Some time had passed.

Tanith wasn't sure how much. Several skirmishes followed, with much drilling and ambushing. Once, she and Edward did battle, and she was cast down, but Sokar drove him off. So soon, the conflict dragged out, and prisoners were released.

On and on it went; Anborn returned with armed men from Father. These soon formed the main backbone to hold advances. Edward's men assailed them three times and were pushed back from the river. And three times they assailed in turn until the third time, Tanith led a small force over the water.

As they walked, Tanith saw the snow melting little by little. Soon Kern's forces would be able to come and go freely. Reinforcements would come from King Gavin, and so Tanith would go. Walking over the rocky dirt, she noticed something with pleasure. Granaries and houses had been left untouched. Only soldiers were targeted in the fighting, and the body count had dropped.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Kata, eyeing the fortress of Kern. They crouched now behind some stones. You could see a well-ordered village, with a water mill not in use and well-made structures. New inventions, comparatively speaking. "You'll have to go within an arrow shot of House Kern. Why not wait for us to start the siege?" Kata had proven to have a knack for the land, able to maneuver them about.

"That'll be far more dangerous," said Tanith. "By then, they'll have everybody up in arms. And there might not be a siege. Things are settling down now."

"Let me go with you," said Anborn. "I can help you."

"No, Anborn, you need to stay here," said Tanith. "Father can't lose both his children, and you don't have a knack for negotiation."

"But Tanith, I know this territory," said Anborn. "There are people I've made contact with who could help us, and I know how to avoid tolls. I used to do it all the time, back when I was trying to be a bard, even if I lost my harp.

"I'll be of more help to you there anyway."

"I agree," said Kata, an edge in his tone. No one had forgiven Anborn or forgotten. His numerous kills had given him the status of a tolerated nuisance. Which was the place where his journey had started.

Tanith nodded. "Alright, but I don't want you in the fighting.

"Someone has to help Sunthred."

"Tanith, be careful," said Kata.

"Who the hell do you think I am?" asked Tanith with a laugh.

Then they set out, her and Anborn.

And the moment they left the stones behind, Tanith remembered his earlier actions. The memory of that time she'd overheard his companions talking of his fleeing came to her. What affection she'd had for him now turned to anger.

"Wow, um, I guess we're on the road on an adventure together, huh," said Anborn.

"Certainly seems that way," said Tanith, trying to be cordial.

"Maybe we can use this as a chance to," began Anborn, looking more like his old self.

"Let's just keep moving, alright," said Tanith. "And don't introduce us; let me do the talking."

"So, um, maybe we could talk to Lord Kern- " began Anborn.

"No," said Tanith.

"But Tanith, if we can talk to him, maybe we can sort all this out?" said Anborn. "I don't like killing people. Nobody else does either."

Tanith turned on him and felt the urge to strike him. It was resisted, but she felt utter disgust and tried to hide it. "Or he'll take us prisoner.

"I want to get a messenger through to the King and explain the situation. If I can ask King Gavin to mediate, the problem solves itself."

"Lord Kern wouldn't do that," said Anborn. "I spoke with him once; he's a really wise and powerful sorcerer. I know he's... well... come under bad influences. But he's always polite to everyone."

Tanith should have known Anborn wouldn't have shaken off his delusions. Whatever, time to explain things to the child that wouldn't just die.

"Yes, which is why I'm avoiding him," said Tanith. "He's a wise and powerful sorcerer who is our enemy. I don't want to go within five steps of him. And anyway, I think that by now, he is in the domain of Father.

"We can come back after we speak with King Gavin." Anborn was an idiot and of no real use in this venture. And his crimes were terrible; if he'd acted earlier, this never would have happened.

"Right, sure, okay," said Anborn.

"Follow me then; we'll want to go up into the hills," said Tanith. "The villages there are mostly under the management of Edward."

"Isn't that the last place you'd want to go, then?" asked Anborn. "Why do you hate Edward so much?"

"Because he hates the nation that gave him everything," said Tanith. "And I want him to suffer."

"...I'm not going to be able to come back here," realized Anborn. "They used to like my harping. Now I've killed their men."

"What of it?" asked Tanith, now feeling annoyed. "You accepted a position selling Furbearers into slavery without consulting Father. What did you think would happen?" She found herself vaguely interested. "What did Father say anyway?"

