseriesofsmallislands,littlemorethansandbarsonlyfiftymetresoffshore.Indrisswind-galley,theWanderer,wasoutthereamidstdozensof other vessels.AndthereNadirwas,standingbetweenMariandhergoal,intheshadeofafruitvendorsawning,eating raisins he had cupped in his hand.Mari froze at the sight of him, and Nadirsmiled and gestured for Mari to eat fromhispalm.MarilookedNadirupanddown,herchinraised,almostsmilingdespiteherselfatthecalmassuranceofhis pose.I think the days of meeatinganythingofyoursarelongover,Nadir.Mariwassurprisedattheevennessofhertone,thoughnotatNadirs relaxed chuckle.Wasatimeyoudneversayno,Mari,Nadirsaid. Hisvoicehadsoundedsodeepwhenherheadhadrestedonhischest.Sheturned,theflushofhercheeksunwelcome.Shestruggledtofindequilibrium. It had been so long, but stillhis voice sent tingles down her spine.WasatimeIddoalotofthings.SometimesIstilldo,justnot with you. What do you want, Nadir?Why are you here, and why, by Erebusslong cold shadow, did you follow me?Nostalgia?Hesteppedforward,rattlingtheraisinsinhishands.Nadirpoppedoneintohismouth,chewingwithobviousdelightatthetaste.Desire?Regret?CanIhavemorethanonereason?Maybeitsbecauseseeingyoubroughtbackmemories I thought Id wanted to forget,onlytofindIwassoverywrong.Yousureyoudontwantaraisin?Theyreverysweet,juicy,andquitedelicious.Abarrageofoldemotion welled up in her. She wanted tohug him. Punch him. Kiss him. Kill him.Averyrationalangerbasedonoldwounds rose like bile. She clenched herfistsuntiltheknucklesmadealoudcracking sound.Nadirsmiledhisfamiliarsmile.Broad.Cheerful.Fangsin the open. Up close his scars gave himarakishallure.InalltheAncestorsnames, Ive missed you. Its been far toolong, Mari.Youdisappearedwithout a word!AndImsorrierforthat than you know.Noneed,Igotoveryousoonenough.MarigavealookofmockcontritionatNadirsequallyfalselookofhurt.Shefrownedwhenhesmiled,kickingherselfforfallingintooldhabitswithhim.Itwasntthatyouleft,Nadir.Icouldhandlethatyouleft.ButIdnoideawhathappenedtoyou!Other than the rumours of your Familybeingexiledfortreason,whichisastoryinitself.Andnowyoureback,andyourfatherisback,andyourfather and my father being together cannot end well for many people.If youve questions ofme,thenask.Heemptiedhishandoftheraisins,thenhelditoutasiftotakehers.HadIthechoice,youwouldvebeenthelastpersononaIwouldveleft. Please, cant we talk? What harm isthere in you hearing me out?Noharm,otherthanthe time out of my life I wont get back.Ifyouask,Iwilltell,andIpromiseitllbeatalefortheages.Really?Mariglaredatthemanfrombeneathherraggedfringe,suddenlyirritatedbythewayerrantstrandsofhaircaughtinthecorners of her eyes, or the harsh glare ofthesunthroughblondestrands.Shewarred with her need to express a long-heldrighteousindignationandmoralhigh ground at being the one left behind,with her need for answers. After severallongmomentswhereNadirsgrinwithered under her gaze, curiosity won.Fine.Solongasitsinpublic.MaristaredatNadirshand,stillbridgingthegapbetweenthem.Andnottoday.Tomorrow.Orthenextday.LeaveamessageformeatNanjidasandmakesureyoullbewhere you say youll be this time.Nadirbowedhisjauntybowandsmiledagentlesmile,theoneheknewshehadalwaysfoundhardtoresist.Thankfullytimehadrobbed her of that sentiment at