Prelude to War

[itanyablade]

Fordale was an occupied city. That much was obvious with only single glance at the streets beyond the recently reconstructed docks. At each corner were two soldiers, one garbed in green and brown for Talinwood, and one in green and gray for Keane. Every few minutes a patrol of mixed units, Keane, Talinwood, and Kingsmen, would ride by, face wary and alert.

For all the strife brought on by the multiple sieges on the city, for all the trouble and the refugees coming and going, Fordale was beginning to once more look like a place of commerce. Merchants were well aware of one truth of occupation: the people may not have gold, but the soldiers do.

Thrice, perhaps four times, depending on how one considered it, armies had fought for the small island town located at the edge of the sea, with branches of the river running to the north and south. A good third of the town was ruined, yet the people struggled past the strife and turmoil, and rebuilt. They were Talinwood stock, strong and sure, and it would take more than civil war, foreign invasion, and demon conquest of the universe to stop them from their daily business.

It was from the awning of a recently reopened bakery- the baker and his daughters had been hiding for nearly two months in their basement- that Duvar Firelord and the former human being named Wier watched the passing crowd.

"Why have we returned here? It's tactically unsound. Too many may recognize us. And I don't like leaving the boys by themselves..." Wier muttered to his aged companion.

Duvar had first ordered their retreat from the town, and now they had returned, with the majority of those loyal to them hiding just outside of town. They did not have a significant force to retake Fordale, but they could cause trouble, if need be. Wier’s questions went unanswered at the moment. Duvar’s attention was focused on something else.

Wier continued to speak, despite the lack of answers to his question. "That one.." Duvar heard Wier’s voice pause as his mind registered the figure they now both watched going past the bakery. While Duvar sipped the local tea and wiped the remains of a pastry from his fingers, no food was near Wier. "Yes.. I want that one."

Settling his hat on his head, Duvar had made him give up his uniform for a disguise while in town, Wier started toward the girl. Sighing and acknowledging silently that it would be best if he at least met the object of their attention with Wier if not before him, Duvar threw a few coins on the battered wooden table and followed after the ghoul.

"Arcana Vraal how surprising to see the great coward's spawn wandering around in a place like this." Duvar looked up at the hellspawn wench, squinting as the sun shone over her shoulder and into his eyes. From the corner of his eye he saw Wier come to a sudden stop as his hunt was rudely interrupted. He could not understand why the undead man was hungry so often. It should not be like that. Something more was going with Lord Wier than met the casual eye or worse something had gone wrong with the spell he had employed.

"Tell me, my dear, can we talk?" Duvar Firelord gave the girl a dazzling smile with his wizened face.

“And just who in the Nine Hells are you? You speak of my father, I would assume, though coward is not a word I would use to describe him. I am afraid that if you know me, you have me at some disadvantage, for I have never lain eyes on you before this very moment." He watched the emotions play over the young woman’s face. So transparent in her disdain at being accosted in the street by a decrepit, if well dressed, old man and his obviously mental deficient of a serving man. It was so easy to read her. Duvar was delighted that he nearly clapped his hands in joy!

"What is it you want of me? I have business here in Fordale, and time is growing short."

His derisive chuckle caused even more delightful emotions to flitter across the face of Arcana vraal. "I wonder what business a hellspawn like yourself could have in this war-weary town. Your bloodline has never been one that has gained power from these emotions." The little man leaned against a crumbling wall.

"So what sort of business does a pretty little spoiled brat have in a place like this?" Duvar smiled sweetly and gently probed her defenses. "Ah, the little sweetling has faced Astorach's challenge. A pity he hasn't been the same since the last Hellspawn shattered him."

A slow and predatory smile crawled across her lips as she rose to the challenge implicit in both his words and his unseen actions. Those passing them on the street passed by, ignorant of the game that might include them if Arcana was more impulsive than Duvar calculated. Worse, Wier’s attention had begun to wander from this conflict. He was going to have to do something about he ghoul’s ever growing hunger.

"Firstly, my dear," She purred darkly, "You know very little about my bloodline. Secondly, Astorach may have been broken once by the Lady of Sorrows...but rest assured he is not one to be taken lightly. You are now warned that trying to crawl into my mind like the filthy little worm you are, is ill advised. As for what I am doing here, I doubt that it would interest you at all, even if it were your business. Let's just call it a holiday. A pleasure trip. So many nightmares, so little time."