"He wouldn't see me," said Anborn. "Just spoke to me by messenger and told me to help you."

"It's no more than you deserve," Tanith sighed. "Why slavery?"

"Well, Tavish is my friend," said Anborn, pausing. "And slavery isn't wrong. Everyone agrees that enslaving our enemies is part of the war. The Furbearers were encroaching. I mean, I guess it's unfortunate, but Lord Kern was going to do it anyway.

"And Father has always said that politics is not personal. So my friend, Tayuya, said it would be a good opportunity to prove myself. Have you met Halish? She's really nice? And she's an amazing shot with a bow."

"One of the redheads?" asked Tanith.

"Well, I guess she does have red hair, and she is really pretty," said Anborn. "Though Red Safara does as well. She actually agreed with Halish when I asked her after meeting William. She's this really tough warrior lady who worships a snake goddess.

"And she's from-"

"I don't care about your childish crushes, Anborn," said Tanith. "I don't know who this Tayuya is. But she's obviously manipulating you for her own ends.

"Probably a plant set by Tavish to push you in the right direction."

"She's my friend," said Anborn.

"Why would any woman want you?" asked Tanith incredulously. "You barely qualify as a man.

"And that's after you got your spear bloody."

Anborn looked downcast. "You never treated William this way."

"Because William was fourteen when he acted like this," said Tanith. "He has a weak phase and got over it. You're starting late, so you've got a long way to go before you've got my respect."

"Why?" asked Anborn. "I was trying to help the family by taking that job. I know I'm not as smart as you, but...

"You don't think slavery is wrong, do you? Not even Atria does."

"Atria?" said Tanith. "What of her?"

"The slavegirl you brought in," said Anborn. "You were in love with her.

"Um, she was always nice to me."

"I kidnapped her because I wanted a living reminder that I defaced Baltoth's temples. I had my way with his priestesses and killed his people," said Tanith. "She's a token of my victory and however much I boast. Though I'll admit, she's quite proficient at letters. At least if Mother's stories are any indication.

"I just brag about it because it gives me an excuse to tell war stories."

Anborn halted and didn't seem to understand. "So... why keep her?"

"Maybe she'll make a good hostage. Let's just keep moving," said Tanith. She didn't really know the answer herself. "Oh, and one more thing.

"Don't have anything more to do with these redheads. They don't like you for you; they advise you to betray your family and work with criminals. No secret meeting, no letters exchanged. Cut them off until Father says otherwise."

"But-" began Anborn. He halted. "Was it really a betrayal?"

"Yes," said Tanith, not in the mood to mince words. "You cut a deal that could alienate our strongest allies without consulting anyone. You allowed these people to isolate you from your advisors and then take sides with Lord Kern. And this Tayuya and Red Safara?

"They convinced you to do it. They convinced you to betray your family.

"You should never have gone into that room with Rius without someone a lot smarter than me. And not bringing me in was beyond idiotic.

"These friends of yours aren't your friends. They are spies. You've got to make a clean break, or they'll drag you back in. Do you want to go to hell, Anborn? You're heading there right now."

"I understand," said Anborn. "...I won't see them anymore."

"Then it's a start," said Tanith. "And apologize to Father when you see him. You broke his heart. Mother's as well."

The journey toward the fortress of Kern got more difficult as they went. They had to dodge patrols along the roads. It seemed that Kern had put his troops out the watch for raids. Anborn turned out to know many good hiding spots. And he was able to outmaneuver several patrols, which was passable. It was interesting to Tanith that she was so completely unable to forgive him.

She could only assume it was by divine will.

But, at last, they reached the pass of fallen stones. Tanith prepared to head in, noticing a good place to scale the wall. When House Gabriel had first come to this place under Erik the Voyager, House Kern had been nearly as weak. Carn Gable had been given to Erik, and House Telus had made good relations. Together they had worked to rebuild Haldren and battled Viokin raiders and Calishans.

Kern was awarded status as the most trusted servant of King Gavin. Yet Erik the Voyager was awarded no prize. And when he died, his legacy for all his heroics was that his house survived. The old Duke, Garath Gabriel, had spent his days serving and establishing credibility. Promises of fame and riches were given by Kern and others, and not one was fulfilled.

Not one.