least. Shelookeddownattheraisinsbeingtrampledunderthefeetofpassersby,becominglittlemorethandarkspotsofruin on the hot street.Shechewedherlip,and breathed against the niggling pain inherribsfromlastnightsadventure. Anassassinationattempt.NowthereturnoftheExilestobolsterherfatherspower,and a lover from the past dropping backintoherlife,justatthetimeRoshawastryingtomarryIndrisoff. Balls,shethought.Marieyedanearbyvendorsellingalcohol:hornsofAngothhoneymead,jugsofthefierymoonshinemadeby the Jihari tribes, jars of the dark beerfrom Narsis Prefecture she had acquiredatastefor,plusSeethewinesandallmannerofexotic,mind-numbingindulgences from across the Marble Sea.Mariboughtacoupleofjarsofbeer,thensomeloavesofhotbreadandsomedipsandroastedmeetsfromvendorsalongthemarkesh.Nadirhad soured Maris hunger for wanting toseeIndris,butnotforthesafetyofcompany.Tonightshewouldmakesureshe had friends with her at Nanjidas, dosomethinking,thendosomedrinking.Then tomorrow, Indris.WhateverherfathermightbeplanningwiththeExiles,shedoubted she would want to face the ideaofitsober.Thenonceshesoberedup,therewereassassinssheneededtofind and end.IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO REVEL INTHE MISFORTUNE OF MY ENEMIES.THEY MUST KNOW, BEFORE THEEND, IT WAS I WHO WAS THEIRUNDOING.From The Intransigent Winter ofMonarchy, by King Voethe of Angoth,thirteenth year of his reign (493rdYear of the Shranese Federation)DAY 348 OF THE 495TH YEAR OFTHE SHRANESE FEDERATIONThedinfromtheracebelow rattled around Corajidins privatebalcony at the Iphyrone. Incense burnersscentedtheroomswithvanillaandorchid.Tintedglasslampsintheshapeofhorseheadslinedthewalls,litbyilhencrystals.Theairwasbonedrywiththeaftertasteofsand.Sunlightstreamedinsolid,hard-edgedbeamsacrosstheblackmarblefloor.Dustmotesflared,floatingsparksofamberdriftinginthewarmth.Longsilkcurtains,embroideredwiththeblackrearingstallionoftheErebus,rippledlanguidly in the breeze.Corajidintookintheclouds of dust streaming from the hoovesoftheleadracersastheyspedby.Eachrider was armoured, their large mountainhartlikewise.Theleadriderraisedherbow.Tookanarrowfromthequiveratherknee.Drewandaimed.Firedatthegallop.Bullseye!Thecrowdroared,mufflingthethunderofhooves.Corajidingazedoutovertheunrestrainedmassbelow,likeblendedknotsofcolourinarug.Tinybeadsforeyes.Blackdotmouths.Eachpersonatinypartofagreatravenousbeastthatneeded to be kept controlled and pliant.BesidehimhisheirKasramanraisedaneyebrowattheparticularlyfineshot.Kasramansice-blueeyesseemedtoshineagainsthisolivecomplexion,hisdarkhaircastingshadowsoverhisbrow.Hewasasolemn,elegantfigure. So much like hislatemother.EvenKasramansfrighteningtalentforwitchcraftwasagift from Corajidins first wife.CorajidinlookedoverKasramansshouldertowherethemostwealthyandinfluentialofthereturnedExiles enjoyed Erebus hospitality. Rahn-Narseh,thegaunt,iron-hairedKnight-MarshallofShranwasalsothere,talkinginshort,sharpsentencesaswasherwont.Hergreyandgreencoatandtrouserswerefine,thoughplain,withamilitarycut.Herson,Anankil,loomednearby,amaleversionofhismother.TheothersayfsalreadyloyaltotheGreat House of Erebus were scattered inroomsandbalconiesbelow.Hewouldspeakwiththemshortly.TheseExileswere the ones he needed to