She liked to play, how very delightful. “My dear sweet ignorant Arcana Vraal.” Duvar smiled up at the hellspawn brat allowing his scorn to creep more fully into his tone. “I know more about your bloodline and about you than you could possibly imagine. I have no doubt that your prowling around Fordale has a great deal to do with an adversary we have in common.”

Duvar glanced towards Wier, who had turned back to Arcana watching her with an unnatural hunger. “I had best let my companion find his meal, otherwise we will be interrupted.” Duvar gestured for Wier to take his leave. “And make no mistake about it, hellspawn, we will be discussing a great deal.”

There was suddenly steel in the voice of the little wizened man that confronted Arcana Vraal. “If you bothered to open your eyes and see, ignorant brat, you would notice a great deal more about the world. Now come, I am hungry myself and do not desire to continue this pointless argument in the middle of the street.”

Duvar noticed that Arcana did not immediately follow him. “Perhaps I should point out that I helped raise Itanya Strifebuilder and was her faithful servant until recent events dictated that I take my leave of her. Now come along child, there is a great deal to discuss.” Duvar led her towards a building that had become a restaurant as Fordale had begun to rebuild.

Though he could not see her face any longer, he could feel the tension as Arcana bit back her nasty retort. He turned to see her offer him a disturbing smile. Rows of razor sharp teeth glinted a warning as she took up a path behind him. "You sling insults as if they were sweet words, old man. I doubt you know nearly as much about my line as you think you do. That, however, is neither here nor there. I will admit that your experience with the Lady of Sorrows would be entertaining, and I wish to hear it. Moreso, should be why you no longer serve her."

Duvar shook his head as he took his seat. He ordered quickly and then waited for the ale and stew to be brought to them. "Arcana Vraal, daughter of Sin'Vraal and Galacia Tarin-Talus, recently accepted as a member of the Court of Fires and instrumental in the return of her father." The old man smiled beatifically at the hellspawn brat that sat across from him. "I could go on and on for hours, because you are that easy to read, child."

Duvar Firelord chuckled to himself as he knew that Arcana might suddenly to decide to stop coddling a foolish old man. He would be delighted to show him her strength, but he had spent so long playing the weakling that he sometimes forgot what he was capable of. Duvar knew he would be stronger when his father walked the land, when his power was free once more, but that was for future times.

Now was the time to help this lost little lamb find her way into getting her revenge. Duvar was certain that he could find a way to direct Arcana's Vraal search so it complemented his own plans.

"Ask me what ever questions you like, dear child, but I will tell you that you won't find the Lady of Shadows anywhere. She no longer exists. Itanya Blade put that aside in her quest for redemption and humanity." Duvar sneered in disgust. "The Lady of Shadows is dead and there is nothing aside from a miracle that will cause her to return."

"Itanya only thinks she has lain the Lady to rest. All that is required is the, " She considered her wording for a moment, raising a single talon to her pursed lips. "...proper motivation. But that is not why I am here, at least not right now. I need her help. Itanya's help. I wish to find information about the creature who slew her brother. Even with her separation from her former life, you can not expect me to believe that she feels nothing for the death of her brother. Even she is not so cold."

"If anyone has the answers I seek it is she..." Smiling coldly, Arcana raised her black eyes to match Duvar’s. He was pleased to see that she was not about to be cowed, but she would learn her place in time. "Now then, what game is it you play old man? You did not drag me in here just to enjoy my company."

[itanyablade]

"If the slaughter of her family was not enough to resurrect the demoness then the proper motivation does not exist." Duvar scowled and his eyes nearly vanished among the wrinkles. The woman was infuriating. Looking at Arcana, Duvar decided that all women were infuriating.

"I dragged you in here so I could assist you, Arcana Vraal. You may call me Duvar, though old is certainly appropriate. I have both age and experience, which you do not. You do, however, have the benefit of anonymity. My face became known during the last time Fordale was laid to waste, since I bothered to save the Duchess of this pitiful place. My companion is even better known since he is the one who destroyed the town this time. Though he has changed in appetites somewhat."

Duvar considered the hellspawn's news of other events carefully and continued speaking. "So the fool Mephisto is dead. Good riddance, I say, and I am sure your beloved Prince feels the same. Don't look at me like that, girl. Mephisto was a softhearted fool, looking for something that did not exist." Though, Duvar admitted to himself, that searching was sometimes very useful. It would be a pity that Mephisto was no longer there as a piece to be used.