By the time Garath died, House Gabriel had only become a library. At the same time, prize after the prize was delivered to Kern, the conceited bastards. House Telus had become rich. Some discussion was made of returning Gel Carn to another Lord who served him better. They were allowed to keep it out of pity. A marriage was set up with Mara Hawkthorne, a whore daughter of an honorless house. All to ensure poor Vanion Gabriel wasn't left without a home.

And the promises continued.

And then Vanion made the promises come true. Duke Vanion, a man of unsurpassed will and power, forced the Gods to give him his due. When others were awarded positions he was owed, he achieved glory even as he discredited them. His machinations destroyed his enemies. The destiny that had been denied him was taken by revenge after revenge.

All the broken promises were repaired in blood and humiliation in rivers. And those who did not heed his words paid the price.

And now this magnificent chessmaster. This Prince, who wore the form of a noble, was going to be King of Antion. William would be a Prince in his own right. And these ungrateful wretches who dared oppose him would be but footman. Stupid servants who, in their avarice, had sought to cheat the true King from his inheritance.

But they would be stripped of everything and thrown out onto the street. And Tanith now was the piece that would begin the game.

"Anborn," said Tanith. "Go and find your friends.

"See if you can get someone to Kata and tell her what is happening here. And compile a report on the economic situation here. Then, send it to Father and say nothing of it to Lord Kern."

"Um... numbers aren't my strong suit," said Anborn.

"I'm not asking for numbers," said Tanith. "I need you to get Father an economic analysis of how things are going here. Travel around a bit, and figure out how the land operates. It's the sort of thing he'd want to know before signing me off. And it could stop this whole thing.

"How are the people? Are they well-fed? How do trade networks connect? You know how to talk to people. All that could help House Gabriel.

"Go, quick."

"Right, sorry, sis," said Anborn.

And he rushed off.

"Idiot," hissed Tanith, feeling a seething hatred return.

Tanith knew that yarn was a very popular product and rope as well. House Kern controlled ports along the eastern shore. Many of their products competed with the Furbearers. It was largely a matter of preference. However, they also made great profits from their pottery. Mother had a number of vases at home made by great potters like Richard Estious and Algious Waldman.

Names she had heard but knew little of, saving that they were pretty good at what they did.

Tanith realized she felt no affection or warmth for Anborn. Far less, in fact. Either way, some part of her said there was no point in going to King Gavin; Kern was the real person she had to talk to.

Standing up as before, she drew her swords and walked toward the gates. As she did, many guards surrounded her but dared not approach. Nearing the gates, she saw Edward standing with sword and shield in hand. The guards parted, and Edward came forward. "Tanith Telus, you've taught me a great deal about religion."

"Do not mock the Lord Elranor, or I will not settle for slaying you in turn," said Tanith. "For I shall leave your corpse eyeless to be feasted on by the birds. All while the corpses of your family lie before your still spasming corpse.

"Your fields shall be put flame while your servants taken as slaves. Your bloodlines are erased; you're stricken from history save as a nameless shame. You dare to speak to me, traitor to your race and the curse upon the womb that bore you?

"I am the daughter of a mighty Lord and a personal friend of William Gabriel. I have burned vast stretches of Calishan territory and fought in full-scale battles.

"I don't have time to give you the proper instruction on how to use that sword.

"And you are nothing."

"But milady, how will you eat when every field has been burned?" asked Edward.

"All I have to do is reduce the surplus population through violence," said Tanith. "Starting with you."

"Perhaps you should consider what exactly the surplus population is," said Edward. "Perhaps Elranor regards you as less worthy of life than those you slay for the sake of mirth?"

"And yet, you are merely an engineer, and William is a Paladin. I wonder what that says about you," noted Tanith.

"It might also say much about the god you attribute your atrocities to," said Edward.

Murmurs of anger and approval mixed.

"Draw steel, you witless worm, and I'll give you one!" said Tanith, drawing her blades.

"Worms perform an important function in the dirt," said Edward, readying. "Do you?"

Blade clashed with a blade as his shield warded off a strike. Their weapons moved in a dance, parrying and thrusting as they circled.

"I might just as easily ask what function life has?" asked Edward.

"We are Harlenorians! We are heirs to a glorious legacy of blood and struggle!" said Tanith, smiting the shield so that it cracked. "The perpetuates of a heroic cycle older than the stars themselves! We fear neither death nor pain and are as stern to inflict as we are stubborn to endure!