convince.Isthetreacherousmongrelhere?Corajidinsgentletonebeliedthewayhisfingerssqueezedthewinebowlinhishand.Likeitwassomebodys throat.Heis.Kasramanssmilewaswintry.Doyouwanthimbrought in?Yes.Itwillbeinstructive.KasramangesturedtooneoftheAnlkipoisedbythedoor.Thewomanbowedthenlefttheroom,returningshortlywithtwoofherarmoured brethren. The Anlki had theirhands on the hilts of their long shamshirsastheyherdedajowly,richlydressednervous-lookingmanintotheroom.TheExilessharedcuriousglances,conversations dwindling.Therecamethedrycreakofcallipers.Thelimpingtread.Theclackofawoodenstaveagainststone. Corajidin stared at Wolfram as heenteredtheroom.Wolframsexpressionwasclosedbehindtheraggedtanglesofhisbeard,beneaththebrindlespearsofhis fringe. One large-knuckled hand waswrapped around his oft-mended staff, itslengthheldtogetherwithrustedcoffinnails,bandsofmetalandstrapsofknotted leather.Thetraitorblanched.Hewhimperedandstruggled.Sweatspeckledhisbrow,eyeswidenedinfear.Corajidin?Whatisthis?JhemoftheDelfineh,apparentlytheleaderoftheExiles,said.Hisvoicewasdeepandsibilant,almostlisping.Theyearshadaddedmoregreytothemansrecedingblackhair,yethishooded eyes in their deep, seamed orbitswerestillcoldandhardaspolishedstones.Ademonstration.Corajidinmaintainedasetexpression.Helookedtothecaptive,resistingtheurge to strike him.Demonstration?Tahj-Shahehasked.TheMarbleSeacorsairwastallerthanherfatherhadbeen,slenderyetwomanlyinherfadedsuedejerkinandwide-leggedtrousers.TheonlychildofthelateHatoubhadinheritedherfathersgoodlooks. Yearsof piracy had darkened her skin and sun-bleachedherhair.Whatkindofdemonstration?Ididasyouasked,themansaid,voicequavering.Hiscomplexion gone chalky under his tan. Imade sureThisisMarocoftheFamilyZamHaja,Corajidinpointedatthe man. They have been the traditionalwardens of the ZamHaja district, on thenorthernbordersofErebusPrefectureMercifulrahnMarocswordsendedabruptlyasWolframstruckhiminthefacewithhisstaff.ThejaggedflangesofcoffinnailstoreMarocslips.Bloodfloweddownhischin.Thequiveringmanmewledinpain.CorajidinnoddedhisthanksatWolfram,wholeanedonhisstaff and fixed Maroc with an unblinkingstare.Despitemygenerosity,MarocdecidedhewouldallyhimselfwiththeFederationists.Corajidinstoodbeforethecrumpledman.Hecouldfeelhistemperrise;tryashemighttomaintaincalm.Paintookseedbetweenhiseyes.Hischesttwinged. I paid good money for Maroc,yet when it came time for him to deliveronhispromises,heforgotwhoownedhim. I am glad you are here to observe inhow low esteem I hold those who betraymy patronage. Wolfram?Corajidin? Jhem, theBlacksnake,glidedforwardonsilentfeet.MayI?Ivenodoubtyourmanherecanterrify,butperhapsIveawaythatmaybemoredemonstrativetoyouraudience.Corajidinshruggedhisassent. He was interested in seeing whatyearsofExilehaddonetoJhem,whosereputation was already so dark.Mydaughter,Kimiya,taught me this, Jhems tone was light ashe stared into Marocs eyes. While Illnever be a witch, there are some things Ican do.TheBlacksnakestaredintoMarocseyes.Theprisonerstruggled in the hands of his captors, yetafterafewmomentsbegantoquiet.Eventuallyhewasstill,hiseyeshalfclosed,expressionslack.Jhemmovedhisheadcloser,nostrilsflared,ashestaredintentlyatMaroc.Seeminglysatisfied he moved back.Is it true you