ThePathfinderTalesLibrary

Novels

PrinceofWolvesbyDaveGrossWinterWitchbyElaineCunninghamPlagueofShadowsbyHowardAndrewJonesTheWorldwoundGambitbyRobinD.LawsMasterofDevilsbyDaveGross

JournalsPlagueofLightbyRobinD.Laws

ProdigalSonseditedbyJamesL.SutterTheCompassStone:TheCollectedJournalsofEandoKlineeditedbyJamesL.SutterHell'sPawnsbyDaveGrossDarkTapestrybyElaineCunnningham

ShortStories"GunsofAlkenstar"byEdGreenwood

"TheGhostsofBrokenBlades"byMonteCook"TheWalkersfromtheCrypt"byHowardAndrewJones"ALessioninTaxonomy"byDaveGross"TheIllusionist"byElaineCunningham"TwoPiecesofTarnishedSilver"byErikMona"TheLostPathfinder"byDaveGross"NobleSacrifice"byRichardFord"BloodCrimes"byJ.C.Hay"Certainty"byLianeMerciel"TheSwampWarden"byAmberScott"TheSecretoftheRoseandGlove"byKevinAndrewMurphy"LordofPenance"byRichardLeeByers

"PlagueofLight"©2011byPaizoPublishing,LLC.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeansdigital,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,orconveyedviatheInternetorawebsitewithoutpriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembeddedincriticalarticlesandreviews.

PaizoPublishing,LLC,thePaizogolemlogo,andPathfinderareregisteredtrademarksofPaizoPublishing,LLC;PathfinderRoleplayingGame,PathfinderCampaignSetting,andPathfinderTalesaretrademarksofPaizoPublishing,LLC.

StorybyRobinD.Laws.ArtbyClaudioCasini.CoverdesignbyCrystalFrasier.

PaizoPublishing,LLC7120185thAveNE,Ste120Redmond,WA98052paizo.com

ISBN978-1-60125-398-9PZOTEB0018

OriginallypublishedinserializedforminPathfinderAdventurePath#37–42.

ChapterOne:OnGlowingWingWhenthejunglespeaks,itnevertellsall.Othersmayhearitswords,orsenseitswants.Ireaditssigns.Theseare

presentinthehootingandcluckingofmonkeytroopsinthetreetops.Ifindtheminthescurryingofinsectsacrosstheforest’sharddirtfloor.Inthechitteringofparrots,thecrackofwoodpeckerbillsplungingintothetrunksoftrees.Intheshiftsofbillowingheatinthepressing,humidair.Thesmellsofrottingfruitandcrumblingbark.

Dawncomes,tradingdarknessformorningshadow.Scantlightpenetratesthejunglecanopyahundredfeetabove.

Thereisdangerhere,thejungletellsme.WhetherIdetermineitsnatureintime—thatismytest.Toprosperamiditshunger,Imustdemonstratemycapacitytosenseandsurvive.Toagainprovemyselftheeater,nottheeaten.

Myeyesseekprowlingbeasts.Asexpected,therearenone.Onlyscatteredscrubbushesdwellintheblanketofshadelaiddownbythegreatsky-seekingtrees.Theyofferpoorhidingplacesforambushingleopards.Aboarorhyenapackwouldeasilyyielditselftoview.Atworst,adanglinglianamightconcealayoungviper,wrappedarounditandsharingitswoodycoloration.

ItiswhatIcan’thearthatalarms:thesoundofpeople.Thoughfaint,Ishouldbeabletomakeitoutbynow.Iamonmywaytomyadoptedvillage,Ngali.Thereshouldbethelowmurmurofdawn-timeconversation.Thegrindingofpestleagainstbowl,asthewomenmakepasterootintoflour.Childrenshouldbelaughing.FromthedirectionofthevillageIhearonlyitschickens,andthedistressedbarkofadog.Andadistanthum.

Flies.Itisthebuzzingofflies.Heartquickening,IspeedmypacetowardtheclearingwheretheNgalihuts

andstorehousesstand.Ioverleapanoutcropofrain-smoothedrock,dashthroughcottonywebbingstrungbetweenlianasbyafist-sizedspider.

WhenIwasexiledfrommyowntribe,theNgaligavemeshelter.Theirgreatfather,M’patika,servedmepalmwineandtoldmeboththeirouterandinnermyths.Theirgreatmother,Nawapo,ladledoutboarsoup,andtoldmemybearingremindedherofherson,beforetheforeignfevertookhim.WiththeNgali’sseniorhunters,Shokamb,Wabara,andBibaang,Itrackedduikers,spearedcrocodiles,andfacedademon-heartjaguar.OnceM’patikaofferedtoperformtheritualofrebirth,andmakemenewagainasaNgali.Thoughhonored,IcouldnotturnmybackonwhoIhadbeenandwhatIhaddone.Hesaidtome,“Youareofthewanderingtribenow,Xhasi,butlater,youwillbe

saidtome,“Youareofthewanderingtribenow,Xhasi,butlater,youwillbeready,andwewillclaimyouthen.”Thenhesmiledandplacedhisrough,firmhandonmyshoulder.

AndnowIrushfrombeneaththecanopyintotheclearingandseetheNgalislaughtered.Theirbodiesliestrewnasiftheyweretakenunawareswhileperformingtheirmorningtasks.Freshcorpsesdanglefromthethresholdsofhuts,andfromthecommunalstorehouse.

Allhavebeentaken.Children,women,andmen.Nodefensewasmounted.Spearshangintheirracks,shieldsproppedbeneaththem.M’patikaliesfacedownontheporchofhistalkinghut;Irecognizehimbythewidthofhisshouldersandhisdeepgreenskirt.Nawaposlumpsinside.Iseehereyelessfaceandshudder.

Noweapon,Mwangiorforeign,performedthisact.Thisisnotthepredationofbeasts.Thebodiesofmyfriendshavenotbeenbitten,clawed,ortrampled.Whatwasfleshisnowredpulp,hangingfromthebone.Onlymagiccouldhavedonethis—andstrangemagic,too.

IseethemagicianstepoutfrombehindM’patika’shut.Hecarriesawizard’sartifact,acomplicatedinstrumentofyellow-brownmetal.Itisawheelfilledwithotherwheels,whichturnuponandinsideoneanother.Theiractionconfusestheeye.

Themanisanoutlander,hispalenorthernskinreddenedandflakedbytheheatofournearersun.HeisnewtotheExpanse:hehasyettoabandonhissteelarmor.Sweatdarkenshisstraw-coloredhair,pastingittohisforehead.Hairlikethehuskofagrobfruitashamedlyhidesthelowerportionofhisface.

WhenheseesmeIhavealreadysprungintotheair.Hereachesforabladeathiship,butbeforeswordcanclearscabbard,Iamontopofhim.Hisdevicefallsintoblood-muddieddirt,andmykneespinhiselbows.Hethrasheshislegs,butIamwellpositionedandstrong,andhecannotthrowmeoff.

Throughahazeoffury,Ibeholdhisprotestingface.Itsputterspleadingwords.Hebabblesintheso-called“commonlanguage.”Theforeignerscredititswordstothemselves,eventhoughitwastheriverotterwhoinventedit,andweZenjofthejunglesthefirsttwo-leggedbeaststolearnit.Icouldunderstandhim,butdonotbother.ThethunderofrushingbloodisallthatIcanhear.

Therageisinme,andIraiseupmyspear,readyforthekillingblow.Inmymind’s-eye,theactofrighteousbutcheryperformsitself.Ienvisionthetipofmybladepiercinghiswinter-bornthroat.Beneathme,thespell-makerwillshudderanddie.HewilldieonNgaliland,andwillgototheNgalighostlands,toservethespiritsofmyfriendsasawretchedslave,untilthatnether-realmdaywhenallspiritsfadeforever.

Itightenfistaroundspearhaft.ButthethoughtofNgaliwaysbringstomind

Itightenfistaroundspearhaft.ButthethoughtofNgaliwaysbringstomindthecodeIwasraisedwith.Despitemyexile,Istillclingtoit.Inthisadherenceliesmylastremaininglinktomyowntribe,theAra.

Alifetakenisadebtincurred.ThisiswhatAra,thefirsthero,taughthisdescendants,whotookhisname.Whenapersontakesanother’slife,heacceptsallofhisobligations,andmustdischargethemuntiltheendofhisdays.Hemustlivehisvictims’livesforthem.

Thekillingpriceweighsheavilyonmealready.TwicehaveIincurredit.TwosetsofobligationsImustshoulder.Thefirstcostmemyplaceinmytribe.ThesecondforcesmetodictatedetailedreportsandhavethemsenttopeopleIwillnevermeet,inadimlyimaginedlandIwillneversee.SuchisthepriceoftakingaPathfinder’slife.

Ofthisspottyoutlandwizard,whosethroatInowstandreadytopierce,Iknownothing.OfthedebtsIwouldbear,Icanonlyguess.Istaymyhand.

I’llfindapunishmentforhimthatcostshimmorethanitdoesme.Wrathdrainingfromshakinglimbs,Ifindthemeaninginhisheavily

accentedjabbering.“Ididn’tdothis!”hecries.Ipinhimtighter.Thebuzzingofcarrionfliesgrowslouder,moreinsistent.

“IfIspareyou,itisn’tbecauseItrustthewordsofforeignsorcerers.”Thenorthernergruntsindisbelief.“Sorcerer?Youspoutnonsense,jungle

man.”Hefollowsmygazetothemysteriousinstrument.“That?Thatwasgivenmebyourprophet-for-hire,tofigureoutwhat’s

causingthis.”“Causingthis?”Thenorthernerstopsstruggling,lettinghisheadwearilyfallbackintothe

mud.“Thefireflyplague.”Iparrothiswords,tobesureIheardthemright.“Yes,fireflyplague.That’swhatkilledthesepeople—aswarmof

carnivorous,glowingbugs.”“Continue,”Isay.“Thisattackisbutoneofmany.TheplaguehashitusinFreeStation,three

timesnow.IamThoroldofUlfven.IworkfortheAspisConsortium.LetmeupandI’lltellyoutherest.”

ThenameoftheConsortiumgrantsmelittleease.Thatorganization’sgreedhasdonemuchtoharmtheMwangiExpanseanditspeoples.Yetinthesewordsringsthepossibilityoftruth.Iremovetheswordfromhisbeltandslowlystand.Hekeepshishandsinviewasheweavestohisfeet.

“Youareup,”Isay.“Nowtellmeofthisfireflyplague.”

“Inthejungle,heatcanbemoredangerousthanblades.”

“Youareup,”Isay.“Nowtellmeofthisfireflyplague.”“Theinsectscomefromthedarkofnight,inglowingswarms.Theyfeaston

flesh,tearingitfromthebone,asyouseewiththesepoorsoulshere.Theywereyourpeople?”

“No.Yes.”Theforeignerreachesouta

consolinghand,thenthinksbetterandwithdrawsit.“IcameherefromUlfvenwithtwoshield-friends,SvadiandHildir.Whentheglow-fliesfirstdescendedonFreeStation,Svadiwasdevoured.Hildir,strongofthewandwithsea-hardenedflesh,lingeredforahorribledayerehedied.HadInotbeeninBloodcoveatthetime,overseeingashipment,Imightnowbefeastingbesidetheminthehallsofthegods.”

Hissadness,Idecide,isgenuine.“Whatbroughtyoutothisspot,then?”

“Plaguesimpedethesmoothconductofbusiness.Myemployerssentanumberofusintothejungles,armedwiththesedevices.”Hepicksuptheinstrument,torubthemuckfromitssurfaces.Nowacceptinghistale,Ilethimdoit.“They’repayingagod-speakertosolvethemystery.Shegavethemtousinhopesoftrackingdisruptionsinthecosmicbalance,orsomesuch.Donotaskmetodecodehermysticalmaunderings.Iamatraderandexplorer,amanofpracticalgifts.”

Thoroldfreezes.Hismilk-weakcomplexionturnspalerstill.Helooksovermyshoulder,behindme.Whatheseesterrifieshim.Iimaginethecloudofflesh-eatingfireflies,comebackindaytimetofinishtheirmeal.Hegesturesforthereturnofhissword.Iturntofacethissoundlessthreat.

Agorillashamblesfromtheforestintotheclearing,gracefulandsilent.Itislargeforitskind,overeightfeethigh.Itwalksnotonitsknuckles,asgreatapesdo,butwithuprightspine,asaman.Itwearsalopsidedsnarlingexpression.Theleftsideofhismuzzlebearsthesignsofpastinjury,partlytornawaytoexposethegorilla’supperandlowerfangs.Thehairaroundtheruinedsideofhisfaceisstreakedwhite,asifbleached.

Thoroldspeakswithoutmovinghislips.“Tossmetheblade.I’lldrawhimthisway;youhithimfromtheback.”

thisway;youhithimfromtheback.”Thegreatapepauses.Resigned,butannoyed,too.“Thatwon’tbenecessary,”Itelltheoutlander.“Thisismyfriend,Arok.We

hadarrangedtomeetupatNgalitohuntwiththepeoplethere,andshareafeast.”

ArokwaitswhileIexplainhimtothenortherner.TheUlfenaskstheexpectedquestions.HefearsthatArokcomesfromthecityofUsaroandworshipsthedreaddemon-apethere.ArokisnoallyoftheGorillaKing,Iassurehim,andcertainlynodemon.Itellhimthatmyfriendwasbornananimalandawakenedbyanature-priest.

“AsIsaid,”theoutlanderrepeats,“Iamamanofpracticalgifts.Thewaysofdruidsarebeyondme.”HestaresatArokforamoment,thenatme,thenathisemptyscabbard.Hisshouldersslumpingrudgingtrust.Onlythendoestheapeventureclose.

ThoroldhasnotinquiredaboutArok’sscars.Thatisaquestiononlychildrendareask.

ThenArokseesthebodies.ThoughhecameherelessoftenthanI,theNgaliwerehisfriends,too.Hedoublesoveringrief.Hescreamsatthesky.Hesniffsaroundtheencampment.Fallingbacktoanimalhabits,hebrieflyknuckle-walks,thenresumeshissky-screaming.

Thoroldwantshisswordback,Icantell.Arok’sbereavedshriekingdampsthefiresofmyanger,butonlyalittle.

WhenArokhasfinished,IhaveThoroldtellArokwhathetoldme.Forthefirsttimesincehisarrival,Arokspeakshumanwords.

“Ifeelitwhencominghere,”hesays.“Verybadfeeling.”Hisdeepvoicepurrs,likeadistantwaterfall.

“Evilmagic?”Heshakeshisworriedsnout.“Biggerthanmagic.”Iwaitforhimtosaymore.Unlikemen,Arokdoesnotspeakbeforehehas

finishedthinking.Whenhedoes,heusesanapeword.Theapesdon’thavemanyofthem.Likeanyanimalword,theyarehardtowriteandimpossibletosay.Let’ssaythewordis“urunr.”Urunrmeanstheworld,butitalsomeansnature.Wehumans,alongwiththedwarvesandelvesandothersofthemortalraces,aren’tofurunr.Wehavesteppedoutsideit.

“Urunrisnotright,”Aroksays.Inod.Thoroldisconfused.IwonderhowIwillexplainthistoanoutlander.The

Mwangipeoplesareclosertobeingofurunrthanothers,orsoArokhashinted.Butifthewordwasafruit,Iwouldonlyunderstandtheoutsidepeelofit.

“Urunrisangry,”Aroksays.

“Urunrisangry,”Aroksays.“Urunrkilledourfriends?”Iask.Arokunhappilytipsforwardhiscrestedhead.No,that’snotit,he’ssaying.WhileThoroldwatches,thetwoofussetaboutdiggingapit.Itislarge

enoughonlyforM’patikaandNawapo.Onlythegreatfatherandgreatmotheraretobeburied.Theywilldigtotheghostlands,andtheotherspiritswillfollowinthetunneltheymake.Itisharmfultothespiritifitsbodyisburied,theNgalisay.Thekingandqueenarestrongenoughtomakeitunscathed.Orperhapstheirspiritswillbeextinguishedbytheeffort,asafinalsacrificefortheirpeople.Oneneverknowsforsurewhathappensintheghostlands.

Therestofmyfriendswillbeleftwheretheyfell,tobeeatenascarrion.Hyenashuddleontheforestfringes,snortingimpatiently.Vultureswaitintheskyaboveus.

“Urunrdidn’tkillourfriends,”Arokfinallysays.“Butitiswrong.Partofitiswrong,andmustberighted.Untilthen,urunrdoesn’tknowwhatenemytostrike.Blindlyitlashes.”

Itisdecided,withouttheneedforspeaking.ArokandIwillgowiththeoutlander.ItmayhelpthiscompanyprophettohearwhatArok’sanimalsenseshaverevealed.Withspearandfangandclawwemayaidthem.Wewillseewhatcanbedonetostopthisplague.

GentlyArokandIcarryM’patikaandNawapotothegraveandlaytheminit.

Aswepushthedirtoverourfriendswithwoodenspades,Irealizewhatwearedoing.WeholdthelastNgalifuneral.

Wearenotfarfromthevillagewhenthehyenasboundin,snarling.

∗∗∗

Thesoundofwatercallsusnorth,tothebankoftheLittleVanji.Thenorthernerwearshisfearlikeacloak.Heleapsintotheair,grabbingathissword,whenashellfruitdropsfromthecanopyabove.Itlandswithacrackonthehardearth.Antsdisgorgefromthegroundinthethousands,asifsuddenlyborn.Theyswarmacrossthebrokenshellofthefallenfruit,carryingitsmeatawayinwetredchunks.

Halfaleagueonwefindabeachedreedboat.Acorpseliesinside,sprawledacrossasetofjaggedfishinggaffs.Fatcrocodilesencircletheboat,readytofightforthecarcass.Afewyardsaway,theirbrethrentearintotheremainsofthreeotherfishermen.Itisnotthecrocsthatkilledthem.All,includingthedeadmanintheboat,bearthewoundsofthefireflyplague.

Distractedbytheeasyfeed,thecrocodilespayusnomind.Weretreatback

Distractedbytheeasyfeed,thecrocodilespayusnomind.Weretreatbackintotheborderingjunglenonetheless,circlingaround.Arokcurlshislip—theunbrokenpartofit—anxiously.Thetwoofusarewellequippedtofightmosthostilecreatureswemightfindouthere.Againstacloudofcarnivorousinsects,wehavenodefense.

ThoroldspeedshispaceastheLittleVanjidrawsneareritsmotherriver.AttheconfluencebetweenthetwoliesthetownofFreeStation.ItssunburnedfoundersbuiltittosqueezethemselvesfreeoftheConsortium’sironhand.ItwouldbebetterthanBloodcove,theysaid,asifthereisadifferencebetweenoneforeigntradepostandanother.TojudgefromtheUlfen’swords,theAspishasburroweditswayinthere,too.Theyareliketermites.Thereisnogoodtrunkonwhichtheywillnotdine.Yettheymightproveusefulalliesagainstthisplague.Termitesaredetermined,andindustrious,andmany.

FreeStationcomesintoview.Arokstopsandlopesbackintothetrees,fortheaperefusestosetfootinoutlandersettlements.Hewillfinduswhenwearedone.

TheUlfengrowstallerandstraighterasweapproachhisadoptedvillage.FreeStationhasgrownsincethelasttimeIsawit.Itishalfaforeigntown,halfaMwangivillage.Housesinbothstylesringthemeetingpointofriverandtributary.TheforeignbuildingsaremadefromMwangiwoods—cypress,ironwood,andkiat.Theirshingledroofsalreadyrotandbuckle,victimsoftherainyseason.Thethatchedcoveringsoftheplatformedhuts,replacedeachyear,arenewandfresh.Theyaremadelikethoseofmypeople—thejungleZenj,ofwhichboththeAraandtheNgaliaresubtribes—butinhabitedmostlybyocean-goingBonuwat.

Ahushofterrorsmothersthetown.FreeStation’stradersandworkersstridequicklythroughFreeStation’ssodden,windingstreets.Theydartfrombuildingtobuilding,readingtheskyforinsectclouds.

“Thefirefliescomeatnight,”Thoroldsays,“Orhavesofar.Thisgivesusnogreatcourage,notevenwiththesunhighoverhead.”

“Howmanydeadinall?”“Severalscore.MyemployersfearBloodcovewillbenext.”Wecrossasmallwoodenbridgeintothetown.AtfirstIamready:even

whenaccompaniedbyoneoftheirown,aZenjmancarryingaspearandwearingaboar-furheaddressmightnotalwaysexpectawelcomeinsuchaplace.Butthefurtivetraderspayusnomind.

Iaskmynextquestionhavingalreadyguessedtheanswer.“Andthisprophetofyours?”