"The world is a fleeting dream! The universe is hell! Yet we fight on in defiance! Our enemies are cast down by cunning and steel! The weak are purged, and those who are strong are rewarded!"

"And what of those who cannot defend themselves?" said Edward, warded off several blows. One strike rang off Tanith's shoulder and sent her staggering to one knee. "The farmers and craftsman? Those who do the tasks that make this nation work?"

"If you cannot defend yourself, you are not Harlenorian!" said Tanith, striking at his legs to drive him back. "The militia system is the guiding principle upon which Harlenor is based! All must be able to defend themselves against abuses of power! To do otherwise is to invite slavery!

"Farmers and craftsman are not weak by nature, nor are merchants. On the contrary, they have skills and power in their own fashion, worthy of praise. But all of these are only useful with the power to defend themselves!

"Look there, Edward Kern, look at what you have done!"

And she turned to motion across the lands where many fields had been trampled by blood and war. Several farms had been abandoned, and both knew the corpses. The farmers now walked armed.

"This is your doing," said Edward, attacking again. "You escalated the situation when things were quieting and led a raid! So now the land is torn by war!"

"It was not by my hand that the King of the Furbearers was treated as a petulant child!" said Tanith, turning his blade and disarming it. "Your condescension bit their pride more than any curse!" Another blow cracked the shield. "For you made it clear that even among their allies, they were not respected!

"The choice was between slavery and war! And so we chose war!"

With a final blow, Edward's shield was broken. Yet he threw himself to the dirt to snatch his sword where it lay. Then, turning, he struck at her from low, and Tanith leaped back, flourishing her blades as he came at her.

"Such has been our choices throughout history," said Edward, sword halted.

"And a glorious and brilliant history it is indeed!" said Tanith, attacking in wild joy. "An epoch of mighty deeds and invention, lovers and infidels, battles and tragedies! Ours is the path of a warrior race of knights, destined to rule for a day and die in glorious battle!"

"Your day will be short indeed, you who worship death as a friend," said Edward. "And you are no knight but a berserker." He was driven back beneath a flurry of blows as one landed on his shoulder, pauldron, knocking him to the ground.

"Your words have the strength of your shield," said Tanith. "It is by death and healing that all you possess has been given. By the labor of those ancestors you scorn, you may do what you have done.

If you had prayed for Elranor for guidance instead of scorning him, you might have been shown the way! If you had opened your mind for even an instant, you might know what it means to be Harlenorian!

"Instead, you remain in your high library, looking out from windows, and come out only when the fancy takes you!" She got him in the leg.

"Earth, water, fire, air..." said Edward, halting the onslaught and striking back. "The human body can be recreated from these four base elements. The result is the same whether we are made from clay or iron. Our physical forms can be easily reconstructed, provided you are powerful enough. Yet the Gods cannot create souls.

"Those come by means we do not understand from dimensions we cannot conceive of. And those who are closest to the gods pay the price."

"It is the price of glory, fool!" said Tanith. And her sword slammed against his foot, shoulder, and side. His armor saved him, but he fell back. "What is a simple lot, if not a mediocre descent from one mundane and pathetic pleasure! All to end as a boring corpse in a tedious coffin!

"It is through the slaughter of our enemies that we gain our salvation! Though the battle against impossible odds! To fall in battle, a blade in hand as your enemies cower in fear and your comrades escape to complete your work! Such is the glory of a Harlenor!

"Such is the glory of House Telus!

"What is your glory save chains and defiled straw?!"

"You are mad, woman," said Edward, on one knee and trying to fend her off. His hair was filthy, and he was bleeding from the lip. "You regard the world as an eternal war to be waged for your own pleasure. But what of those you have slaughtered without regard to cost? I choose the life of a builder, a provider, who gains respect for his deeds and good nature.

"I choose to be different from those who came before. Just as you are different, far worse than Anoa the Butcher himself!" Murmurs of outright disapproval.

"Your speeches are as empty as your heart, Edward," said Tanith, hitting him all the harder. "You who condemn your forefathers and everything they believed! You who fought out of self-righteous self-pity now speak of good nature! You scorn the Gods and yet expect to bear an aura of holiness!

"Men such as you declare themselves just men yet are disappointed when they are dismissed. Shall you pray on a mountaintop that Elranor might appear?

