TableofContents

CoverTitlePageThisisadarkage...MapDramatisPersonaePrologue:NewBeginningsOne:BalanceofPowerTwo:TheBurningStoneThree:ASilkenBetrayalFour:TheBarrow-LandsFive:TheWordofKingsSix:TheBarrow-thiefSeven:TheRightofQueensEight:TheEyeoftheBurningGodNine:AmongThievesTen:TheHouroftheDeadEleven:NecessarySacrificesTwelve:ApotheosisThirteen:BloodforBloodFourteen:TheDarkFeastFifteen:TheShadowoftheHawkSixteen:TheGloryofNagashSeventeen:TheDeathlessCourtEpilogue:PortentsofDestructionTheNehekharanPantheonTheNehekharanCalendarAboutTheAuthorLegaleBooklicense

ItisaTimeofLegends,atimeofgodsanddaemons,ofkingsandheroesblessedwiththepowerofthedivine.

ThearidlandofNehekharahasbeenblessedbythehandsofthegods,givingbirthtothefirstgreathumancivilizationbythebanksofthewindingRiverVitae.TheNehekharasdwellin

eightproudcity-states,eachwithitsownpatrondeitywhoseblessingsshapethecharacterandfortunesofitspeople.Thegreatestofthemall,situatedatthenexusofthisancientland,is

Khemri,thefabledLivingCityofSettratheMagnificent.

ItwasSettra,hundredsofyearsbefore,whounitedthecitiesofNehekharaintomankind’sfirstempire,anddeclaredthathewouldruleoveritforever.Hecommandedhisprieststounlockthesecretoflifeeternal,andwhenthegreatemperoreventuallydied,hisbodywasentombedwithinamightypyramiduntilthedaywhenhislichepriestswouldsummonhissoulbackfrom

theafterlife.

AfterSettra’sdeath,hisgreatempireunravelled,andKhemri’spowerwaned.Now,amidthehauntedshadowsofKhemri’smortuarytemple,abrilliantandmightypriestbroodsoverthe

crueltiesoffateandcovetshisbrother’scrown.

HisnameisNagash.>

DramatisPersonae

LahmiaTheCityoftheDawn,strangeanddecadent

Lamashizzar,PriestKingofLahmiaNeferata,QueenofLahmiaKhalida,ayoungnoblewomanandwardoftheroyalhouseholdUbaid,Lamashizzar’sgrandvizierTephret,mostfavouredhandmaidenofthequeenAaliyah,handmaidenofthequeenAbhorash,theking’schampionAnkhat,awealthyandpowerfulnobleUshoran,awealthyandpowerfulnobleZurhas,adissoluteyoungnobleandcousintothekingAdio,adissoluteminornobleKhenti,adissoluteminornobleW’soran,ascholar,formerlyofMahrakPrinceXianHaFeng,emissaryoftheEasternEmpireRasetraFormerKhemricolony,nowanindependentcity

Shepret,KingofRasetraLybarasCityofScholars

Khepra,PriestKingofLybarasAnhur,PrinceofLybarasQuatarTheWhitePalace;GuardianoftheValleyofKings

Naeem,PriestKingofQuatarNumasBreadbasketoftheKingdom

Amunet,QueenofNumasZandriTheCityoftheWaves

Teremun,PriestKingofZandri

PrologueNewBeginnings

Lahmia,TheCityoftheDawn,inthe63rdyearofKhsartheFaceless(-1739ImperialReckoning)

Small,softhandsgrippedherandgentlyshookher.Voiceswhisperedurgentlyinherears,callingherbackacrossthegulfofdreams,untiltheDaughteroftheMoonstirredatlastfromherslumberandopenedherheavy-liddedeyes.Itwasverylate.Neruhunglowonthehorizon,sendingshaftsoflambentmoonlightthroughthetallwindowsofthebedchamber.Thegoldenlampshadbeenturneddown,andonlythefaintesthintofincensestilllingeredneartheroom’stiledceiling.

Theseabreezestirredthegauzycurtainssurroundingherbed,carryingghostlysoundsofrevelryfromtheRedSilkQuarter,downbythecitydocks.

Neferata,DaughteroftheMoonandtheQueenofLahmia,rolledontoherbackandblinkedslowlyinthegloom.Tephret,hermostfavouredhandmaiden,wascrouchedbytheheadofthequeen’ssumptuousbed,oneslimhandstillrestingprotectivelyonNeferata’snakedshoulder.Thequeenirritablybrushedthetouchaway,herownfingersslowandclumsyfromtheeffectsoftoomuchblacklotusandsweet,Easternwine.

‘Whatisit?’Neferatamurmured,hervoicethickwithsleep.‘Theking,’Tephretwhispered.Thehandmaiden’sfacewashiddeninshadow,buttheoutlineofher

slenderbodywastense.‘Thekingishere,greatone.’NeferatastaredatTephretforamoment,notquiteabletomakesenseofwhatshe’dheard.Thequeensat

upinbed,thesilkensheetsflowingoverthecurvesofherbodyandpoolinginherlap.Sheshookherheadgently,strugglingtothinkthroughtheclingingfogofthelotus.‘Whattimeisit?’

‘Thehourofthedead,’Tephretreplied,hervoicewaveringslightly.Likeallofthequeen’shandmaidens,shewasalsoapriestessofNeru,andsensitivetotheomensofthenight.‘ThegrandvizierawaitsyouintheHallofReverentContemplation.’

ThementionofthegrandviziercutthroughthemistssurroundingNeferata’sbrainatlast.Sheswungherslenderlegsovertheedgeofthebed,nexttoTephret,andletoutaslow,thoughtfulbreath.‘Bringmethehixa,’shesaid,‘andmysaffronrobes.’

Tephretbowed,touchingherforeheadtothetopofNeferata’sfeet,thenroseandbeganhissingorderstotherestofthequeen’shandmaidens.HalfadozenyoungwomenstirredfromtheirsleepingcushionsatthefarendoftheroomasNeferatarosecarefullytoherfeetandwalkedtotheopenwindowsfacingthesea.Thesurfaceofthewaterwascalmasglass,andthegreattradingshipsfromtheSilkLandsrodeeasyattheiranchorsinthecrowdedharbour.Specksofredandyellowlantern-lightbobbedlikefirefliesdownLahmia’sclose-setstreetsasthepalanquinsofnoblemenandwealthytradersmadetheirwayhomefromaneveningofdebauchery.

ThelightsoftheRedSilkDistrict,aswellasthemoreupper-classDistrictoftheGoldenLotus,stillburnedbrightly,whiletherestofthegreatcityhadsunkreluctantlyintoslumber.FromwhereNeferatastood,shecouldjustseethesandstoneexpanseofAsaph’sQuay,attheedgeoftheTempleDistrictandjustnorthofthecityharbour.Theceremonialsitewasbare.

Thequeenfrownedpensively,thoughshe’dexpectednoless.‘Therewasnowordfromthearmy?’sheasked.‘Noneatall?’

‘None,’Tephretconfirmed.Thehandmaidenglidedswiftlyacrosstheroomandkneltbesidethequeen,offeringupasmallboxmadefromfinegoldenfiligree.‘Theking’sservantsareinanuproar.’

NeferatanoddedabsentlyandpluckedtheboxfromTephret’shands.Shecarefullyopenedthelid.Inside,thehixastirredtorpidly.Neferatagrippedthelarge,winglesswaspbetweenthumbandforefingerandpresseditsabdomenagainstthehollowbeneathherleftear.Ittookafewmomentsofagitationbeforeshefeltthehixa’sstingandthepricklingtideofpainthatwashedacrossherfaceandscalp.Bloodpoundedinarisingcrescendoathertemplesandbehindhereyes,finallyrecedingseveralsecondslaterintoadull,throbbingachethatsetherteethonedgebutleftheralertandclear-headedatlast.Therewasnobettercureforthelingeringeffectsoflotusandwine,asthenoblesofthecityknewalltoowell.

SheplacedthehixabackintheboxwithasighandhandeditbacktoTephret,thenraisedherarmssothathermaidscouldwrapherbodyinceremonialrobesofwelcome.Tephretsetthegoldenboxasideandhurriedtoacabinetofgildedebonythatcontainedthequeen’sroyalmask.Madeofbeatengoldandinlaidwithrubies,polishedonyxandmother-of-pearl,ithadbeencraftedbytheartisan-priestsofAsaphasaperfectlikenessofthequeen’sregalface.Itwasthefaceshewasrequiredtoshowtotherestoftheworld.Intime,itwouldserveasherdeathmaskaswell.

ItwouldhavetakenhoursforNeferatatofullyprepareherselfforherhusband’sreturn;sheimpatientlywavedasidetheprofferedgoldenbraceletsandnecklaces,andglaredatthemaidswhotriedtopainthereyeswithcrushedbeetleshellandkohl.Theinstanthergirdlewaspulledtightandtheroyalmasksetcarefullyuponherface,shesnatchedupAsaph’ssnake-headedsceptrefromTephret’shandsandhurriedfromthebedchamber.AservantdashedaheadofNeferata,herbarefeetslappingonthepolishedmarbletilesassheheldupabobbinglanterntolighttheirway.

Neferatamovedasswiftlyasherconfiningrobeswouldallow,butitstilltooktenlongminutestotraversethelabyrinthofshadowycorridors,luxuriousroomsandornamentalgardensthatseparatedherapartmentsfromtherestofthepalace.Itwasaworldapart,apalacewithinapalacethatservedasbothsanctuaryandprisonforthewomenoftheLahmianroyalbloodline.Noteventhekinghimselfcouldenter,saveoncertainholydaysdedicatedtothegoddessAsaphandherdivinerevels.

Therewereonlythreesmallaudiencechamberswherethequeenandherdaughterswereallowedtointeractwiththeoutsideworld.Thelargestandgrandest,theHalloftheSuninitsDivineGlory,wassetasidetocelebrateweddingsandchildbirths,andwasopenatvarioustimestoboththeroyalhouseholdandthecommonfolkofthecity.Thesmallest,adarkvaultofgreenmarbleknownastheHallofRegretfulSorrows,waswherelong,solemnprocessionsofLahmiancitizenswouldcometopaytheirlastrespectstoadeadqueenbeforeherjourneytotheHouseofEverlastingLife.

InbetweenwastheHallofReverentContemplation,amedium-sizedchamberbuiltfromwarm,goldensandstoneandinlaidwithscreensoflustrous,polishedwood.Moretemplethanaudiencechamber,itwasherethatthekingandthenoblefamiliesofthecity–aswellasahandfulofcommonfolk,chosenbylot–wouldgathertopayhomagetothequeenandreceiveherblessingsforthecomingyear.

BythetimeNeferataarrivedatthehallthegreatgoldenlampshadbeenlit,andincensewascurlingindark,blue-greyribbonsfromthebraziersthatflankedtheroyaldais.Ared-facedservant,glisteningwithsweat,wassingle-handedlytryingtounfoldthedelicatewoodenscreenthatwasmeanttoshieldtheroyalpresencefromunworthyeyes.Thequeenstoppedtheservantinhertrackswithacurtwaveofherhandasshesteppedfrombehindtheelegantlycarvedwoodenthroneandapproachedtherobedfigurerestinguponhiskneesatthefootofthedais.

Likethequeen,GrandVizierUbaidhadtakenthetimetodonhisceremonialsaffronrobestowelcometheking’sreturn.Hisshavenpatehadbeenfreshlyoiledandmatchedthemellowtoneoftheroom’spolishedwood.NeferatacouldbarelymakeoutthecoilingtattoosofAsaph’ssacredserpentsthatwoundsinuouslyaboutthesidesofUbaid’sheadandneck.Shecouldn’thelpbutnotethatthethincoatingoffragrantoileffectivelyconcealedanysignsofnervoussweatonUbaid’shighforehead.

ThegrandvizierbowedlowthestonefloorasNeferatadescendedthebroadstepsoftheroyaldais.‘Athousand,thousandpardons,greatone–’hebegan.

‘Whatisthemeaningofthis,Ubaid?’Neferatahissed.Herhuskyvoicesoundedharshandmenacingwithinthegoldenconfinesofhermask.‘Whatishedoinghere?’

Ubaidstraightened,spreadinghishandsinagestureofsupplication.‘Iswear,Idonotknow,’hereplied.

‘Hearrivedlittlemorethananhouragowithasmallretinueandahandfulofslaves.’LikemostLahmiannobles,thegrandvizierhadaslenderneck,highcheekbonesandaprominentjaw-

line.Yearsofrichlivinghadn’tsoftenedhim,likemanyofhispeers,anddespitebeingofmiddleagehisbodywasstillslenderandstrong.Manyatcourtsuspectedhimofbeingasorcerer,butNeferataknewthathewassimplyverygoodatkeepingupappearances.Hehadeventakentowearinggoldencapsontheendsofhislittlefingers,eachoneendinginalong,artificialnailinthefashionofbureaucratsfromtheSilkLandsacrossthesea.Theaffectationdidnothingtoimprovethequeen’smood.

‘Whereisthearmy?’shedemanded.‘Thelastreportsaidtheywerestillthreedays’marchaway.’Ubaidshruggedhelplessly.‘Thereisnowayofknowing,greatone.Likelytheyarestillsomewhereon

thetraderoad,westoftheGoldenPlain.Certainlytheyarenowherenearthecityitself.Thekingappearstohavehurriedonaheadofthehost.’

Aswellasthemajorityofhisnobleallies,Neferataobserved,growingmoreirritatedbythemoment.AbsolutelynothingaboutLamashizzar’sexpeditiontoMahrakhadgoneaccordingtoplan,andnowhewasriskingtheireofpeoplewhosegoodwillhewoulddesperatelyneedintheyearstocome.‘Andwhereisthekingnow?’sheaskedcoldly.