betrayedyourmaster?Jhemaskedinasoothingvoice.Yes,Marocwhispered.Why?BecausehehadgonetoofarinmurderingVashneandAriskander. Too far. Empire, too farJhemdrewacurvedknife from the sleeve of his embroideredsilkcoat.Itssilverbladewasfiligreedwithbronze,thehiltofpolishedbone.HehandedthebladetoMaroc,curlingthe mans fingers around it.IwantyoutocutoutoneofyourheartsandgiveittoRahn-Corajidin.Corajidinsbreathcaughtinsurprise.HesparedaglanceforKasramanwholookedbackwithdistaste.Marocpaused,handstrembling.Somethinglurkedinhiseyes.Some sense of self-preservation, of fear,andterribleknowing.Evenso,theprisoner slid his coat off, then sliced thelacesofhissilktunic.Heopenedthetunictoexposehisfleshytorso.Theknifequavered.SweattrickleddownMarocs temples.AllthewhileJhemstareddeepatMarocwithhislifelessgaze.Eversoslowlytheknifecurveddown.Pressedagainstloose,hairyskin.Adropofbloodwelled.Itbecameatrickle,thenastream as the knife bit deep. With a jerkofhishand,Marocdrewtheknifeupthroughmuscle.Hetwitched,tearsstreamingfromhiseyes.Hesawedthebladeforafewmomentsasbloodpouredfromthewound.Theknifedropped with a clatter. The man began toshriek,skinashen,asherummagedinside his own chest for his left heart.BeforehecoulddrawitoutMarocspasmed.Bloodgushedfromhismouthandhecollapsed.Evenashewrithedontheground,hislifeebbingaway,themantriedtoremovethe muscle. He died with his hand still inhis own chest.AndnowtheZamHaja district needs a new warden,Jhemsaidblithely.Helookeddownatthe body, head cocked to one side. Pityhedid nothavethestrengthtofinish.Itwouldhavebeenamorecompellingdemonstrationifhehad,doyounotthink?TheExileslookedaway, hands nervously touching the hiltsoftheirweapons.Jhemseemedoblivioustothem.HelookedupatCorajidinandsmiledhisdeadsmile.ItmadeCorajidinsbloodchill,eventhoughhehadbeenpreparedforsomething atrocious. Jhem reminded himofthecold-heartedbastard,RayzoftheMaladhi,fromthedayswhenhehadbeenCorajidinsMasterofAssassins,priortothelateThufan.Theson,Nixbornofincesttoaninsane,cannibalfather and the mans own daughterwasevenworse.Smarter,meanerandmadderthanhisparents,NixhadbeenExiledalongwithhisfatherduringoneof Asrahn-Vashnes purges.Kasramansteppedforward,hishandsheldwideinapeacefulgesture.Aneasysmilelithisfeatures.Hegesturedfortheservants,theirownfacestingedwithnauseayeteyesrigidlydowncast,torefillwinebowls.Bound-casteservantsmovedsilently,replenishingdrinkingbowlsfrom ewers of water and wine. Trays offreshgrilledfishwithlemon,butteredwildrice,mintyoghurt,andcrispsaladwerelaidoutontables.Musiciansintannedleatherhorsemasksplayedsonesetteandtheorbo,timpaniandthelongbamboofluteoftheMarEjirwithits low, resonant sound.Nodoubtyouveheardhowsomeofmyfatherssayfsdidntsupporthimaswellastheyotherwisemight.WedidntwantyouthinkingtheGreatHouseofErebustookbetrayal lightly. Kasraman gave Jhem asmile that did not reach his eyes.Andwearethusinstructed, the Blacksnake responded inanemotionlessvoice.Whichbegsthequestion.Rahn-Corajidin,wasityouwhokilledthearbitersyesterday?heaskedpointedly.TheotherExilespaused,seeminglyeagerfortheanswer.Arbitersweresupposedlysacrosanct,killingthembringingterribleretributionfromtheirpeers,aswellasthekherifewhoworkedwiththemtoupholdthelaw.Corajidinponderedwhether he should take ownership of thedeed, when the truth was he had no ideawho had committed