"Will you then sneer because he did not bare himself to your knife?!"

"Elranor would understand my concerns if he is indeed so wise," said Edward. "And you, Tanith, has he ever appeared to you?"

His next strike disarmed one of her swords, and he went at her before she could grasp it.

"I don't expect him to," said Tanith, now in a contest of strength. "I who have battled my whole life that his name might be feared have never expected him to speak to me. I know his will by the nation's will, and my sword is directed where they will.

"William Gabriel is his champion, and I am his right hand."

"You delude yourself. The amulet at your heart tells your true nature," said Edward, shoving her back as before. "Perhaps you would like to see the work of your true master!!"

Tanith struck, but he raised a hand, and as her blade hit it, the sword rang off steel, though there was no armor. The sleeve was torn off, and she saw a hand of cruel steel.

"Behold a steel hand of Fortenex, which my Father gained for me by great pain!" said Edward. "This is the result of your path, Tanith! I feel nothing on this arm, neither the warmth of the sun nor the breeze around me! Long I labored and studied, seeking to become the perfect knight!

"By many arcane rituals in my Father's keeping, I sought to reach onward! Beyond the Soul Event Horizon to gaze on what lay beyond!"

"You were a fool to even try and deserved what you got," said Tanith.

"So said many who knew well to hide from it," said Edward. "What I found burned my arm away from me and nearly claimed my very existence. It killed several completely innocent servants. Their bodies were reduced to bloodstains."

That was...

The funniest thing Tanith had ever heard.

She laughed and laughed and laughed like never before. The men recoiled, horrified as a shroud of red power surrounded her. And Tanith felt another laughing with her.

"You laugh?" asked Edward.

"You made a deal with with a demon, and it backfired," said Tanith, bringing down her blade to hit him on the shoulder. "William was not such a fool." Edward tried to raise his blade, but she disarmed him. "They have no truth to impart, deceive, and betray! Such is their nature! You were stupid, and the gods cannot abide stupidity!"

A final blow floored him.

"Is it stupidity to venture into enemy territory to gather information?" asked Edward, trying to rise. "Or to wonder why things function the way they do?"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Tanith kicked him down and pinned him. "Yes. I remember our time together and why I choose to go to Carn Gable instead.

"You ignored every taboo; you scoffed at the warnings of religion! You sneered at those who dared have faith. And when you had to admit that those with faith were better than you, you did so with condescension.

"You were the perfect fusion of stupidity, pride, and vanity.

"What protection do the gods owe you that you have not flaunted? Have you ever once prayed? When have you looked for warnings, really looked? Not just looked for an absence."

"Have you?" asked Edward, grasping for his blade.

"Of course!" said Tanith, snatching it before he could. "I am Tanith Telus! My sword sends souls to Elranor's grip with every blow I make. My every conquest is in his name. I obey his commandments as best I can and defend his people.

"All you've done is sell them for slaves." Stepping off of him, she planted the blade into the ground. "And now you use the gods as a means to excuse yourself for your atrocities. I helped the Furbearers set themselves free while you refused to help them. Even Tavish did more than you; all he cares about is money."

"It's too late," said Edward, standing up. "Events are in motion that cannot be stopped." He wiped the blade on dead grass as a priest came forward with water.

"Duke Vanion is already stopping them," said Tanith. "His plan is already in motion. You can see it across the Fursnow river we've been fighting over. And in House Telus, in me, and in the downfall of Lord Rius and the corrupt.

"You can see it in Artarq, which brings in more weekly revenue than it did in a year under Argath Marn. Fortresses raised upwards to the sky, Baltoth defeated twice. So maybe you should be focusing on what exactly you can do right now, beyond fighting me? Because I can do this all day.

"I am not one who shall engineer this. I simply foretell.

"Duke Vanion shall one day be King of Antion."

"And if the future does not cooperate with your delusions?" asked Edward.

"I'm just an insane blood knight, Edward," said Tanith. "You and these men should make your own judgments.

"Take me to Lord Kern.

"I would speak with him at once."

Edward sheathed his sword, as did Tanith. "As you wish.

"I will take you to Lord Kern under parley." Water was offered, and she drank.

They were quick to do as she said, and Tanith was glad they feared her.

"Who was the other with you?" asked Edward. "William?"