“Shecommuneswithatwo-facedgod.”Hepatshispack,wherethestrangeinstrumentisstored.“Herservicesarecostly,butsheisreputedtoenjoystrongdivinefavor.”

divinefavor.”IamabouttosaymorewhenIseesomeoneIdonotwishtobeseenby.I

shrinkbackbehindanabandonedforeign-stylehut.Builtonapoorfoundation,itsinksalreadyintotheMwangiearth.

Theundesirablequicklytraversesthetown’swidemainlaneway.Hiswarygazetravelsfromsidetoside,notskywards,asifhehasmoretofearfromhisfellowmanthanfromflesh-strippingfireflies.ABekyarheaddressofflowinglinencovershishead.Itssimplecordheadbandhasbeenstrippedofclansymbols.Hiswhitetunicandleggingsaredirtiedandworn,buthewearsanewpairofnorthernboots.Hemuttersasifrehearsingagrudge.

Thoroldproveshimselfwise;hewaitsuntilthemanhaspassedtoinquire.“Whoisthat?”

“Anon-person.TakemetoyourNethyspriestess.”ItisnosurprisethattheConsortiumcountinghouseisthelargestofFree

Station’sbuildings.Thoroldescortsmeinside,pastnervousBonuwatguardsmeninAspislivery.Wecreakupacockedstaircasetoathird-floorroom.Incensecolorstheair:sandalwood,burntnutmeg,cockatriceoil.Hesitantlyheknocksonabattereddoor,itspaintpeeledbyhumidity.

“Enter,”commandsthevoiceinside.Thoroldstepsin,headhalf-bowed.“Miladypriestess,Imetsomeoneinthe

jungle,who—”“Lookwhothecatdraggedin,”saysthewomaninside.“Obai,”Isay.Sheperches,posturearrow-straight,ontheedgeofapaddedwoodenchair.

SheisoftheweirdandancientMauxipeople.Hercheekbonesarehigh,hercomplexiontintedwithash.Drapedandinterfoldedrobesenlargeherskeletalframe,wrappingitindeep-dyedredsandpurples.Aroundhermouthareraisedritualscars,aseriesofdots,eachthesizeofadelicatefingertip.Thoseontheleftsideofherlipscurveup,extendinghermouthintoasmile.Thoseontherightcurvedown,givingthatsideofherfaceafrown.ThescarsdeclareheronenesswiththegreatgodNethys—distantandinscrutableguardianofarcanesecrets,maintainerofcosmicbalance.Herfrown-smilesaysthatsheis,likehim,alwaysherownopposite.“Where’stheape?”sheasks.

“Intheforest,waiting.”“Ofcourse.”“Youknoweachother,”Thoroldsays.Hehasallowedhimselftogivevoicetotheobvious.Obaijudgeshimforit.

Theleftsideofherfaceisamused,therightsidecondemning.Thoroldcontinues.“Thenthetwoofyou—youarebothoftheScarred

Ones.”

Ones.”“Thereisnosuchgroup,”Isay.Obaismilesandfrowns.TheUlfencan’thelphimself.“Andtheman-apeaswell.”Withhisfingerin

frontofhisface,hetracesthepatternofArok’sscars.“YouareallScarredOnes.”

“Haveyouthesextant?”sheaskshim.Heremovestheinstrumentfromhispack.Sheplacesitinastandonawide

table,amongfiveidenticalobjects.Thedeviceswhirlandclick,andObaistudiesthemintently.Withadistractedwave,shedismissesthenorthernerfromherpresence.Hemeeklywithdraws.

ItellherwhatAroksensed,abouttheurunr.Obainods.“Hisperceptionsalignwiththesextantreadings.Thoroldgot

closesttotheimbalance.Itsresonancepartakesofboththedivineandthenaturalrealms.”

“Anaturegod,then.”Thetiltofherheadsuggestsagreement.“Local,butpowerful,andangry.We

mustdowhatmustbedonewhengodsaredispleased.”“Andwhatisthat?”“Appeasethem,naturally.”Herwordsliltwiththeusualamusedcontempt.“Yourgoddoesnotmindyoupleasinganother?”Obaestaresattheinstrumentsagain.SheneatlyinscribesalineofMauxi

hieroglyphicsacrossthesurfaceofanunfurledpapyrusscroll.“Nethys,inhistotality,containsandcircumscribesallothergods,whichare

butcontestingmanifestationsofhissublimebalance.Topleasethedispleased,ortodistressthecontented,istopaymytwin-facedmasterhomage.”

Fromherrobesheproducesafoldedbooklet,itspagesdarkandbrown.“AcodexoftheKembe,”shesays.“Madefromthepressedbarkofafigtree,whichhasnotgrownthereforathousandyears.”

TheKembearealong-departedpeople.Theirruinedcivilizationliesinthejunglestotheeast.

“ByNethys’grace,Ihavedecodeditsoddpictographsandrenderedthemintospeech.”Sheholdsupthebooklet.

Adrawingshowsafireflyhoveringoverasteppedpyramid.Hunterssometimesstumbleacrosssuchstructures,buriedundermoundsofchokingvine.Theyaretobeavoided,aswellsofbadmagic.

“ThisisKitumu,”shesays,“thefireflygoddess.Quitecarnivorous,whenawakened.LikemanyofthejunglegodlingsonceknowntotheKembe,avoraciousdemanderofhumansacrifice.”

Ishiver;sheturnshersmilingsidemyway.

Ishiver;sheturnshersmilingsidemyway.“Ifwearedetectingunstablemysticenergyofadivineandnatural

resonance,andourproblemconsistsofdevouringfireflyswarms,itisreasonabletoconcludethatKitumu,motheroffireflies,hasawakenedandishungry.”

“Wemustfindthegoddessandfeedit?”“Diceywork,certainly.Localgodsaretrouble.Theyletyougetsocloseto

them.”Idon’tlikewherethisisgoing.“Andhaveyouchosenanadequatemeal?”I

ask.Herfacegrowsgrave;onlyherscarslenditexpression.“I’dhopedthe

readingswouldleadmeelsewhere.There’saboywholivesinthejungleoutsidetown.Amemberofanorphanband.”

Suchchild-tribesaretoocommonnow.Theirparentsinterferedunwiselywithforeigntrade,andwereextirpated.

“Hecomesoccasionallytobegforscraps,”Obaisays.“Theotherchildrenmistreathim.Theysayhe’scursed.Apparentlythecurse’ssignisabirthmarkoverhisheart,intheshapeofafly.”

“Afirefly?”“Wewillneedtoseeitmoreclosely.It’sbeenseveraldayssincehewaslast

intown—whenthefirstoftheattacksbegan.Theotherorphansdon’tsharewithhim,sohe’llgrowhungrysoon,andcomein.”

“Andhisname?”“TheorphanscallhimMwonduk.”ItisaZenjwordIknowalltoowell.Itmeans“accursedone.”

∗∗∗

Fortwodays,thepriestessandI,alongwithThoroldandhisfellowAspistraders,fanoutthroughthetown,waitingtocatchthisMwonduk.Weknowhimonlybydescription,andaccostmanyorphans,noneofwhombearhismark.

Onthethirdday,ObaiandIhearaboy-child’sscreamsofprotest.Theycomefromthepatchofscrublandwestoftown,andIboundforward,thepriestesslithelyfollowing.

Bekyarslaverssurroundtheboy.Otherchildrenrushfromthescene,unpursued.Theslave-takerswantonlythissinglescrawnyorphan.

Therearesevenstrong-shoulderedmen,andafatcaptain,armedwithawhip.Withoutwarningorpreamble,Obaicorrectstheimbalanceofforces,scourgingthemwithdivinefire.Themenshriek,theirclothesandfleshconsumedbyNethys’sire.Themenholdingtheboystandoutsidethebursting

“Obaiseeksonlybalance.”

flame,andoneofthemhoiststhechildhighonhishipastheothersturntofight.Iplungeamongthem,myweaponstrikinghighandlow.Theyfall,squealingandgroaning,likethecowardsslaverssooftenare.Iamnotacruelman,buttheirpainisoneIexultin.Theyfleemyhatefulspear.

Theboyisrunning,too.Obaifacesthefat,whip-wieldingone,andIleavehertoit,veeringtointercepttheboy.Hestops,stunned,ashewatchesthepriestesslayhandsonthefatman.Theheavenshowlasthebig-belliedslaverisreducedtodustandbone.

Ontheboy’schest,Iseetheinsectbirthmark.Itisafirefly.

“YouareMwonduk?”Iask.Henods.“We’verescuedyou,”Itellhim.Thisisnotthesameassayingthatweare

hisrescuers,andsoisnotquitealie.ObaiandIdashhimtotheConsortiumcountinghouse,beforemoreslavers

appear.Oncethere,wesequestertheboyinaroomandconverseprivately.“TheBekyarareinvolved,”shesays.“Iknow.”“Theywereinterestedonlyintheboy.”“Yes.”“IftheBekyarareinvolved...”Ishakemyhead.“He’sintown.”“Iknow.Isawhim,comingin.”Obaismilesandfrowns.“Nethysmoveshispawns.Heprovidestoolsto

restorebalance.”“No,”Isay,butthebattleislost,andIknowit.“Ifit’sslaversagainstus,”shesays,andherwordshavetheringoffinality,

“wemustfetchVerkusht.”

ChapterTwo:FriendsandOtherEnemiesVerkushtisasIhadseenhimafewdaysbefore,whenIfirstcametoFree

Station,seekinganendtothefireflyplague.Ishrankback,then,sohewouldnotseeme.NowI,alongwiththebalancepriestessObai,standbeforehim,seekinghisfavor.

Witharaggedfingernail,hepicksatamorseloffoodlodgedbetweenhissmall,uneventeeth.“Isawyou,youknow.”

Westandinthebackparlorofadrunkard’sden.Herenorthernliquorsareserved,alongwithpalmwineandthestrength-sappingmashofthegarutiplant.FreeStationoverflowswithsuchplaces.Itisonethingfortheforeignerstopoisonthemselves.Thatistheircustom.ButitisnottheZenjway,notinaplacethatsmellsofbloodandvomit,awayfromfriendandkinandthesafetyofthefeastingcircle.

Verkushtrepeatshimself.“Isawyoutrytohidefromme.Ididn’tconfrontyou,becauseyouknowhowIhateembarrassment.”Hissharp-endedbeard,waxedinthemannerofanoutlanddandy,bobsupanddown,agreeingwithhim.Asitalwaysdoeswhenhe’saggrieved,Verkusht’slefthandabsentlystrokestheraisedredscarencirclinghisrightwrist.Ifyoueverlookcloselyathisrighthand,youwillseethatthelinesofhisarmdonotquitematchupwiththoseonhishand.

“Itisrighttodislikeembarrassment,”Isay.“Soletusspeaknomoreofit.”“Notsofast.”Heleansforwardinhiswoodenchair.HislinenBekyar

headdressliesoveritsback,exposingtheblackhairslickedtightlytohisskull.“Afterallwe’vebeenthroughtogether,youhideyourselffromme?”

“Whatwehavebeenthroughtogether,”Irepeat.“ThatincludesthetimeoftheMoonPeople?”

“Iexplainedthatathousandtimesalready.Myseemingbetrayalwasmerelyaruse.”

“AttheruinsofShopar?”“Imeanttocomebackforyou.”“IntheVaultoftheLocust?”“Again:seemingbetrayal,merelyaruse.”Thepriestessshrugs.“Inthatinstance,arguablythetruth.”Verkushtremovesadaggerfromhisboot.Withitsrazortip,heexpertly

prieslodgeddirtfrombeneathhisnails.“Letmewastenomoretimewiththisungratefulloghead,”hemutterstoObai.“ThatIregardhimasabrotherevidentlymeansnothingtohim.TellmeagainwhatIstandtogainbykeeping

evidentlymeansnothingtohim.TellmeagainwhatIstandtogainbykeepingcompanywiththosewhodonotvalueit.”

“TheConsortiumgenerouslyrewardsme,”shesays.“Eventhoughyou’rereallyinittostrikethebalanceofNethys.Double

loyalties.”“Ithoughtyou’dapprove.”Shegesturestowardhisraggedattire.“Clearly

youcouldusethesilver.”“Youcomplainofmyfickleness,yetseekmyaidinbetrayingmypeople.”“Isaidnothingaboutfickleness.”“Yousayitwithyourgaze,priestess.Alwayswiththosedamnedeyesof

yours.”“Youarestillanoutcastfromyourpeople,asXhasihereisfromhis.”“Helpingkeepthemawayfromthischildofyourswon’texactlygetmeback

intheirgraces,willit?”“TellmewhatyouwanttheAspistopay,andI’llseetheypayit.Weneedto

knowwhytheslaverssoughttheboyspecifically,andneitherXhasinorI...”“Neitherofyouareeffectivesneaksandbetrayers?”Hebreaksoffmid-

chortle,suddenlyrightinghimself.Thelegsofhischairbangagainsttavernfloorboards.Foreignerspourinthroughthedoorwayandapairofwindows.Theycarryshortswords,cutlasses,andclubswithnail-coveredheads.Morethanhalfadozenofthemfillthedrinkinghall.

“Youwillpaywhatyouowe,”growlsatoweringhalf-human,whoseotherhalfmightbeorcorogre.“Youwillpayingoldorblood!”

“Mygoodfriendsheredisputethejusticeofyourclaims,”saysVerkusht.Heseeksthesmallestofhisadversariesandkickshimbetweenthelegs.

Verkushtvanishesintothescrum.Themeadhallbecomesawhirlofgruntingfleshandswingingswords.Threeofthemareuponme.WithdifficultyIfindroomformyspearandpushthemback.Obai,herbestspellsexpendedagainsttheslaversearlierintheday,laysharminghandsononeopponent,whofallsbackgroaning.Shetakesupherdouble-edgedsword,itshiltdecoratedwiththemasksofNethys,andlaysintothedebtcollectors.Steelringsagainststeel.Theweakerfoesfallbackwhilethestrongerrushin.Thehalf-humanlumberstowardme,hisenormousclubclearinghispath.Hestrikesacomrade,whosinkstothefloor,headbleeding.Ifthemishaptroubleshim,heshowsnosignsofit.

Iduckbeneathhisclub,thoughitcomescloseenoughtodislodgemyboar-furheaddress.Istabathimwithmyspear,buthedeftlysidesteps.Aglancingblowtearsatmyflesh;thetipsoftheclub’sjuttingspikescarvearakingpatternacrossmyshoulder.Iconnectmyspearhafttohisbonyjaw.Thoughtheblowisasolidone,heshakesitoff,hardeninghisfaceintoanidiotgrin.Istepasidefromhisnextblow,thenslashhisfingerswiththespearhead’sedge.Hebleats

fromhisnextblow,thenslashhisfingerswiththespearhead’sedge.Hebleatsoutwhatisundoubtedlyacurseinsomeoutlandtongueashishandunclenches,droppingtheclub.Whenheducksdowntoretrieveit,Idirectahaft-blowtohistemple.Itjuddersacrosshisthickskulltolittleeffect.Hisgreathandsareuponmythroat,thumbspressingdeep.

Thehalf-human’seyesrollbackinhishead.Hisgriploosens,andIstepbacktolethimcollapse.AcurvingBekyardaggerhandleprotrudesfromhisback.Thebladehaspiercedhisheartfrombehind.Verkushtadmireshishandiworkapprovingly,thenducksanenragedblowfromanothercreditor.Hearrangeshisfallsothatitpullshisenemywithhim.Thentheyareonthefloor,withVerkushtbehindtheman,Verkusht’sgarottetightaroundhisneckandthedebtcollectorclawingvainlyatit.

Verkushtbreathesaharshwhisperintotheman’sear.“Orderyourmentostanddown,Zenes,oryou’lllosemoreofthemtoday.”AslashofasmileincisesitselfonVerkusht’sface.“You’vepickedonmorethanjustonebedraggledgambler.TodayyoufacetheScarredOnes.”

Zenes,anolive-skinnedmanwithoiledbeardandhair,triestospeakbuthasn’ttheair.Hewaveshishandsinagestureofsurrender.

Twobroad-armedmeninmotleyarmorstepbackfromObai,whomtheyhadpushedintoacorner.Spreadacrossthefloorarethreemen,theirthroatsslashed.Onestilllives,awhiteninghandpressedhardtokeeptheveinclosed.

“Go,then,”Zeneswheezes.Verkushtisfirsttoleapup,leavingustobearthebruntifhisdebt-holders

choosetocharge.Withadeterminedpullheretrieveshisdaggerfromthebigman’scorpse.Wefollowhim,eyesfixedonthemenstillcapableoffighting.Wewalkbackwardandreadyfromthedrinkinghouse,butthemenremainwithin.

TheBekyarstridesmerrilydowntheroad.“Sorrytokeepdraggingouttheargumentlikethat.IthoughtZenesandhisbunchwouldneverarrive.ItgoeswithoutsayingthatI’llgoalongonthismissionofyours.AssumingtheConsortiumbargainsfairlyformyservices.”

Itisfruitless,butIcannothelpmyself.“Youowethemagamblingdebt?”Verkushtshrugs.“Therearetwosidestoeverystory.”“Youcouldhaveofferedthemthefeesyou’llearnforthemission.”Hisfaceovalsinshock.“Andbeleftwithnothing?Yourjudgmentwounds

me,Xhasi.Youmaywellbeamanofthejungle,contentwithnothingmorethantreesoveryourheadandanoverflowingbasketofgrobfruitandareca.I,however,amapersonofcivilizedvirtues,illsuitedtodeprivationorindignity.Nowontotheimportantquestion:theseslaverswhowereattemptingtotake

“Verkushthasanunusualdefinitionoffriendship.”

yourgod-cursedboy—Idon’tsupposeyousawtheclanmarkersontheirheadbands?”

Ishakemyhead.Noticingthathisbeardwas

bluntedbythefight,herestoresitswaxenpoint.“Nevermind.MostlikelytheyareoftheRostoun.”

“Yourclan,”Obaisays.Verkushtlosessomeofhis

flamboyance.“Indeed,priestess.Yourememberdetailswell.”

“Havetheyseersandmagiciansamongtheirnumber?”sheasks.

“Wearenotinclinedinthatdirection.Asidefromafewminormagicsofobedienceandcoercion.”

“Sotheyareunlikelytohavestumbledacrosstheboy’smythicsignificanceontheirown?”

TheBekyarfrowns,asifwonderingwhetheroffenseshouldbetaken.“Ifit’stheRostoun,they’llbeledbyacousinofmine,Tarood.Amanoftenaciouscruelty,andIsaythatadmiringly.Hisusualpreferenceisforlow-qualitymerchandise.Thatwayifyouloseafewalongtheway,becauseofroughhandling,it’snomatterforconcern.”

“SoifitwashewhosoughtMwondukinparticular,hewaslikelyhiredbysomeoneelse.”

Verkushtconsidersherwordsforamoment.“It’spossible,buttherearemanyifsandguessesatplay.Surelyyoudesireafirst-handinvestigation.Andbeforethatcanoccur,therearetermstobestruck.”

WereachtheAspiscountinghouse.Sheddinghisairofsuddengravity,theBekyarboundsacrossitsthreshold.

∗∗∗

ThegleeisstillinhisstepafterhehasmadehispactwithThorold,theAspisman.Thetwoofuswendthroughthepuddlesofamuddybacklane.Numbersglitterinhiseyes.

“Iknewit,”hesays.“Iknewmyluckwouldturn.Waitlongenoughandit

“Iknewit,”hesays.“Iknewmyluckwouldturn.Waitlongenoughanditalwaysdoes.AndIhavewaited,myfriend,ohhowIhavewaited.”Hewaggleshisfingers,crackingeachjoint.“Yes,whenIlookbackonitall,todaywillmarktheturningpoint.Thetimewhenitallchanged,andVerkushtbegantogethisdue.”

Ihavealreadytoldhimofmyfriends,theNgali,everyoneofthemslaughteredbythefireflyplague.Iremindhimagain.Andofthemanyotherskilledsofar.

Histriangularfeaturesarrangethemselvesintoafrown.Heisannoyedatmeforruininghisjoy.“Xhasi,myfriend,thejungledevours.Devouringisitsreasonforbeing,anditssoleintent.Itfallstoustopickitsscraps.Alongwiththehyenas,thevultures,thelions,andtheotherscavengers.”

Weheadtothenorthsideoftown,whereitsoldestbuildingslie.Orsink,totellitmorecompletely.TherebeltraderswhomadeFreeStationwereexplorers,robbers,andgamblers,notbuilders.TheirfirststoreroomsandwinehouseswerebuilttohugtheVanji’sbank.Theymeanttoshortenthenumberofstepsbetweenthelandingofariverboatandtheunloadingofitscargo.Toseethatnomorethanafewstepsseparatedathirstyrivermanfromhisfreshjugofgrog.