it. Some had said theexplosionwasAlchemistsFire,releasedbyHumanterroristswhohaddiedintheattack.Severalarbitersalsoperished,includingArbiter-ColonelPashur, the man who had been crusadingtoensureCorajidinwasclearedofhiscrimes.Enoughsilvernoblestoloosentongueshadboughtadifferent story:theexplosionwascausedbyafireelemental,whichhadbeensummonedandreleased.WhentheSqhadnotresponded to the destructive force of theelemental,visitingwitcheshadboundandbanishedthecreature.Unsurprisinglythewitcheshadtriedtokeeptheirinvolvementquiet.HumansfromManthadbeenblamed,theiruseofdarkwitchcraftthesourceofhorrortalesforcenturies.Suchaccusations,foundedintruthornot,helpedCorajidins cause against the Humans tono end.BeforeCorajidincouldanswerJhemsquestion,though,there was a disturbance. From the cornerofhiseyeCorajidinsawtheflute-playing musiciana wiry man with longgreasyhairshapedintolankspinesstepforward.OneoftheAnlkimovedinthemusiciansdirection,handonthehiltoftheirshamshir.Theflutehummedthroughtheairinaviciousstroke.Itcrackedacrossthebackofthe Anlkishand,splittingskinandbreakingbonewithasnap.Asothersdescendedonhim,themanadoptedaludicrous,caperingstance,thelongbambooflutewaving before him like a sword.Youvemetothankforyesterday.Theflautistsvoicewasslightly nasal and low pitched. He swepthis horse mask off with a flourish. Nixsgrinwaswild,hiseyesshadowedinapallidcomplexion.Hisgreasyhairwassweptbackfromahigh,shinyforehead.Heworkedhismouthlikehewaschewing on something that tasted poorly,and when he spoke his fingers flicked asifhewerespeakingwiththem,too.Agesture on my fathers behalf, and out ofhisprofoundrespectforanoldfriendship.Considerthisourwayofsayingoldtiesarehardtobreak,Rahn-Corajidin.Corajidinhelduphishand for the Anlki to halt. The musicianbowedwithanexaggeratedflourish,thendancedforwardonlightfeet,fluteneatlytuckedunderhisarm.Corajidinfelt as uncomfortable under Nixs eye, ashehadunderthefathers.Theywerecoldthings,thoseeyes,andCorajidinwonderedwhetherthemanmightlookmoresuitablewithanothersix,likethespidertheFamilyMaladhihadastheirsigil.ItsbeenlongandlongsincetheMaladhihaveservedYourMajesty,Nixsaid.Myaugustfatherapologisesfornotbeinghereinpersontoofferyouourservice.Hehassent me to serve you in his stead.Thoughtthatsickbastardwasinhisgrave,Narsehsgravellyvoicecarriedacrosstheroom.Afewoftheothersnodded.Diedapauper,riddledwithsyphilisorsomesuch.Death wasnt all hedhoped itd be. Nix gave her a sidewiseglance,mouthworkingsourly.Heranfingersthroughhishair.Illpassonyour regards when next we speak.Ihaditongoodauthorityyouwerepoisonedbyacourtesan-assassininTanjip,Jhemsaid coolly.Idheardyoudrowned as we withdrew from the siegeofDanai,Tahj-Shahehadded.Thenagain,IdalsoheardyouwerecapturedbytheMantansandexecutedforexcesses even wed shy away from.ButI waspoisoned,and drowned, and captured, Nix said ina conspiratorial whisper, his eyes wide.And now Im not.Why areyouhere?Kasramanasked,cuttingtothechase,though poorly masking his revulsion.Rahn-Corajidininvitedmyfathertoreturntosuckleathisgoldenteat.Theoddmanbowedoverthechair,bendingnearlydouble,thegesturealmostmocking.Orhewouldhave,weresure,hadheknownFather was still about. So return we did,in anticipation of renewing our long