"Aside from his sister and numerous other discarded bedmates, who would have wanted to kill the weakling?" It was a good question and Duvar was curious for the answer. "Why was he killed, child? Do you even know? And why would Itanya even know the answer to that? She's avoided her brother for a while now. I doubt she has spoken ten words to him since her last brat was born." Another miserable failure on his part, Duvar knew. "No I do not know why he was killed. Though I am sure he had enough enemies that one of them simply had their fill."

The girl’s fierce outrage nearly leaped from her body as he spoke. She was alive with it. So Arcana Vraal had grown found of Mephisto. That could benefit him as well. "What do you care, Duvar? It is apparent that there was no love lost between you and he, nor you and the Lady of Sorrows. What do you want? And what does it have to do with me?" Her dark eyes glittered with suspicion as they narrowed slightly. "Speak old man...for I've no time to play games with the likes of you."

"You are part of the Court of Fires, dear Arcana, you have all the time in the world to play games" Duvar chuckled as he watched the hellspawn's thoughts flash once more. She was such a sweet thing, despite being young and untrained.

"Blunt and to the point. You do share that with Itanya. Very well, I will be blunt. I want the powers you hold from both father and mother. You could be an asset to me. In exchange I will help you with Mephisto's killer.” The old man smiled. "I can be a great deal of help, my dear child."

Arcana laughed outright. She simply could not help herself. "Firstly, I have trouble thinking you could be a great help to anyone, old man. And second,” she paused deliciously and took a long breath, “what makes you think I need help?"

Duvar could see the curiosity and frustration that dogged her. He knew she was wondering what he could offer her. She still did not understand what she dealt with. "I need more. You wish my power, in exchange for 'helping' me with Mephisto's killer. Hardly a fair trade from where I sit. What more do you have to offer me Duvar? You know what I want and it doesn't stop at revenge."

Her dark gaze swept over him like night falling. There was a wickedly playful gleam in that gaze, but something much, much, darker loomed within. She challenged him and it had been so long since something had challenged him. In reward, he let her see further into the game.

"Open your eyes, girl." A hard edge slipped into the old man's voice as he leaned across the table leering at Arcana. "Do you truly think that I would proposition you like this if I had nothing to back it up with? Are you really so foolish as to believe only what your pathetic sight shows you?"

The old man leaned back in his chair and looked Arcana over once more. "You have never been trained, only tested. You do not even understand what you are capable of, do you, child? Your father is not likely to teach you either. It is in his best interest to keep you ignorant so you remain subservient. That is what Sin'Vraal prefers, after all, women at his beck and call." A Golden fiery gleam attached itself to the pupils of the old man's eyes and a brand of flame appeared on his brow.

"So you see now, I can tell. You have little guile and it must be well practiced. What else do you know? Your true form, no doubt, but little else." Duvar shook his head sadly. Arcana Vraal had such possibilities but it would be a long stretch before she was capable of meeting her enormous potential.

Duvar's form waver before her and something more elemental showed beneath the wrinkled face of the old man. "Now you see me as I truly am. These are the senses you should trust. For most of your kind such senses are instinct, even theLlady of Sorrows has not managed to kill them. She knows if anything of true goodness or evil passes her by."

"But you have not had even the most basic of training. I do not ask so much of you, my dear, and it should be interesting for you. My road takes me to Talinwood. There is a funeral to take place there soon and mischief will abound. Join me there, and we will work together. I ask nothing more than that. Give me the chance to show you all that you are capable of."

"Surely that is not too much to ask."

Wier chose that unfortunate moment to find them. His entrance into the shady establishment was unusual enough to even draw attention to both him and the ones he sought. The ghoul’s lazy gaze swept over the patrons as he made his way towards Arcana and Duvar. He spoke his assessment of the men within, didain coating his voice as much as blood coated his teeth.

"Weak.. sheep.. fit for the eating.." he licked his lips in anticipation, but, thankful, ignored the urge for the moment. His uniform was perfectly pressed and perfectly measured to his body; it fit perfectly into the General's estimation of what a soldier, a good Kingsman, should look like. Minus, of course, the bloodstains on the front and on his chin. But he was not aware of them.