Theriverbankdidnotsympathizewithitscolonizers.Itssoftbankshungered.Theytooktheseinterlopingstructuresanddinedontheirfoundations.Thetavernssank.Thewarehousesfilledwithdisgorgedmud.Abandoned,theystoodtiltingandwheezing,theriverslowlyadvancingonthem.Patientlydevouring.

Verkushtsquintsatthecollapsingbuildings.“IfTarood’shiding—andifheweren’twe’dseehimandhisclanmatesallovertown—he’llbeholeduphere.There’sanoldcountinghouseheusedlasttimeI,er,ranintohim.Ifnotthere,thebackroomsoftheFuneralShip.”

TheFuneralShipistheonlyremainingtaverninthetown’ssinkingquarter.Itspatronsimbibeatanangle.Totakeaseatthere,thedrinkingmensay,istofeelhalf-drunkalready.

“Hewon’tbeinthejungle?”Iask.“Hewon’tbeinthejungle,”Verkushtconfirms.Weadvance.IfollowVerkusht,whosneakswellalonglanewaysand

betweenbuildings.Thecountinghouseisempty,saveforafatconstrictorandascurryofheedlessrats.

Tothebackofthetavernisthechancierapproach.Awideavenueofferslittlecover.Itsmucksoundsawetalarmeverytimewesetafootdown.Finallywereachthebackofthetavern,andVerkushtpressesanearagainstitsgray,weatheredboards.Henodsandpointstohisear.Hehearsthem,inside.

Aboiling,squealingthingeruptsatmyankles.Myspearisready.Itrushes

Aboiling,squealingthingeruptsatmyankles.Myspearisready.Itrushespastme—apiglet,oneoftheforeignkind,foolishlyscreaming.Itcirclesaround,momentarilyintentonnippingmyankles.Itreconsidersandveersoff.

Shuttersslamopen.ABekyarslaverleansout.Iamseen.IlooktomysideforVerkusht.

Heisgone.Slaversleapfromthewindows.Theypourfromtheporch.Iturntorun.My

feetslidebeneathme.Irightmyselfbeforesuccumbingtoapainful,humiliatingfall,butputscantdistancebetweenmyselfandmypursuers.One,propelledbysomekindofleapingcharm,isuponmebeforeIcanmovefurther.Thehaftofmyspearcatchesthebottomofhisjaw,sendinghimsprawlingintothemuck.ThenIamsurrounded.

IwaitforVerkusht’scounterassaulttobegin.Fordaggerstoappearbetweenshoulderblades.Forarrowstozipfromnowheretothinoutmyfoes.Thewaitisinvain.

Itoppleasecondslaver,windathird,cloutanothersohardhefallstohisknees,retching.Itisnotenough.Theyoutnumberme.Slaversshoulderinpastmyspear.Theywrenchitfrommygrip.Thuddingblowsdanceovermyribstograzemykidneys.Thegraydayblackensandtwists.AsIslipintoadaze,Irealizethattheyatleastintendtokeepmealive.Thisgrantsmefaintsolaceasadimawarenessoffloatingseizesme.Theyhaveliftedmeup.ArecarryingmeintothebackoftheFuneralBoat.

Verkushthasgonetogetreinforcements,Itellmyself.Itcannotbethathehasbetrayedmeyetagain.

∗∗∗

Waterawakensme.Thrownintomyface,itrushesupmynoseandintomygapingmouth.Ireturntolife,choking.Itsmellslikerivermud.

Iamlashedtoachair.Itestmybondsandfindthemtight.Thisisexpected,whencapturedbyslavers.Oldmemories,neverburieddeep,surgetothesurface.Thefuryrisesinme.IfIgetloose,Iwillhavetofightnotonlymycaptors,butalsothesirenurgetokill.

Thereareadozenofthem,moreorless.Muckspatterstheirwhiterobes.Bruisescolortheundersidesoftheireyes.Theyrubunhappilyatthroats,armmuscles,legs—placesIhavehitthem.Theysulkincorners,pickattheirteeth,pacesmallcirclesonthefloor.Becauseofwhotheyare,thecrueltradetheyconduct,Itakesatisfactionintheirpain.Iwishonlythattheyfeltitathousandfold.

Themanwhohasthrownthebucketofriverwaterintomyfacelookstohis

Themanwhohasthrownthebucketofriverwaterintomyfacelookstohissuperiorforpermissiontobackaway.AsifIwerecapableofsnappingthewetleatherstrapsthatbindmetothechair,offlyingathimandtwistinghisneckuntilitsnaps.Hecansensemydesire,butoverestimatesmycapability.

ThemanwhonodstohimisaBekyarlikehimself.Heistallerandthinnerthantheothers.Thefamilyresemblanceiseasilyseen.WereyoutoflattenandelongateVerkusht’shead,toextendhisnoseoutwardintoamajesticslope,andthendousehiminaspringofyouth,youwouldhavethisman.ItcanonlybeTarood.Hisrobesareimpeccablyclean;hetooknodirectpartinmycapture.Hismouthopenslikeasnake’s.Thequiveringtipofhistonguepeeksouttosampletheair.Taroodisexcited.Acoiledwhiphangsfromhiship.Heholdshislefthandcurledintoafist.Acrosshisknucklesareloopinglengthsofbarbedwire.Notafightingweapon.Atorturingweapon.

HowlonghaveIbeenunconscious?Itshouldn’tbelongbeforeVerkushtarrives,withObaiandatroopofAspisguardsmen.Mywordsmustkeepmealiveuntilthen.

ItisnotTaroodwhospeaks.Aforeignerstepsfromthegloom.Hisgarbandaccentedspeechdescribehimasanoutlander,butofwhatsortIcannottell.LaterIwillbetoldthatheisaTaldan.

Hetiltshisheadslightly.Taroodtakesadisappointedstepback.Thismanisincommand,nottheslaver.HisskinisnearlyasdarkastheBekyar,thoughlightcomparedtomine.The

crownofhairwreathinghisheadshineslikesunset.Itisdarkernearhisscalp—dyed.Ijudgehimaoncethinandhandsomeman,newlyencasedinrichfoldsofflesh.Threadedwithsilver,hisgarmentssparkleanddance.Heavyringsofyellowmetalcovereachofhisfingers.Amedallion,bigasanoutlanderteasaucer,hangsfromhisneck.Itsgoldenfaceglowers,agrimacing,angrysun.

Noneofthesedecorationsareasstrikingastheman’seyes.Oneisbrown.Theotheririsisdoubled:alightblueringisimprisonedwithinapartnerofdeepviolet.Thestrangeeyeslookmeover,asifIamforsale.Asaprisonerofslavers,somemightsaythatIam.

“Theboy,”hesays.“Tellmeabouttheboy.”IlookagainatTarood’sfistofsharp-edgedwire.“Theboyisneededtoreverseadeadlyplague.”Themancontemplates,hisfacestill.“Yougettoit,don’tyou?Iexpectedto

wastesometimebeforecomingtothenub.FirstyouwoulddenyyouknewwhatIwastalkingabout.ThenTaroodherewouldhurtyou...”

“Whyinviteinjury?”Iask.“Youareanintelligentman,then.AmanIcandealwith.”Iamnotthatlastthing,butintheinterestofdelayIlethischargego

unanswered.

unanswered.“Whatisyourname,Zenj?”“Whatisyours?”Iask.Againhethinksbeforespeaking,hisfeaturesemptyofintent.“Brachantes,”

hefinallysays.“Itisnotanamethatwillbeknownintheseparts.”“IamXhasi,”Iallow.“Xhasi,formerlyoftheAratribe,occasionallyoftheScarredOnes,

improbablyaPathfinder,”Brachantessays.“Tellmewhatbusinessyouhavewiththeboy.”

“Theboy,Mwonduk,isaccursedbyKitumu,thefireflygoddess.Ifyouhaveheardsomuchaboutme,youaredoubtlessalsoinformedaboutthefireflydeaths.”

Brachantesnods.“Toendtheplague,theboymustbedeliveredtothegoddess.”“Andyouhaveastrongdesiretoendtheplague.”“Myfriendswereslainbyit.Manymorewillbeifnooneacts.”Hecomestooclose,peersintomyface,asifreadingatextwrittenonmy

skin.“Itdoesnottroubleyouthatthechildwillbesacrificed?”“Thepriceofmanylivesisonelife,”Isay.“Acold-bloodedthought,”saysBrachantes.“Thejungledevours,”Ireply.Heseizesawoodenchair,findsasafepositionforitonunevenfloorboards,

placesitafewfeetfromme,andsitsdown.“Insteadoflettingagoddevourhim,Iproposetopurchasehim.Nameyourprice.Nobloodneedbeshed.”

“Exceptforthateatenbyfireflies.”Brachantesadjustsoneofhisgoldenrings.“PerhapsifItaketheboyfar

fromhere,thegoddesswillforgetherprize,andreturntoherslumbers.”“Idonotknowaboutyourhomeland.HereintheMwangi,godsand

goddessesareneverforgetful.”Hepointsameatyfingerintotheair.“Youcannotbesureitisso.Yourseer

saysit.Myseers,whosensedthisboy’spresencefromafar,whosevisionsbroughtmeallthewaytothisrottingriverbank,predictedmerelythatIwouldfindaboytouchedbythegods.Yousaycursed,Isayblessed.”

“Yourprophetswillbeprovenright,”Iventure,“ifwetakehimtothegoddessandshechoosesnottotakehim.”

Angerwellsinhisface.“Unlikeyou,Iwillnotseehimharmed.He’llwhiletherestofhisdaysincomfort.”Brachantessoftenshistone,forcesabenevolentsmile.“He’llnotlabor,norwillhewant.Farbetterthanlifehere.Evenifheweren’theldbyConsortiumhirelingswhomeantosacrificehim.”

Itiscleveresttoseemtempted.“Whatdoyouwantwithhim?”

Itiscleveresttoseemtempted.“Whatdoyouwantwithhim?”Hisroundfacewidens,excited.“Iamacollectorofmarvels,Xhasi.My

menagerieisfamedthroughoutthenortheast.Housedinitsgoldencagesarechimeras,basilisks,minotaurs.IincludeinmycollectionthegreatsphinxofSamun,eventheblackdragonÉirma.”

“Howdoesthedragonlikeit?”“Shehasresignedherselftoherlot.Likemostbeingsonthisearth.”“Andnowyouwishtocollectchildren,too?”“AstheBekyarherecanattest,thereisnoraceofpersonthatcannotlegally

beregardedasproperty.Asayoungconnoisseur,Istartedwithobjects—paintings,jewels,arcaneartifacts.ThenIrealizedthatonlylivingwondersareworthowning.”

IrealizetoolatethatIamseething.UnlikeVerkusht,Ihaveneverbeenagoodliar.

Brachanteslaughs.“Youwouldletthisboybedevoured,yetfumewhenIproposetoestablishhiminpermanentsplendor?Hewouldgrowupinelevatedcompany.MypermanentguestsincludeOedes,poetoftheshadowquatrains,andtheformeradventurerStrodai,wholearnedtobreathefireontheelementalplanes.”

“Theytooareresignedtotheirfates?”“Perhapsnot.Theoccasionalescapeattemptkeepsaninmatevigorous,that’s

whatIsay.Itisessentialthatthemindremainsalive.”Hestepsupoutofthechair,kickingitaside.“YetIsensethatmoralargument,asone-sidedinmyfavorasitmightbe,istakingusnowhere.Tarood?”

TheBekyaradvances.Brachantesgesturestohisfistandshakeshishead.Taroodpetulantlyremovesthebarbedwirefromhisfist.Itiswithbareknucklesthathestrikesme.Ireelbackward.Inquicksuccessionhehitsmeagain,andagain.Ifeelbloodtricklingfrommynose,resolvingintodroplets,andfallingontomychest.

Myeyesswellshut.Theoutlander’sreedyvoicecomesfromsomewherebehindme.

“Youwillagreetothefollowing,Xhasi.Youwillchoosearendezvouspointinthejungle.ThiswaywewillnothavetofightourwaythroughanentirecountinghouseofAspisConsortiumguards.Wewillbewaitingforyouthere.Wewilltaketheboyoffyourhands.AndtheBekyartraitorVerkusht,too.Heisnothingtome,butTaroodsaysthatheowesadebttohispeople,whichmustfinallybedischarged.”

Tarood’ssmileisthatofaserpent.Brachantescontinues,stillwhereIcannotseehim.“Iregardmyselfasafair

dealer.Withinreason,Iampreparedtocompensateyouforyoureffortsonmy

“StrongdrinkisSunasuka'sblessing-andhercurse.”

dealer.Withinreason,Iampreparedtocompensateyouforyoureffortsonmybehalf.IpaybetterthanthePathfinders,thatisforcertain.”

“Howdoyouensuremycooperation,onceyouletmego?”Mywordswheezethroughbloodiedlips.

“Let’ssaythatyoudon’twanttofindout,andleaveitatthat.”Hestepsintoview,wincingatwhateverTaroodhasdonetomyface.“Doyouagree?”

Witheffort,Iraisemyhead.“YouknowthatIcan’t.”Brachantesshrugs.Tarood

placeshisbarbedimplementbackinhisfist.Awhininggiggletrapsitselfinhisbobbingthroat.

Thebackdoorslamsopen.ItisnottherescuepartyIhave

beenexpecting.NoObai,noVerkusht.NosquadronofAspisenforcers.

Standingsilhouettedinthedoorwayisasinglehalfling.Herhairisamattedandtangledmess.Hernoseliesflatacrossherface,theresultofmultiplebreakingsandhealings.Shewearsatatteredtunicandleggingsofantelopehide,inthemannerofthehalflingtribesofthejungleinterior.Apowerfulstenchofstalebreathandpalmwineaccompaniesherentrance.Thespattersofmudonherfaceandarmsarelighterthanhergleamingskin.

“Thisisadrinkingestablishment,”proclaimsmyoldfriendSunasukathehalfling,“andbytheforgottengodsandalltheshriekingapes,Iwillnotbebarredfromit!”Theboomingroarofhervoicecontradictshertinyframe.

Sheseesmeinthechair,boundandbleeding.Ahowlofdrunkenindignationescapesherthroat.Sunasukarollsintotheroom,caromingunpredictablyonheroversized,jungle-hardenedfeet.

Theslaversarestartledandsurprised.Iamstartled,butnotsurprised.Myfriendmakesahabitofunlikely

appearancesandfortuitousblunders.Sheutterscommandsintheuniversaltongueofbeasts.Atherbidding,

vermindropfromtheceilings,roilupthroughthefloorboards.RatsdropontotheslaverslikewaterovertheKorirFalls.Wasps,eachasthickasathumb,swarmaroundthem,stinging.Roachesflyattheirfaces,buzzingandvomiting

swarmaroundthem,stinging.Roachesflyattheirfaces,buzzingandvomitingglueyspittle.

Thefewslaversmissedbynature’sonslaughtadvanceonSunasuka’sposition,butherwobblypathconfoundsthem.Theirscimitarsslashtheairwheresheshouldbe,butisn’t.Herdouble-headedclubcatchesandsweepsthemaside,thescreamsofitscarvedmonkeyfacesaddingtothechaos.Duckingcrazilyunderaswungscimitar,shekicksmychair,topplingitonitsside.Itsdamp-rottedwoodcrumblesonimpactandIamfree.

Sunasukacallsupaflamingwalltoseparateusfrommycaptors.Shehelpsmetomyfeet.Togetherwelurchfromthescene.BehindustheFuneralBoatisconsumedbyspreadingflame.Thehalflinglooksbackregretfullyatthelossofyetanotherfavoritedrinkingestablishment.

“Sosomething’sgoingon,then?”sheasks.

ChapterThree:TheCondemnedWestaggerquicklythroughFreeStation’smuddylanes,thehalflingnature

priestessandI,readyforpursuerstoappearatourheels.Sheowesheruneventreadtopalmwine;I,tothebeatingdeliveredbyBrachantes’hiredslavers.

Sunasukascratcheshermaneofmattedhair,withdrawingafatnit.Shefrownsatit,quizzical.“WhatdidItellyou?”sheasks.Sheisspeakingtotheinsect.Ahundredblackdotsemergefromherscalp,gatheronherneck,andcrawlobedientlydownherarm.Sheleansagainstastraysaplingjuttingboldlyfromtheroadside.Thenitsexitontoit.Shezigzagsbacktome.Takingnoteofmyinjuries,shemuttersandwagglesherfingers.

Mymangledlipknitsbacktogether.Inaninstant,mybruiseslighten,turngreenandyellow,thenvanish.Thepaininmyribsgoesaway,followedbythedullthrobinmygut.

InodmythanksandreturntowhatI’dbeensayingbefore.“Youaren’tjokingthen.”

Sheblinks,asifseeingthroughafog.“Aboutwhat?”“Youweren’tsenttorescueme.”“Sent?Bytheothers?Theothersarehere?”Iexplainagainaboutthemission,andVerkusht,andhowheleftmetobe

captured.HowmycomingaccountingwithhimmightbegentlerifitturnedoutthathehadfoundSunasukaandsenthertogetme.

“Theothers!”sheexclaims.Sheisdrunkerthanusual,Ithink.ButthenIseesheislookingahead,andheretheycome—Verkusht,and

Obaithebalancepriestess,andasmalllegionofguardsmenlentbyThorold,ourAspisConsortiumpatron.

Andoneother.Katiiwastridestowarduswithherusualgrace.Neveramovementorgesture

thatismorethanrequired.Herjaggedharpoon,castinanunknownmetalandgleamingazureblue,restsconfidentlyoverhershoulder.Incisedarcanesymbolscoveritssurface.Katiiwawearsthecoral-coloredgarbofherseafaringpeople,theBonuwat.Apatternedheadwrapgathershercoiledhairintoacrownatopherserenefeatures.

Whensheturnstowardus,theearwiththetorn,missinglobebecomesvisible.Paletrails,leftbyabarracuda’steeth,rakedownthesideofherneck.

KatiiwaembracesSunasuka,undeterredbyhercoatingoffilth.Theotherskeepthehalflingatbay.

keepthehalflingatbay.Verkushtapproaches.Iglower.“Naturally,”heexplains,“Ihadtobecarefulnottobeseenonthewayback.

Couldn’tallowanambushatthecountinghouse.Securingtheboywascrucial.Andnotascratchonyou,Isee,soallhasturnedoutwell.Itrustyoulearnedsomethingwhileyouwerethere.”

Weturnbacktothecountinghouse.ItelltheothersaboutBrachantes,ofhisintentiontomaketheboyatrophyinadistantmenagerie.Wedonotspeakofourplansforhim.

NordoIaskhoworwhyKatiiwahasjoinedus.Itisalwaysbetternottoknow.

AsidefromArok,whowaitsforusstillintheforest,nowallofusarehere.“Cometothinkofit,”Sunasukasuddenlyblurts,“it’squiteathingthatthe

placethatrefusedtoservemeanymorehadourXhasiprisonerintheback,isn’tit?”

Obaiisamused.“Quiteathingindeed.”“Coincidencefollowsyouaround,doesn’tit?”Verkushtsays.Hefidgets

withthefoldsofhislinenheaddress.Sunasukaproducesagourdfromherreekingpackandtakesahappyswig.

“Someoneoncesaidtomethatcoincidencedoesn’tfollowme.Ifollowit.”“Isaidthat,”saysKatiiwa.“Thereyougothen,”repliesthehalfling,asifallhasbeenexplained.“Thereisnocoincidence,”Obaisays.“OnlytheactionsofNethys,godof

balance,actinginvisibly.”“Everythingiscoincidence,”saysKatiiwa.“Includingyourpresencehere?”“Especiallythat.”Thereismoreofthis,allthewaybacktothecountinghouse.Oncethere,I

approachtheboy’sroom.AnAspisguardunlocksthedoor.Sunasukafollows.Herinterestintheboymightbringtrouble,butIcan’tsee

howtokeepherout.Therestofusarehard,eachinourownway.WewillbereadytoconsignMwonduktohisfate.Ofthedrunkennaturepriestess,Ican’tbesure.

Theroomislargeandwellfurnished,thoughtheshuttersarenailedshutandthedoorbarredandmanned.Theboydoesnotsitonthebedorinanyofthechairs,buthasinsteadlodgedhimselfinacorner.TheAspishavegivenhimclean,fineclothesintheoutlanderstyle.Hehasnotthrownthemoff,atleast.Thetunicisopen,displayingthefireflybirthmarkonhischest,redandunmistakable.Themarkofhisancestralcurse.Cradledbetweenhishandsisacookedyam.Itisbarelytouched,afewnibblestakenoffthetop.Heholdsitas

cookedyam.Itisbarelytouched,afewnibblestakenoffthetop.Heholdsitasifforcomfort.