andprosperousacquaintance.Myfatherfindsthedaylighthourstaxingsohasasked me to speak on his behalf. Thanksto my relationship with the Soul Traders,thelittlefriendIsetfreefromitsDilemmaBoxyesterdaywasonlyasmallsampleofwhatIcandoforyou.Weveothersurprises,too.Youllfindourironwebsarentsoidlyblownaway.Thethoughtofthecold-heartedbastard,Rayz,madeCorajidinfeellightheaded.ThepervertedoldassassinhadservedCorajidins father. Even as a member oftheGreatHouseofErebus,Corajidinneverfeltsafeintheoldermanspresence.ItwassaidnoneescapedtheIronwebsplots.Thosewhomhetrappedwereneverseenagain.Therewere also widespread tales of the mansperversionsnot rumours, for Corajidinknew them to be true even as it had beenhis job to muddy the truth about the man.Rayzwasthedirty,ever-hungryspider,lurkingtoentrapandconsumetheyoungandtheinnocent.Includinghisowndaughter.IthadcomeasnosurprisewhentheincestuouscannibalhadbeenExiled.Ithadbeenlongoverdueandmanagedtoresolvetheproblemofkillingthemanbeforehebecametoomuch of a liability. Corajidin could stillfeelthemansbreathonthebackofhisneck, sweet and cloying, and his dry oldhandswiththeirlong,thinfingerslingeringNothinghadeverhappened,butthatdidnotstopdecadesofmemoriesoftheonemanCorajidinfearedmorethananyotherfromjoltingthrough him.And now there was thesonWithinseconds,paincoiled in his bowels. Sweat prickled thebacksofhishands.Withinthespaceofheartbeatsitfeltasifsomebodyweresittingonhischest.Helurchedtoachair,thesedimentofhisillnesslayintiers upon him: the never ending fatigue;the tidal rise and fall of pain; the bedlamof his Ancestors fractured voices in hishead. All spoke of the infirmity that waskilling him.YourMajesty.TheAngothicWitchsrichtenorcoiledlikenarcoticsmoke.Hedrewavialfromapouch at his belt.Corajidinsneedbattledhisrevulsionasheeyedthepotioninthewitchshand.DistilledfromtherawessenceoftheFont,analmostpuredisentropicfluid,thebrewhad restored a vitality Corajidin had notfeltinyears.Unfortunately,hefeltacutelyworseinthosehoursordayswhen he did not take it.CorajidinrememberedbeingintroducedtotheEmissary,theambassadorfromtheDrear.Everythingshe represented should have been wrongtohim.Yetwhenshehadproducedapromiseinavialhehadseenonlysurvival, not consequence.Thefluidinthevialshonelikeacobaltcloudwithwhitestarsinsuspension.Corajidinwatchedthemotesoflightebb,eachoneatinydream in the making. He held it up to hisnose. Each time he had expected to smellsomething,somehintofvenom,ordecay.Somethingthatalertedwhatremainedofhismoralcompasswhathewas doing was wrong.Nothing.Whenthefirstdrophithistongue,itwaslikeanexplosionofpinsandneedleswrappedineroticdelight.Hefeltitinthebaseofhisspine.Thetastechangedfromonesideofhistonguetotheother.Itleftawarmsweetnessinhismouth:hetastedpuremountain snow melt; a hint of honey; thesweetnessofaloversskin;goatsmilkandsugar.Ittastedlikeallthesethingsandmore,thoughwasnoneofthemandless. It trickled down his throat, to settlelikemolassesinhisbelly.Hebreathedoutanunpleasantaftertaste,acidicasreflux.Afterafewmoments,hisstrengthreturned.Painfaded.Corajidinbracedhimselfonthearmsofhischair.Roseslowly,feelingforanyinfirmity in his legs. They shook, at first.Thenthetremblingreceded.Soontherewasonlythefaintesttwingeinhisstomach.Hegentlyrestedhisweightonhis feet. Even the