Thevizier’scarefullycomposedexpressioncrackedsomewhataroundtheedges.‘He’s…inthecellars,’heansweredinasubduedvoice.‘Hewenttherestraightawaywithhismen–’

‘Thecellars?’Neferatasnapped.‘Why?Toinventorythejarsofgrainandhoney?’‘I…’Ubaidstammered.‘I’msureIcan’tsay–’‘Asaph’steeth!’thequeenswore.‘Iwasbeingsarcastic,Ubaid.Iknowperfectlywellwhathe’sdoing

downthere,’shesaid.‘Takemetohim.’Ubaid’seyeswidened.‘I’mnotcertainthatwouldbeproper,greatone–’Neferatastraightenedhershouldersandglareddownatthegrandvizier,hergoldenfaceimplacableand

cold.‘Grandvizier,thekinghasfloutedancienttraditionbyreturningtothecityinthis…unorthodox…fashion.Bycustomandbylaw,hehasn’tofficiallyreturned,whichmeansthatIcontinuetorulethiscityinLamashizzar’sname.Doyouunderstand?’

Thegrandvizierbowedhisheadatonce.Overthelastyearandahalfhe’dbeenexceedinglycarefultoconcealhistruefeelingsabouttheking’ssecretdispensationofpower.Byrights,UbaidshouldhavebeentheonetoruleLahmiainLamashizzar’sabsence;thequeensofLahmiawerenotmeanttosullythemselveswithmundaneaffairsofstate.Now,eighteenmonthslater,Ubaidunderstoodwhathadpersuadedthekingtomakesuchascandalouschoice.

‘Pleasefollowme,greatone,’herepliedsmoothly,androsetohisfeet.

Thegreatpalacewashoneycombedwithanetworkofhiddenpassageways,builtfortheuseofthehousehold’smanyservants,andUbaidledthequeenthroughaveritablelabyrinthofnarrow,dimly-litcorridorsanddustystorageroomsastheymadetheirwaytothecellars.Neferatacouldbarelyseewhereshewasgoingwithintheconfinesofhermask.Theservant’slanternbobbedinthedarknessaheadofherlikesometeasingriverspirit,luringheronwardtoherdoom.

Finallyshefoundherselfdescendingaseriesoflong,narrowramps,andtheairturnedcoldanddamp.Goosefleshracedalongtheskinofherneckandarms,butshesuppressedtheurgetoshiver.Thenafewminuteslatershefelttheweightofthenarrowpassagewaysfallawaytoherleftandright,andsherealisedthatthey’denteredalarge,low-ceilingedspace.Neferataglimpsedstacksofrounded,clayjarssealedwithwax,andheardthedistantsoundofvoicessomewhereupahead.

Ubaidledherthroughoneinterconnectedcellarafteranother,pastjarsofspices,saltandhoney,boltsofclothandbricksofbeeswax.Thesenseofspacebegantoshrinkagain,andthequeenreckonedthattheywereheadingintoamucholderpartofthecellars.Thevoicesgrewmoredistinct,untilshecouldclearlymakeoutherhusband’shushed,urgentvoice.

Suddenly,thegrandvizierhaltedandsteppedaside.Neferatarushedaheadandemergedintoasmall,drippingchamberstackedwithwide-belliedwinejarsbearingtheroyalseal.Ahandfuloftorchesgutteredfromthewalls,castingstrange,leapingshadowsacrossthefloor.

Lamashizzar,PriestKingofLahmia,CityoftheDawn,stoodoveranopenedwinejarandgulpedgreedilyfromagoldendrinkingbowl.Hisrich,silkenrobesweregrimedwiththedustoftheroad,andhis

tightlycurledblackhairwasmattedandlimpwithsweat.Halfadozennoblemenstoodaroundtheking,allofthemtravel-stainedandreelingfromfatigue.Severaldrankalongwiththeking,whilethereststoleapprehensiveglancesattheslavesworkingfeverishlyatthefarsideoftheroom.Noneofthemnoticedthesuddenappearanceofthequeen.

Neferatastudiedthemenforalongmomentandfeltherirritationsharpenintoicyrage.Shetookanotherstepintotheroomanddrewadeepbreath.‘Thisisanill-omenedthing,’shedeclaredinacold,clearvoice.

Startledcriesrangoffthestonewallsasthenoblemenwhirled,theirdarkfacespaleandeyeswidewithshock.ToNeferata’sprofoundsurprise,manyofthemreachedfortheirswords;theycaughtthemselvesatthelastpossiblemoment,handshoveringoverthehiltsoftheirblades.Yettheydidnotrelax.Noneofthemdid.Instead,theireyesdartedbetweenNeferataandtheking,asthoughuncertainhowtoproceed.

Nowitwasthequeen’sturntostareinamazement.SomeofthemensheknewtobeLamashizzar’sclosestsupporters,whileothers,thoughLahmian,werestrangerstoher.Allofthemsharedthesametense,hard-edgedexpression,thesamefeveredglintintheireyes.

Theylooklikecorneredanimals,Neferatathought,thankfulthattheall-enclosingmaskhidherstartledreaction.Isthiswhatwardoestocivilizedmen?

Thekinghimselfwasnolessstunnedtoseehisqueen.Hishandsomefacewassallowanddrawn;hiseyesweresunkenandhischeekshollowedoutfrompooreatingandlittlesleep,buthisgazewassharperandmorepenetratingthanever.Lamashizzarloweredthedrinkingbowl.Redwinetrickledthicklydownthesidesofhissharpchin.

‘Whatinthenameofthedawnareyoudoinghere,sister?’herasped.‘I?’Neferatasnapped,herangermanagingtoovercomehergrowingunease.‘Moretothepoint,what

areyoudoinghere?’SheadvancedonLamashizzar,herhandsclenchedintofists.‘Therearesacredritestobeobserved.ThekingmaynotreturntothecitywithoutfirstperformingthePropitiationsoftheEast.YoumustthankAsaphfortheblessingshegavewhenyoufirstsetouttowar!’Neferata’svoicegrewinvolumealongwithherire,untilhervoiceranglikeabellwithintheconfinesofthemask.‘Butthearmyisn’texpectedfordaysyet.Asaph’sQuayisbareofofferingsfromthecitizenry.Thepropersacrificeshavenotbeenmade.’

Withoutwarning,thequeenlashedout,strikingthedrinkingbowlfromtheking’shand.‘Whathappened?’shehissed.‘DidyoudrinkallthewineyouplunderedfromheretoKhemri?Couldn’tyouhavewaitedtwomoredaystoslakeyourthirst?Thisisanoffenceagainstthegods,brother.’

Foramoment,noonemoved.Neferatacouldfeelthetensioncracklinglikecagedlightningintheair.ThekingglancedpastNeferata.‘Thatwillbeall,Ubaid,’hesaidtothegrandvizier.

Ubaidbowedandhastilywithdrew,hisrobesrustlingashefledfromthecellarasquicklyashisdignitywouldallow.

Lamashizzarstaredatthequeen,hiseyesdepthlessandstrange.Heraisedhishandandlaidthetipsofhisfingersagainstthemask’scurved,goldencheek.

‘Thegodsdonotcare,sister,’hesaidsoftly.‘Theynolongerhearourprayers.NagashtheUsurpersawtothatontheplainoutsideMahrak.Didyounotreadanyofmyletters?’

‘OfcourseIdid,’Neferatareplied,suppressingachillatthementionofNagash’sname.SheandLamashizzarhadbeenbornduringtheheightoftheUsurper’sreign,whentheformerGrandHierophantofKhemri’smortuaryculthadheldallofNehekharainhisirongrip.ItwasonlywhenthekingsoftheeasthadriseninrevoltagainstKhemrithattheyhadlearnedtruehorroroftheUsurper’spower,andthoughtheyeventuallytriumphed,thecostofvictorywasalmosttooterribletocontemplate.

Angrily,shepushedasidetheking’shandandstalkedpasthim.Atthefarendofthechamber,theslavesstoppedwhattheyweredoingandabasedthemselvesatherapproach.

‘Itdoesn’tmatterifthecovenanthasbeenbrokenornot,’Neferatacontinued.‘Inmattersofstate–andreligion–perceptioniseverybitasimportantasreality.LahmiawassparedfromtheworstexcessesofNagash’srule,butthewarhasdisruptedtradewiththewestformorethantenyearsnow.Fortuneshavebeenlost–tosaynothingoftheenormousdebtwenowowetheEmperoroftheSilkLands.Ifthepeoplehadanyinklingofthedealwestrucktoobtaintheirdragon-powdertherewouldberiotinginthestreets.’

‘ThatwasLamasheptra’sdoing,notmine,’Lamashizzarpointedout,bendingtoretrievehisdrinking

bowl.‘Itdoesn’tmatter,’Neferatainsisted.‘Fatherisdead.Youaretheoneonthethrone,now.Thepeople

looktoyouforreassurance.TheyneedtobelievethattheUsurper’sreignofterrorisoverandthatanewerahasbegun.TheyneedtoknowthatLahmiawillprosperoncemore.’

Thequeen’stiradehadcarriedhernearlyallthewayacrossthechamber.Theslaveswerestillasstatues,theirpreviouslaboursforgottenastheypressedtheirforeheadstotheearthenfloor.Theyhadbeenintheprocessofshiftingscoresofdustywinejarsanddismantlingwoodenshelvestocreateaclearedspacefor–

Neferatacametoasuddenhalt.Hereyeswidenedbehindthegoldenmaskasshesawthelinen-wrappedbundlesrestingontheearthenfloor.‘What–’shestammered,suddenlyatalossforwords.‘Brother,whatisallthis?’

Behindher,Lamashizzardippedhisbowlintheopenjar.Hestaredintoitsrubydepths,andanironicsmiletuggedatthecornersofhismouth.

‘Thedawnofanewera,’hesaid,raisingthebowltohislips.Theywerenotjugsofplunderedwineorwrappedbrinksoflotusleaf.Neferatasawthatatonce.Each

bundlehadroughlysquaresides,somereachingashighasherknees.Thelinenwrappingswerestainedbrownbycountlessleaguesoftravel,andwereboundwithbraidedtwine.Shewenttotheclosestone.Slavesscatteredfromherpathlikefrightenedbirdsasshekneltbesidetheparcelandtuggedatitsbindingswithlong-nailedfingers.Asshedid,astirwentthroughtheassemblednobles.Neferataheardangrygrowlsandchokedprotests,untilfinallyoneofthemencouldcontainhimselfnolonger.

‘Stopher!’thenoblemansnapped.Neferatadidn’trecognisethevoice.‘WhatissheevendoingoutsidetheWomen’sPalace?Sheshouldbeinherproperplace,not–’

‘Sheisthequeen,’Lamashizzarsaid,inavoiceascoldandhardasEasterniron.‘Shegoeswhereshewills.’

Neferatalistenedtothetenseexchangewithonlyhalfanear.Herdarkfingersteasedthetwineknotapart,andacornerofthelinenwrappingfellawaytoreveal–

‘Books?’thequeensaid.Hereyebrowsknittedtogetherinafrown.TheywerethicktomesofexpensiveLybaranpaper,boundinastrangekindofpaleleatherthatsentpricklesofuneaseracingdownherspine.

‘ThebooksofNagash,’Lamashizzarexplained.‘SmuggledfromhispyramidoutsideKhemri.Allhissecrets:hisplans,hisstudies,his…hisexperiments.It’sallthere.’

Neferatafeltherheartgrowcold.Sheroseandturnedtofacetheking.‘Idon’tunderstand,brother,’shehissed.‘YouweresupposedtoforgeanalliancewiththeUsurper.WiththepowerunderyourcommandyoucouldhavebrokenthesiegeatMahrakandhandedtheeasttoNagash!Hewouldhaveagreedtoanyterms–’

‘No,’Lamashizzarsaidflatly.Hetookanotherlongdraughtfromthebowl,hisfacehauntedwithmemory.‘Youweren’tthere,sister.Youdidn’tseethe…thecreaturethatNagashhadbecome.’

‘Weknewhewasasorcerer–’Neferatabegan.‘Hewasamonster,’Lamashizzarsaiddarkly.‘Noneoftherumourswe’dheardcameanywherecloseto

thetruth.Nagashwasnolongerhuman,andwhathe’ddonetoNeferem–’Theking’swordsdriedupinhisthroat.Finally,heshookhishead.‘Believeme,Nagashwouldhaveneverhonouredthetermsofanalliance,muchlesssharedthesecretsofeternallife.’Hegesturedatthestacksoflinen-wrappedvolumeswithhisdrinkingbowl,sloshingthickwineontothefloor.‘So.Betterthisthannothingatall.’

Neferataspreadherhands.‘Indeed?Areyouasorcerernow?’sheshotback.‘I’mcertainlynot.’‘YouweretrainedbythepriestessesofNeru,’Lamashizzarsaid.‘Youknowhowtoperform

incantations,howtocreateelixirs–’Thequeenshookherhead.‘That’snotthesamething,’sheprotested.‘It’senough,’Lamashizzarsaid.Helurchedforward,seizingNeferatabythewrist,andpulledherafter

himashewoundhiswaydrunkenlythroughthecollectionofplunderedtomes.Beyondthelinen-wrappedbookslayanothershape,stretchedoutagainstthedankstonewall.‘Wealsohavethis,’thekingsaidproudly.

Itwasacorpse.Ithadbeeninexpertlywrapped,andthelinenbindingsweredevoidoftheritualsymbolsofthemortuarycult,buttheshapeofthebodywasunmistakeable.

Thekinggavehissisteraconspiratorialsmile.‘Goon,’hesaid,squeezingherwristwithsurprising

strength.‘Takealook.’Hiseyesglitteredlikeglass,sharpandfever-bright.Lamashizzar’shandsqueezedharder.Neferataclenchedherjawandsankslowlytoherknees.Sheheard

theslavesshiftnervouslybehindherasshestretchedoutherfreehandandbegantogingerlypullawaythewrappingsthatcoveredthecorpse’shead.