“Areyouwell,Mwonduk?”Iask.Henods,hiseyesdeepandwet.Onatablesitsabowl,fulloffruits.Besideit,aroundloafofmashbread.No

signthathe’seatenanyofit.“Isthereanythingyou’dlike,thatwecouldgetyou?”Heshakeshishead.“We’llbeleavingsoon.Takingyouintothejunglewithus.DidObaiexplain

this?”Anod,smallerthantheonebeforeit.Finallyhespeaks.Hisvoiceisa

whisper.Iguessthatitisnotmuchused.“Shesaidyouweretakenbythemenwhotriedtotakeme.”

“Iwas,butmyfriendcametosaveme.”“Likeyousavedme,”Mwonduksays.“Yes.Eatsomefood.We’llbeleavingsoon.”“Beforetheycomeafterus?”“Yes.Eatsomefood.”Heputstheyaminhispocket.

∗∗∗

WeleaveFreeStationsoonafter—thefiveofus,andtheboy.OfferedtheaidofasmallpartyofAspisexplorers,werefuse.Theywouldslowusdown.Somewoulddie.

WhenFreeStationisoutofsight,Arokappearsbesideus.Mwonduk’sfacewidensinwonder.Heissurprisedtogreetatalkingape,butshowsnofearofhim.

Ourroutewilltakeusacrossthegrasslands.WewilltraverseRechiend’sPlains,thenenterthejungle.Theopennessofthevastsavannaputsmeonedge.Iwouldsoonerbeundertheshadeofthehighforestcanopy.Aroksharesmyunease.

Wideswathesofthejungleescapeclaimbyanyclanortribe.Onemaytravelthroughthemwithouttrespassing.Thegrasslandsclans,whosewaysaredifferentfromours,claimbetweenthemmosteveryinchoftheplains.Negotiationisalwaysrequired.Tomovethroughthem,onemustseekpermission,ifnotagrantofhospitality.Theclansguardtheirbordersjealousy,againsttheirneighborsmostofall.Betweenthesixofus,wehavenearlyenoughfriendstopatchworkourwayacrossthegreatplain,connectingthelandsofonefriendlytribetoanother.Butwemayhavefriendsamongtwotribeswhodistrust

“Katiiwadoeswhatmustbedone.”

friendlytribetoanother.Butwemayhavefriendsamongtwotribeswhodistrusteachother.WemayarriveonthebordersofonetribeonlytofindthatithaschangeditsGreatMother,orthatitsWomen’sCouncilnowbarsentrytostrangers.Theboywillposeaproblem,too.Theirspiritswillsmellthecurseuponhim,andtelltheirspirit-talkers.

MyfriendshipwiththeSabuduallowsuspassagethroughtheirlands.Iwarnthemtosteerclearoftheboy.Theyrewarduswithgourdmilkandcuredantelopemeat.ObaiinvokestheeighthtaboooftheBudii,earningtheirreluctantpassage.Wearewarnednottoeatabladeofgrassorstepuponaspiderandsentonourway,watchedfromadistance.TheBudiiwatcherswhoopandbrandisharrowsaswenearCharpaterritory,andcomeuponahuntinggroupontheoppositeshoreofacontestedwateringhole.TheCharpawhoopandthreatenback,untilArokbeatshisbreastandscreams,drowningoutbothparties.Thisseemstosatisfytheircodeofaggression,oratleastconfusethem,andbothwithdraw.TheCharpaallowuspassagebyignoringourpresence.FromtherewedashacrossaspuroflandclaimedbytheUnnameableTribe,whoarenotfleshandbloodbutaremadeofshadow.Thesunishigh,sotheydonotmolestus.

ThenwearefeastedamongtheWalakuf,forwhomVerkushtonceperformedadeadlyfavor,whichneitherhenortheywillname.ThereSunasukabecomesdrunkandperformsanobscenedance,winningherrecognitionasahuyo,orholyfool.Whenshepassesouttheydrapeanamuletaroundherneck,andtellusthatitwillalsoearnuspassageacrossthelandsoftheirsistertribe,theJumvi.NighthascomeandSunasukaisimmovable,sowerest.TheWalakufanointtheboywithprotectiveoils;theprotectionisforthem,nothim.Theytellusthatthefirefliescamelastnight,fortheirhatedneighborstotheeast,theKesh.WewouldbekilledifweventureintotheKeshlands,butitisnotonourroute.InthemorningwearejoyfullyescortedtotheWalakuf’snorthernreach.

Itistherethatthetroublesstart.TothewestlivetheSalipat,whoofferoutsidershospitalityinthewetseasonanddeathinthedry.Itisthewrongtimeofyear,sowecannotgothere.Ourotherchoiceliestothenorth,wheredwell

ofyear,sowecannotgothere.Ourotherchoiceliestothenorth,wheredwellthelionridersofKuta.Noneofusknowthem.Wemustdaretoentertheirlands,waittobeaccosted,andhopetheyrespondfavorablytotheStrangerGreeting.

Findingthemisamatterofbeingfoundbythem.Ifweheadtothenearestoftheirwateringholes,wecanbesuretheywillappeartochallengeus.Ilookforanimalruns.Awarthogtrotscalmlypastus,hishooveskickingupdustonanancienttrail.Ibeckontheotherstofollow.Longbeforeanysignofwater,dotsappearonthehorizon.

ItistheKuta.AccordingtotheprotocoloftheStrangerGreeting,wegonofurther.Iholdupmyshieldinthecustomaryposition,thenmakeashowofsettingitdown.Wewait,arrangingourselvesaroundtheboy.

Verkusht’stwitchingfingerswandernearthehiltofhisdagger.Iscoldhimwithalook.Abeadofsweatgrowsfromthefurrowsofhisforeheadtoslidedownhisnose.

Nearertheycome:eightwarriorwomenandtheirmaleentourage,astridetheirridinglions.TheKutaareoutfittedinfineregalia,decoratedingold,zebrahide,andostrichfeathers,butitisthebeaststhatseizemyattention.

TheyarelikethelionsIknow,buttallerandlonger.Long,blockilymuscularlegsreplacethelithespringinglimbsofanordinarybigcat.Theirfeetwidenintobroad,hardenedpaddles,armedwithwickedyellowclaws.Ihaveneverseenalionthatwouldweighhalfasmuchasthese.Fibersaddlesholdtheproud-shoulderedKutaontheirbacks.Thewomenridelions;themen,lionesses.Thebeaststwisttheirheads,snarling,asifaskingfororders.They’rehopingthattheirriderswillletthemtearusapart.Itisscarcelyaleaptoimaginethattheyhavedonesobefore,topetitioningvisitorswhodispleasedtheirmistresses.

ThoughIhavenotseentheKutalionsbefore,Iknowthemyth.ThefirstoftheKutapeople,ofcoursealsocalledKuta,gatheredherstarvingfamilyaroundher,unabletomakeherwayintheharshnessoftheworld,backwhenitwasallonevastgrassland.Shewenttothetoadgoddess,whocouldnotbearherwailingandburrowedawayfromher,intothesand.Shewenttothebirdgoddess,whotauntedherandflewawayintothesky.Thenshecamebyaccidentupontheproudliongoddess,whosawnothreatinthisspindly,starvingcreature.Drivenbyhungerandloveforherchildren,Kutawageredthatshecouldwrestletheliontotheground.Inherdesperation,shewonout,andsotheliongoddessgavehertheweakestofherbrood,transformingthemintobeastsofburden.Inexchangeforthis,Kutaagreedthatnomemberofherpeoplewouldeverslayanother,nomatterhowfearsomethecrime.

Astheyadvance,IseethatwestandbeforetheKutaqueenherself.Thesevengoldringsinherearandthetattoosonherbrowproclaimherroyalty.Inherrighthandsheholdsthefeatheredcropofauthority.Intheleftshegraspsa

herrighthandsheholdsthefeatheredcropofauthority.Intheleftshegraspsaleash.Itleadstoapatheticandnakedprisoner,coveredonlybyalayerofsandydirt.Thisbatteredwretchmustrunalongsidethequeen’slion,thetallestandmostpowerfulofthelot.

Obaistepsforwardtoperformthecustomaryhalf-bow,whichneitherclaimssuperioritynoradmitssubmission.“Iamastranger,andIgreetthee,queenoftheKuta.Ipresentmytruenametoyou:IamObai,oftheScarredOnes,aclanoftheclanless.Iamastranger,andrequestnaughtelsebutpassagethroughyourgoddess-grantedlands.”

Thequeenreplies.“Youhavespokencorrectlyandsowillnotbeslain.Butpassagewillnotbegranted.”Ahorseflylandsinhermount’sthickmane.Thequeenswatstheflywiththetipofhercrop,andherlionsnarlsitsannoyance.Thebugdrops,smashed,besideitspaw.Onherfibersaddle,thequeenstraightens,risingtoherfullheight.

Obailowersherheadeversoslightly.Toabaseherselftoatribalmatriarchisnotaneasythingforher;Iseeitinthetautnessofherwiryframe.“MayIaskwhy,LionQueen?”

“Wearelions.Thatisalltheexplanationyourequire.”Katiiwamakesabarelyaudiblecluckingsound.Obainotesitandwithdraws,

infavorofthesorceress.Katiiwaleavesherharpoonbehindbeforesteppingforward,stickingitssparklingbluehaftintothedrysavannasoil.

∗∗∗

“IamKatiiwa.Iofferyouthesolutiontoaproblem.”Arattle-shakingwoman,paintedfromheadtotoeintheswirlsandwhorlsof

agrasslandspirit-talker,leanstothequeen’sright.Shesniffstheair,frowns,andwhisperssomethingintothemonarch’sseven-ringedear.

“Youareademon,”thequeensays.Katiiwaisunfazed.“Onlybydistantdescent,QueenLion.TheKuta

subscribetoakillingcode,dotheynot?”“Thecustomsofmytribearenotyourconcern.”“MycomradeXhasiwasoftheAra,andknowswellofkillingcodes,though

hisissurelydifferentfromyours.OneKutamaynotslayanother.Evenaqueenmaynot,notevenwhenthecrimeisthegravestpossible.Isitso?”

Thequeenshiftsinhersaddle.“Whatifitwere?”“Theoutcast.Herearbearssevenholes,whereoncetheringsofqueenship

rested.Isitso?”“Youreyesseewell,demonkin.”“Hercrimeswouldbeterribleindeed,toseeherstrippedofhercrown.

Paradedlikeadog.”

Paradedlikeadog.”Thequeenspits,nearlymissingtheoutcast.“Thedogisawretchedbeast.”“Wereitnotaworsecrimethanhers,youwouldsurelywishthisdog’slife

ended.”QueenLionshudders.“Thisdogcommittedtheworstcrime.First,shekept

foodbackwhenallwerestarving.Gaveittoclosekinonly,evenaftergrantedthelion’sshare.Whendiscovered,sheslewherown,tohidehershame.”

Withoutlookingback,Katiiwaholdsoutherhand.Istepforward,placingherharpooninit.“ThentodayisafortunatedayfortheKuta,goodqueen.FormyweaponandIperformthedirtyworkofjustice.”

Thebedraggledoutcastsilentlyweeps—fromterrororrelief,Icannotsay.“Youarenotofourpeople,”thequeensays.“Norboundbyyourcode.”“Imaynotcommandyoutodoit,whichislikedoingitmyself.”“Youhavenoauthoritytocommandme,goodlion.IfIchoosetomete

justice,itisnotyourdoing.”Thequeendropstheleash.SunasukatakesMwonduk,wrapsherarmaroundhim,andpullshishead

intohershoulder,sohewon’tseewhathappensnext.Theformerqueenstandsquakingforamoment.Thensheturnsandruns,

stumbling,exhausted,kickingupacloud.Katiiwastridesevenlyafterher.Theoutcaststumbles.Katiiwaraises,thenlowers,theazureharpoon.Itisdonewithastroke,withhardlyagurgle.Thedrysandinstantlydrinksdownthedeposedqueen’sblood.

Katiiwaturnsherbackontheslainwoman.Herharpoonhascleaneditselfofhervictim’sgore.Whenshepassesmetoreturntothegroup,dreadskittersspider-likedownmyspine.ThoughIdonotwishto,Iamsensingthedemonpartofher.Fed,itresumesitsslumber.

Thelionschampattheirgrass-fiberreins.Theyquiverinfrustrationwhilethequeenandherretinueslowlydismount.Finallytheyhavecompletedtheirdignifiedclamber,allowingthelionstopounceonthecorpse.Themanedlionsofthewomen’sretinueareallowedtofeast,whilethelionessesriddenbythemenlookoninenvy.

ThisisaKutafuneral.Werethevictimnotdishonored,toastsandceremonieswouldprecedetheeating.Thelionsareconsideredpartofthetribe,andlikeitstwo-leggedmembers,maynotkillitsmembers.Thedivinelawdoesnot,itseems,forbidthemfromeatingthosealreadydead.Whenapersondies,thelionsfeed.Whenaliondies,itisthepeoplewhoconsumeitsroastedmeat.

Thebeaststearapartfleshandbreakintobone.Ofourparty,allbutKatiiwaandArokturnaway.

andArokturnaway.Itisoverinmoments,themealfinishedtothemarrow.Whenweturn

around,onlyscrapsofreddenedboneremain.Thequeenandheraidesclimbbackontotheirmounts.Assembledtribemembers,humanandfelinealike,regardusandourdiscomfortwithhaughtyamusement.Theysayitinthewaytheyholdtheirheads:theyarelions.

Thequeenandherattendantsdepart,liontailsswitchingbehindthem.Weareleftinthecompanyofthelesserfunctionaries.TheyridetheirlionessestowardabareknolltothenorthoftheKutalands.Wefollowthem—toGuestHill,theytellus.Alongtheway,theriddenlionessesgrowllowlyatArok,andhehuffsthreateninglyback.Apesandlionshaveneverlikedoneanother.

GuestHillrevealsitselfasabarrenjutofstoneandsand.AidedbyanenergeticSunasuka,Katiiwasetstoworkerectingacanvasshelter.Iwalkaroundthehill.Whitegrainsandpebblesofunevenshaperisebetweenmytoes.

Boneshards.Mostguestshere,Irealize,remainonthehill,thoughnotinrecognizableform.IreviewthewordsexchangedbetweenKatiiwaandthequeen.Hospitalitywasgrantedwithallthepropertermsandobservances.Itisunlikely,Idecide,thattheKutawillbreaktherulesofhospitalityandfalluponusinthenight.MostprobablythosetakenaspreyonGuestHillareexploringoutlanders,whodonotgivetheStrangersGreetingintherightway,andthusdeserveonlyfalsepromises.

IsharethisjudgmentwithKatiiwa.Ithasbeenalongtimesinceallsixofustraveledtogether,soshereviewsourcustomarysleepingshifts.

Beforeweturnin,IseeSunasukahuddledwithMwonduk.Shehascalledapairofbrightredfinchestowhirlanddiveintheairbeforehiseyes.Theboywatches,entranced.Whenthebirdstireandflyaway,helapsesbackintohisdullquiet,staringatnothing.

Thehalflingrises.Shebrushesdirtfromherhidebreeches,somehowgettingthemmoredustythanwhenshestarted,andamblestowardme.

“Tellmeagain,”shesays,nonetooquietly,“whatcrimetheboyhasdone.”Ileadheraway,downthesideofthehill.“AskObai.”“ObaiwilltalkcomplicatednonsenseandIwillknowlessthanwhenwe

started.Iaskyou,Xhasi.”“Don’tmaketrouble.”“Me?Trouble?”“Itisnotacrime,butacurse.Anangrygoddesscalls.Youareapriestess.I

shouldnotneedtoexplain.”Sunasukaspits.“Theworldcomesbeforethegods.”“AskArok.Hewilltellyoutheworldisoutofjoint.”“Iknowthat!”Shelooksupattheboy,silhouettedbeforethelastpurple

“Iknowthat!”Shelooksupattheboy,silhouettedbeforethelastpurplelightoftheeveningsky.“Iftheapefeelsit,don’tyouthinkIcanfeelittoo?”Thehalflinguncorksagourd.Itreleasesthesharpreekoffermentedmash,refilledattheWalakuffeast.Sheoffersittome;Ishakemyhead.“Itdoesn’tsitright.Theremustbeanotherway.”

“Iftherewere,oneofuswouldknowit.”“He’sjustaboy.”“Don’tmakeitharder.”Shedrinksdeep.“Everynowandagain,itshouldbefair.”Thereisnothingtobesaidtothis,sonothingiswhatIsay.Darknesssettlesovertheplains.Asifinanswertohercomplaint,aglimmer

appearsinthefardistance.Ayellow-greenpinpointshimmersandresolvesintoacloud.

Fireflies.Atfirsttheyseemtobecomingourway,butastheswarmgathers,itsettles

andstopsinthedistance.Ontheflatlands,soundtravelsfasterthananantelope.Wehearshrieks,

groans.Drumspoundout,thengosilent.“IsittheKuta?”thehalflingasks.Bynowtheothersareatourside.“Toofaraway.Aneighboringtribe.”“TheSalipat?”Katiiwaasks.ItwouldbebestifitweretheSalipat,whose

landswedonotintendtoenter.Ishakemyhead.“TheLatari.Theirfirstqueendugupthegourdgoddess

whenshewasburiedunderthehotearthandcouldnotgetout.Lataribreathedherlastbreathintothegoddess,whothenrevivedherandgaveherpeoplelife.”

Theshrieksriseandechoacrossthegrassland,thentaperoff.Soontheyarereplacedbymourningchants.

Mwondukhasjoinedus.HetakesSunasuka’shand.“Whatishappening?”heasks.

Sunasukalooksathim.“We’rebeingtoldtohurry.”

∗∗∗

Dawncomestooslowly.AsweleaveKutaterritory,weseelionridersfromafar,makingsurethatwego.Ifweturnback,itwillbeasprey.

ThesoilgrowsricherasweintrudedeeperintoLatariterritory.Thickgreenvinesappearamidthedrybrownstalksofgrass.Yellowblossomssproutfromcurlsofleaf.Byharvesttimetheywillbegourds,heavywiththeancestralblessingsoftheLatarigoddess.Wetakecarenottouprootthevinesasweenter

“Mwondukisasolemnchild,oldforhisyears.”

blessingsoftheLatarigoddess.Wetakecarenottouprootthevinesasweenteraseaofgrass.Aroktowersabovethetipsofthestalks,buttherestofusareenveloped.

Notlongafter,Verkushthissesawarning.“Visitors.”ArokandIsenseittoo.Therhythmofthewindonthehighgrassesaround

ushasaltered,barely.They’recomingatusfromallsides.Obaicallsout.Theycan’tseeus,butsheperformsthevisualritualsofthe

StrangerGreeting.Awoman’svoice,grief-ravaged,ringsouttotheleftofus.“Surrenderthe

accursedone,andtherestshalllive.”“Neitherhenorweposeathreattoyou,”Obairesponds.“Dozensofusalreadyliedead,slainbythecloudofglowingdeathhesent

againstusinthenight.”“Yourspirit-talkersdivinedthis?”Obaiasks.“Delayusnotwithlies.Conveyhimtoourjustice,sothatnooneelsemay

die.”“Forthattohappen,theboy

mustbetakentothegoddesswhohascursedhim.”

Asecond,deepervoice,alsoawoman’s,comesfrombehindus.“Youareunshakeableinthis?”

“Yourthirstforjusticeisunderstandable,yetcannotbequenchedthroughthemeansyoupropose.”

“Thenallmustdie!”criesthesecondvoice.War-whoopsriseupfromtheobscuringgrasses.LeapingLatariwarriorsareallamongus.Thefightisjoined.

ThreeLatarijumpmyway.Iparrythelungesoftheirthreespearswithmyone.ALatariscreamsasArokliftshimhighoverheadandhurtleshimoutofsight.Verkushthasawarriorfrombehind,hisbladepoisedtocutaredfurrowintohisthroat.Katiiwasummonsacloudofsicklypoisonvapors,readytorollitsdeathintothegrassandoverourfoes.Obaipreparesherownfatalgod-calling.

Thesepeoplecannottaketheboy,buttowanttoisnotwrong.Forthese

Thesepeoplecannottaketheboy,buttowanttoisnotwrong.Fortheseactions,theyshouldnotdie.IuttertheCryOfAra,turninglethalblowstoagiftofslumber.

Arok’srendinghandsturnindistinctastheypassthroughhisopponents.Theydrop,breathinglightly.Verkusht’sknife,shroudedbytheheroofmybirth-tribe,passesintofleshwithouttearingit.Katiiwa’svenomcloudsendsthosetrappedinittotherealmofsleep.

TheretreatingLatariregroup.Sunasukahasfallen,agashfromaspearheadtraversingthelengthofherthigh.

WecanseetheLatarinow.Fearplaysacrosstheirfaces,butisovercomebydetermination.Mightyaswemaybe,thesixofuscannotfightourwaythroughanentiretribe.