He wore a cloak, a stolen, ragged, patched yellow cloak, over his pristine white uniform, to disguise himself. Thankfully, the cloak also covered the bloodstains. He continued to mutter as he fell into the chair next to Duvar. "Sometimes.. a soldier's best weapon is stealth.."

Arcana's hard black eyes rested firmly on the old man, as a slow, practiced, smile twitched at the corners of her lips. He could tell that she was on the verge of accepting his offer and curious about what he was. Demons could either be dominated or tempted with power, there was nothing else that appealed to him. Arcana Vraal, despite her mixed parentage was not so different.

"Indeed it is not too much to ask. Vengeance is a dish best served cold. I shall join you on your journey to Talinwood." Her smile faded, replaced by a look of grim promise. "I hope you do not take me for a fool, Duvar. You have extended offers; I will expect them to be kept."

Turning her attention to the ghoul who had seated himself with them, she chuckled darkly. "I take it this...thing, shall be traveling with us?"
The Ghoul belched loudly, and absently began to pick at his teeth. He grimaced as he pulled a small patch of skin, hair and all, from his mouth and tossed it into the nearby hearth. When Arcanna looked his way, he returned her stare blankly, and waited, although he did flash her a grin. A grin revealing bloodied yellow teeth, with bits of human debris stuck between them.

“Of course, Weir must accompany us. I can't exactly let him run amok here in Fordale, now can I? He'll eat anyone that isn't nailed down, though he does have his favorites." Duvar rose and walked around the hellspawn appraising her from every side.

"I have a plan to insinuate ourselves into the structure of Talinwood. It should help us gain the information we both need for our respective desires for revenge. It will require some small alterations to our persons." Duvar held out his hand to the woman and gave her a wrinkled smile. "Come my darling, I will tell you all I can"

[itanyablade]

“Came in the night they did. Howling like a the banshee out on Bardon’s Hill. Swept down on me poor uncle and the whole village, he said. Carrying torches making it as bright as day.” The farmer lustily grabbed the pint offered by a kind-hearted and curious patron of the Peaceful Warrior Inn. “Talinwood men, the lot of them. Wearing green and brown as proud as kingsmen they were, so said my uncle. Most supposed they were just passing through, Lady Blade and Lady Torchholder being friends of a sort.”

“These men, though, weren’t lookin to be friends, mind you. That was what my uncle says. They pulled their swords, them that didn’t have crossbows, and started mowin down the people that was still in the street. They burned Riversbough and slaughtered everyone one in it, ceptin my uncle who was hidin in the woodshed, waiting for some chit that never made it… Watched her get a bolt to the back, he did….”




“Rode in as proud as punch, all dressed in that fancy black and red that Lady Blade fancies, mind you.” The haggard man leaned heavily on the scuffed wooden bar of the Dancing Maiden, barely noticing the cries of those around him calling for him to finish his story. “Weren’t no sign of that so-called Lady, only her men. Slovenly looking they were, not fine and clean like good Talinwood men.”

“These were bandits, mark my words. Claims she’s been cleaning them out for nigh on twenty years, she has. Been making an army outta them, says I. Dark army too, what kinda woman lives untouched for twenty years? But, that’s a whole other problem, that is. So, in they come to Keth, looking like the rabble they were. The mayor don’t want no trouble on the border, Since the Torchholder’s have taken a shine to that Lady Blade, feelin sorry for her or maybe she’s the friend of Lord Tribute’s back in his less than noble days.”

“Sorry, I’m wanderin about again. So, the mayor goes up to talk to there leader, some scruffy barbarian in ill-fiting clothes. Before the mayor can even open his mouth, the man lops of his head with an evil lookin axe. The rest of his men took up their arms too, killing everyone they could find… Not at first, not for the women.” The man shuddered, hearing the sounds in his head still.

“What they didn’t kill themselves, they burned or left for the animals. I don’t know how I survived… I wish I hadn’t…”





Rumors poured into Tae Albon. Everyone was eager for news about the territory to the north. Like most regions of the former kingdom of Prodigia, the duchies of the north were struggling to discover their place in the world. Duke Berethon of Keene had just had his plans of northern domination stopped cold. The rumors of the “mad” duke’s unfortunate death were varied, but nearly all of them placed the final reward on that of his newly made widow (forcibiliy married to Syrus Berethon on days before) Chenaya Torchholder, Duchess of Talinwood.