Thefacetookshapebydegrees:firstaman’sbeak-likenose,thenaprominentbrowanddeeplysunkeneyes.Nextcamesharp-edgedcheekbonesandalong,squarejawthatgapedinagrimaceofagony,revealingamouthfulofjagged,blackenedteeth.

Thecorpse’sskinwaspaleasafish’sbellyandcoveredinapatchworkoffinescars.Theveinsathistemplesandalonghisneckwereblackwithold,clottedblood.Theverysightofitfilledthequeenwithrevulsion.Neferatarecoiledfromtheghastlyvisage.‘Whatinthenameofallthegods–’

Lamashizzarpulledherclose.‘Heisthekey,’thekinghissed,fillinghernostrilswiththesourreekofwine.‘ThisisArkhantheBlack.Doyouknowthename?’

‘Ofcourse,’thequeensaidwithagrimace.‘HewastheUsurper’sgrandvizier.’‘Andoneofthefirstimmortals,’thekingadded.‘Buthefellfromfavourduringthewarandbetrayed

NagashontheeveofthegreatbattleatMahrak.HeofferedmethepoweroverlifeanddeathifIwouldsidewiththerebelkingsagainsthisformermaster.’Lamashizzargavethequeenanalmostboyishwink.‘Afterthebattle,IhidhiminmybaggagetrainduringthelongmarchtoKhemri.Noonesuspectedathing.Theothersthoughthe’dfledwestwardwiththerestoftheUsurper’simmortals,sooncewe’dreachedtheLivingCityandtheUsurper’stroopsmadetheirlaststandinthecity’snecropolis,IpaidsomesoldierstospreadtherumourthatArkhanhadbeenseenfightingtothebitterendatthefootofhismaster’spyramid.Nodoubtthestory’stakenonepicproportionssincethen.’

‘AndArkhanactuallyheldtohisbargain?’sheasked.Thekingsmiled.‘AsmuchasIexpectedhewould.Heledmetothebooks,deepintheheartofthe

BlackPyramid.’‘Thenyoukilledhim.’Lamashizzar’ssmileneverfaltered.‘Isthatwhatyouthink?’Neferata’sexpressionhardenedbeneaththemask.Withasavagejerk,shetoreherwristfromtheking’s

grasp.‘You’redrunk,’shehissed.‘AndIamnotinthemoodforgames,brother.’Thatwaswhenthesmilefadedfromtheking’sface.Slowly,deliberately,heloweredhishandandset

thebowlofwineuponthefloor.Hiseyesboredintohers.‘ThenperhapsIshouldmakeitplainforyou,’hesaidquietly.Hespokeagain,inthatvoiceashardandcoldasiron.‘Bringthem.’

TherewasacommotionbehindNeferata,andtheslavesbegantowailinterror.Shefrozeatthesound,andwatchedasLamashizzarleanedforwardandtoreawaythelinenbindingswrappingArkhan’storso.Theimmortal’schestwasevenmorescarredthanhisface,butwhatwasworsewastheblackened,thumb-sizedholeinArkhan’sbreast,justabovehisheart.

‘Hewasswift,butthebulletinmydragonstavewasswifterstill,’Lamashizzarsaid.Hisnoblescrowdedaroundhim,draggingtheterrifiedslavesovertoArkhan’sbody.‘It’sstillthere,buriedinhisheart.Here.Letmeshowyou.’

Thekingcrouchedoverthebodyandpressedhisfingersdeepintothewound.Therewasathick,liquidsound,andLamashizzargruntedinsatisfaction.Whenhedrewhishandawayhisfingerswerecoveredinablackfluidasthickastar.Afat,roundmetalballwasgrippedbetweenhisfingertips.Heheldupthebulletandstudieditforamoment.

‘Yousee?’hesaid.‘Suchawoundwouldhavekilledoneoffather’smightyUshabti,muchlessameremortallikeyouorI.ButtoArkhanitwasnothingmorethananinterruption.’

Thekingbentclosetotheimmortal’sface.Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper.‘He’sstillinthere,’Lamashizzarsaid,butwhetherhesaidittoNeferataortotheimmortalhimself,thequeencouldnotbecertain.‘Lockedinacelloffleshandbone.Solongashisheartcannotbeat,Nagash’selixircannotcirculatethroughhislimbs,norfantheflameofhiscursedsoul.’

Thelookontheking’sfacesentashudderthroughNeferata.Thiswasnotthelibertinewhohadledhisfather’sarmytoMahrak.Thethingshehadseenonthefieldofbattle–andpossiblywithinthepagesofthebookshe’dstolenfromtheUsurper’scrypt–hadleftanimpressionintheyoungking’smind.BlessedNeru,shethought.Whatifhe’sgonemad?

Lamashizzarchuckledtohimself,entirelyoblivioustohissister’smountingunease.‘Ihavehadmanydiscussionswiththeformervizieronthejourneyhome,andIbelievewehavereachedanunderstanding.Hewillserveus,unlockinghisformermaster’ssecretsandteachingushowtocreatetheelixirforourselves.Ifheserveswell,thenwewillsharethedraughtoflifewithhim.Ifnot…’hepaused,andhisexpressiongrewhard.‘Thenwewillsendhimbackintohiscell,andweshallseehowlongittakesforanimmortal’sbodytocollapseintodust.’

Thekingtossedthebulletaside,thennoddedcurtlytohisnoblemen.Withoutawordtheydrewknivesfromtheirbeltsandbeganslittingtheslaves’throats.

Hotbloodsprayedthroughtheair.Theslavesthrashedandchoked,pouringouttheirlivesontoArkhan’sstillform.Astheydied,Lamashizzarpickedupthepaleleathertomeandbeganturningitspages.

‘Theworldhaschanged,sister,’Lamashizzarsaid.‘Theoldgodshaveleftus,andanewpowerhasrisentotakeitsplace–apowerthatnowwealonepossess.WeshallusherinanewageforLahmiaandtherestofNehekhara.Onethatweshallpresideoveruntiltheendoftime.’

Attheirfeet,theblood-soakedbodyofArkhantheBlackdrewinaterrible,shudderingbreath.Hisbruisedeyelidsfluttered,andNeferatafoundherselfstaringintoapairofdark,soullesseyes.

TheWasteland,inthe63rdyearofKhsartheFaceless(-1739ImperialReckoning)

Nightcameswiftlytothewasteland.AsthelastraysofPtra’shateful,searinglightdisappearedbehindthejaggedfangsoftheBrittlePeaks,

stealingawaytheheatofthedayandfillingthenarrowgullieswithinkyshadow,thehuntersofthedeadspacesbegantostirfromtheirlairs.Deadlyvipersslitheredfrombeneathrockyoverhangs,tastingtheairwiththeirdartingtongues.Scorpionsandhuge,hairyspiderscrawledfromtheirdaytimeburrowsandbegantheirhunt,seekingsourcesofheatagainstthecontrastingcoolnessoftherockyground.

Inoneshadow-hauntedgully,halfadozenlean,spottedshapescamenosingalongthebrokenground,trackingthescentofdeath.Thejackalshadbeenfollowingthetrailformanynights;ithadrambledandloopedbackuponitselfmanytimes,likethepathofabeastlostinmadnessandonthevergeofcollapse.Nowthehunterssensedthatthepreyhadbeenruntogroundatlast.Sniffingatthechillair,theyedgedtowardsalowoverhangcarveddeepintothegullywall.

Withinthedarknessoftheoverhang,abundleofragsstirredfitfullyatthejackals’approach.Thescavengerspaused,earsforward,watchingasasingle,bonyhandgropeditswaypainfullyfrombeneaththeoverhang.Theskinwasblackenedandleathery,thenailsyellowedandsplinteredbymonthsofscrabblingoverrocksandburrowinginthedryearth.Theskinoftheknuckleswassplit,peeledbacklikeshredsofdryparchmenttorevealgreyfleshinlaidwithgrit.

Thejackalswatchedasthelongfingersarched,diggingintotheearthforpurchase.Therewasarustleoffabricandloosedirt.Atrioofsleek,blacklizardsboltedfrombeneaththeoverhang,startledastheirrefugebegantoshiftbeneaththem.

Slowly,shakily,thefiguredraggeditselfoutintothenightair.Firstanemaciatedarm,thenabonyshoulder,thenathintorsocladingrimyrobesthathadoncebeenthecolourofblood.

Abaldhead,blackenedandblisteredbythesungod’smercilesstouch,emergedfromtheshadows:aman’sface,oncehandsome,nowravagedbytheelementsandthehorrorsofwar.Darkeyes,setdeepinbonysockets,regardedthejackalswithfeverishintensity.Theman’sfacewasgaunttothepointofbeingskeletal,hischeeksandnosefrayedbybrusheswithrockandthemandiblesofburrowinginsects.Araggedhole,wideasaman’sthumb,hadbeenpunchedintohisforehead,closetothelefttemple.Atonetimetheghastlywoundhadgrowninfected,causingthefleshtoswellaroundtherimofsplinteredboneandtheveinstodistendwithcorruption.

Thejackalsloweredtheirheadsandbegantowhinesoftlyasthefigurecontinuedtodragitselffromitsrefuge.Thiswasnotwhattheyexpected.Indeed,theirwould-bepreyexudedasenseofwrongnessthattheiranimalbrainscouldn’tquitecomprehend.

Deathhungoverthemanlikeashroud.Inadditiontotheawfulwoundinhishead,hisleftarmwascoileduselesslyagainsthischest.Anotherholehadbeenblownthroughtheupperlimb,shatteringtheboneandconstrictingthemusclesintoimmobileknots.Thescentofoldbilerosefromapunctureintheman’s

belly,andanotherwoundinhischestcarriedthereekofoldinfection.Dead,thejackals’mindssaid.Themanoughttobedeadlongsince.Andyetstilltheleatherymuscles

worked,creakinglikeoldropes.Theeyesstillburnedwithanalmostferalrage.Thin,crackedlipsdrewbackfromblackenedteethinasnarlofchallenge.

NagashtheUsurper,UndyingKingoffallenKhemriandforatimethemasterofNehekhara,pressedhispalmagainstthestonesandgritofthegullyfloorandwithabubblinggrowlpushedhimselftohisfeet.Onceupright,heswayedslightlyasheturnedhisheadtothegleamingfaceofthemoonandletoutalong,ululatinghowlofhate.

Thejackalsflinchedattheawfulsound.Itprovedtoomuchfortheleaderofthepack,wholetoutanervousbarkandspedfromthegullywiththepackhardonitsheels.

Nagashcontinuedtohowllongaftertheyweregone,emptyingthelastdregsofairfromhislungsinalong,wordlesscurseagainstthelivingworld.Theexertionlefthimshiveringandweak,hisskinburningwithafeverthathadnobasisinthesicknessesoflivingflesh.

Likethejackals,heturnedhisfaceskyward,castingaboutforspoor.Thescentofpowerhungabovetheemptinessofthewasteland,emanatingfromtheslopesofadark,broodingmountainthatalwaysseemedtoliejustbeyondthefarhorizon.Ithadaflavourunlikeanythinghe’devertastedbefore;notdarkmagic,whichheknewwell,northefitfulheatofahumansoul.Itwassomethingfuriousandunfettered,primalandalienatthesametime.Itshonelikeabeaconintheemptiness,promisinghimvengeanceagainstthosewhohadbetrayedhimandcasthimoutintothewastes.Hethirstedforit,andyet,likeamirage,itseemedtorecedeintothedistancewitheverystephetook.Lately,eventhescentofithadgrownvague.Itwasgettingharderandhardertosenseitpastthepainofhisravagedbodyandthefeverbuzzinginhisskull.You’regrowingweaker,avoicesaid.Yourpowerisalmostspent.Darknesswaits,Usurper.Darkness

eternal,andthecoldwindsoftheAbyss.Nagashwhirled,hissingwithrage.Shestoodjustafewfeetaway,hertranslucentbodysilhouettedby

moonlight.Neferem,lastQueenofKhemri,lookedmuchasshedidthedayshedied:awithered,ravagedhuskofawoman,transformedintoalivingmummybyNagash’ssorceries.Onlyhereyes,largeandbrilliantascutemeralds,hintedatthebeautythathadbeentakenfromher.Herghostlyfigurewascladinraggedsamite,andthegoldenheaddressofaqueenrestedprecariouslyuponherbrow.

TheUsurperreachedoutwithhishandandclencheditatherlikeaclaw–buthisfebrilemindfailedhim.ThewordsofpowerthatonceboundtheghostsofNehekharatohiswillhadbeensomehowstolenfromhim.Rageandfrustrationboiledinsidehisbrain.

‘Witch!’hehissed.Hisvoicesoundedsomewherebetweenagrowlandagroan.‘IamNagashtheImmortal!Deathcannotclaimme!Ihavepassedbeyonditsgrasp!’Sohaveweall,Neferemrepliedsoundlessly.Hereyesglitteredwithhate.YousawtothatatMahrak.

ThepathstotheLandsoftheDeadarenomore,sweptawaywhenyouusedmetoundothesacredcovenantwiththegods.Nownoneofusshalleverknowpeace.Hershrivelledfacecontortedintotheghastlysemblanceofasmile.Especiallyyou.Snarlingwithfury,Nagashwhirledabout,tastingtheairfortracesoftheotherworldlypower.Itseemed

toliejustbeyondthelineofpeakstotheeast.Helurchedforward,scrabblingone-handedattheloosescreeliningthegullyslope.TheUsurperscaledthesteepinclinewithanawkward,spider-likegait.Whenhewasalmosttothetop,heturnedbacktoNeferem’svengefulspirit.

‘Youhauntmeatyourperil,witch!’hecroaked.‘WhenIfindthedarkmountainIwillhavethepowertoconsumesoulsandcommandthespiritsofthedeadasIoncedid!I’llfeastuponyou,then,andsilenceyourmoaningforever!’

Butthequeendidnothearhim.Shewasgone,asthoughshe’dneverbeenthere.NagashsearchedforNeferemamidtheshadowsofthegullyforalongtime,mutteringbitterlyto

himself.Once,hecalledhername,butherspiritwouldnotbesummonedsoeasily.Finallyheturnedandscrabbledtherestofthewayuptheslope.