Theboypusheshiswaythroughhisdefenders.HefacestheLatari.“IamtheAccursedOne,”hesays.“Hearmespeak.”

ChapterFour:IMustDieTheboystandsbeforetheLatari,whoseekhisdeath.Heunlacesthe

northern-styletunicgivenhimbytheAspisConsortium.Markedonhischestisthefireflybirthmarkthatheraldshiscurse—thecursethathasclaimedthelivesoftheseplainslandtribesfolk.

“IamcalledMwonduk,andIamtheoneyouwant.Killmeifyouwant,butdon’thurtmyguardians.Theymeanonlytopreventharm.”

ThisisthefirsttimeIhaveheardtheboyspeakaboveawhisper.Hisheadisnolongerbowed,hisshouldersnowstraight.Hestandswithhischestthrustout,asifdaringaLatariwarriortothrowaspearthroughit.Someappeartobecontemplatingit.Ienvisiontheboyimpaledonthespot,thesharpedgeofthespearobliteratingandpenetratingthebirthmark.

Verkusht,crouching,catchesmyeye,silentlyaskingifweshouldn’tleapontheboy,claphandsoverhismouth,letObairesumeherroleastalker.Withatwitchofmyhead,IwarntheBekyartostanddown.

Aleather-skinned,white-hairedwomanstands.Hercrownisfashionedfromagourd,thegoddessobjectofhertribe.“Harmhasalreadybeendone.Yourinsectminionsdescendedlastnight.Myhusband,mychildren,murdered.Therearenoneofusstandingherewhodidnotlosekin.Inagonytheyshrieked,torntoshredsbeforeoureyes.Killyouweshall,youngdemon.Yourdeathisoursbyrightofblood.”

MwondukgetsdownonhisbonykneestobowhisheadbeforetheLatariqueen.“Ididn’tsendthefireflies.Iwouldneverhurtanyone.Thefirefliesaresentbyagoddess—theonewhoputhermarkonme.Idon’tknowwhy.LongbeforeIwasborn,myancestorsdidsomethingwrong.Ormaybetheydidn’t.Maybethere’snofairnessinit.”

“Thereisnofairnessinourkinbeingkilled.”Theboyprostrateshimself,touchinghisforeheadtothedirt.“No,thereisn’t.

Thisgoddessisnotfair.Sheishungry.Shehungersforme.SoImustbesacrificed,anddie.”

Thequeenretreatstoconferwithherspirit-women.Whenshereturnsherattentiontotheboy,hecontinues:

“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthisgoddess.Iamignorant.Mywholelifehasbeenfearandanemptystomach.IhavenokinsmentomournmewhenIdie.Sopleaseletmedietherightway.”

Thespiritwomenbreakawaytoargueamongthemselves.Annoyedbytheirharshwhispering,thequeencallsahalttoitwithashrillwhistle.

harshwhispering,thequeencallsahalttoitwithashrillwhistle.Thequeen’smannerhassoftened.“Weknowourowngoddesswell,child.

Sheisbenevolent,butdemandsthatweavengewrongsagainstus.”Mwondukrises,stepstowardthem.“Sowhateveryoudo,youwillangera

goddess.”Thequeenstepsback.Thespiritwomenstepback.TheLatariwarriors,too.“Isthegourdgoddessforgiving?”“AlllifespringsfromChuaka.”Theboyrubsathisdrippingnose.“Kitumu,thefireflygoddess—Idon’t

thinksheisforgiving.Withoutareason,shehurtyoubad.Whatwouldshedoifyougaveherareason?”

Theeldestofthespirit-womenshakesherrattle,togetthequeen’sattention.Angerrisesinherfaceasthequeenignoresthegesture.

“Please,Latariqueen.”Mwondukclaspshishandstogetherandshakesthemtowardher,thegestureofachildbeggar.“Letmydeathmeantheendoftheplague,andnottheworseningofit.”

Thequeenbrandishesherroyalstaff,bothatusandatherquiveringspirit-talkers.“Gothen.Movequicklythroughourlands.Donotstoptosleeporrestordrink.”

Theboybowsagain.“Butboy,ifwehearthatyoulive,thatyouescapedyoursacrifice,my

warriorswilltrackyoudownandcutoutyourheart.Theywillfindandkillallofyourcompanions.TheywillhuntyouuntilthelastLatariisdead.”

Shesweepsintothenearbygrass.Westandstillasherpeoplefollowher.Whentheyaregone,Sunasuka,whoseleghasbeenbadlyspeared,lets

herselfmoan.Sheperformsahealingspellonherself,andseparatedfleshfoldsbacktogether.Theskincrawlsoverthegashandsealsitself,leavingatearinthehalfling’shidebreechesastheonlysignofherinjury.

Mwondukgoestoherandextendsahandtohelpherup.“Youworryaboutme,”hesaystoher.“Butdon’t.Iunderstandwhatyouallmustdo.”

∗∗∗

TheLatarilandsarethelastwepassthroughonthesavannabeforereachingthejungle.Onceunderthecanopy,Ifindastream.Wedrink,fillskinswithwater,andrest.Fromhere,wewillheadnorth,skirtingtheAerieofBloodlettingSongs.Idescribetheroutetotheothers.Werethereanypointinit,Iwoulddrawthemamap.IfIfall,Arokcantakethemtherestoftheway.Shouldthegrouplosebothofus,nosketchorscribblewillhelpthem.

Verkushtnowfeelsfreetocomplain.“Whowasitwhosaidweshouldtramp

Verkushtnowfeelsfreetocomplain.“Whowasitwhosaidweshouldtrampthroughthelandsofthesemadplainsmen,insteadofboatinguptheriverandacrossthejungle?”

Everyoneremembers,includingVerkusht.Itwashim.WhitebridgeStation,wheretherivermeetsthejungle,crawlswithBekyar.Taroodwouldhaveambushersontheriverroute.Verkushtwantsustotellhimthat,asdifficultastheplainswalkwas,wewerestillbetteroff,andhestillindispensablyright.Noneofushavetheenergytohumorhim.

WelieonflatrocksandSunasuka,exhaustedbyherwound,lapsesimmediatelyintoasnoringslumber.ArokandIcollectfruitastheotherstakeshiftsandnap.

Aswelopesilentlythroughthejungleshade,Isensethegorilla’sdisquiet.ItisaworryIshouldshare,thisclosetotheAerie.Concernfortheboyhasdistractedme.NowthatMwondukhasspokenofhiswillingnesstodie,Isomehowfeelworseforit.

ButImustclearmythoughts.TheAerie.Arokfreezes.Alitterofbushpigsspringsfromanestofbrushnearourfeet.

Hesniffstheair.Itsmotherwillbenear.Ameat-feastwillnourishuswellforthehardtrekkingtocome.

Asnufflingsnortandthefastrustleofhoovesannounceshercharge.Arokfrowns.Ireadymyspearandpiercethebeastasitcomesatme,tusksoutthrust.Itfallsandslides.

Arokhangsback.GametakensoclosetotheAeriemustbecarefullychecked.Itfallstometodoit.Iopenitsdeadmouth,checkitstongueandteeth.Itseyesarethepropercolor—nopulsingflakesofredorgreen.Theboar’sfeetareclovenastheyshouldbe,intwoparts,freeofextratoesorprotuberances.

Thesetestsaremadenecessarybytheactionsofaforgottenpeople,takenbackinthevagueBeyondTime.Inthejungletotheeastofhere,theysummoneddemonsandatethefleshofmen.Heroesunknownwipedthemout,butevennowthelingeringresidueoftheirgrislyritualsremains.MadnessrollsacrosstheAerielikemist.Mencannotlivetherewithoutlosingtheirminds.BeastsdwellwithintheAerie,theirformswarpedandcorrupted.There,naturehasbeenreducedtoonelaw—predation.

IfthisboarwanderedfortoolongintotheAerie,itsbloodwillbepoison.Thosewhoeatitsmeatwillsuccumbtovisionsoftortureanddepravity.

Judgingtheboaredible,InodtoArok.Thoughhewilleatonlythefruitwehavegathered,hehoistsitonhismightyshoulderwithoutcomplaint.

Seeingusapproachwithourgame,Katiiwaremovesspadesfromherpack.SheandSunasukadigthepit,whileIgatherwoodforthefire.Theboycomeswithme,findingdriedbranches.Wedonotspeak.Thereisnothingtosay.

“TheBekyarhavepervertednatureitself.”

withme,findingdriedbranches.Wedonotspeak.Thereisnothingtosay.

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Restedandfed,Ileadthepartynorthintothejungle.Whenthemusicofthetreeschanges,Islowourpace.Thebarksofgibbonsandtrillingsoffinchesgivewaytodiscordantshrieking.Itisbirdsong,deformedintoakeening,clatteringwail.ThefuronthebackofArok’sneckstandsup.Unseenparrotschorustogethertoproduceagroaningchant.Theyareimitatingalanguage,butnotahumanone.Itclicksandchittersandscratches.

Obaitenses.“Thosearethenamesofdemons,”shewhispers.

“Ithoughtyousaidwe’dbesafehere,”saysVerkusht.

“I’veneverseenthecreaturessofarfromtheAeriebefore,”Ireply.

“Unnaturalcreaturesgaininstrengthwhenbalanceisdisrupted,”saysObai.Thentheydiveatusfromeverywhere,theblackened,gnarledbirdsofthe

Aerie.Intheirformsarehiddentherecognizableshapesofwildcreatures:parrots,swallows,vultures,hawks.Theyarestrikingus,rakingexposedfleshwithrazorbeaks.Withathump,Iamknockedtotheground.Isenseonlyaswoopoffeathers,andabirdheavierthananyflyinganimaloughttobe.Myspearliesontheground,outofreach.Iwithdrawaknifefrommybeltasanotherofthecreaturesdivesatmyface.Thebirdswoopssidewaystoavoidthewaitingblade.

Iregainmyfooting,swipingattheairwithmyknife.WhereverIstrike,thereisadistortedbirdtohit,butforeachonethatfallsanotherfliesintoreplaceit.

Arokgrabsattheswoopinghorde,pluckingoneofthebirdsafteranotheroutoftheair.Eachhecrushes,thentossesaside.

Chantinganaturespell,Sunasukaattemptstoquellthecreatures.Strippedoftheiranimalinstincts,theyignorehercommands.

Verkushtwatchestherhythmoftheswoopingbirds,matchesit,evadesthem

Verkushtwatchestherhythmoftheswoopingbirds,matchesit,evadesthemastheydropdizzyinglytowardhim.Hisdaggerremainsinhisbelt;thereisnomorepointinkillingthesethingsthaninexterminatingraindropsinastorm.

FromKatiiwa’ssigil-incisedharpoonleapsaconeoffrigidair.Thebirdscaughtintheblastplummet,frozen,totheground.Eachmakesatinythumpasitlands.Thenmoresweepin,andthespaceclearedbytheBonuwat’smagicisfilledagain.

Ilookfortheboy.Afunnelcloudofdarkbirdssweepsdowntowardhim,andhegaspsinpainasbeaksboreintohim.Theyseemdrawntohimmostofall.Seizingmyshield,Ileap,divingintothestreamoffeatheredbeasts.Theyrattleagainstmyshield,nearlyknockingitfrommygrasp.

“Gathertogether!”Obaishouts.Withshieldhelduncertainlyoverhead,IwrapanarmaroundMwondukandcarryhisunderfedbodytowardher.TheattackingbirdsgrowdenserastheothersconvergeonObai’sposition.

ThebalancepriestesschantstoNethys.Ahalf-globeofblindingwhitelightappearsaroundus,butthebirdssmashthroughit,peltingagainstus.Mwondukyelpsastheydartbeneathmyshieldtoslashathim.Obai’schant,firstairilybeautiful,shiftstoagrindingdirge.Asecondhalf-globeofswirlingdarknessappears.Itsettlesintothewhitelight.Lightanddarknessbattle,thensettleintoanaccommodation,blinkingandever-shifting.

Insidetheglobeareafewofthecarnivorousbirds.Arokcatchesthemashecan.Theremainingbirdsbatteragainsttheinsideofthedoubledglobes,knockingthemselvesout.Westompthemuntiltheynolongermove.

Demonbirdsoutsidethesphererattleathunderingpercussionagainstit.Necksbreakandthinbonesfragmentasthecreatureshurlthemselvesatourshield.Afterafewthunderinginstants,thecreaturesrelentandtheonslaughtsubsides.Obaileavesthespheresinplaceforagoodlongtime.Whensheallowsthemtofade,Iprepareforthebirdstoresumetheirattack,butthereisnosignofthem.Eventhedeadoneshaveresolvedthemselvesintoasick-smellingpaste.Theseremnantsleachintothesoil,leavingbehindblacksmudges.

KatiiwacastsanadmiringglanceoverthedecayingfruitsofObai’shandiwork.“Youtwinnedacircleofdestructionwithoneofprotection,”shesays.

Thepriestesstiltsherhead,acknowledgingthesorceress’sadmiration.“Onlyincombinationdotheyevokeandrestorethebalancethatisdouble-facedNethys.”

“Asbeastscutofffromtheiressentialnatures,youreckonedthattheycouldnotabidethecontradiction.”

“Thatisbroadlycorrect.”SheturnsthesideofherfacewiththetattooedsmiletoKatiiwa.

Theirtalkofspellsandspellcastinggrowsimpenetrable.Sunasukahealsthe

Theirtalkofspellsandspellcastinggrowsimpenetrable.SunasukahealsthedeepcutscrisscrossingMwonduk’sheadandarms.

“Werethebirdstryingtokillme?”theboyasks.“Theywerehungryforusall,”Sunasukaanswers.“Butmoreofthemcameatme,”Mwonduksays.Sunasukashrugs.“Theyweren’treallybirds,buthadturnedintosomething

else.Sotheiractionsarebeyondme.”Unsatisfiedbythisreply,theboyturnstome.“Willeverythinginthejungle

trytokillme?”Idon’tknowwhattosay,soIsaythis:“Youmustbebrave.Likeyouwere

withtheLatari.”“Butthebirdsdidtrytogetme,morethananyoneelse.”“Ithappenedveryfast.Therewillbemoredangers.”Frustrated,hekicksatoneofthegreasyspotsleftbyadecayingdemonbird.

“Theyfeltthecurseinme,andwantedtoripmeapart.”Hisstrangedignityhasdesertedhim.Forthefirsttime,heseemslikeanordinarychild.“Ialreadyagreedtodie.Whycan’tIbeletalonetillthen?”

Ilooktotheothers.Theyarethetalkers,notme.Nonecomeforward.“Youmustbebrave,”Istupidlyrepeat.FinallyVerkushtrescuesme,byclappinghishandstogetherandsayingthat

wemustbeonourway.“Wecan’tstayaroundherewaitingforthosethingstocomeback,”hechatters.HeducksdowntomutterintoMwonduk’sear.

Iamnotmeanttooverhear,butmysensesarekeen.Theex-slaversaysthis:“Nothingshamefulinbeingscared.I’mscaredallthetime.”

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Wemovedeeperintothejungle,theairgrowinghotterandwetteraswego.Ourmovementsarequiet,andthatisgood.Theboy,usedtogoingunheard,isbetteratcreepingthanthepriestessorthesorceress.Hewatcheshisstepscarefully,neversteppingonacracklingleaforsnap-readytwig.

Hourspass.Westopbyastreamtodrinkandrest.Murmuringvoicesechofromthetalltrees.Ourweaponsleaptoourhands.

Wearrayourselvesaroundtheboy.Zenjhuntersappearattheedgeofthehollow.Theyhaltastheyseeus.There

areeightofthem,bruisedandbloodied.QuilledheaddressesmarkthemasIndta,awanderingtribe.Overtheirshoulderstheycarrythecarcassesofrat-likeporcupines.Therearemoreofthebrush-tailedbeaststhantheycaneatthemselves.Themaingroupmustbenearby.

TheStrangerGreetingoftheforestsdiffersfromthatoftheplains.Noone

TheStrangerGreetingoftheforestsdiffersfromthatoftheplains.Nooneownsthejungle.Whenpartiesmeet,eachmustshowhispeacefulness,orbereadyforwar.

Inourclickinglanguage,theIndtahuntleadersignalsthatheisneitherpredatornorwillingtobepreyedupon.Istepforwardtodothesame,identifyingmyselfastribeless.

“Weare—”Ibegin.“Weknowwhoyouare,”saysthehuntleader,whohasintroducedhimself

asAntemba.TheIndtafearus.“Wewillnotharmyou.”Insayingso,Iamrepeatingmyself.Bygivingthe

JungleGreeting,Ialreadypromisednottopreyuponthem.Theirweaponsaredown,ascalledforbytheprotocolofthegreeting,but

theirmusclesremaintight,preparedforflightorforbattle.“Youarehurt.”Theslashesontheirbodiescomenotfromtheteethorclaws

ofjunglebeastsbutfromblades.“Whodidyoufight?”Althoughtheybeartheinjuriesofdefeatedmen,Idonotshamethembyimplyingtheylost.

“Theywereashim,”Antembasays,pointingtoVerkusht.HemeansthattheywereBekyar.

“Slavers?”“Garbedasslavers,yettheytooknoneofusprisoner,evenwhenwewere

helpless.”“Theyattackedyou?”“Theydidnotgivethepropergreeting,andsowewerejustifiedinfalling

uponthem.Theyweregreaterinnumberthanwefirstknew.”“Howmanywerethere?”“Morethanten,lessthantwenty.”“Thesemenyoufoughtareourfoes.”“Wewishyougoodfortuneagainstthem.”“Whatmorecanyoutellus?”“Therewasapalemanwiththem—anoutlander.Andtheycarriedstrange

cauldronsthatreekedofbadmagic.”“Cauldrons?”“Theywereofacoppermetal.Insidebubbledsometerribleliquid.Asifthey

wereheatedbyflame,yetnoflamecouldbeseen.”Furtherquestionsyieldlittle.Iofferthemhealing.Antembatakestimeto

weighhisfearofusagainsttheconditionofhismen.Henods.SunasukaandObaimoveslowlyuptherisetowardthem.Theylayonhandsandchanttheirflesh-mendingchants.TheIndtanodtheirthanksandmeltintotheforest.

“CoulditbeanyoneotherthanTaroodandBrachantes?”Katiiwaasks.

“CoulditbeanyoneotherthanTaroodandBrachantes?”Katiiwaasks.Itisnotreallyaquestion,butVerkushtanswersanyway:“Whatother

Bekyarwouldwinafightandtakenocargo?”“Howdidtheyknowtocomehere?”saysSunasuka.“Brachantesclaimedtohaveseers,”Isay.“Perhapsheknowswhere

Kitumu’stemplelies.Perhapshehasmagicthatletshimfindtheboy.”Mwondukreadsourconcern.“Thisisbad?”“Themenwhotriedtocaptureyoubeforeinthevillage,theyarenearby.”“Theywantmedead,likeeveryoneelse?”Theanswercatchesinmythroat.Brachanteswantstoputtheboyinagolden

cage.Hemaybetheonlypersonwhodoesnotwanthimdead.Iwanttogivetheboyachoice—gowithusandperish,oracceptimprisonmentinBrachantes’menagerie,andlive.ButIcannot.Theplaguemustend.

Obailies,sothatIdon’thaveto:“I’mafraidso,myboy.”Sheturnsthefrowningsideofhertattooedfacetowardus.“Shallwetakethehunttoourhunters?”

Katiiwaheftsherarcaneharpoon.“I’dbewilling.”Verkushtmassagescrampedfingers.“Tarood’stough,andaseasonedslave-

taker.Thesewoodsarehishuntinggrounds;heknowsthemaswellasXhasiorArok.Ifthere’sachanceofnotmeetingupwithhim,Isaywetakeit.”

Sunasukasays,“I’mwiththeBekyar.Igetintoenoughfightsbyaccident.Nopointcourtingthemonpurpose.”

Iamunsure.WewillmeetBrachantesagain,ofthatIamcertain.Anditistemptingtoputthebattleonourterms.Butthen,fightingmenoftenoverratethebenefitsofsurprise.InsuchmattersIhavecometorelyonArok’sanimalwisdom.

Theapeshufflesuncomfortably.Hefoldshisupperlipupoverhisyellowfangs.“Fightandkillonlyifyouhaveto.Bettertosneak.”

Itisdecided.Sneakwewill.Iplotatwistingcourse.Weavoidthebeststreams,theflattestapproaches,

andanyplacewithgoodforage.Alongrockswedragourselves.Wemovewhentheairishottestandrestwhenitcools.

Still,aftertwodaysofstealthytrekking,theyfindus.Arrowssnickthroughtheairbehindus.Weturn,dropprone,lookforbetter

cover.Sunasukahaspushedtheboydownandnowlieshalfontopofhim.Asearingflashburnsinmyleftcalf.Thentheleggoesnumb.Anarrow

protrudesthroughtheflesh.Ireachdown,snapoffthefeatheredendandbloodyhead.Theshaftwillhavetowait.