Still, while Keene and Talinwood had been at odds many times, the normally forgotten edge of the wilds, Corvale, and Talinwood had been at peace. The Duchess had appeared to be friends with the self-proclaimed ruler of Corvale. All that seemed to be at an end now. No one knew who had started the conflict, but it was certain that if Talinwood and Corvale took up arms, Corvale was the certain loser.

[itanyablade]

Aaron Sentinel was not who she expected to enter the room first. Of all the members of her war council, he was the one she expected the least from. Still, he looked more alert than he was when her guards had brought him to her last night. Itanya was hidden in the shadows of the war room and she could tell that he did not see her.

In the center of the room was a large table decorated with a map of Corvale. Cautiously, Aaron approached it, leaning over the edge with curiosity. He moved a strand of blond hair from his face and turned to look at the sheaf of papers to the side of the map. A slow whistle escaped his lips as his finger trailed down the top page.

“What do make of it?” She asked him from the shadows.
He froze, no doubt wondering how he had missed someone in the room. "Looks like the Corvale forces are outnumbered four to one, at least. That's if Talinwood doesn't bring in forces from Keane. But Corvale does have some advantages."

“Such as?” She had not expected such a response from him. Aaron had never shown any interest in martial pursuits in her presence before and she knew that his father had despaired teaching him anything. Itanya wondered what Thomaz would think of his eldest son standing in the council of a woman he had so recently declared a blight on the countryside.

He shrugged at her question. "Corvale is essentially a bunch of valleys linked together by mountain passes. A small force can close the passes; force an invading army to slow their progress. You see here and here?” He pointed to two places on the map, both were small passes that lead directly to the hold. “Numbers won't matter. A band of a few dozen could hold that pass for a week against hundreds, but”

“But?”

"Well.." Aaron rubbed his beard. "That's just a delaying tactic. Ultimately, the superior numbers will prevail. You do that, while fortifying the Hold itself. Defended right, this place could withstand a siege for probably a year or two, if it’s stocked right. Of course, magic's a factor."

“Magic? How so?” When had Aaron gained such insight. Itanya had not seen him in a few years, but he appeared to have a grasp of the situation that should not been apparent to an uninterested observer. There was a story in the young man’s wanderings; it was a shame that things would not wait why she heard about them.

"Razoras." Aaron said the name of her husband as if it were a curse. "An Archmage can do a lot of damage. That's assuming Chenaya doesn't find magic of her own, anyway. She's got a lot of resources; I'd be damned surprised if she can't pull out a sorcerer or two of her own." Chenaya could, of course. Itanya knew that Chenaya, self-proclaimed Queen of the North, had already begun hiring any mage she could find. It was rumored that she had also managed to find and hire another of the Archmagi.

“Is there no way for Corvale to be victorious?” It was more than mere curiosity that drove her to ask this final question. She was hoping that someone else would be able to see something that she could not.

Aaron sighed softly; perhaps the answer mattered to him. "Time will tell. If Corvale can hold out longer than Talinwood. If Talinwood doesn't have any other enemies attack. If Corvale doesn't have any other allies to come to its aid.” He could not know that Corvale, because of its Lady would have no allies. Thomaz and Chenaya had robbed her of that with their proclamation backed by the church. Aaron’s list of what ifs continued.

“If Razoras is better than whatever Chenaya has. Right now, the best thing that could happen to Corvale would be a revolt in one of Chenaya's other lands, Keane or Torchcroft, to divide her forces. I don't think she, or anyone, has the heart to give this campaign the year or so it would deserve, provided Corvale could hold for the first few months." He paused. His eyes were focused on the map and then he grunted and turned to face her.

“I am impressed.” She moved from the shadows and into the lamplight. There were no windows in this room, deep in the heart of the hold. She saw the quirk of his mouth as she spoke. “No, I truly am.”
She moved around him to study the map. She smoothed a wrinkle in the corner gently and then tapped a finger on the list of supplies that was written in her own hand. Finally, she turned to look at him again.

“If this was merely about one army pitted against another, you would be correct.” She turned back to the map, looking for a solution that escaped her. “But it is more than merely troop movements and supply caravans. There are villages and the people in them consider. Even if Corvale Hold could be properly stocked to survive a long siege, the attacking army would no doubt ravish the countryside, leaving my people to starve."