Atthesummit,Nagashsawonlyabrokenseaoffoothills,stretchingofftothehorizon.Thedarkmountainhadrecededfromhimonceagain.Heturnedhisfaceskyward,castingaboutforthetrailoncemore,andthencontinuedhislimpingcourseeastward.

Hourslater,whenthepalemoonwasclosetoitszenith,anotherpackofscavengerscamesniffingintothegullywheretheUsurperhadbeen.Theycircledabouttherockyoverhang,hissingandchitteringtoeachotherintheirownstrangetongue.Aswithanypack,itwasthelargestofthecreaturesthatdecidedtheircourse,cuffingandthreateningtherestintosubmission.Theytoocontinuedeastward,moistnosesbentlowovertherocksastheyfollowedNagash’sstrange,unlivingscent.Theylopedandlurchedandscrabbledalong,sometimesonfourlegs,sometimesontwo.

Nagashhadsofarpassedbeyondthegraspofdeath,butnotbeyondthejawsofconstant,grindingagony.Everystep,everymovementofarmorhead,sentwavesofvivid,achingpainreverberatingthroughhiswastedbody.Theawfulwoundshe’dsufferedhardlytroubledhimatall–oratleast,nomoresothantheagonythatgrippedtherestofhisframe.Itwasaconsequenceoftheelixir,heknew.Themagicalpotion–wroughtfrombloodandlifeenergystolenfrominnocent,anguishedvictims–allowedhimtoretainthevigourofyouthforhundredsofyears,andwasthekeytocreatinganempireunheardofsincetheageofSettratheMagnificent.

Normally,itwouldalsohealnearlyanyinjury,nomatterhowsevere,butnotsincethatfatefuldayatMahrak,whenthearmyofLahmiahadthrowninitslotwiththerebelkingsoftheeastandunleashedtheirstrangeweaponsonhimandhisunlivinghost.HerememberedthewalloffireandacrescendoofthunderfromtheranksofLahmia’sblack-armouredwarriors,andthenwatchingthemassedranksofhiscorpse-soldiersdisintegratingbeforehim.Thetraitorshadturnedonhimjustashe’dwonhisgreatesttriumph.Mahrakhadbeencastdownandthesacredcovenantwithit.Thepowerofthepriesthoodandtheirparasitedeitieshadbeensweptaside,sothatonlyhe,NagashtheUndying,remained.

Ashemadehiswayslowlydowntherubble-strewnslopeofanotherdarkridgeline,Nagashheardawheezingbreathinhisear.Ithadarasping,raggedtone,likewindblowingacrosstheendofabrokenbranch.Youarenogod,aman’svoicesneered.DoyourememberwhatIsaidtoyouinyourtentatMahrak?You

areafool,Nagash.Anarrogant,deludedfoolwhothinkshimselftheequalofthegods.Andlookatyounow:amadman,cladinrags,stumblingblindlythroughadeadandpitilessland.

Shoutinginrage,Nagashwhirledatthevoice,buthisfootingslippedandhetumbledheadoverheelstothebottomofthetreacherousslope.Hefetcheduppainfullyagainstasmallboulder.Hislimbsweretwistedawkwardlybeneathhim,andatfirsttheyrefusedtoobeyhiswill.

Ashestruggledtoforcehisbodyintoaction,Nagashbecameawareofaghostlyfigureglaringdownathimfromalittlefurtherupslope.Nebuneferwasafrail,ancientlittleman,cladinthesamethreadbarerobeshe’dwornonthedayhe’ddied.Hiswrinkledheadlayatanunnaturalangle,thestubofbrokenvertebraejuttingpainfullyagainstthetautskinofhisbentneck.LikeNeferem,theoldpriest’seyesglitteredwithpurehate.Howthemightyhavefallen,Nebunefersaid.YoudaretocallthemightyPtraaparasite?Hecreatedthe

earth,andeverythingthatlivesuponit.Whatlittlepoweryoupossesswasstolen,rippedfromthesoulsoftheinnocent.It’sfinite,andthelastsandsofthehourglasshavealmostrunout.

‘Notyet,youoldfool,’Nagashsnarledback.‘Ifyouwerestillflesh,Iwouldwringyourneckasecondtime!Watch.’

Hislimbsfeltleaden,hisjointsfrozenlikecorrodedbronze,butNagashwouldnotbedenied.Slowly,clumsily,heforcedhisgoodarmtowork,andthenhislegs.Minuteslater,hestoodshakilyonhisfeetagain,butNebuneferwasgone.

‘Jackals,’hespatintothedarkness.‘We’llseewholaughslast.’

IttookmorethananhourforNagashtoclimbtheoppositeslope,snarlingcursesandburningwithfeverallthewhile.Hislimbsweregrowingstifferbythemoment.Hedrovehimselfonwardwithnothingmorethanthebeliefthatthedarkmountainwasjustahead,rightoverthetopofthenextridge.

Ithadtobe.Hewouldnotsuccumb.Hewouldnotfail.HewastherightfulKingofKhemri,heirtoSettra’sthrone,

andbyextensionthemasterofallNehekhara.Afaintwindhissedalongtheridgeline,justafewyardsoutofreach.Avoicedrifteddowntohim,riding

onthesandybreeze.Usurpationisnotaright,brother.Thutepstoodatthecrestoftheridge,hisfaceturnedtowardsthemoonhanginglowoverhead.Hisolder

brotherseemeddamnablyatpeace,staringupatNeru’sbeamingface.Onlyhisfingertips,worndowntostumpsofsplinteredbone,hintedathislast,awfulmoments,buriedaliveinsidehisowntomb.

‘Thestronghavetherighttorule,’Nagashhissed.‘Youwereweak.Youdidnotdeservethethrone.Khemri’sfortunessufferedunderyourreign.’

Thutepshrugged,nevertakinghiseyesfromthemoonandtheopensky.Thatwasthewillofthegods,hesaid.Youwereapriest,andaprinceoftherealm.Youwantedfornothing–

‘Nothingexceptanempire,’theUsurpersaidbitterly.‘HadIbeenfirstborn,thepeopleofKhemriwouldhaveservedmegladly,andthecitywouldhaveprospered.Ifyouwouldblameanyone,blamethosedamnedgodsyousoadore.Itwastheywhomademenomorethanasecondson.Itwastheirwillwhoultimatelysealedyouinsidethattomb.’

Hisbrotherhadnoanswertothat.BythetimeNagashreachedthesummit,Thutepwasgone.Beyondtheridgewasabroad,rockyplain.Thedarkmountain,anditspromiseofpower,mighthave

loomedamongthecompanyofadozenotherpeaksalongthehorizontotheeast.Beyondtheirjaggedsummits,theskywasalreadypalingwiththelightoffalsedawn.

Therewasnowheretohide.Nocaves,nooverhangs,nobrush-covereddepressionstocrawlintoandescapethefireofthesun.Nagashknewitwouldsearhisskininminutes,butthatwasoflittleconcerntohim.Farworsewasitseffectsontheelixir.Theolderheandhisimmortalshadbecome,themorethatsunlightsappedthestrengthoftheirstolenvigour.Whenheandhisarmiesmarchedtowar,theymovedinaperpetualdarknesswroughtbyfearsomesorcery.Evenatthepeakofhispowers,Nagashdoubtedhewouldhavesurvivedafullday’sexposuretothesun.

Asthingswerenow,hedidn’tthinkthathe’dlastmorethanafewminutes.Grittinghisteeth,Nagashbeganscrapingatthebakedground.Ptracouldnothavehim.Hewould

soonercoverhimselfindirtlikeananimalthanconcededefeattogodorman.MayIbeofservice,greatone?Thevoicewassoftandtoosincere,thekindoftoneaservantwouldtaketomockhismastertohisface.

ItsoundedrightbyNagash’sear.Withamonumentaleffort,heturnedhisheadandglancedupattheghostlyfigurekneelingbyhisside.

KhefruwasholdingouthishandtoNagash,asthoughtohelphimstand.Theformerpriest,whohadhelpedNagashlearnthesecretsofnecromancyandlaterconspiredwithhimtoseizethethrone,smileddownathisformermasterthroughamaskofflame.AstheUsurperwatched,thepriest’sbodybecamewreathedinsorcerousfire,justasithadcenturiespastwhenNagashhadlearnedofKhefruandNekerem’sbetrayal.

‘Traitor,’Nagashhissed.‘Snivellingcoward!Enslavingyourspiritwastoogoodforyou!IshouldhaveconsumedyouutterlywhenIhadthechance.’

ToNagash’ssurprise,theghost’sburningfaceturnedbitter.Moreisthepity,Khefrusaid.Betteroblivionthananeternitywanderinginthecoldplacesoftheworld.You’llunderstandsoonenough.Theformerservantturned,gaugingthetimeuntildawn.Notlongnow.

ButtheUsurperrefusedtobecowedbythespirit’sominouswords.‘Letitcome!’hesaid.‘WhatdoIcareifI’mfreedfromthisbrokenhuskofabody?Youwereneveramatchformeinlife,Khefru–notyou,norThutep,norevenNebuneferorNeferem.Youshallbemyslaveagain,youcur.Watchandsee.’

Khefru’ssmilebroadenedastheflamesbitdeepintothefleshofhisface.Doyouimaginethatit’sjustthefourofus?Oh,no,greatone.We’rejusttheoneswhocouldreachyoutheeasiest.Thereareothersoutthereintheshadows,waitingforyourdemise.AllthepeopleofMahrak,slaughteredintheirthousandsandcastadrift,withoutUsiriantojudgethemorDjaftoconductthemtotheafterlife.Allthesoldiersofbothsideswhofellinthefinalbattle,andalltheskirmisheswhocameafter,andallthecommonfolkwhoperishedinthefaminesandplaguesthatwrackedthelandafterwards.Youcannotimaginesomany,theformerservantsaid.Butyouwillhavealleternitytoentertainthem.

Thistime,Nagashwatchedthespiritgo.Khefrusimplystoodupandwalkedaway,withoutsomuchasa

backwardsglance.Heheadedwestwards,intothefleeingshadows,anddissipatedlikesmoke.

Thescavengersheardhimravinglongbeforetheyactuallysawhim.Hewaslyingfacedowninthemiddleofarockyplain,spittingcursesinatonguetheydidn’tunderstandanddirectedatnothingtheycouldsee.Thewastelandhadobviouslydriventhehairlessonemad,notthatitmadeanydifferencetothem.Hismeatwouldtastethesameregardless.

Thefourofthemwerestarving.Therehadbeensixofthemonceuponatime,whenthey’dbeensentfromthetunnelsoftheGreatCitytoscourtheWorldAboveforthehiddengiftsoftheGreatHornedOne.

Duringthesecondyearoftheirgreathunt,they’dseentheclawoftheirgodtraceagreenarcacrossthesky,andhadfolloweditstrailintothedepthsofthewasteland,wherethey’dfoundascargougedinthepackedearthandahandfuloftreasuresnestledtogetherlikeaclutchofnew-laideggs.

Greatwastheirfortune,orsothey’dbelieved.Greatwouldbetheirglorywhentheyreturnedwiththeirbountytotheclanmaster!Buttracingtheirstepsbackoutofthecursedwastehadprovedmuchmoredifficultthanthey’dbargainedfor.Afterthefirstfewmonthsthefoodhadrunout,andhuntingintherat-forsakenwastelandwasslim.Madwithhunger,they’dturnedononeanother,andthetwoweakesthadbecomefoodfortherest.

Whenthelastofthatmeatranout,morethanamonthago,thefourhuntershadspentweekswaitingforoneoftheirfellowstoslipupandbecomethenextmeal,butnoneofthemweresocareless.Finally,growingmoreandmoredesperate,oneofthebandbegangnawingattheHornedGod’ssky-gift,inhopesofgainingtheupperpawoverhiscompanions.Outofself-preservation,theotherhuntersbegantonibbletheirshareofthegod-stoneaswell.Ittorelikeaknifethroughtheirgutsandsettheirnervesonfire,butitlentthemenoughvigourtosurviveandkeepthestalemategoing.

Thehuntersateofthegod-stonesparingly,fearingthewrathoftheclan-masterwhentheyfinallydidmanagetoreturntothecity.Theirfurwasfallingoutinpatches,andawful,glowinglesionsappearedontherawskinbeneath.CatchingthescentofthehairlessonewasagiftfromtheHornedOnehimself,theyreasoned.Theyhopedtofindenoughmeatontheprey’sbonestolastthemuntiltheycouldescapethewastelandandmaketheirwayhome.

Whentheycaughtsightoftheprey’sshrivelled,leatherybodytheybegansquabblingoverthespoilsatonce.Knivesweredrawn.Threatswerespat.Allianceswereformedandbrokeninthespaceofminutes.Finally,theleaderofthelittlebandputanendtothebickeringanddeclaredthateachhunterwasentitledtooneoftheprey’slimbs.Oncethosewerecutoff,thetorsowouldbedividedfourways,andthenthey’dallgetturnssuckingthesweetmeatsoutoftheskull.Withdawnloomingcloseonthehorizon,thebandgrudginglyreachedanagreement.Theyshuffledaboutthehairlessone,choosingwhichlimbtheywantedandscheminghowtostealtherestwhenanopportunemomentarose.

Theleaderofthepackheftedhisknifeandflippedthepreyontohisback–thebettertogetattheentrailswhenthetimecame.Totheirsurprise,thepreywasstillalive,itseyeswideningatthesightoftheknifeinthepackleader’shand.Thehunterschuckled.Themealwouldcomewithalittleentertainmentaswell.

Hissingexpectantly,thepackleaderbentdownandgrabbedthebonywristoftheprey’sonegoodarm.Hestartedtostretchitoutforacleancutwhenthehairlessonerearedupwardwithahowlandsankitsteethintothehunter’sthroat!