shooting pains from thecysts in his heels had eased. He teetered,foal-likeonuncertainlegs,beforehefound his balance.KasramanfollowedhisfathersgazetowhereitrestedonNix,whocrouchedonachairwithhislongarmswrappedaroundhisknees.Thewirymanwasstaringoutthebalconydoor,oneeyetwitchingashechewedonhisfingertips.Corajidinlookedathisson,thenlookedbackatNix,hopingtheanxietyhefeltdidnotshow.ShouldIhavehimremoved,Father?Kasramanwhispered.Corajidinthoughtaboutitforalongmoment,andrepliedassoftly,Tempting,butno.Nix,likehisfatherbeforehim,representssomeunique opportunities for us.Shouldheproveunsuitable,Wolframmutteredthroughhisraggedbeard,itllbeanabsolutepleasure to make an end of him.Asthesilencestretched,almostalloftheExilesseemed intent on looking anywhere saveatCorajidin.Jhem,however,staredatCorajidinemotionlessly,whileNixtappedthetipsofhisfingerstogetherinarapidtattoo.Nobodyspoke.NewsofCorajidinsillnesshadbeenkepttoaselectfew.Hewashopingtheneedtoreveal his infirmity would not have beennecessary.Suchwasoutofthequestionnow.Havenofear,myfriends, Corajidin assured them, it is apassingillnessthatwillnotjeopardisemy aspirations to the highest office in thecountry.Asyousay.NarsehwavedaglassofbeerattheExiles.ItrustRahn-Corajidintoseeourgoalsmet.Imnotsosure,Nixcountered.Hewaggledafingerinawarninggesture,See,Ivereadaboutdiseaseslikethis.Whatifweallgetinfected? Disease. Nasty business, that.Whoaskedyou?NarsehlookedNixupanddownwithdisdain.Thoughfromthelooksofyou,diseaseissomethingyouwouldknowmore than a little about, neh?IlltakeCorajidinsword this is a fleeting thing, Jhem said,with the hint of an almost-smile. Weveall come a long way to take back whatsours.Idoubthedhavewastedourtime.Corajidinnoddedhisagreement.Thesoonerwehaveyouwithusonourgreatendeavour,thebetter.KasramangesturedfortheExilestoapproachasWolframunrolledalargemapofShranonthetable.CorajidingesturedtothemapastheExilesgatheredround.EachPrefectureofShranhadbeentruthfully rendered with the names of thesayfswhogovernedeachcity.ErebusPrefecturehadbeengiventhemostdetail,wherethevariousholdingsofeachsayfhadalsobeenmapped.Someoftheseholdingswerecoloured,whereothers had been left blank.Itakeittheblankholdingsareforthetaking,Rahn-Corajidin?Nixpointedatthemap.That one used to be ours.Andcanbeagain.Wolframwavedhishandacrossthemap.Colouredholdingsarenotupfornegotiation.NorareholdingsoutsideofErebus PrefectureMyfathergovernedNs-Sayyin,inNsaratPrefecture,Tahj-ShahehgesturedtoaplaceontheMarbleSea,halfwaybetweenAmnonand Narsis.WerenotinapositiontoofferyouanythingoutsideofErebusPrefecture.Kasramansvoicewas conciliatory. We believe there maybe options for you in Kadarin Prefecture,thoughyoudneedtospeakwithRahn-Narseh. We want to do right by you, yettheres only so much we can do.ImaMarbleSeacorsair,Tahj-Shahehsaidwithforcedcalm.WhatbloodygoodwouldholdingsinthedesertsofKadarindome?You can piss off then,girl,Narsehsaidinavoicemadegravellyfromshoutingorders.Shelooked at Corajidin. What use is she toyou if all she wants is the bloody sea?Ivewind-corsairsinmyfleettoo,oldwoman,Tahj-Shahehliftedherchinbelligerently.Ifyoudont want them, you can have a nice tallglass of shut theThere are sea ports