ThearchersareBekyar.They’veabandonedtheirusualrobesforthosebettersuitedtojunglehunting.Flowingwhitesgivewaytoamottleofgreensand

suitedtojunglehunting.Flowingwhitesgivewaytoamottleofgreensandbrowns.Metalclipssecuretheirsleevesandheaddresses.

Asecondvolleyofarrowsfallsaheadofus.Thearchershavecompensatedtooheavilyforourpronepositions,cuttingofftheirrange.

Katiiwa,Verkusht,andObaicrouch-walkupward,skitterbehindthick-trunkedtrees,andreturnfire.Verkushtreleasesflyingdaggers;theyfly,tumblingthroughtheair,towardtheirtargets.Onelodgesinatrunk,sendingshardsofbarkintotheairandforcingthearcherbehinditoutofsight.Anotherstrikesanarcher’shand,pinningittothebowitheld.Themandrops,shrieking.Athirddagger,hangingbehindthefirstpairasifwaitingfortheopportunity,thenseeksandfindshisneck.Hediesgurgling.

Tothedeadman’sleft,demonictentacles,conjuredfromthevoidbyKatiiwa,seizehisfellowarchers.AsObaisummonsawaspswarmtodriveofftherest,thetentaclesholdtheirtrappedarchersoutforVerkusht.Hissecondroundofflyingdaggerseasilyfinishesthem.

Havingprovedoursuperiorityfromadistance,Iexpectasecondwaveofcloseattackerstochargeus.Ireadymyspear.

Thewindshifts,bringingaterriblestenchuponus.AtfirstIfearthecloudspellIhaveseenKatiiwacast,butthesourceisbehindme.Arokboomsoutanxiousape-talk.Iturnonmyheels.

AnotherdozenBekyarhuddleinagroveoftrees,justoutofthrown-spearrange.Strappedtotheirbodies,asifpregnantwithmetalbulges,theycarrythecauldronstheIndtadescribed.Thoughclearlycooltothetouch—orelsetheslaverswouldbeburnedbythem—aboilingblackliquidbubblesfromtheirornaterims.TheBekyareachpourthecontentsoftheircauldronsontothebaseofaseparatetree.They’vechosenthetallestofthem.

Thetarryliquidsinksimmediatelyintothetrees.Fromtherootsup,thetreestremble.Beneaththeirlayersofbark,theywrithe.Therippleofmovementstartsattheroots,makingitswayuptothecanopyleavesahundredfeetup.

Therootswrenchthemselvesfromhard-packedsoil.Theyresolvethemselvesintowide,clawedlegs.Corruptedandoily,thetreesthundertowardus.

TheairisfilledbyArok’smournfulhowls.Thetreesbenddown,lashinguswithbranchesturnedsharpandscaly.Sunasukabellowsasatreeseizesherandhurlsherthroughtheairintothe

whip-sharplimbsofanother.Adistortedobechetreechargesmeonwide-rootedfeet.Ileaptoavoidit,

jabbinguselesslyupwardwithmyspear.Idiveandroll,narrowlyavoidingastompthatwouldhavecrushedmybones.Regainingmyfooting,wobblingon

“Arokisbeautifulandterribleinhisrage.”

mywoundedleg,Ihoptofindshelterbehindaclosertree,onenotdespoiledbytheBekyarcauldrons.Themonstertreeproducesafuriousrattle,shakingwhatremainsofitsleafytop.Alreadyitsleaves,exquisitelyshapedtocaptureandfunnelthejunglerains,havedriedtobrown,deadcurls.Thecorruptedtreewrapsitsbranchesaroundtheoneshelteringmeanduprootsitwithasavagetug.Ifallback,looseddirtsprayinginmyface.Wipingfranticallytoclearmyeyes,Ibarelyevadeanotherstomp.

Nearthepointwhereitstrunksproutsintoavastheadofbranches,Iseeabulbous,heart-likeshapepulsingunderthebark,andmakeachoice.Asthenextstompingroot-footcomestowardme,Ireachoutandgrabhold.Theobechetriestoshakemeoff.Iclamberupitsmonstrouslegandontothetrunk.Itlashesdownatmewithitsbranches,attemptingtodislodgeme.Iwinceateachhit,butitsangleiswrong,anditstrikeswithonlyafractionoftheforceitcouldotherwisemuster.I’vedroppedmyspear—theretheclosenessworksagainstme—buthavemydaggerinmybelt.Shimmyingup,Iseebriefflashesoftheothersastheystruggleagainstthemonstertrees.Sunasuka,withhernaturepowers,seemstohaveturnedhertreeonitsmakers.Obaihasignitedthedeadleavesofanotherwithdivinefire;theseflamesnowspreadtothetreesthreateningArokandVerkusht.

Ihavereachedthethrobbingknot-heart,andnowdrawmydaggertostabintoit.BeforeIcanaimandlandmyblow,thetreeshudders.Itsgreasybarkturnstoslime.

Themagicofthecauldronshasexpired.Thetreefallsapart,rottedtosludgefromtheinsideout.Ileapoutofitasitcollapses,intothewaitingbranchesofanuntouchedtree.

Wesprawlamidpilesofsmokingmire,whichmomentsagoweremajestic,healthytrees,toweringhighabovethejunglefloor.Adozenotherslieuprootedbytheonslaught.

Arokgazesattheholesleftbytheirabsence.

Arokgazesattheholesleftbytheirabsence.Helooksattheslavers,whonowregroup,scimitarsinhand,bracedforthe

nextengagement.Whathegrowlsnextintheapetonguecan’tberenderedforascribetowrite.

Itspeaksofnaturedespoiled,oftherighteousguardian,ofsurrendertoberserkwrath.

Beforeanyofuscanmove,Arokisuponthem,leapinginsudden,shockingbounds.Shieldedbyanger,heshrugsscimitarsaside.Theape-manhitstheformationofBekyarlikeaflashflood.Thosenotcaughtinhisgraspstandstupidlystaring,untilhereachesthem.Whenhedoes,theyaredisassembled.Withbarehands,withterriblestrength,hetearsthroughthem.Inseconds,eachmanbecomesamangledcorpse.Hetearslimbsfromsockets.Twistsnecksfromtorsos.Hebiteshisfangsdownintoskullsandtearsopenribcagesasifflingingopenpairsofshutters.Hefeedstheforestonthebloodofitsenemies.NolongerishemerelyArok,awakenedape.Naturehasenteredhim,madehimanextensionofitswrath.

Momentslater,thereisnotalivingBekyarinsight.Astheape’sragecrests,ashedanceswiththeentrailsoftheslainwrapped

aroundhisneckandarms,Ilooktotheboy,toensurethatsomeoneshieldshimfromthissight.

Heisgone.Theirslaversmaynowallliedead,butBrachantesandTaroodhavewhat

theycamefor.TheyhavetakenMwonduk.

ChapterFive:JusticeintheRuinsWeapproachtheruinsofKembe.IhavetrackedMwonduk’skidnappersto

itsboundariesofcrumbledstone.BrachantesandTaroodhavelosttheirretinue—torntoshredsbyArok,for

theirtrespassesagainstnature.Strippedofservitors,theyseekshelterherewhiletheyplottheirnextmove.

Theirweakenedpositioncannotbetakenforgranted.Tarood’scousin,Verkusht,testifiestotheslaver’sabilities.Hismenusedweirdmagics.WeassumethesewereprovidedbyBrachantes,andthathehasotherarcanesurprisesinstoreforus.Ifnothingmore,he’lllikelypossesssupernaturalmeanstocontactmoreofTarood’smenandeffectarescuefromthisplace.Thismaybewhytheyhavechosenit:comparedtotracklessjungle,theruinswillbeeasyforreinforcementstofind.

Evenifwearelucky,andtheirthreathasbeenspent,wemuststillretrievetheboyquickly.Everyextradaywespendhereisoneinwhichthefireflyplaguecontinuestorage.ThereisnosayinghowmanylivesBrachanteswillhavecost,bydelayingusaswetaketheboytothetempleofKitumu.

Thereisnothinkingofthefatethatawaitshimthere.Theboyisresignedtoit.Weservenature,andthisseasonitthirstsgrimlyforblood.

Wewillthink,then,onlyofourtask.Onlyofourtask.

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ItisourgoodfortunethatTaroodmadehisescapefromusalongsideanoutlander.Ahardenedslave-hunter,heknowsmovementinthejungleaswellasanyZenj.ButBrachanteserrsashejourneys,leavingfootprintsinthesoftmudandbreakingthestemsoflowbushes.Mwondukmayhavetriedtoleavecluesinhiswake.AlongthepathIfindshavingsfromayam,whichhehadonhimwhenhewastaken.Mostofthesewouldbecarriedawaybyantswithinmomentsofhittingtheground,butafewremaintokeepusonthepath.

AndnowwereachKembe,hoursbehindthem.Welosttimeasthespellcastersrestoredtheirmagics.IwouldresteasierifI’dpersuadedthemtoforgeaheadregardless,butIhaveyettohearanargumentthatwouldpromptamagiciantoheadintodangerwithoutherhexes.

AsensiblepersondoesnotheadintoKembeonawhim.Allthetribesknowitasaplaceofbadluckandsuddendoom.YetIhavebeenherebefore.Sohas

itasaplaceofbadluckandsuddendoom.YetIhavebeenherebefore.SohasTarood,orsoVerkushtclaims.

“Hesometimeskeepsaholdingpenhere,whenhecapturesmoreslavesthanhecantakehomeinonetrip,”theBekyarsays.“Thelocalsdon’tliketocomehere,sothat’sgoodfor,uh,slavingoperations.”Hewinces.Looksatmefromthecornerofhiseye,toseeifIcouldtellwhathewasabouttosay.

Ican.Hewasabouttosaythat’sgoodforus.Hadheachoice,hewouldstillbeaslaver.

LianasandedgevinescoverKembe’sgraystonewalls.Greatblocksofstone,hauledfromdistantquarriesbymeansunknown,lielikefallensoldiersacrossitsgrassylandscape.Crumbledclodsofmasonryattachtothemstill.Wepassthroughastonegate,thetopofitsarchwaymorethantwentyfeetaboveourheads.Vinesreachdowntobrushatus;wepartthemlikeacurtain.

Kembe’sremainingwallsstandinthreecircles.Theinnercircleisthetallest,scaledforgiants.Weventuretowardit,hackingourwaythroughclingingbushesanddensestandsofspearthistles,andcomeuponthesecondring,thebonesofacitybuilttohumanproportions.Ifweturnedaroundandsearched,Iknow,wewouldfindthethirdringthatwepassedoverwithoutnoticing—atinyversionoftheinnertwocities,fadingfromhalflingsizeintominiaturestoosmallforuse.Youmightthinkitanidolormodeloftherealcities,exceptthatitscrumbledhearthsshowthesootofancientflames.Shatteredpotshards,sizedforbeingsnomorethanafootinheight,coverthefloorsofthesetinybuildings.

Fragmentsoftileclingtothewallsofallthreecities—thegiant,theman-sized,theshrunken.Somebearascriptfoundonlyhere.Figuresappearonafew.Theyhavetheshapesofmen,thoughwithfewerfingersandcuriousheads.Theheadsmaybeheaddresses;thehandsmightbedrawnthatwaybecauseitiseasierthanmakingfourfingersandathumb.

Somesaythattheywerenothuman,norweretheyelf,dwarf,oranyotherracestillknown.Fromthesebrokenimages,menhavemadeastorytoexplainKembeanditsvanishedbuilders.TheysaythattheKembecamefromthesky,ridingsilverchariots.Oncehere,theycouldnotleave.Perhapstheylostthemagicthatpropelledtheirskyvehicles.Morelikely,theybroketaboosandwerepunishedbythegods.ForeignersassumeitwastheKembe’sowngodsthegiantstransgressedagainst.Thelocalssayitwasours.

Eitherway,theKembeshrank.Theystoppedbeinggiants,andbecamemerelymen.Theyrebuilttheircitytosuittheirreducedstature.Formanymoreyearstheymusthavesurvivedatthisheight.Thentheyshrankagain,tobecomethebeingsoccupyingthelast,tinycityontheouteredges.

Theyshrankonelasttime,thestorysays,untiltheyfellbetweenthecracksofthisearth,intoanother,smallerworld,whereperhapstheydwelltoday.

ofthisearth,intoanother,smallerworld,whereperhapstheydwelltoday.Sometimesyou’llhearthattheycamenotinsilverchariotsfromthesky,butfelllikerain,havinglivedonceinanother,largerworld,wheretheywerebiggerthananythingthisonecouldhold.

Whenthistaleistold,itisalwaysasawarning.Behaverightly,itsays.Obeythegods,upholdingtheirtaboos.DonotbeliketheKembe,oryouandyourswillshrinktonothingandvanishfromsight.Peoplelikethestorythisway.TheKembedeservedwhattheygot,itsays.Wecanavoidtheirfatethroughrightfulaction.

ButwhenIseetheKemberuins,Ithinktheywerelikeanypeople.Somegood,afewbad,mostinbetween.Yetstilltheyweredoomed,becausetheworlddevours.

TheyweredoomedasMwondukisdoomed.Throughnomisdeedofhisown,andforreasonswecanneverexactlyfind.Whenitisover,Obaiwilltrytomakesenseofit.Shewilltalkofbalancerestoredandcosmicthisandcosmicthat.

Thatis,ifwesucceedingettinghimbackatall.Ifnot,therewillalsobedoom.Itwillbeofadifferentsort,andsufferedbymanyinsteadofone.Still,theworldwilldevour,andfromabigenoughdistance—fromthegiantheightoftheoriginalKembe,perhaps—itwillbethesameonewayastheother.

MydarkthoughtsseemtoleapacrosstoSunasuka.Orperhapsitishermelancholy,dimlysensed,thatsetsmetobrooding.Thehalflinghasagourdofmash—howshesaveditforthislongIcannotguess—andnowswigsdeepfromit,muttering.“Idon’tlikethisplace,”shesays.

“Putthatdown,”Katiiwahisses.“Idon’tlikethismission,”Sunasukasays,alittlelouder.Weclingtothesidesofanancientwall.Aboveusjuttheremainsofbroken

steps,andatopthewallisahighwalkway.AsSunasukastompsandgrumbles,Iwrestlewithathought:iftheKembeweregiants,whodidtheyhavetobuildgiantwallsagainst?

“Whatarewedoing?”thehalflinggrunts.Withoutournoticing,shehasmadeherselfverydrunk.“Wearen’thuntingtheevilones.Wearetheevilones!”Shespinstofaceus,faceredandbleary.“They’resavingtheboy.Wewanttotakehimtohisdeath.”

Obaiholdsupplacatinghands.“Youknowwhywemust.”Sunasukaturnsaway.“Iknowwhywehaveto,butnoneofyoucanmake

melikeit!”Shefinishestherestofhergourdandtossesitaside.Itlandsonafallenstonewitharesoundingcrack.“Ifwe’retobeslaughterersofchildren,let’satleastdoitquickandgetitoverwith!”Sheboundsheedlesslythroughthechokingvegetationandarounderodingblocks.Hervoicebouncesoffthewalls,

“WhenTarooddies,notevenhiswiveswillmourn.”

chokingvegetationandarounderodingblocks.Hervoicebouncesoffthewalls,collideswithitself,growinglouderassheforgeson.

Wehavenochoicebuttochaseourdrunkendruid.Weboundafterher.Behindus,inthespotwherewehadjustbeenstanding,landsavastchunkof

stone.Itsimpactthrowsupashowerofdirtandpulverizedvineleaves.Afinesnowofpowderedmortardustsdownafterit.Thestoneoccupiesawidecrater.

Hadwenotrunafterourimpetuousally,allofuswouldhavebeencrushed.

Aboveus,behindafresh,yawningholeinthewalldefenses,lurkstheslavercaptain,Tarood.

Verkushtlauncheshimselfatthewall.Deftlygrabbingatitsraggedhandholds,hescampersuptowardhiskinsman.“Snake!Betrayer!”hecries.“Toomuchthecowardtomeetusfaceon?”

TheBekyarcaptainlaughs.“Coward?You’reonetotalk,Verkusht!Whendidyoueverkillaman,exceptwhenhisbackwasturned?”Withslowconfidencehedrawsabowfromhispack.

“WhateverImayormaynothavebeenforcedtodo,Ihavedonetosurvive.”Verkushtclamberssideways,zigzaggingupthewallwithsurprisingspeed.“I’mnottheonewhoextractsathick,greasythrillfromtheinflictionofpain.”

Taroodspeedshisactions.Hefumbleshisarrowashedrawsit.“IdowhatImusttoenrichourclan,”hesnarls.

Verkushtpauses,hangingprecariouslyfromonehand,towhoopandchortle.“Isthathowyouthinkothersseeyou,Tarood?Everyoneknowsyou’dsoonerstickaknifeinamanthanbedawoman!”

Taroodfiresanarrow.Despitetheseemingeaseoftheshot,itfliesfarwideofthemark.“Youdarespeaktomethus?Iamclan-captain.Youstolefromyourown.”

Verkushthastakenthetimetozipseveralyardshigher.“Yes,Tarood,andwereItoreturn,they’dtakemorethanmyhandthistime.”

Anotherarrowflies.Ithitsclosertothemark,butisstillawild,careless

Anotherarrowflies.Ithitsclosertothemark,butisstillawild,carelessmiss.“Youmadeyourselfdoublyapariahwhenyouhaditreattached!”

Verkushtcrabshiswayclosertohistarget.“Indeed,andifIdidgohome,asourkinfolkburnedmealiveorhadmequarteredbygallopinghorses,they’dshedatearatmydemise.Whereasyou,forallthegoldyoubringthem,theperfumesyoudousethemin,allthegloryandwealth—noonelikesyou,Tarood.”

Heswingswidetododgeathirdarrow.Foramoment,heseemssuspendedinair,thenfindshishandholdagain.Thecreakingsoundofbendingcartilageaccompanieshimasheretainshisholdonthewall.“Thedayyoudie,alldueceremonieswillbeheldinyourhonor.You’llberememberedasaheroandashrewdmanwithacoin.Butnoonewillweepforyou.Yourbrotherswillvieforyourtitle.Yourwiveswilldrinkteaandwipetheirbrowsinrelief.”

Verkushthasnearlyreachedthetopnow.Tarooddropshisbowandquiver.Hedrawshisscimitar.Itflashesangrilyinthesunlight.

“You’veflungyourlastinsult,clown,”Taroodsays,throughclenchedteeth.Verkushtreachesthecrumbledbattlementandstrugglestofindpurchase.“That’syou,Verkusht.Fullofdefianceandbravado,untilthetimecomesto

win.Thenyoufalter.”MortarturnstosandunderVerkusht’sclawingfingers.Taroodraiseshis

scimitar,readytochopatthem.Tarood’stonguedartssnake-likebetweensalivatinglips.“Wheedleandbeg,

Verkusht.Doasyoualwaysdo.Wheedleandbeg.”Verkushthugsthebattlement,wincing.“Listen,there’ssomethingyouneed

toknowabouttheboy.”Taroodleansbacktoenjoyhisvictory.“Alwayssomethingtoofferatthe

lastmoment,eh,Verkusht?Well,thistimeitwillavailyounot.Let’sstartwiththathandwhichissupposedtobesevered.”

Heraiseshisblade.ThebluepointofKatiiwa’sjaggedharpoonpricksthebackofTarood’s

neck.Shecommandshimtodropthescimitar.Itrattlestothestonecatwalk.Verkushtstoopstoseizeitup.Hepausestoadmiretheexpensivegiltwork

onitscurvedpommelbeforestashingitinhisbelt.“That’sthedifferencebetweenyouandme,Tarood,”hesays.“Ihavecomrades.Theymaynotrespectme,andhalfthetimetheydon’ttrustmeatall.ButtheyarefriendsandIcancountonthemnonetheless.”

∗∗∗

Someonemustguardtheprisoner;Katiiwaclaimstheright.Verkushtagreeswithsurprisingease.“Couldn’ttrustmyselfwithhim,”hemutters.

withsurprisingease.“Couldn’ttrustmyselfwithhim,”hemutters.“Icanrestoreyourpositionintheclan,”Taroodsaystohim.“Pronounceyou

redeemed,asismycaptain’sright.”“Who’stheclownnow,alwayswiththelasthumiliatingnegotiation?”says

Verkusht,histonecuriouslyflat.“Brachanteshastheboy?”Iaskhim.“Telluswhere.”“Whatconsiderationwillyougrant?”Taroodasks.“WhenIwastheprisonerandyouthecaptor,Iwastorturedandthreatened

withworse,”Iobserve.Taroodshrugs.“Heisintheplacethatitwouldmakesensetobe.”“Inabuildinginthemiddlecircle?”Theslavernods.“Istherealandmark?”HelooksatVerkusht.“IfIwereabetrayerwhowheedlestosurvive...but

findityourselves.Thenboastswillbetested,andtruemeasurestaken.”“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”Taroodsaysnothingelse.