Fleshtore.Hotbloodsprayedacrosstherockyground,andthepackleaderletoutachokingsqueak.Thehairlessonewasclumsyandslow,butthehunterswereweakthemselvesandstunnedbythesuddenferocityoftheattack.Theybarelyhadtimetoreactbeforetheirwould-bepreygrabbedtheknifefromthedyingpackleader’shandandburieditinthechestofthehuntertohisright.Then,withanexultanthowl,thehairlessoneleaptuponthethirdhunterandthetwofelltotheground,stabbingwildlyatoneanotherwiththeirknives.

Inthespaceofjustafewseconds,thepackhadbeenallbutdestroyed.Therealisationprovedtoomuchforthefourthhunter’sfragilecouragetowithstand.Itabandoneditspack-matesandfledsqueakingintothepre-dawnshadows.

Nagashpulledthecrudeknifefromthemonster’sthroat.Darkbloodbubbledfromthewound.Hebentover

itatonce,gulpingdownthehotliquidasthecreatureshudderedinitsdeaththroes.Thepower!Hecouldtasteitinthevilething’sblood.TheUsurperdrankdeep,marvellingatthefirethat

racedthroughhiswitheredlimbs.Whenthemonsterwasdeadheleanedback,chestheaving,facebathedingore.Hisemaciatedbody

shudderedassuccessivewavesofagonywrackedit,buthewelcomedthesensationforwhatitwas.Asemblanceofpowerwascoursingthroughhisformoncemore,restoringtohimasmallamountofvitality.

OnedayhewouldthankKhefrufortheincentivetotryhisluckwiththebeasts.Hadhenotbeensopersuadedtosurvive,thebattlemightnothavegonehalfsowellasitdid.

TheUsurperglancedabouttheplain,lookingforwherethelastofthemonstershadgone,butthecreaturehadvanishedfromsight.

Whatmonsterswerethese?Forthefirsttime,Nagashcouldstudyhisattackersindetail.Theylookedlikenothingsomuchasdiseasedmenwiththeheadsandnakedtailsofrats.Theywereevendressedinfilthykiltsmadeofsomesortofwovenplantmatter,nowfrayedandbegrimedwiththedustofthewasteland.Silverearringsglitteredfromtheirrodent-likeears,andoneworeathin,goldbraceletarounditsrightwrist.Eachofthemcarriedbronzeknivesofsurprisingquality,aswellmadeasanythingforgedindistantKa-Sabar.

Theonlyotherpossessionstheycarriedwererough,leatherbags,tightly-knottedandsecuredtotheirleatherbelts.Nagashreacheddownandtuggedattheoneonhislastvictim’sbelt–andfeltashockofpowerlikealivecoalburninginthepalmofhishand.Hedroppedthebagwithastart.Thenafteramoment’sthoughthecarefullyslicedopenthesidewiththepointofhisbloodyknife.

Atonce,asicklygreenglowemanatedfromtheslit.Workingcarefullywiththeknife,Nagashopeneditfurtheranddumpedthebag’scontentsontotheground.

Twosmalllumpsofglowinggreenstone,eachaboutthesizeofhisthumb,rolledontothehardground.Thelighttheycastwasintense.Whereittouchedhisbareskinitsethisnervestotingling.

Nagashreacheddownandcarefullypickedoneup.Heatsuffusedhisfingertips,radiatingfromthestoneinasteady,buzzingstream.Heinspectedthestonecarefully,andwasshockedtofindwhatlookedliketeethmarkschiselledintoitsroughsurface.Thecreatureswereeatingtherock?Thatexplainedthetracesofpowerintheirblood.

TheUsurper’sheartbegantorace.Thecreaturesmusthavecomefromthedarkmountain.Howelsecouldtheyhavecomebythesamepowerhesought?Nootherexplanationmadesense.

Already,thepainwasfadingfromhislimbs,settlingintoadullachethatpulsedlikeahotemberinhischest.Heconsideredtheglowingrockforamomentmore,andabruptlyreachedadecision.Settingthestonebackontheground,hetookthehiltofhisknifeandbrokeitintothreesmallerpieces.

Withonlyamoment’shesitation,Nagashpickedupthesmallestpieceandswallowedit.FireburstalongeverynerveintheUsurper’sbody.Hismusclesswelledwithpower;hisscalptingled

untilitburned.Nagash’smindreeledundertheonslaught.Itwasfarwilderandhardertochannelthananypowerhe’dknownbefore,buttheintensitywasstillnothingliketheenormousenergieshe’dwieldedinthepast.Itragedthroughhisbody,wreakinghavoconfleshandbone.Heseizeditwithhiswillanddirectedtheragingtorrentwherehewishedittogo.

Therewasacrackleofboneandacreakofdecayedsinew.TheUsurperthrewbackhisheadandhowledhissufferingtotheskyashisruinedleftarmknitbacktogether.Next,foulsmellingsmokepouredfromtheholesinhistorsoandforehead.Hedoubledover,stillshriekinginpain,asfleshandorganswereshiftedaside.Thump.Thump.Thump.Oneafteranother,threesmall,darkmetalballsthuddedtotheground,wreathed

inpalegreenishsteam.Secondslater,NagashtheUsurperwaswholeagain,inbodyifnotinmind.Thefirstraysofdawnwerebreakingoverthedistantpeaks.Withatremblinghand,Nagashgatheredup

therestofthestonesandtuckedthembackintotheslitpouch.Ashequicklydraggedthebodiesofthecreaturesovertohim,hecouldsensethatmorestonesresidedinthepouchesoftheothercreatureshe’dkilled.

Itwasn’tmuch,butitwouldbeenough,theUsurpervowed.Thestoneswouldsustainhimandguidehimtothegreatmountain,wherehewouldlearntomasteritsfearsomepower.

AsPtra’slightburnedoverhead,Nagashcurledupontherockyground,shieldedbeneaththebodiesofthosehe’dslain,anddreamedofthedoomthatwouldbefallNehekhara.

OneBalanceofPower

Lahmia,TheCityoftheDawn,inthe70thyearofBasththeGraceful(-1650ImperialReckoning)

TheyellowsilkroofoftheHallofRebirthrippledlikeagreatsailinthefresheningwindblowingfromthecoast,anditspolishedcedartimbersgroanedlikeagreatshipatsea.Thecomparisonseemedparticularlyapt,Neferatathoughtbitterly,giventhelegionofshipwrightsthathadbeenhastilydraftedtobuildit.

PreparationsforthegreatCouncilofKingshadgoneonforthreesolidmonths,beginningontheverydaythatthefatefulnewshadarrivedfromKa-Sabar.EvenaswordracedthroughthewindingcitystreetsthattheCityofBronzehadfallenatlast,andthelongwaragainsttheUsurperhadfinallycometoanend,KingLamashizzarwasalreadydiggingintothecitytreasuryinanticipationofhisroyalpeers’arrival.Commissionsbythehundredflowedfromthepalaceanddescendedlikeflocksofseabirdsontheastonishedcitymerchantsandtradingfactors:jarsoffinewinebythehundreds;casksofbeerbythethousands;cunninggiftsofgold,silverandbronze;balesofsilkbythetonandaqueen’sransominfinespicesandrareincense.

Andthatwasonlythebeginning.SwifttradingshipspliedthefickleseasbetweenLahmiaandtheEasternEmpire’stradingcitiestobringbackthefinest,mostexoticdelicaciesthattheSilkLandscouldproduce,whilethedockyardswerestrippedofeveryablehandtobuildavasttentcityontheGoldenPlain.Asspringgavewaytosummeritseemedasthougheveryable-bodiedman,womanandchildwasworkingfeverishlytocompletetheking’sgranddesign.

Whentherebelleadersfinallyarrived,inthelastmonthofsummer,theyweremetattheedgeoftheGoldenPlainbyLamashizzarhimself,attheheadofarichly-dressedpanoplyofcourtesans,artists,musiciansandservants.Afterbeingshoweredwithsmallgifts–fromringsandbraceletstofineswordsandsplendidchariots–therulerswereconductedacrossthegreat,fertileplaintothesprawlingcityofsilktentssetasidefortheirservantsandretainers.Thegentlebreezesthatcaressedtheplainturnedthetentcityintoaripplingbanneroffestivecolour:seagreenforZandri,goldforNumas,blueforLybarasandbrilliantredforRasetra.

Theroyalprocessionsdescendedupontheirencampmentswithwearydelight,andallowedafewhourstorestandrefreshthemselvesbeforethecelebrationsbeganinearnest.Then,atsunset,Lamashizzarandhispanoplysummonedhisroyalguestswithablareofgoldentrumpetsandledtheminatriumphantprocessionthroughthestreetsofhiscity.

ThepeopleofLahmiacommemoratedtheendofthewarforsevenecstaticdays,andfromthehallsofthepalacetothemeanstreetsnearthedockyards,theking’sroyalguestsweretreatedlikesaviours.Theywantedfornothing,exceptperhapsafewhours’resthereandtherebetweenrevelsandenoughroomintheirbaggagetocarryallofLamashizzar’srichgiftsbackhomewiththem.

Itwasonlyattheendoftheweek,whentheking’sguestswerethoroughlywornoutandmorethanalittleoverwhelmedbytheLahmians’wealthandgenerosity,thatLamashizzarconvenedtheCouncilofKingstodecidethefutureofNehekhara.

ThegreatHallofRebirthhadbeenbuiltbythecity’scarpentersandshipwrightsinthespaceoccupiedbythepalace’sgrandroyalgardens.Infact,thewoodenstructureencompassedthegardensthemselves,creatingtheillusionthatthecouncilchamberwassurroundedbyatamedwilderness.Brilliantlycoloured

songbirds,manyimportedatgreatcostfromtheSilkLands,filledthespacewithmusic,whilefountainsburbledserenelyjustoutofsight.Servantscameandwentalonghiddenpaths,bearingrefreshmentstotheguests,whosataroundahuge,circularmahoganytableinaclearingatthefarendofthegarden.Theeffectofsomuchvibrant,harnessedlifeonthedesertrulerswasnothingshortofstunning.

Theentirespectacle,fromstarttofinish,hadbeencalculatedascarefullyasanymilitarycampaign,Neferataunderstood.Itwascouchedtotempt,seduceandintimidatetherulersofeastandwest,andmuddlewhateveralliancestheymighthaveforgedagainstLahmia’sinterests.Itwasalsostupendously,ruinouslyexpensive.Thecity’streasurywasvirtuallyempty.AllofthewealththattheirfatherLamasheptrahadsocarefullybuiltduringthedarkyearsofNagash’sreignwasgone.Theirlastreserveshadbeenthrownawayonasingle,extravagantthrowofthedice.Therewasnotenoughgoldinthecofferstomakeevenaquarterofthecomingyear’spaymenttotheEasternEmpire;ifLamashizzar’snegotiationsdidnotbearfruit,theCityoftheDawnfacedcertaindisaster.

Whilethekinggambledwithhiscity’sfuture,Neferatawaslefttowatchtheproceedingsfromabroadbalconythatspannedtherearofthegreathallandoverlookedthegreatcounciltable.Herhandmaidensloungedonsilkcushionsandatecandieddateswhiletheygossipedinhushedtonesaboutthescandalsfromthepreviousweek’scelebrations.Adelicatefogofincensecurledjustabovetheirheads:myrrhspicedwithblacklotus,torelievetheboredom.Servantskneltatthefringesofthechamberalerttothequeen’severyneed.Alowtable,withsheetsofpaperandaninkbrush,hadbeenhastilysetbesideherasshestudiedthevisitingrulersfrombehindapolishedwoodenscreen.

AsprecariousasLahmia’sfuturemightbe,judgingbytheappearanceoftheirguestsitwasevidenttoNeferatathattheothergreatcitieswereinafarworsestate.Duringhisunnaturalreign,NagashtheUsurperhadrecreatedtheNehekharanEmpireinprincipleifnotinname,subjugatingtheothergreatcitiesthroughthepowerheheldoverKhemri’shostagequeen,Neferem.

Forcenturies,eachcityhadbeenforcedtopaytributetotheUsurperintheformofgoldandslaves,drivingthemtothebrinkofruin.WhenthepriestsofKhemri–attheurgingoftheirsuperiorsontheHieraticCouncilinMahrak–finallyattemptedtounseatNagashandendhisblasphemousreign,theUsurperretaliatedwithaterriblecursethatstruckdowntwo-thirdsofNehekhara’spriesthoodinthespaceofasingleday.

Itwasthatoneactofinfamythatfinallycausedthepriestkingstoriseupinrevolt,buttheUsurperfoughtbackwithdarkmagicsandterribleatrocitiesthatdevastatedtheBlessedLandandslaughteredthousands.YetevenwhentheUsurper’sarmywasfinallydefeated,closetoadozenofhisimmortallieutenantsescapeddestructionandcontinuedtobedevilthelandfordecades.

Ratherthancelebratetheirhard-wontriumphatMahrak,thePriestKingswerefacedwithalong,gruellingcampaignofterrorandattritionastheyhunteddowneverylastoneoftheUsurper’sminions.SinceNagash’sbodyhadneverbeenfound,itwassecretlyfearedthatoneofthemstillpossessedtheUsurper’scorpseand,ifgiventheopportunity,mightbeabletorestorethedreadednecromancertolife.Ithadtakenninetyyearstofinishthetask,slayingthelastofNagash’simmortalsafteralengthysiegeatKa-Sabar,theCityofBronze.

ThelongyearsofwarhadleftanindeliblemarkoneachofNehekhara’srulers.Theyweregauntfromstrainanddeprivationthatnoamountofeasylivingcouldevererase.Fewworejewellery,orgiltadornmentsontheirrobesofstate,andthefinefabricsoftheirceremonialattireseemedshabbyandworn.Evennow,amidtheverdantluxuryofthegreathall,theirexpressionswerehauntedandfretful,asthoughtheyexpectedfreshhorrorshidingineveryshadow.