inErebusonofferandKadarinfacestheseaforthousandsofkilometres,Jhemlispedindifferently.HeincludedtheotherExilesinasweepinggesture.Corajidin,wehavespentthelastcoupleofdays discussingthisandweare agreed. Your offers of land and titlearemostwelcome.Allweneeddoisagree the price.WhatofthoseofusenewtoShran?Pah-ChepherundiopSanojwasnotaShraneseExile,thoughthepowerfulprincess-turned-witchhadarrivedwiththem.Shewasone of the heirs of a former Great House,theirmajestyathingofthedistantpast.OneofwhatwasmockinglycalledtheBronzeAvn,herowngovernmenthadturnedontheprincess,banishingherfromtheIvoryCourtofTanisforherexcesses.Itwasdifficulttoreconcileherreputationwithherappearance.Apetitewomanwithlargepalebrowneyesinadoll-likeface,onlyhersmilehintedatdarkertruths.Icanmatchtheprice offered by my colleagues here.YouarewelcomePah-Sanoj, otherwise you would not bestanding here. As for price? This is not anegotiation,myfriends.Corajidinleftthetable,winebowlcradledinhishands.Hehadseentheavariceintheireyes.Thoughyearsofforeignservicehad made them wealthy, they were morethan ready to return home.Fine:whatwillyourpatronagecostus,Rahn-Corajidin?Feydstonewasforthright.HewasaleaderoftheJiharim,thetribesoftheMarJiharamountains.Hisskinwasseamedanddarkasoldmahogany,hisspade-shaped beard bristly as wire. Hisoldbootswiththeircrackedleatherwereworn,hiswide-leggedtrousersdusty.Thecunningoldtribesmanhadmanagedtounitemanyofthefractious,bloodhappyJiharimtribesunderhisbanner.Hisruthlessnessandunconventionalapproachtowarfarewere things Corajidin wanted to exploit.Ifyousignyourcastepatentshere,now,itwillcostyoutwenty-fivepercentofeverythingyouhave.Corajidinturnedandwalkedtowardsthebalcony.Forthatyougetmy patronage and a seat on the Teshri, asbefits a sayf of Shran. Your money willhelp you buy your own future, and that ofthe nation.Silence.Corajidinfoughttheurgetolookback.Thoughhewantedverymuchtoseetheimpacthiswords had, now was a time for strength.Letthemthinktheyneededhimmorethan he needed their wealth. He gesturedto a nearby servant who spooned spicedlambwithpinenutsandcrackedwheatintoalettuceleaf.Wrappedtheparcelcarefully. The servant handed the food toCorajidinwithoutmeetinghisgaze.Hetookabiteandchewed slowly.Thecontrastofthespicedlambandcrisplettuceonhistonguewasrefreshing. Becalm.Corajidinleanedoutoverthebalcony.Thenoisefromtheracehadlessenedsomewhatastheridersthunderedaroundthefarsideofthetrack.ThoughhecouldheartheExilestalkingurgentlyarguing,reallyhedidnotwanttobreakhissilence.Instead he took a relaxed sip of his wine.Losthimselfintheviewasthesuntracked colour across the stone outside.Ittookseveralmoments for him to realize his name wasbeingcalled.Heturned,expressionbland.Wereawareofwhathappened in Amnon, great rahn, Feydsgazewasshrewd.Whatstosayourinvestment will be a good one?Your position isnt asstrongasitwas,Sanojsaid.OnemightsayVashnesandAriskandersdeaths were a mistake.Destiny!CorajidinwhippedafingeratSanoj.DestinycalledandIanswered.Whoareyoutoignoreit?Amnonwaspartofaplan.Despitewhathappened,theArbitersTribunalhasneitherseenfittoincarcerateme,nortoplaguemefurtherwith censure. Yesterdays attack will nodoubt give them further pause.Withrespect,Rahn-Corajidin,Tahj-Shahehsaidassheleanedagainstthewall,crossingherverylonglegsattheankleandherarmsacrossherbreasts,youma