“Our resources are already strained. Corvale has fought two years in the past five years. We resisted the incursion from over the mountains and assisted your father’s wife in the retaking of Talinwood.” And how it galled for Chenaya and Thomaz to turn against her now. “To stock the hold, I would have to call in more than the villages can afford to give. I have to consider what is best for the people and the Land.”

“If you don’t want to lose any lives, you have only one choice of action.” Was that disgust she detected in his voice? She would not be surprised if it was. It was not her way to back away from a fight, but the cost... “It's not pretty, it's not nice, but it's safe. Of course, you have to swallow your pride and give up your freedom." He gave her a smile. Despite their differences, he knew what he was saying to her. “Surrender. Accept Talinwood's conditions, and bend your knee to Chenaya. No one'll die, that way."

“It seems to me that you are trying to decide if you want to fight this war or not.” There was no way to ignore the curiosity in his voice. The warrior Lady of Corvale looking for a way out of a fight? How very strange. The same woman known for being the cause and solution for brawls in common taverns, waffling at taking up arms.

“In a way.” She was unsure how much to tell him and was unsure how much she really knew. “There is only one problem with surrender, Aaron. I am not sure your father would settle for anything less than my death.” The hiss of breath from the doorway told Itanya that the other members of the council had arrived. It was time for the real planning to begin.

[itanyablade]

The trees of Talinwood whispered softly in the wind, but Thomaz Trybutez, sometimes called Tribute, could not understand what the ancient chorus said. His marriage to Chenaya, newly crowned Queen of the North, allowed him access to the forest and some grudging acceptance. Now the forest was one of the few places near the manor that afforded a chance to speak without being overheard. He leaned for a moment on the blackwood staff that was constantly at his side and then continued to walk.

Keeping pace with him was his niece Persea. Her blond hair was shining in the mid-morning sun and was nearly as bright as the gleam in her eyes. He found himself wondering if he had ever approached the world with such determination. She was filled to the brim with questions and willing to argue to prove her points. He admired her stubborn will, while he mourned having to destroy her innocence.

“I still don’t understand.” The words were out of her mouth the moment he stopped walking.

“Persea”

“No… You were her friend! Her daughter looks to us as her family. Now Isa’s confined to the manor and you’re sending soldiers to Corvale. Aunt Chenaya declared her an enemy of the Church!” The young woman’s arms accented each point. “It’s not right.”

“Itanya destroyed a village. Put everyone there to the sword, Persea.” She was not really hearing him.

“She has proof that Talinwood soldiers attacked a village in Corvale too uncle.”

“I am sure that she showed you something to that effect, but it is simply not true.” Tribute ignored the fact that somehow Persea had gone to see Itanya, something he had strictly forbidden. “We knew this would happen eventually.”

He sunk onto a nearby stone bench and ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair, waiting for Persea to come up with her next objection. It was easier talking to Persea than to Isa. He turned his eyes towards the manor, seeing Isa Revyan, eldest daughter of Itanya Blade, and not the building. Persea was fire and bluster where Isa was calm and demur, but right now he would rather face his niece than the sorrowful accusation he would see in Isa’s eyes. The two girls were as dear to him as his own flesh and blood, but this had to be done.

“Your Ahma and I knew that eventually Itanya’s blood, her father’s legacy, would begin to influence. Perhaps it was the killing of her brother that finally did it.” He closed his mouth on the rest of that thought. There was no reason to go babbling about the depravity of that relationship. One did not expect morality from those that are kin to darkness. “We knew that she would eventually take up arms against us. Your Ahma saw it the first time she touched Itanya.”

“But to have the Church denounce her!”

“We said nothing but the truth, Persea. I know it is hard to understand now.”

“Are you going to have Isa burned too.”

Tribute was struck cold by this accusation. “No one will do anything to Isa. How could you even think that?”

“She has demon blood too! She’s Itanya’s daughter. Then she’s got demon blood too.” Persea’s face shone. She was so certain that she had the ultimate lynchpin of her argument.

“By the time Itanya was the age of Isa, she had already started down this path of destruction. No, you will listen to this. I know this better than anyone, so you will listen.” He rose to his feet, clenching the blackwood staff in his hands. “Itanya knows something is not right, perhaps she is fighting against it. I do not know.”

“But there is only solution to this crisis, Persea, and that is her death. And if she has to die, I’ll be the one to do it.”