Neferatawasvividlyremindedofthatnightinthecellars,nowdecadespast,whenLamashizzarandhiscabalhadreturnedfromthewar.Andthey’dscarcelyfoughtmorethanahandfulofbattles,whilethesemenandwomenhaveknownnothingelsetheirentirelives,shethought.

Yetasbeleagueredandbrokenastheserulersmightbe,theywerenottobeunderestimated,thequeenknew.Whenthedoorstothegreathallwereopened,Lamashizzar’sguestshadfiledthroughthegardensinsolemnprocession,ledbythePriestKingsofRasetraandLybarasandtheyoungQueenofNumas.Eachofthethreerulersboreasandalwoodboxintheirhands,andwhentheyreachedthegreatcounciltabletheysettheboxesbeforethesmilingLahmiankinganddrewforththeircontents.

TheseveredheadsofRaamket,theRedLord,andAtan-Heru,theGreatBeast,hadbeentreatedwith

nitreandthesacredoilsofthemortuarycult,andlookedmuchastheyhadatthemomentoftheirdeaths.Theirpaleskinwasmottledwithburnsfromthetouchofthesun,andtheirlipsweredrawnbackinsavage,almostbestialsnarls,revealingteeththathadbeenfiledtopointsandstainedbrownwithhumanblood.Thethirdhead,bycomparison,wasroundandfleshyasasucklingpig’s,withsmall,beadyeyeshiddenbyathickbandofkohl.

Memnet,theformerGrandHierophantofKa-Sabar,whomurderedhiskingandservedNagashinexchangeforeternallife,hadwailedlikeababeashewasdraggedbeforetheheadsman.AnexpressionofcraventerrorwasstilletchedonMemnet’sjowlyface.

Theheadsstillsatinthecentreofthetable,theirhideousexpressionsturnedtofaceLamashizzar.Themessage–toNeferata,atleast–wasclear.We’vedoneourpart,whileyousatinyourcitybythesea.Nowyou’llhelpusrebuild,ortheremightbeonemoreheadonthistablebyday’send.Atthispoint,itwasdifficulttosaywhetherLamashizzar’sdisplayofwealthhadsuccessfullyunderminedhisguests,orsimplystrengthenedtheirresolve.

Thequeenbitherlipinirritation.Weshouldbedecidingthisonthebattlefield,shethought.Wecanalwaysmakemoresoldiers.Goldismuchhardertocomeby.

Itwasmid-afternoon.Thecouncilhadbeeninsessionforalmostfivehours,duringwhichtimeLamashizzarenquiredoftheneedsofeachofhisguestsandmadeoffersofassistanceintheformofmonetaryloansandtradeagreements.Dizzyingsumsofgoldwerehaggledover,whilescribeshurriedlydraftedcopiesofproposalsthatwouldgoverntheflowofgoodsacrossNehekharaforgenerationstocome.

TradewiththeEasternEmpirewouldrejuvenatetheBlessedLand’seconomy,andopenupavastnewrealmofmarketsforNehekharangoods–andallofitwouldpassthroughtheCityoftheDawn.Eachoftherulershadbeengiventhechancetospeak,andabrieflullhadsettledoverthetablewhileeachofthecouncilmemberstookstockoftheircurrentpositions.Offtotheeastcameadistantgrumbleofthunderasalate-summerrainshowermadeitswaytowardsthecoast.

Neferataheardarustleofcushionsbehindher,followedbyafamiliarcat-liketreadasheryoungcousinKhalidacametositbesideher.

‘GreatGods,isitfinallyover?’thegirlasked,slumpingtheatricallyontothequeen’slap.‘We’vebeentrappedinhereforever.Iwantedtogooutridingbeforetheraincamein.’

Neferatachuckleddespiteherself.Khalidahadn’ttheleastinterestincourtlygossiporaffairsofstate.Atfifteenshewastallandcoltish,fullofsomuchrestlessenergythateventhesprawlingWomen’sPalacewasn’tlargeenoughtocontainher.Shewasmuchlikeherfather,LordWakhashem,awealthynoblemanandcloseallyofKingLamasheptra,whohadsecuredastrategicmarriagetoNeferata’sauntSemunet.BothhaddiedwhenKhalidawasveryyoung,andaccordingtotraditionshehadbeenreturnedtothekeepingoftheroyalfamilyuntilsuchtimeasahusbandcouldbefoundforher.Shewaspassionateabouthorses,archery–evenswordplay–andhadlittleinterestinthefineraspectsofcourtlybehaviour.LamashizzardismayedofeverfindinganoblemanwhowouldtakeKhalida,butNeferatawassecretlyproudofher.

Thequeenreacheddownandstrokedthegirl’sdarkhair.Shekeptitindozensoftight,oiledbraids,liketheNumasihorse-maidensoflegend.‘Therealworkhasscarcelybegun,littlehawk,’Neferatasaidfondly.‘Upuntilnow,thecouncilhasmerelyarguedmattersoftaxesandtrade.Trivialmatters,inthegranderschemeofthings.’

Khalidalookedupatthequeen.ThegoddessAsaphhadn’tblessedherwiththeradiantbeautythatNeferataandmostoftheLahmianroyalbloodlinepossessed.Shewasstriking,inafierce,angularway,withasharpnose,asmall,squarechinanddark,piercingeyes.Shefrowned.‘Trivialcomparedtowhat?’

Thequeensmiled.‘Comparedtopower,ofcourse.ThedecisionsmadeherewilldeterminethebalanceofpowerinNehekharaforcenturiestocome.Eachoftherulersseatedbelowushastheirownideaofhowthatbalanceshouldbestruck.’

Khalidatooktheendofoneofherbraidsbetweenherfingersandtwirleditthoughtfully.‘Thenwhodecideswhichideaisbest?’

‘Wedo,atthemoment.’AndLamashizzarhadbestexploitthisopportunitytothefullest.NeferatatookKhalidabytheshouldersandpulledhergentlyupright.‘PayattentiontosomethingotherthanhorsesforamomentandI’lltrytoexplain.’

Khalidasighedheavily.‘Ifitwillmakethetimegofaster.’

Thequeennoddedapprovingly.‘ItbeginswithKhemri,’shesaid.‘SincethetimeofSettratheMagnificent,thelivingcitywasthecentreofpowerinNehekhara.EvenafterSettra’sempirefell,theLivingCityanditsmortuarycultexertedtremendouspoliticalandeconomicinfluencefromoneendoftheBlessedLandtotheother.Theirinterestswereguaranteedbeforeallothers,andthattranslatedtopower,comfortandsecurity.NextinlinecameMahrak,theCityoftheGods,thenKa-Sabar,Numas,Lybaras,Zandri,LahmiaandQuatar.’

‘NumaswasmorepowerfulthanLybaras?’Khalidaexclaimed.‘They’refarmers,mostly.Lybarashadairships!’

‘TheNumasiprovidedthegrainformostofNehekhara,’thequeensaidpatiently.‘Youcan’teatanairship,littlehawk.’

‘Isuppose,’thegirlsaid.‘Butwhataboutus?Whywerewesolowonthelist?’Neferatasighed.‘BecauseweweresodistantfromKhemri,forstarters.Zandriwascloser,andwas

somewhatricherduetotheslavetrade.Andunlikeothercities,wepreferredtokeeptoourselves.’‘ButNagashchangedallthat.’‘That’sright.Khemriisnothingbutruinsnow,aswellasMahrak,andmostoftheothercitiessuffered

greatlythankstotheUsurper.Nowthatthewarisover,everythingliesinflux.’ItwasthenthatKingLamashizzar’svoiceroseabovethemutedmurmurofthehall.‘Myhonoured

friend,PriestKingKhepra;doyouwishtoaddressthecouncil?’AheavywoodenchaircreakedasKhepra,PriestKingofLybaras,roseslowlytohisfeet.Thesonofthe

lateKingHekhmenukeplookedmuchlikehisillustriousfather:hewastallandlean,withnarrowshouldersandasquare-jawed,hangdogface.Unlikehisfather,though,Khepra’sarmsandshoulderswerethickwithmuscle,andhishandsandfaceborethescarsofdozensofbattlefields.

LikethekingsofLybarasbeforehim,Khepraworeafinegoldchainabouthisneck,hungwithabewilderingassortmentofglasslensesboundingold,silverorcopperwire.Itwasarelicfromamoreprosperous,peacefulage,whentheengineer-priestsofLybarascraftedwondrousinventionsforthegreatergloryofTahoth,patrongodofscholars.

ThekingnoddedtoLamashizzar.‘Greatking,onbehalfofyouresteemedguests,Iwishtothankyouforthissplendiddisplayofgenerosityonourbehalf.I’malsogratefultoseethatallofushavecometogethertodaytoensurethecontinuedprosperityofourgreatcities,andthelandofNehekharaasawhole.Itisawelcomebeginning,buttherearestillveryseriousmattersthatrequireourattention.’

Neferata’seyesnarrowed.‘Nowitbegins,littlehawk.Watchthefacesoftherulersaroundthetable.HowaretheyreactingtotheLybaranking?’

Theyounggirlfrowned,butdidasshewastold.‘Well…they’relookingcurious,Isuppose.Politelyinterested.’Shepaused,herheadtiltingslightlytooneside.‘ExceptfortheKingofRasetra.’

‘Oh?’thequeenasked,smilingfaintly.‘He’snotevenlookingatKhepra.He’spretendingtosiphiswine,butreallyhe’swatchingeveryone

else.’Neferatanoddedapprovingly.‘Nowyouknowwhoistrulyaskingthequestion.KingKheprais

speakingonRasetra’sbehest,whileKingShepretcandevotehisfullattentiontogaugingthereactionsofhisrivals.’

RasetraandLybarashadbeenclosealliesduringthewar,andhadbornethebruntofthefightingfrombeginningtoend.WhateveritwasthatRasetrawasnowafter,KingShepretcouldalmostcertainlycountonKhepra’ssupportinthecouncil.She’dtriedtowarnLamashizzartofindawaytodriveawedgebetweenthetwokings;ifhedidn’toneoftheotherkingswouldn’thesitatetotry.

Neferataturnedtothetableathersideandpickedupthewaitinginkbrush.Shewrotehurriedlyinthesharp-edgedpictographsoftheEasternEmpire’stradingcant:DivideRasetraandLybaras,ortheywilloutmanoeuvreyou!

Shepaused,tappingtheendofthebrushagainstherlowerlipasathoughtoccurredtoher.KingKhepra’ssonisinneedofawife.PerhapsKhalida?

Shepluckedapinchoffine-grainedsandfromatinyboxbytheink-potandscattereditacrossthepictographstohelpsettheink,thenheldoutthepageforaservanttocarrydownstairstotheking.

‘Whilewenowhaveplansinplacetoensurethestabilityofourownhomes,therearestillthreecities

thataredesolateanddevoidofleadership,’theKingofLybarassaid.‘Wecannotsitidlybyandwatchthemfalltoruin.’

‘Generouswordsfromamanwhojustspentthelastfouryearsdesolatingoneoftheverycitiesinquestion,’Lamashizzarrepliedgood-naturedly.Theotherrulerslaughedatthegentlejibe,butforamomentKingKheprawasputonthebackfoot.Hefalteredforamoment,unabletocomeupwithaproperresponse.

‘ThecityofKa-Sabaristheleastofourconcernsatthemoment,’KingShepretsaidinaflatvoice.Hewasleanandmuscular,withhislatefather’sbroadshoulders,butwherethelegendarykingRakh-amn-hotepwasstoutandpugnacious,Sheprethadtheaquilinefeaturesofanup-countrypatrician.

Thoughhewasjustoverahundredyearsold,wellintomiddleage,histhickblackhaironlyshowedafewstreaksofgrey,andhisgreeneyeswereasvividandsharpascutemeralds.‘TheLivingCityhaslaininruinsforalmostacentury.’HesetdownhiswinecupandturnedhispiercinggazeonLamashizzar.‘Nowthatthewarisover,wemustreclaimthecityandrestoretherightfulorderofthings.’

Agitatedmurmursrosearoundthecounciltable.Khalidagrinned.‘LamashizzarmadeShepretstatehisowncase,’shesaidproudly.SheglancedsidelongatNeferata.‘Thatiswhathappened,right?’

Neferatasighed.‘WithLamashizzarit’sdifficulttotell,sometimes.Butpossibly,yes.’‘ButwhydoesKingShepretcareaboutrestoringtheLivingCity?Doesn’thehaveenoughworrieswith

thelizardfolk?’Thequeengaveheryoungcousinanappraisingstare.ApparentlyKhalidawasn’tasoblivioustomatters

ofstateassheappearedtobe.Rasetrawasthesmallestofthegreatcities,butbecauseofitsproximitytothedeadlysouthernjunglesanditstribesofLizardFolk,theirarmywassecondtonone.ButthewarhadbledRasetrawhite,andnowthecitywasfightingforitssurvivalagainstgrowingattacksbylizardwarparties.

Neferataconsideredthequestioncarefully.‘It’snotentirelyunexpected,’shesaid.‘RasetrawasoriginallysettledbyKhemri,justafewhundredyearsago.WhenKingSheprettalksofputtinganotherkingonKhemri’sthrone,hemeansoneofhisownsons.They’redirectlyrelatedtotheoldroyalfamily,andhaveanunassailableclaim.ItwouldgiveRasetraapowerfulallyonthewesternsideoftheBitterPeaks,andallowittoexertitsinfluenceacrossallofNehekhara.’

Atthecounciltable,Lamashizzarclearedhisthroat,andthemurmursfellsilent.‘That’saverynoblegoal,honouredfriend,’thekingsaid,‘butalsoadauntingone.Khemriliesemptynow.Onlyjackalsandrestlessghostsprowlthecitystreets.’

KingShepretnodded.Asayoungman,he’dbeenwithhisfather’sarmywhenthey’dreachedKhemri,justafewmonthsafterthebattleatMahrak.He’dseenthecity’ssand-chokedstreetsfirsthand.‘Accordingtomysources,manyofKhemri’scitizensfledtoBelAliad,hopingtobeginanewlifethere.’Heshrugged.‘Theycouldberesettledagain,withtheproperincentive.’