∗∗∗

WefindBrachanteswaitingforus,outsideoneofthefewintactKembebuildingsofthemiddlecity.Thestructureisroundandtoppedwithaconicalroof,likeacuringhutoftheIkihingorHatangu.Wheretheirsaremadefromreedsandplanks,thisisbuiltfrompiledandmortaredstone.Eventheoddslopingshinglesonitsroofareofsolidrock.

Brachantesstandsamidacircularpatchofbrownedandflattenedvegetation.Acridsteamrisesfromthefreshlyclearedearth.HehasusedthemagicalliquidTarood’sslaversusedtoarraythejungletreesagainstus,orsomethinglikeit,toclearthegroundforbattle.Yethecarriesnoweapon,eitherinhishandorinhisbelt.Feetapart,headcocked,hegreetsus,smilinglikeachildwithasecret.

Mwondukkneelsnearby.Aleathercollarhasbeenwrappedaroundhisneck.Ashortlengthofleashattachesthecollartoawoodenstake,whichhasbeendrivendeepintotheground.Theboycouldnotstandifhewantedto.Hisarmsaretiedbehindhisback.ReliefstrikesmewhenIseethathebearsnosignsofinjury.Hisheadisbowedinshame.Atthesoundofourapproach,helooksup.Hopecomessuddenlyuponhim.

Brachantesoffershimslavery;we,death.Theboyhaschosenus.“YouhaveTarood?”Brachantesasks.Havingmetthenorthernerbefore,Iamtheonewhospeaksforthegroup.

“Yes.Giveustheboy,andwewillhelpyoutoaplaceofsafety,ifyoudesireit.

“Yes.Giveustheboy,andwewillhelpyoutoaplaceofsafety,ifyoudesireit.OrwewillleaveyousuppliestowaitformoreofTarood’smentocomeandgetyou.Whicheveryouprefer.”

“Ipresentacounteroffer.Turnyourbacksnow,admityourselvesoutmatched,andIwillnotharmyou.”

“Youspeakconfidentlyforaweaponlessman.”“Myweaponsarefarawayfromhere,onmyisland.Yetifyoutakeone

furtherstepagainstme,youwillfeeltheirstingallthesame.”“Yourthreatisunconvincing.”“TrustmewhenIsaythis,jungleman:youdonotwanttoseea

demonstration.”Verkushtreachesforhisdagger,Obaiforherdouble-facedholysymbol.Brachantesaddressestheothers.“TheZenjisastubbornman.Isensethathe

nursesagrudgeagainstme,becausehedislikesthecompanyIkeep.Fairenough.Also,helostfriendsintheso-calledplague,andthuslacksperspective.Therestofyou,Iwillassume,aresensiblepersonsandopentoafairoffer.”

“Talkaslongasyouwant,”saysObai.Shemeansforhimtorevealmoreoftheinvisibleweaponswithwhichhethreatensus.OrsoItrust.

“Balancepriestess,whatisittoyouthatafewhavediedfromthisfireflyplague,andthatafewmoremightdosountiltheboyiswellawayfromhere?Thesejunglesareaplaceofrotandpestilence.Inthecosmicschemeofthings,whatmatterisonemoreplague?”

Obaipresentshimwithbothsidesofhermouth,thefrownandthegrin,andremainsinscrutable.

“Verkusht,withyourcousinacaptive,itseemsthatthepositionofcaptainmightbemadeavailabletoamanofambition.”

TheBekyarsnorts.“Maybehedidn’ttellyou,butmyclanandIarenotonfriendlyterms.”

“Yourclanisafamily,butalsoacommercialenterprise.Theywillpresentnoobjectionsthatmoneycan’tfix.”

Verkushtstrokeshisbeardasifcontemplatingadeal.“Let’simaginethattheirvisionofprofitandlossalignswithyours.Youhavenosimilarinducementtooffermyfriendshere.”

“Thenstepaway.Orbetteryet,fightbymysidewhentheyproveintransigent.”

“Thatwouldbemylastchancewiththem,I’mafraid.”“Whocountsformore?Yourclan,orthesemightyragamuffins?”Verkushtchuckshisheadfromsidetoside.Weighingoptions.“Halfling.Ididn’tknowwhattodanglebeforeyou,untilIsawyougaze

upontheboyjustnow.Youdon’twanthimdead.Stillyouhopeforhis

upontheboyjustnow.Youdon’twanthimdead.Stillyouhopeforhissalvation.YethelivesonlyifIamallowedtotakehim.You’reonmysidealready,youjusthaven’tadmittedittoyourself.Fightforhislife,world-priestess.Followyourheart.”

Sunasukawipeshermouthwiththebackofherhand.BrachantesturnstoArok.“Ape-man,ofalltheso-calledScarredOnes,only

youareofgenuineinteresttome.IofferyouwhatIofferthechild—aplaceinmysanctuary.Allthefruityoucaneat.Ormeat,ifthat’swhatyoufancy.Alifeledincomfortandfreefromfear.”

Arokchargeshim.Theoutlanderbracesfortheimpactasthegorillabarrelshisway.Around

him,theairpopsandshimmers.AcracklinghissrisesfromBrachantes’flesh,andthetasteofmetalhangsinthebackofmythroat.

ArokswipesatBrachantes.Betweenthelaunchingoftheblowanditslanding,Brachanteschanges.Hisskinturnstostone.AterriblecrunchresoundsasthebonesofArok’smightyfistbreakagainsthisgraniteflesh.Brachantes’stonefistcatchesArokunderthechin.Theapestaggersback.Brachantesseizeshim,hurlingthegorillawhooutweighsmebydoubleortripledozensoffeetbehindus.AroklandswithathudonthecollapsedremainsofaKembewall.

“Whatishe?”IaskObai,asweruntowardtheoutlander.“Idon’tknow,”shesays,callingthedarktouchofdivinedeath-dealinginto

herhand.Herfingerscurlintoaclaw,wreathedbyswirlingbrimstone.TherippleofdisturbedspaceagainsurroundsBrachantes’body.Stoneflesh

meltsbackintoskinandbone.Leatherwingssproutfromhisshoulders.Obaiswipesathimwithherdeathlyhand,butherisesintotheair,leavingherleapingfruitlesslyupathim.Ipoisemyspearforthrowing.

AtailappearstotwistitselfaroundBrachantes’risingbody.Fromitsbulbousendsproutdozensofspikes.Thebulbpointsatus;spikesflythroughtheair.TheyhitbothObaiandme.Welurchback,piercedinthearmsandchest.

FlyingdaggersvolleyatBrachantes,slicingthemembranesofhisfreshlygrownwings.Hejuddersdown.Againcomestheripplingair,thecracklinghiss,thetangofmetalinthebackofthethroat.Newwingsreplacetheold;blackreptilianscalesrisetoblotoutmammalianskin.Heopenshisthroat.Abelchofacidrainsdownonus.Thestinkofvomitcoatsmyburning,bubblingskin.Iglanceback;VerkushtandSunasukahavebeenhit,too.

Ilooktotheboy:Brachanteshasaimedhisspraytomisshim.Mwondukhideshisfaceinthecrookofhisarm.Heweeps,shaking.

Arokhasalsobeenspared,butliesunmovingonhispileofoldstones.Sunasuka,herhidetunicstillsmoking,stepsforwardtoinvokenature’s

power.Theflying,reptilianBrachantesshuddersinmidair.Heshrinks,

power.Theflying,reptilianBrachantesshuddersinmidair.Heshrinks,transformedbyhermagicintoashrew.Asasmallgrayrodent,hedropstotheground.

Thehalflingsurgesahead,readytostomptheshrewwithherpan-likefeet.AnelectriccracklesurroundsitasBrachantesshakesofftheforcedshape-change.HerisesasacolumnofflameandwrapsburninglimbsaroundSunasuka’sthroat.

Idasharoundthisnewfieryformtoplungeaspearintothebackofitshead.Heatradiatesfromit.Thehairsonmyarmwithdrawintocurlsanddropoff,singed.

ObaiswingsatthefieryBrachanteswithheriron-shodclub.Itshead,castwithNethys’smockingandmourningfaces,swipesdeepintotheflame-form.Itreels,momentarilydissipated.Asitcomesbacktogether,thecracklingaurareturns.WhenBrachantesreforms,itisnolongerasacreatureofflame,butashimself—exceptthatnowpatchesofhisskinarecarpetedwithatiger’sstripedfur.

AlightningboltburstsforthfromBrachantes’palm,whichishalfhand,halfpaw.Itarcsintome,knockingmeback,thensizzlesintoSunasuka,whohasdroppedtoherknees,andtoVerkusht,behindher.

Obaiisleftastheonlycombatantstandingagainsthim.“Iknowwhatyou’redoing,”sheshouts,assheaimsaclubblowagainsttheoutlander’shead.Itbouncesoff,strikingashimmeringhelmetoftranslucentarcanearmor.

“Congratulations!”Brachantesroars,baringtigerfangs.“Yourdistantmenagerie—you’redrawingpowerfromthecreatures

imprisonedthere,”Obaisays,assheandherfoecircleoneanother,seekingopeningstostrike.Clawsdescendfromtheoutlander’spartlyfurredfingers.“Youhaveadragonthere,yes?Andastonegolem,afireelemental,arakshasa...”

Brachantes’answerisafelinegrin.“Waittillyouseethenextone.”“Thisiswhyyouwanttheboy?”Istaggerforward,chestblackenedandblistered.Obaiscoffsathim.“Idiot!Whatpowerdoyouhopetoleechfromone

cursedbyagod?”“Youarethefool,priestess.”Brachantesrakesherwithhisclaws.“Theboy

isn’taccursed.Heisgod-touched.ThroughhimIcangainthepowerofagod.Perhaps,intime,becomeonemyself!Andnoneofyoupatheticspecimenswillinterfere.”

Asquare-cutboulderofKembestonecomescrashingontothebackofhisskull.Arokstandsbehindhim,havingcreptsilentlyupasObai’swordsdistractedhistarget.

“Brachantes'arroganceknowsnobounds.”

distractedhistarget.Brachantes’legsbuckle.Histigerfeaturesblurintosomethingelseashe

weavesoverscorchedground.Arokraisesapawtosmashathimagain,butIgivethesignalandhefollows

—weareallbadlyhurt.Onlythespiritsknowwhatpowerstheoutlanderwillnextsummon.Wewilltaketheboyandflee,whileBrachantesremainsaddled.

VerkushtslashesMwonduk’sleash.Hedipstolifttheboyintohisarms,butMwondukrunsahead,fasterthananyofus.IpullSunasukatoherfeet.Sheblinks,dazed;thelightningstrikehasleftaspreadingbruiseacrossherchest.

WithaneyecastbacktoBrachantesandhisstill-changingform,wecutamaze-likepaththroughtheconfusingshelterofKembe’swalls.

∗∗∗

Katiiwahearsuscoming.Whenshetellsitlater,shewillsaythatshehearsMwonduk’svoice.IttellsusthattherestofushavenofurtherneedofTarood,andthatshemaynowdowhatshehascomefor.

“Doyouknowofme?”sheasksTarood.

Hervoicestartleshim.Shehasstoodsilentwatchoverhimsinceweleft.“Knowofyou?”

“YourclanhasbeensearchingforVerkusht.Haveyoulearnedaboutthosewhosometimestravelwithhim?”

“Theso-calledScarredOnes?”helaughs.“Youflatteryourself.Therearemoreprofitableoccupationsthanseekinggossiponmisfitmercenaries.”

“Ithoughtasmuch.”“Isthatsupposedtomeansomething?”“Ifyouknewofus,you’dbenervous.”“Nervous?”“Tobeleftwithme.”Hesweatsthesamewayhiscousindoes.Beadsofitbloomonhisforehead,

amassofthemalltogether.“WhatshouldIknowaboutyou?”“ThatIamKatiiwa,oftheAzureHarpoon.Thatthebloodofademonflows

“ThatIamKatiiwa,oftheAzureHarpoon.Thatthebloodofademonflowsinmyveins.Thatithungers,andthatIfeeditonthesoulsofthejustlyslain.Thattheworldneedsexecutioners,andIamone.”

Hisfinecomplexionturnstomottledash.“Thename...isfamiliarnowthatyousayit.”Heturnstofaceher,beggingwithwristsbound.“Thereisnojusticeinslayingme...ahelplessprisoner...incoldblood...”

“Fouryearsago,youorderedanattackonthevillageoftheWaliyopeople.Youtooktheiryoungmen.Youtooktheiryoungwomen.Yourclanstoletheirprince,theirprincesses,theirapprenticespirit-talkers.Thosewhoopposedyouwereslain.Sowerechildren,andoldpeople,whomerelyannoyedyou.Orwhoyouthoughtitpleasurabletoharm.”

“Donotlistentomycousin’sliesaboutme.”“ItisnotfromVerkushtthatthistestimonycomes.Itisfromthosewhowere

onceWaliyo.Whocannolongercallthemselvesbythatname,becausesomanyoftheWaliyoweretakenthattheirtribecannotcontinue.Thefewsurvivorshavetoiledeversincetoaffordmymodestfee.Youslewanentirepeople.Now,intheirname,Idothesametoyou.”

HeisstillimploringwhentheAzureHarpoonpierceshisthroat.Katiiwathrowsherheadback;thedemoninsideherdrinksitsfill.

ChapterSix:SacrificialRightsWelimpthroughhumidjungleair.Brachantes,whocandrawonthepowers

ofanynumberofgreatbeastsandmortalslaves,heldcaptiveonhisdistantisland,maybepursuingus.Planningtohitusbeforewearefullyhealed.Orhemaywait,toambushusatourdestination.Heknowsthattheboyiscursed—god-touched,hecallsit—sowemustassumethathecanalsofindthepyramidofKitumu.Hisabilitytotracktheboy,Obaimuses,mustbeastolenpower,too,takenfromanenslavedseerorprophet.

SheandSunasukahavehealedasmanyofourwoundsastheirmagicwillallow.Thehalflingnature-talkeristheworstoffofanyofus.Weache,andstillbearthecutsandbruisesofourbattlewiththeoutlander,butouropenwoundshavebeenhealed,ourburnedandmeltedskinrestored.Weconsiderstopping,torestandregainthehealingfavorsofNethysandnature.Insteadweforgeon.ThebestwaytodefeatBrachanteswillbetobeathimtothetemple.Todelivertheboytohisdestinedsacrifice,aswehaveintendedsincethebeginning.Robbedofhisquarry,Brachantesmightresignhimselftothelossanddepart.Orhemaystilltrytokillus.Ifhedoes,andifwedie,itisbettertodosohavingcompletedourmissionandsavedthepeopleoftheExpansefromthefireflyplague.

Asweplungeclosertothereputedsiteofthefireflytemple,Ilooktotheboyandtotheothers.AngerstillflushesArok’sface.HehaswornaresentfulsilenceeversincewepulledhimawayfromBrachantes.Theoutlanderkilledthetrees.HetoldArokhebelongedinamenagerie,asifofferinghimagift.Ihaveseenthislookontheape’sscarredfacebefore.Myfrienddoesnoteasilygivehimselftomurderousrage,butwhenitseizeshim,itdoesnotletgo.

Katiiwaseemsatpeace,hertaskaccomplished.TaroodtheBekyarisslain,thedemoninherbloodcontentwithitsmeal.

Obai,asunreadableasever,bothhappyandsad.Verkushtwatchesmewatchingtheothers.Hehadthechancetobetrayus

anddidnottakeit.ItellhimIamproud.Hewavesmywordsaway,foroncenotwantingthepraisehetypicallyseeks.

Sunasuka,whohasbeenwarmesttowardtheboy,proceedswithfeaturesbleakandhaunted.Shewon’tlookathimnow.Iguessthatshehasresignedherselftohisfate.

Iwonderwhoamongusismostlikelytofalter.Tobalkatthelastmomentandtrytorescuehimfromhisappointmentwiththedivine.

AsifstruckagainbyaboltofBrachantes’lightning,Irealizewhoitis.Me.

Me.I,Xhasi,whotakeprideinmyacceptanceofthejungle’sdemands,cannot

abidethethoughtofwhatmustunfold.Theboyhasbeenbrave.Hasassuredusthatheisreadytodowhatisaskedofhim.Hewillstepintothegoddess’smaw,sothatmanyothersmightlive.Itisthisthatcannotbeborne.Werehepetulant,ifhesoughttothwartfate’sdecrees,Icouldreluctantlyusherhimtothebloodyaltar.

WouldIgosoreadily?Wouldanyoftheseothers?No,wewouldscreamandschemeandkickandfindawayout.WereArokgod-doomed,Iwouldriskanythingtosavehim.

Iwillthinkofsomething,Idecide.Butwhatthismightbe,Icannotenvision.Andnowthetempleheavesintoview.

Inmymind’seyeIhadpictureditinaclearing,proudlyjuttingtothesky,theforestgatheredarounditatafearfuldistance.Insteadwefinditamidthetrees,chokedentirelybybushes,trees,andvines.Thetempleappearsasaconicalmoundofvegetation.Onlyastiflingtranquilitymarksthisnamelesspatchofjungleasdifferentfromanyother.Birdsongisabsent.Soisthescreechingofcanopymonkeys.Iscanthetreesforsignsofanimallifeandseenone:nosnakes,nomice.Idropacrumbfrommyrationpackonthehardforestfloor,waitingforantsortermitestoswarmaroundit.Itstaysunclaimed.

InothercircumstancesObaimightlectureusonthehiddenruins.Shewouldtelluswhatextinctpeoplebuiltthem,andwhen.Todaysherespectstheweirdhushthatblanketsthisplace.

ItisVerkushtwhospeaks.“Areyousurethisisit?”Obaiponders,butthejungle-priestessandtheapebothnod.Natureisstrong

here.Asiftoconfirmit,aglowarisesfromthemantleoftreesobscuringthe

goddess’spyramid.Itissoftandgreen.Acloudoffireflies.Thisiswhytherearenoothercreatureshere.Thisplacebelongstothem,and

themalone.Verkushtisthefirsttofreeze.Therestofusdothesame.Isthishowitwillhappen?Willthefirefliesdescendanddevourtheboy,as

theytookmyfriendstheNgali,andsomanyotherinnocents?Thebeatingofmyheartbecomesapoundingdrum.Willtheyeathis

deliverers,too?Andiftheydo,willitnotbefitting?Astheglowingcloudoffirefliesdriftsslowlytowardus,Iseenocourseof

action.Nowaytosavethechild.“Mwonduk...”Ibegin.Theboystepsforward,shushingmewithagesture.

Theboystepsforward,shushingmewithagesture.Thefirefliesfloattowardus.TheysettlefirstonVerkusht.Theylandonhis

foreheadanddrinkfromthesweatpoolinginitsfurrows.Otherscloakthepriestesses,thenKatiiwa,thenArokandme.Ilosemycautionandslowlymovemyarm.Theyfollowit,formingaglowinggarment.

Rejectingus,theyswarmontotheboy.Iwait,ashamedofmyinabilitytopreventthis,forthedevouringtobegin.IfeellikethegiantbuildersofKembe,fallingbetweenworlds.

Themomentextendsagonizinglyastheluminousveillingersovertheboy.Asone,thefirefliesglidebacktothepyramid,leavingMwondukunscathed.“Thatcan’tbeit,canit?”Verkushtasks.Thegroundrumbles.Thereismovementatthepyramid’sapex.Treestopple

fromit.Cloudsofsoildislodgefromtheirexposedrootsastheytumbledownthesides.Afissureappearsinthetopmostblocks.Thefirefliesswarmintoit.

Comprehensiondawns:theinsectscametoseeifwehadthesacrificedesignatedbythegoddess,whodwellsinside.Nowshewillcomeouttodevourtheboyherself.

Ihaveheardspirit-talkerssaythatnonemaylookonthefaceofagodandsurvive.Dependingonthestory,thefoolishwatchermaybestruckdead,ordrivenmad.ButofcourseIhavenevermetanyonewhohasbeheldagod,exceptindreamsandvisions.Thewiseactionwillbetoturnmyhead,andwaituntilitisover.Thesoundsofthedevouringwillbebadenough.Idecideotherwise.Iwillforcemyselftolook,evenifitcourtsdestruction.IfIcannotsavehim,Iwillatleastbearwitness.