Khalidaletoutasnort.‘Attheendofaspear,hemeans.’Thegirlwasabsolutelyright,Neferatarealised.Sheturnedquicklyandtookuptheinkbrushagain.

GiveShepretwhathewants,shewrote.GivehimKhemri.Aservantscurriedforwardsandpluckedthemessagefromthequeen’soutstretchedhand.

Khalidawatchedtheservantgo.‘Doesthekingactuallyfollowyouradvice?’‘It’sbeenknowntohappen,’Neferatareplied.‘IsittrueyouactuallyruledthecitywhenhewasfightingagainstNagash,allthoseyearsago?’ThequestiontookNeferataaback.‘Whotoldyouthat?’‘Oh,’Khalidasaid,suddenlyuncomfortable.‘Nooneinparticular.Everybodyknowsit–insidethe

Women’sPalace,atleast.’‘Well,it’snothingthatneedstoberepeatedelsewhere,’thequeenwarned.‘Othercitiesmaytreattheir

queensdifferently,buthereinLahmia,suchthingsarenotdone.’Shepaused,uncertainofhowmuchsheshouldreveal.‘Let’sjustsaythatitwasadifficulttime,andwewereatadelicatestageofnegotiationswiththeEasternEmpire.I…consultedwithGrandVizierUbaidonanumberofimportantmatterswhilethekingwasaway.Nothingmore.’

Khalidanoddedthoughtfully,andturnedtoregardthecounciloncemore.‘Shepretwouldhavebeenrightaboutmyagebackthen,’shemused.‘Helookssooldnow.YetyouandLamashizzarstilllookasyoungasthirty-year-olds.’

Neferatastiffened.YouseemuchmorethanIgiveyoucreditfor,littlehawk.

Forthelastninedecades,LamashizzarandhiscabalhadbeenhardatworkdecipheringNagash’stomesandtryingtoreplicatehiselixirofimmortality.Forthefirstfewyearsthekinghadconsultedherregularly,anddespitehermisgivings,she’dhelpedexplainthenecromancer’sbasicmethodsincraftingpotionsandperformingincantations.RelinquishingcontrolofthecitytoLamashizzarhadbeenmuchhardertobearthanshe’dimagined;experimentingwithNagash’sbookshadatleastgivenhersomethingtodo.Returningtoaquiet,cloisteredlifeintheWomen’sPalaceseemedlikeafateworsethandeath.

Ithadtakenthemfouryearsoftrialanderrorbeforetheymanagedtocreateaveryweakversionoftheelixir.Afterthat,LamashizzarnolongersummonedherfromtheWomen’sPalace.Shereceivedasmallbottleofthepotioneverymonth,whichmanagedtoslowtheprocessofageing,butnothingmore.Asfarassheknew,Lamashizzarandhisnoblemenstillexperimentedwiththeprocess,inanunusedwingofthepalace.ShehadnoideawhathadeventuallybecomeofArkhan,theking’simmortalprisoner.

‘MybrotherandIhavebeenveryfortunate,’Neferatareplied,ascasuallyasshecouldmanage.‘TheblessingsofAsaphrunstrongintheroyalbloodline.Theyalwayshave.’

Khalidachuckled.‘IhopeI’mhalfsoluckywhenI’mahundredyearsold,’shesaid.‘Timewilltell,’thequeenreplied,eagertochangethesubject.‘What’swasKingTeremunsayingjust

now?’Theyounggirlblinked.‘Ah…IthinkheaskedShepretwhathemeantbyrestoringtherightfulorder.

Somethingtothateffect.’AsNeferataconsideredthequestion,ShepretturnedtotheKingofZandriandreplied.‘Thewillofthe

peoplehasbeenwornthinbyacenturyofwarfare.WeneedtosendaclearsignthattheageofNagashisnomore.ThereneedstobeanewkingonSettra’sthrone,andaDaughteroftheSunathisside.’

Neferatadrewinasharpbreath.Thatwasclever,Shepret,thequeenthought.Verycleverindeed.ItwasaproposalalmostguaranteedtowinLahmia’ssupport.FromthetimeofSettratheMagnificent,

thePriestKingsofKhemriweremarriedtotheeldestdaughteroftheLahmianroyalline.TheLahmianking’sfirstborndaughterwascalledtheDaughteroftheSun,becauseshewasthelivingembodimentofthecovenantbetweenthegodsandthepeopleoftheBlessedLand.ThemarriagewasmeanttocreateaunionbetweenthespiritualandtemporalpowerofSettra’sthrone,andithadbeenoneofthecornerstonesofKhemri’spowereversince.

Clearly,theKingofRasetrawasproposinganalliancewithLahmia,onethat,intheory,wouldbenefitbothcities.Itwasalsosomethingthatnoneoftheothergreatcitieswouldstandfor.

Asifoncue,QueenAmunetofNumasturnedinherchairtofaceShepret.ShewasthedaughterofSeheb,oneofthetwinkingsofthecity,andtheonlysurvivoraftertheviciouscycleoffratricidethatoccurredinthewakeofthetwins’suddendeaths.Shehadeyesasblackasonyxandasmilelikeahungryjackal.

‘You’reputtingthechariotbeforethehorse,KingShepret,’theQueenofNumassaiddryly.‘Lamashizzarandhisqueenhavetoactuallyproducechildrenbeforeyourdreamcanbecomeareality.’

Therestofthecouncilrespondedwithnervouslaughter–allexceptforthesicklyKingNaeemofQuatar,whoplantedtremblinghandsontothetabletopandpushedhimselftohisfeet.Naeemwasofanagewithhispeers,butasayoungacolytehe’dbeenamongthosetrappedatMahrakduringNagash’sten-yearsiege,andhe’dnevertrulyrecoveredfromthesufferinghe’denduredthere.Hisbodywaspainfullygaunt,hisheadbaldandhischeekssunken.Whenhespoke,hisvoicewaslittlemorethanawhisper,buthisrheumyeyesburnedwithconviction.

‘KingShepretspeaksofrestoringtheproperorderofthings,buthisprioritiesaremisplaced,’Naeemdeclared.‘ThegreatestoftheUsurper’scrimeswasthathebrokethesacredcovenantbetweenthepeopleandtheirgods.Theblessingsthathavesustainedusformillenniaareslippingaway.Thesandspressalittleclosertoourcitieseachyear,andourharvestsaredwindling.Ourpeoplesufferalittlemoreeachyearfromsickness,anddonotlivethesamespanofyearsasourancestors.Unlesswefindawaytoredeemourselvesintheeyesofthegods,withinafewhundredyearsNehekharawillbeakingdomofthedead.’

Khalida’seyeswidened.‘Isthistrue?’Neferata’slipspressedtogetherinirritation.‘Ihaven’thadtheopportunitytomeasurethesizeofour

fieldslately,’sheanswered.‘Itcertainlysoundsominousenough,butrememberthatNaeemwasapriestlongbeforehebecameaking,sohisconvictionsaremorethanalittlesuspect.’

Theyounggirlfrowned.‘Whatdoesthatmean?’‘Waitandlisten.’Downatthecounciltable,Lamashizzarspoke.‘What,then,wouldyouhaveusdo?’hesaidtoNaeem.FromthelookonNaeem’sface,theanswerseemedobvioustohim.‘Why,thepeoplemustfirstbe

remindedoftheirdutytothegods!’hereplied.‘WemustsparenoefforttorebuildMahrak,andrestoretheHieraticCounciltoitsproperplaceinNehekharansociety.’

‘Nowwegettotheheartofthematter,’thequeensaidtoKhalida.‘Naeemhasbeenlisteningtothosebitteroldbuzzardsthathaveroostedinhiscourt.’

ThroughoutthehistoryofNehekhara,theHieraticCouncilhadpresumedtospeakonbehalfofthegodsthemselves,issuingedictsandmeddlingintheaffairsofkingsfromtheirseatofpoweratMahrak.Withtemplesineveryoneofthegreatcitiesandreligiousadvisorsinalloftheroyalcourts,theirwealthandinfluencehadbeentremendous.TheirgriponNehekharansocietyhadfinallybeenbrokenbytheUsurper,andsincethefallofMahraktheremnantsofthecouncilhadtakenrefugeatQuatar,wheretheycontinuedtoissuedirewarningsaboutthepassingoftheoldways.AsfarasNeferetawasaware,noneofNehekhara’srulersseemedwillingtolistentotheirharanguesanymore.Theirdivinepowershadfaded,andthegloriesoftheUshabti,theirholychampions,werenothingmorethanafadingmemory.Theirdaywasdone.

Lamashizzarraisedaplacatinghand.‘Yourpietydoesyougreatcredit,KingNaeem,’hesaidsmoothly,‘andI’msurethatallofourfriendsherewouldagreethatwewouldliketoseethecouncilrestoredtoMahrakoneday.Ofcourse,Idon’tneedtotellyou,ofallpeople,howourcitieshavesufferedduringthislongwar–’

‘Ifitwasn’tfortheHieraticCouncil,noneofuswouldbesittingheretoday!’Naeemshotback.Hiswateryeyeswidenedinrighteousindignation.‘ItwastheywhoforgedthegreatalliancebetweenRasetraandLybaras!Theywhofinancedthebuildingofthearmiesandtheenginesofwar!Weowethem–’

‘Nooneherehasclaimedotherwise,’Lamashizzarreplied,hisvoicetakingonasteelyedge.‘JustasnooneherehasclaimedtopossesstheresourcestorebuildKhemri,either.’

Neferatastraightened.Don’tbeafool,brother,shethought.Youhaveagoldenopportunityhere.Don’tsquanderit!

‘Foracentury,everyoneherehasgivenmuchintheserviceofthecommongood,’Lamashizzarcontinued,convenientlyoverlookingthefactthathalfofthecitiesrepresentedatthetablesidedwithNagashupuntiltheverylastmomentoutsideMahrak.‘Ithinkthegodswouldforgiveusifwenowfocussedonregainingourstrength,ifonlyforashortwhile.Vastrestorationprojectsare,inmyopinion,abitprematureatthispoint.Doesanyonedisagree?’

TheKingofQuatarglaredarchlyattheassembledrulers,butevenShepretsatbackinhischairandstaredsilentlyintohiswinecup.Neferataclenchedherfistsinfrustration.

‘Thenweareallinagreement,’Lamashizzarsaid.‘ButIthankbothKingNaeemandKingShepretformakingtheirconcernsknowntous.I’mconfidentthatwhenthetimeisright,wewillnodoubtrevisittheseproposalsandgivethemdueconsideration.’Smiling,theLahmiankingrosetohisfeet.‘Fornow,though,mayIsuggestweadjournandrefreshourselvesbeforetheevening’sfeast?’

KingNaeemalookedasthoughhewouldprotestLamashizzar’ssuggestion,buthewaspre-emptedbyQueenAmunetandFadil,theyoungKingofZandri,whorosetotheirfeetwithoutawordandtooktheirleaveofthecouncil.Servantsandscribesrosetotheirfeet,swarmingaroundthetable,andtheKingofQuatarhadnochoicebuttogatheruphisretainersandleavewithwhatlittledignityremainedtohim.

‘ThankAsaph,’Khalidasaidwithasigh.‘KingNaeemlookedlikehewasreadytoargueallnightlong.’SheturnedtoNeferata,herexpressionhopeful.‘ShallwereturntotheWomen’sPalacenow?’

‘Goon,’Neferatatoldher.‘Takethemaidswithyou.I’llbealongpresently.’Khalida’seyeswidened.‘I–Imean,Idon’tthinkthat’sverywise–’‘ImustspeaktoLamashizzar,’thequeensaid,angerseepingintohervoice.‘Inprivate.DoasIsay,little

hawk.’Theyounggirlshottoherfeetasthoughstung,andwithinmomentsshewasherdingthebemused

handmaidensfromthebalcony.Assoonastheyweregone,Neferatasnatchedhermaskfromanervous-lookingservantandstormeddownthestairstothelowerfloor.

ShefoundLamashizzaralongoneofthetwistinggardenpathwaysthatledfromthecouncilspace.The

kingwassurroundedbyanumberofseniorscribes,whowerepresentingdraftsofvarioustradeagreementsforhisapproval.Helookedupassheapproached,andtheself-satisfiedsmileonhisfacevanished.

‘Imustspeaktoyou,’Neferatasaidicily.‘Now.’Theking’seyesnarrowedangrily,butNeferatamethisstarewithoutflinching.Afteralongmomenthe

dismissedthescribes,whowastednotimewithdrawingdownthegardenpath.‘I’mstartingtothinkW’soranwasright,allthoseyearsago,’hegrowledather.‘Youseemtohavea

problemwithunderstandingyourplace,sister.’Neferatasteppedclosetohim,turninghermaskedfaceuptohis.‘DidyoureadasinglethingIwrote,

brother?ImadethewordsassimpleasIcould,’shehissed.Thevehemenceinhervoicesurprisedevenherself,butshewastoofrustratedtoholditback.‘Give.Khemri.To.Shepret.Isthattoocomplexanideaforyoutograsp?’

‘WhyinthenameofallthegodswouldIdosuchathing?’Lamashizzarsnarled.‘HandcontrolofKhemritoRasetra?It’sridiculous!’

‘Itwastheperfectopportunitytocrippleourmostdangerousrival!’Neferatashotback,hervoiceechoingwithintheconfinesofthemask.Ittookallofherself-controlnottotearthedamnedthingoffandflingitintoherbrother’ssmugface.‘Don’tyousee?Rasetrahasn’tthestrengthtorebuildKhemriandkeepthelizardfolkatbaysimultaneously!Shepret’sgreedwouldhavebeenhisundoing.Allwehadtodowassitbackandgivehimourblessing!’

‘Anddepriveourselvesofamajortradingpartner?Areyouinsane?’thekingsnapped.‘Hastheblacklotuspermanentlydulledyoursenses?ThesetradeagreementswillpayourdebttotheEasternEmpireandcementLahmiaasthecentreofpowerinNehekhara.’

‘Areyoureallyasnaïveasallthat?’thequeenreplied.‘Ourhonouredfriendswon’tabidebythoseagreementsonemomentmorethantheyhaveto.Assoonasthey’verestoredtheircitiesandrebuilttheirarmies,they’llformacoalitionandforceustonegotiatetermsthataremoretotheirliking.DidyoulearnnothingfromthewarwithNagash?’

Theking’shandshotout,seizingNeferata’sjawandgrippingitwithsurprisingstrength.‘Don’tspeakofthingsyouknownothingabout,’hewarned.‘IshouldneverhaveletyouadviseUbaidinmyabsence.Itputtoomanydangerousideasinyourhead.’Heshovedherroughlybackwards.‘Ifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou,you’llconcernyourselfwithmorepropermatters,likeprovidingmewithanheir.OrwouldyouratherIstoppedsendingyoubottlesofelixireverymonth?IcanalwaysmarryKhalidaonceyou’redeadandgone.’

Lamashizzar’swordscutthroughNeferatalikeaknife.Anditwasnoemptythreat,shecouldseethetruthofitinhiseyes.Shewastrapped.HecouldwithholdNagash’selixiranytimehelikedandsimplywaitforhertodie.

Rapidfootfallssoundeddownthegardenpath.Neferataturnedtoseeapairofroyalguardsmenappear,obviouslydrawnbytheheatedexchange.Lamashizzaracknowledgedthemwithacurtnod.

‘Thequeenhasgrownoverexcitedfromtheeventsoftheday,’hetoldthem.‘ConducthertotheWomen’sPalaceatonce,andinformhermaidsthatshe’stobegivenadraughttohelpherrest.’

Lamashizzartookthequeenbythearmandhandedhertotheguardsasthoughshewereachild.Neferatafeltherselfmoving,asthoughinthegripofadream,asthewarriorstookherbacktohergildedprison.

TwoTheBurningStone

TheBitterSea,inthe76thyearofAsaphtheBeautiful(-1600ImperialReckoning)

Asithappened,usingtheglowingstoneneverdidleadNagashtotheslopesofthedarkmountain.Ifanything,itconfusedhiscoursefurther,leadinghimeverdeeperintotheheartofthewasteland.Itwasamysterythattookhimmorethanahundredyearstosolve,duringwhichtimehewasforcedtore-learnthesorcerousartsthathadmadehimmasterofNehekhara.

Thepropertiesoftheglowingrock–overtimeNagashsimplycalleditabn-i-khat,or‘theburningstone’–weresimilarinprincipletothewindsofmagiche’dlearnedfromhisdruchiitutorscenturiesago,butnotaseasilymanipulatedusingtheritualshe’dmasteredinKhemri.Asnearashecouldtell,itwasn’ttrulyastoneatall,butaphysicalmanifestationofpuremagic.Ifheusedafragmentofstoneasthelocusofasimpleritual,themineralconsumeditself,convertingtoadry,ashysubstancethatflakedawayfromitsoutersurface.Theconversionwasproportionaltotheamountofenergyused,sofarashecoulddetermine;morethanoncehebitterlyregrettedthelackofpaperandinktodocumenthisobservations.He’dlearnedovertimehowtorationthestoneperfectly:asinglethumbnail-sizedchipprovidedhimwithenoughstrengthandmentalacuitytofulfilhisneedsforasmuchasamonth,providedhedidn’tneedtodrawundulyuponitspower.Thefleckssustainedhimfarbetterthanhiselixireverdid,butitschaoticenergiessometimescausedhisthoughtstobecomeunmoored,orhisperceptionstoshiftinunexpectedways.

Ifnotkeptundercarefulcontrol,thestonewroughtphysicalchangesaswell.Hisskinhadretaineditsleatherytexture,butithadtakenonagreen-tingedalabastertone.Assoonashe’dunderstoodthestone’stransformativepropertieshefocussedhisattentiononchannellingittogooduseasmuchaspossible;nowhewasstrongerandswifterthaneverbefore,andvirtuallytirelessfordaysatatime.Latelyhisskinwasgrowingmottledwithfaintlyluminescentdepositsaroundhisshouldersandmidsection,leadinghimtowonderhowmuchofthestoneheatewasaccumulatinginhisbonesandorgans.Wouldthereeventuallycomeapointwhereitsenergiesbecametooconcentratedforhimtocontrol?Hereluctantlyconcededthepossibility,evenashecontinuedtoconsumetheglowingstone.

Timehadnomeaninginthetracklessexpanseofthewasteland.Nagashnolongermarkedthepassageofdays,focusingallhisattentionsonunlockingthepowersofthestoneandshapingritualstoharnessitspower.Thefirstriteheexperimentedonwascreatingaresonancebetweenafleckofstoneandthesourceithadstemmedfrom.

Theresultswereinitiallyverydisappointing.Overtime,ashebegantograspthemineral’spropertiesmoreclosely,theexperimentsbecamemerelybaffling.Itwasn’tthattheresonancefailedtodrawhiminadistinctdirection–itpointedhiminamultitudeofdirectionsatthesametime,includingstraightupandstraightdown.FollowingthemanypathstheritualrevealedtohimcausedNagashtocrossandre-crossthelengthandbreadthofthewasteland.Fromtimetotimehewouldfindpiecesofstone,sometimesburieddeepbeneaththeground,butnoneledhimtowardsthedarkmountain.Afteratime,hebegantothinkthatthefickleenergiesofthestoneweresomehowpurposelyleadinghimastray.

Thenonenight,hesawastreakofgreenlightarcacrossthestarlitsky,andanotherpieceofthepuzzlefellintoplace.

Whatevertheabn-i-khatwas,ittrulywasnotofthisearth–oratleastnotpartoftheearththatNagash

knewandunderstood.Hemarkedtheplungingarcofgreenlightasasoldiermighttracethefallofanarrowshot,andthenbeganalongandarduoustrektofindwherethestonehadfallen.Eventuallyhecameuponashallowcraterdugintotheearth.Piecesofthegreenstonewerenowheretobefound,butlarge,rat-likefootprintswereinabundance.Thebeastshadmadeittothesitemerehoursbeforehedid.Nagashtriedtotrackthemfurther,butsoonlosttheirspooracrossthehard,rockyterrain.Afterthat,heresolvedtokilltherat-beastswhereverhefoundthem,forclearlytheycovetedthestoneatleastasmuchashedid.

Nagashmulledovereverythinghe’dlearned,andconcludedfirstlythatifhe’dbeenabletodetectthepowerradiatingfromthemountainatsuchadistance,itmustcontainamuchlargercollectionofabn-i-khatthanhe’deverseenbefore,anditschaoticenergiesmademagicaldivinationdifficult,ifnotimpossible.Soheabandonedhisritualandlethisinstinctsguidehim,headingevereastwardovertheridgesandfoothillsandleavinghissensesopenforconcentrationsofmagicalpower.

Itwasthehazyglowtothenorth-eastthatdrewhimfirst–afaint,greenishluminescencethatlimnedthecrookedlinesofthemountainpeaks,almosttoofainttoseeagainstthepalingoftheearlymorningsky.Hewaswellbeyondthefoothillsnow,crossingthefirstoftheBrittlePeaks,andthesensationsofpowerseemedtoshiftdirectionslikethefeymountainwind.

Likeeverythingelseaboutthewasteland,theglowseemedjustafewmilesdistant,butittookhimnearlyafortnighttoreachthelastoftheinterveningpeaks.Fromthere,Nagashfoundhimselfstaringdownuponabroad,darksea.Thenightwasearly,andtheglowhe’dseenonpreviousnightswasn’tinevidenceyet,allowinghimtoseealongwayintheclearmountainair.Marshlandsglitteredfrostilybeneaththemoonlightalongthesea’ssouth-easternshore,whileabroadcrescentofwatchfiresflickeredalongthecoastlinetothenorthandnorth-west.

NoneofthatmatteredtoNagash.Totheeast,hardbytheshoresofthegloomysea,rosethedarkslopesofthemountainthathadcalledtohimformorethanahundredyears.Itwaslargerandfarmoreimposingthanthebrokenpeaksthatsurroundedit;tendrilsofsteamleakedfromfissuresalongitsflanks,glowingfaintlygreeninthedarkness.Itdominatedthehorizonformiles,crouchingattheedgeofthesealikeabroodingdragonfromsomebarbarianmyth.

Lookinguponthemountain,Nagashrealisedhehadneveractuallyseenitwithhisowneyesbeforethatmoment.Theshadowofthepowerburiedatitshearthadsomehowetcheditselfuponhismind’seye.Nowheunderstoodwhyithadalwaysseemedtohide,justoutofhisgrasp,nomatterhowhardhetriedtoreachit.Allthistimehe’dbeenchasingaphantasm,aghostofthetruemountain.Thenotionbothintriguedandtroubledhim.

Nagashreckonedthattherecouldbedozens,perhapsevenscoresofstonedepositshiddenwithinthemountain.Howcouldtheyhavebeengatheredallinoneplace?Hisgazestrayedtotheconstellationofwatchfiresliningthenortherncoast.Perhapsitwastherat-things.Theyweregatheringupthestonesfasterthanhe.Itallhadtobegoingsomewhere.

Hewouldhavetolearnmorebeforeproceeding.Thesecretsofthemountainwouldbehis,nomatterwhat;hewouldneedeverybitofpowerhecouldmustertore-conquerNehekharaandpunishthosewhohaddefiedhim.Iftherat-thingsstoodinhisway,thenhewoulddealwiththemaswell.

IttookmostofthenightforNagashtodescendthefarslopeofthemountainandmakehiswaytotheoutskirtsofthemarshland.Intheearlyhoursbeforedawn,whenthenightwascoldest,athickblanketofglowingmistrosefromthemarshlandsandalongtheshoresofthedistantsea.Thevapourscurledandshiftedacrossthesurfaceofthewater,thoughtherewasnowindtostirthem;theunearthlylightcreatedtheillusionofhalf-formedshapescaperingandwhirlingmadlywithinthemist.

ThemarshterrainwasmoredenseandtreacherousthanNagashrealised.Hesloshedthroughfoul-smelling,scummywaterthatroseuptomid-thighinplaces.Itwasunnervinglywarm,andwhereittouchedhisskinhefeltthefaintestbrushofsorcerousenergy.Thenecromancerconsideredthetendrilsofsteamwrithinglikeserpentsacrosstheflankofthedistantmountain.Iftherewereenoughburningstoneburiedwithinthemountaintotainttheneighbouringsea,hisvengeanceuponthelivingworldwouldbegreatindeed.

Hewoundbetweenhummocksofthick,yellowmarshgrassandstuntedtrees,listeningtoslithering,splashingcreatureshuntingthroughthemist.Strangehowlsandhigh-pitchedcriesechoedfromthemoss-

coveredbranchesofthetrees,andoncehesawapairoffaintlyglowingyelloweyesregardinghimintentlyfromtheshadowstotheleftofhispath.Butthecreaturesofthemarshshunnedhim,asalllivingbeastsdid.Morethanonceheheardsomethinghugeriseupinthemistaheadofhimandgothrashingoffintothewaterathisapproach.Whenthesunfinallybrokeoverthehorizon,hourslater,hecrawledintoamuddyhollowformedbythethickrootsofahalf-deadtreeandwaitedfornightfall.

Voicesandthesoundsofthrashingwaterrousedhimfromhismeditations,manyhourslater.Darknesshadfallen,thoughthemoonwasstilllowinthesky,andashecrepttotheedgeofthetree’sshelteringrootshecouldseeayellowhazeoflanternlightplayinguponthesurfaceofthewater.

Thevoicessoundedhuman,gutturalandstrainedwitheffort.Therewereatleasttwospeakers,perhapsthree,callingouttooneanotherinabarbariantongueunlikeanythingNagashhadheardbefore.Itwasdifficulttotellhowfarawaythevoiceswere,thesoundsechoingflatlyfromthesurfaceofthewaterandthesurroundingtrees.

Nagasheasedcarefullyfromhishidingplace,headlow,andsearchedforthesourceofthenoise.Thethrashingcontinuedunabated,punctuatedbygruntsandmuffledblows.Itwascomingfrombeyondascreenofmoss-coveredtreesjustafewdozenyardsaway.Theglowoflanternsseepedbetweenthegnarledtrunks,flickeringcrazilyasstrugglingfiguresmovedpastthesourceofthelight.

Thenecromancerstillcarriedtwoofthelargebronzedaggershe’dlootedfromthecorpsesoftherat-thingssomanyyearsago.Hedrewoneofthebladesfromhisleatherbeltandcreptfromtreetotreeuntilfinallyhecaughtsightofthesourceofthenoise.

Peeringthroughascreenofhangingmoss,Nagashsawawiderpatchofwaterjustpastthehummockwherehestood.Perhapstenyardsawayalow,flat-bottomedboathadpoledupclosetoanothersmall,tree-coveredhummock,andwithintheglobeoflightcastbythelanternsetatitsbow,fourmenwerewrestlingwiththethrashingbodyofwhatappearedtobeahuge,whiskeredfish.Twoofthemenstooduptotheirwaistsinthemurkywater,theirarmsthrownaroundthefish’sscalyflanksastheytriedtoheaveitupintotheboat.Athirdstoodintheboatandtriedtogripthecreature’sflat,toothyhead,whilethefourthtriedtokillitwithblowsfromashort,thickclub.FromwhereNagashstood,itwasdifficulttotellwhichsidewaswinningthefight.

Themenwerebarbarians;thatmuchhesawatonce,buttheyhadlittleincommonwiththetall,fair-hairednorthernerssoldontheslaveblockatZandri.Theirbodieswereshortandsquat,thickwithmusclebutdeformedindifferentways.Hesawhunchbacksandmisshape