Likeapairofseparatinghands,thetopofthepyramidpartsintotwo.Avoicebellowsouttoshatterthescene’ssolemnity.“No,youmindless,pettygodling,”itbooms,“thisoneyoucannothave.”Animmense,distortedcreaturethatspeakswithBrachantes’voicebreaks

throughtheunderbrushtochargeatMwonduk.Heisastallasagiant,asgrotesqueasademon,asponderousasamokele-mbembe.Thefeaturesofhisfaceswirlandscudacrossthefrontofamisshapenskull.Hisfleshisinplacesfurred,orscaled,orplated,ordrippingandgelatinous.

Verkushtgasps.“Whatinthenameof...?”“Hehasovertaxedhispowers,”Obaisays.“Beforehedrewononlyone

creatureatatime.Hehasmixedthem,andislost.”Brachantes’monstrouseyesbloatintoone,thenseparateintoseveral,

obliteratingtherestofhisface.Asprayofbrilliantcolorblastsfromthem,rakingthegroundatourfeet,thenstrikingusdown.Obaiisliftedfromthegroundandhurledintothepyramid.Verkushtisstoppedinmid-stride,encasedsuddenlyinstone.AthunderingblastsendsKatiiwaandSunasukasprawling,

“Brachantes'passionisall-consuming.Andconsumehimithas.”

suddenlyinstone.AthunderingblastsendsKatiiwaandSunasukasprawling,theazureharpoonandscreamingmonkeyclubflyingfromtheirgrasps.Arokyips,seizedbymadness,andboundsawayintotheshadows.

Iaminsideacolumnofflame,groaningasitlicksawaymyflesh.

FirefollowsmeasIleaptowardthemonstrousinterloper.HelungesatMwonduk,grabbinghiminagiant’sgrasp.Theboywrigglespartiallyfree,andBrachantesliftshimfurtherup,leavinghimdanglingbyoneleg.Ireachthemonster’snearestfootandplungemyspearintoit.Itrootshimtotheground.Ithrowmyselfontohisthigh.Suddenlyitiscoveredwithhairyspineslikethoseofanenormousinsect.Theyjabandscrapeatmyblisteredskin.Wrackingpaintellsmetostop,todropawayandlieinaheapinthedirt.Iignoreit,untilsuddenlyIfeelnopainatall.ThelossofsensationtellsmethatIamgravelyinjured,butthisthoughtIalsodismiss.IkeepclimbingupasBrachantesbucksandweavestothrowmeoff.

Knivesthunkintohischestaboveme,whereheiscoveredincoarsebrownfur.HangingwithonearmfromtherippedremnantsofclothingwrappedaroundBrachantes’waist,Iseekhiskidneysandplungemydaggersindeep.Bloodgoutsfromthewound,blackandbubbly.Itspraysintomyface,blindingme.Mygriponhimturnsslippery.

Heflingsmeaway.Thetrunkofatreeendsmyflight.Mwondukisonthegroundagain,runningforshelterbehindthepriestesses,whothemselveshavefoundcoverbehindthefootofthepyramid.Brachanteshaseitherdroppedtheboyorlethimdown,realizingheneedsbothhandsforthefight.

Sunasukawillsathornwallintobeing,arrayingitaroundBrachanteslikeahedge.Hepullsbothfootandspearclearofthegroundandstepsoveriteasily,butthisactionleaveshimoffbalance.Katiiwapopsuptopointherharpoonathim.Aboltofbluelightningarcsfromittostrikehiminthechest.Theelectricboltzigsbetweenthemetaldaggerhiltsjuttingfromhispectorals.Theforceof

boltzigsbetweenthemetaldaggerhiltsjuttingfromhispectorals.Theforceofthestrikeknockshimdownandintothejabbingthornsringedbehindhim.Hebraysinprotestandforaninstantseemstobedownforgood.

Momentslater,herisesagain,hisbodyencasedingleamingsteel.Helaughs,untilthetransformationofhisheadintoaserpentineshapemufflesthesound.Heblowsacloudofchokinggasatus.IrunforwardandgrabMwonduk,tumblingwithhimintothewoods.

Thespellcastersreelasthegassurroundsthem.Verkusht,brokenfreeofhisprisonbythewomen,hasrunupthesideofthe

pyramid.Heshoutsdownintothefissure.Irealizethatmyearsareringing,andwonderwhichofBrachantes’assaultshasstolenmyhearing.FromhisgesturesandthefewwordsIcanmakeout,theBekyarseemstobeexhortingthegoddesssupposedlylurkinginsidethepyramid.Hedemands,orsoIimagine,thatthegoddesscomeoutandsmitetheonetryingtostealhersacrificefromher.

Ifsheintendstointerveneonourbehalf,Kitumugivesnosignofit.Itisthewayofgods,tostanddistantwhilemortalsactforthem.WereItoaskObaiaboutit,shewouldgivealongexplanation,oneofbalanceandtheturningofthecosmicwheels.Whatisclearisthat,withBrachantes,weareonourown.

Verkushtreachesthesameconclusion,andwithunusualbraveryleapsontothemonster’shead,knifeoutthrust.Itlandsinthebackofhisskull,whichisnowelongatedandhassproutedaspiralinghorn.Verkushtswingsfromthehiltuntilswatteddownbyajellied,fingerlesslimb.Helandsonhisback,howling,asasoapyresidueleftfromBrachantes’strikeattemptstocrawldownhisthroatandchokehim.

Ifeelsmallhandsonme;itisSunasuka,healingmywounds.SheseesthatI’veleftmyspearbehind,andhandsmeherdoublemonkey

club.Itswoodenfacesyowl.Theyseemafraid.

“We’rerunningoutofspellstothrow,”shesays.Brachanteshasaspearinhisfoot,andknivesstickingfromhischestandthe

backofhishead.AsheloomsoverVerkusht,Iwatchforsignsthattheseinjurieshavelefthimvulnerable.Whenfightingananimal,orsometimesanunnaturalbeast,itispossibletojudgetheharmyou’vedone.Observingthisever-shiftingmonstrositytellsmenothing.

WithSunasukafollowingclosebehind,Iscuttletothepyramid,toKatiiwaandObai.Weneedaplan.

Butthen,wemustalsohelptheBekyar.Verkushtrollsawayfromastompingfoot,plantingaserratedskewerin

Brachantes’ankle.ThemonsterkicksVerkushtlikeamanshooingasideanannoyingdog.Verkushtliesdazedonhisback,alineofbloodcreepingfromhis

annoyingdog.Verkushtliesdazedonhisback,alineofbloodcreepingfromhisnostril.

I’mreadytochargeovertoassisthimwhenArok,recoveredfromthefearray,leapsdownfromthecanopy.Heplotshispointofimpactexpertly,sothatBrachantestopplesface-firsttotheforestfloor.Arokpoundspercussivelyonthebackofhisneck,thenyanksoutaBekyardagger.HeusesittosawattheveinsofBrachantes’neck.

Brachantesrespondsbychangingagain.Theslashedjugularresealsitselfashisformshiftstosomethingfishyandhellish.HeslamsArok.Thecrunchofshatteredboneechoesthroughthetrees.

Obai’sthinlipspursetogether.Hertattooedfrown-smilelendsheranairofderangeddetachment.“Hedrawspowerfromthecreaturesofhisfarawaymenagerie,yes?”

“Thatiswhatheclaimed.”“Thentheremustbeunseenchannelsofarcaneforce,spanningthemiles

betweenhimselfandhisisland.Theyarethesourceofhismight.”“Youaretheonewhoknowssuchthings.”ButalreadyIamfollowingher

logic.“Yourglobes,fromtheBloodlettingAerie.”Shenods.“Itisnothowthemagicsaresupposedtowork.Butperhaps,with

Nethys’sfavor,theconflictingenergiesmayseverthebondbetweenBrachantesandhismenagerie.WhenIdothis,allofyoumusthithimhardandfast.”

“Willitcuthimdowntosize?”“SoIhope.”Idashintothefray,swingingSunasuka’smonkeyclub,rallyingmyallies’

attentions.Thestrange,carvedweaponyammersinpanickedapespeech.ArokandVerkushtarraythemselvesaroundBrachantes,forcinghimtodefendagainstblowsfromallsides.Katiiwaorbitsfromaremove,firingarcanedartsfromherharpoon.Theymaterializeasorbsofacid,eachbearingademon’sgrinningface.Wheretheyland,theyscourgeandpuckerhiswrithinghide.

Obai’stwincirclesshimmerintobeingaroundhim—thelightfirst,thenthedark.UnliketheperfectorbsummonedattheAerie,thisonebucklesandisinstantlymalformed.

Brachantes’featuresbecomerecognizableagain.Foureyesresolveintotwo.Asetofyellow-browntentaclesretractsintohisjaw.AnnoyancegiveswaytodreadasheseemstounderstandObai’sscheme.Helashesoutatthecombinedglobesoflightanddark,andtheylosetheirshape,threatentodissipate.

ObaicriesouttoNethys.“Maintainthebalance,Ogreatestgod!”Thecirclesreformandstabilize.Brachantesseemstofoldinonhimself,

rapidlylosingheightandheft.Withinmoments,hehasshrunkfromagiant’ssizetothatofanogre.Heisstillbiggerbyfarthananyofus,evenArok,butfor

sizetothatofanogre.Heisstillbiggerbyfarthananyofus,evenArok,butforthefirsttimeIbelievewecanbeathim.

Nolongerdoeshisformchange.WherebeforehetookonthetraitsofcreaturesIknoworhaveheardof,nowheisatonceallandnoneofthem.Heisacolorless,misshapenmockeryofaman,hismusclespuffy,theskeletonbeneaththemwarpedandimprobable.

Aroktearsathim.Verkushtsticksalongknifeintohisspine.

Withagreatglobofafist,Brachantesstrikesme.Ifeelmyteethrattleintheirsockets.BackwardIspin,landingonmyshoulderinthehardeneddirt.Theclubgoesflying.Itrytogetup,butmyfeetwon’tgowhereItellthem.

Thereisstillfightinourenemyyet.Arokrearsback,surprisedbyasimilarblow.

VerkushtkicksatBrachantes’back,hittingthehiltofhisdagger,drivingitfurtherin.Heducksaswipingreturnclout,yellingindisbelievingprotest:“Don’tyourealize,youTaldanexcrement,thatI’veseveredyourstinkingspine?”

Iwobbleup,headstillringing,towadebackin.Arokdoesthesame,hisjawhangingatanalarmingangle.Katiiwa,outofspells,staggerstojoinus.

Brachantesspotsmyabandonedspear,itsheadandhaftstillwetwithhistarryblood,andseizesit,parryingjabsfromthesorceress’sharpoon.

Behindus,Sunasukamouthsthefamiliarchanttosummonaswarmofstingingwasps.Hercalltonatureyieldsnoresult.AsIbashatBrachantes’rearing,unstableform,Irealizewhyithasfailed:Kitumuallowsonlyfireflieshere.

Thentheleavesandvinesreflectasoftgreenglow.Inateemingmass,Kitumu’sinsecthordesreemergefromthepyramid.They

surroundBrachantes,tearingintohisfleshastheydidtomyfriendsintheNgalivillage,tothetradersofFreeStation,totheLataritribesmenofRechiend’sPlains.ThefireflyplaguenowvisitsitselfonBrachantes.Theluminousbugsfindthepartsofhimthatarefleshyandhuman.Theyburrowdeep,boringthroughhimliketermitesthroughwood,antsthroughthepulpoffallenfruit.Abloodrainfallsashisfleshistornfromhim.Heopenshisthroattoscreamouthisagony,butnosoundcomes.

Hestaggers,fallingtooneknee.Brachantesissmalleragainnow,perhapsreturnedtohisnativeshape.Itishardtosayforsure,withsomuchmeatpulledawayfromhisbones.Icanseeribcage,andapatchofexposedskullabovehislefteye.

“Youarebeaten,Brachantes,”Itellhim.“Yes,”hesays.

“Yes,”hesays.Thespearisstillinhishand.Hedropstotheground,musteringonelast

reserveofstrength,andhurlsit.Theshaftsailsthroughtheair.Idiveatit,meaningtodeflectitfromitscourse,butthegesturehassurprisedme,andIstrikeonlyemptyair.

Ihittheground,roll,andlookuptoitsdestination.Mwondukstandsstaringdullyatthespearthathaspiercedhischest.The

headprotrudesfromhisback,gobbetsofheartmusclehangingfromitssharpenedtip.Thecolordrainsfromhimashecollapses.Sunasukarunstohisside.Theslumpofhershouldersconfirmsit:heisdead,andnothingcanbedone.

ThenIamonBrachantes,kneesdiggingintohisruinedchest.Ishoutathim,stupidly,uselesslyrepeatingtheonequestionthatneverhasananswer.Iamaskinghimwhy.Whydidhehavetokillthechild?

Bloodfoamsfromtheoutlander’sruinedmouth.“IfIcan’thavehim,noonecan.”Hesaysitsimply,asifnostatementcouldmakemoresense.Thereisnomockery,nogloatinginit.Hehasactedaccordingtohiscode.DefeatforBrachantesmustbedefeatforall.

Timestops.Thereisnooneintheworldexceptformeandthiscreaturehelplessbeneathme.Ithinkofhowclosewehavecometoreachingourgoal.Ofthedeathstocomefromthefireflyplague,whichwehavelostthemeanstoend.Oftheboy,andhowhewaswillingtodieforthegoodofothers,butnotlikethis,notpointlessly.

Myhandsclosearoundthegore-slickedneck.Hiswoundscouldeasilyprovefatal,evenwithoutmyintervention.ButI

wanttobetheonewhokillshim.Whosqueezesthelastbreathsfromhislungs.Pressesshuthiswindpipe,untilhissoulfluttersfromhimanddepartsforwhateverhellawaitsit.

Iconsidermyowncode,whichforcesuponmetheobligationsofthoseIslay.Whatdebtsdoesthismancarry,thatallowedhimtoconstructhisislandofcages,tocollectsomanycaptivecreatures?Atthismoment,theydonotseemsounbearable,notcomparedtothetwolife-pricesIalreadypayeachdayofmylife.Iwillgotohisisland,Idecide.IndischargeofhisresponsibilitiesIwillflingopenhiscages.Grantfreedomtohisslaves.

Myfingerstighten.Thenrelax.Iriseandstepback.TheCodeofAraisnotatrader’sledgersheet,withcosts

weightedagainstgains.Thelife-priceisapunishmentforacrime,forbreakingtheholiestofancestraledicts.

“Lethimdieonhisown,”Imutter.

“Lethimdieonhisown,”Imutter.Sunasukacallsmyname.Iturntoseetheboy’sbodyconvulsingfrom

within.Atfirst,myheartleaps,asIthinkhimmiraculouslysaved.ThenIseethatheiscomingapart.Brachanteskilledhimwithmorethanathrownspear.Somebanefulmagicnowdestroyshisremains.Thesightofitnumbsme.Limbswizenandshrivel.Afissureopensinhischest.Theheadlollsoff.

Thepyramid,whichstoodonthevergeofopeningbeforeBrachantesappeared,resumesitsrumbling.Thegap,arrestedbefore,widens.Acrimsonglowescapesfromit,bathingfirstthecanopydirectlyoverhead,thentheentirejungle.

Fromtheopening,avast,blood-redformarises.Itisshapedlikeafirefly,itsbeetlewingsspanninghundredsoffeet.Thegoddesshascometopunishourfailure.

Shehoversaboveus,thebuffetingforceofherwingsthrowingupacloudofdirtandleaf-dust.

AcreaturestirsinsideMwonduk’scorpse.Itcrawlsfromhistorso,leavingtheremainderemptiedoutandhollow.

Ittooisacrimsonfirefly,areducedcounterparttoKitumu,overhead.Theinsectisatmostthreefeetlong,fromthetipofitssearchingfeelerstotheglowingbulbattheendofitsbody.Itopensupitshardoutershelltorevealthewingshiddenbeneath.Tentatively,itbuzzesthembackandforth.Itliftsitselfintotheairandcirclesaroundus.Thecreaturestopsinfrontofeachofus,startingfirstwithVerkusht.Itwavesitsantennaegently,almostcaressingly,ateachofus,asifmakingafarewell.ItscircuitendswithmeandfinallySunasuka.

ThenitspiralsdowntoBrachantes.Nowhelaughs,butthejokeisruefulandaimedathimself.“Thisiswhy...wantedhim.Notcursed,”hegasps.“Agod.Ayounggod.Icouldhavehadthepowerofa...”

Withred,segmentedlegs,theinsectthatwasonceaboyseizesBrachantes,piercingdownintotheoutlander’sremainingflesh.Brachantesregistersthepainasasoftexhalation.TheMwondukbugtugshissquirmingbodyupintotheair.Strainingathisweight,itbuzzesuptoitsmother,Kitumu,whocirclesabove.Itfliesoverherbeetleface.Kitumuclickshermandiblesandopenshergullet.Herchilddropsinthesacrificialoffering.Brachantesmustersonelastwailasheisconsumed.

TheMwondukbugcirclesitsmotherassheretreatsintothepyramid.Withoutagestureofdivinegratitude,orthemerestacknowledgmentofourpresence,shevanishesintothetempledepths.Thesmallerinsectseemstopause,toflutterwingsatus,beforefollowingthegoddessinside.

Thegroundrumblesasthetemplesealsitselfup.Asmortals,wehavedonewhatwasexpectedofus.Weservedthegoddess.

Thatsheslewhundredsofpeoplesimplytoattractourobedienceisofno

“Whocansaywhetheranewborngodremembershisfriends?”

Thatsheslewhundredsofpeoplesimplytoattractourobedienceisofnoconsequencetoher.Mortalsaredisposable,especiallytonature’sdevouringgods.Despitemywounds,mystill-spinninghead,thesicklyfeelingofhavingcometooclosetoanancientandindifferentdivinity,Ifeelalightness.

Inmymarrow,Iknowit:theplaguehasended,andwillnotreturn.Verkushtclapshishands

together.“My,my.Thatwentbetterthanexpected.”Seeingthatnooneelseshareshisjollity,hetriesharder.“Forexample,noneofustriedtokillanyoftheothers.Surelythat’safirst.”

Withoutwarning,SunasukahurlsherselfatObai,spittingunintelligibleaccusations.ArokcomesatherfromtheleftandIfromtheright.Wewresttherecovereddoublemonkeyclubfromhergrasp.Obaiinterruptsthespellshe’dbeenpreparing.

“Whyfightnow?”Isay.“Allisforthebest!”Sunasuka,stillstrugglingtofreeherselfofourcombinedgrip,shouts:“You

saidthechildwasaccursed!”“Iwasnotwrong,”Obaisays,thecontradictoryscarsonthesidesofher

mouthfrowningandsmiling.“Thechildwasaccursed.”Sunasukaloosesastreamofprofanities,bothforeignandMwangi.“Igrant,”Obaisays,“thatIwasimpreciselyinformedastothecurse’strue

nature.”HottearsstreamSunasuka’scheeks.Shecanseeonlythebalancepriestess.

“Youhadusthinkingwe’dhavetomurderthechild!”“Ofallofushere,naturepriestess,youknowthatgreatforcesspeaktous,

butneverrevealall.Andclearly,theboywascursed.Ratherthanamortalcursedtobedevoured,hewasadeificbeing,cursedtoekehisfirstmiserableyearsinmortalform.Muchlikeanactuallightningbug,spendingitsearliestdaysasaglowing,toxicworm.”

SunasukatakesafreshlungeattheNethyspriestess;theapeandItightenourholdonher.“Theentirejourney,myhearthasbeenacoldfistinmychest!”

“Wewerenevergoingtokilltheboy.Weweremerelyinstrumentsofcosmicbalance,allowingagodtoworkherwill.Andthisshedid.”

cosmicbalance,allowingagodtoworkherwill.Andthisshedid.”Sunasukacalmsherself.Weletherstormtoanearbybrook,whereshe

splasheswateronherface.ApensivelookcrossesKatiiwa’sface.“DoyouthinkMwondukwasborn

mortal,sothathewouldunderstandourfearsandcares?”Obaichuckles,musicalandcold.“Nothingsoromantic,I’msure.Whatdoes

agodlingoffirefliescareaboutmortalexistence?”

IgazeuponthepyramidofKitumu,nowclosed,andwonder.

AbouttheAuthorRobinD.LawsistheauthorofthePathfinderTalesnovelTheWorldwound

Gambitandsixothernovels,aswellasvariousshortstories,webserials,andcomicbooks,plusalonglistofroleplayinggameproducts.HisnovelsincludePiercedHeart,TheRoughandtheSmooth,andtheAngelikaFleischerseriesfortheBlackLibrary.RobincreatedtheclassicRPGFengShuiandsuchrecenttitlesasMutantCityBlues,Skulduggery,andthenewlyredesignedHeroQuest2.ThoseinterestedinlearningmoreaboutRobinareadvisedtocheckouthisblog.