"Not at all," said Tanith, wiping off her blades and sheathing them. "William is heading to Gel Carn." Then she halted as she saw several shrines. Shrines adorned with images she'd seen on tapestries before. And there were people praying at them. Fires were burning high by them with burnt offerings. "Shrines to Maius, Isriath, and Imogen, Goddess of Thieves.

"You are worshipping foreign gods?"

"It was by the direct demand of High Priest Cirithil," said Edward. "We needed certain networks of his. In addition to a 'gift' of silver, he wanted these raised.

"Are you going to cast them down?" asked Tanith, feeling her contempt for him growing.

"Why would I?" asked Edward.

"Perhaps these are why you lost Elranor's favor," said Tanith. "Pray on it."

"Are William's books exaggerated?" asked Edward.

"Not really," said Tanith, feeling the Shark Queen depart. "I mean, I wasn't in Seathorius, but he did do most of the stuff I said in his novels. The Khasmir Campaign was a nightmare. No plunder, nothing but demons for miles around; Kusher, William, and I had one of the most dangerous jobs.

"You don't survive that kind of operation without being good enough. You should cast all these shrines down. Nobody is worshipping them anyway. Then order a few days of prayer and contemplation.

"If should help ward off any bad spiritual influences."

"I suppose," said Edward.

"Why do you ask?" asked Tanith.

"Because..." Edward halted and then led her over to one side near a water clock. A more advanced one, at that. "I believe that the demon I communed with was Laughing Wraith.

"What matters is that Father has been off. He's always been very responsible and dutiful and loyal to the crown. Then out of the blue, he interrupts long-made plans. He starts talking about enslaving the Furbearers.

"Granted, there were decent reasons, as far as they go.

"But he seemed almost driven mad like something was getting at him and forcing him to do it. His eyes were different, and he was shifting, looking odd. I actually called a priest to ask him for help, but he didn't see anything. He wasn't possessed, not directly, anyway.

"I had the feeling that if I had tried to stop him, he'd kill me."

"Is he-" began Tanith.

"Father is far too loyal to every knowingly betrayed King Gavin," said Edward. "He's had several, much better opportunities than this.

"And he was good friends with Lord Osris, though they drifted apart.

"They went on several journeys to Seathorius together after the ceremony. Father said that he was trying to find out more about what I had seen. But he never spoke of what he found on that. It turned out he was undertaking negotiations with a Calishan noble, Emiran. Often they were hounded by Laughing Wraith on the way, but they always escaped him. Once, Osris even wounded him on their last trip there, and it was nearly his death.

"Those stories haunt me still.

"This was before Duke Vanion formalized relations. So, Emiran was necessary to discuss things. He wasn't part of Calisha, but he was connected and could play middleman. A number of other nobles went there as well.

"That was when Father started to bring home women from Caliph.

"All of them were beautiful, and something terrible had happened to them. Father would give them basic jobs, such as maids or other things. And they'd act as if they were in heaven to play the role of servant. He never touched them, with the exception of one he kept as a Mistress. Tavish was his son by that, and he went out a long time ago to prove himself, and nobody could restrain him.

"Don't say any of this to Father; if you could do, it could bring out... him."

"Him?" asked Tanith.

"A different side of Father; it's like a vicious cornered animal," said Edward. "A dark parody of who he is. It started to manifest the more women he brought back. He's been trying to save them, but I think the thing he's trying to save them from is coming with them. The more he draws them in, the more power it has over him.

"He stopped recently and said it was interfering with his work."

"Maybe you could get them to pray to Elranor," said Tanith.

"If nothing else, it might pain the creatures on the other side," noted Edward. "I do not understand how such creatures could ever be allowed into this world."

"Because we summon them by action," said Tanith. "The Gods can't save us from ourselves."

"We should go," said Edward.

He led her up a flight of stairs by the walls of the keep. They were steep and wound around the side. There were holes in the walls above which could pour lime and other things down at them, over the wall. Their people were laboring to reinforce defenses and moving goods; Tanith saw it was dusk.

It had been a fun little war, with a few hundred casualties from a variety of places. But it was good to get back to killing Calishans. And she had killed some Calishans here anyway, so it worked.

They went through a door, minded by a stunningly beautiful woman with empty eyes. She had a happy and content look on her face that disturbed Tanith. And though she had long blonde hair, there wasn't much to mark her as a person. Another led them up the stairs and saw such women as servants. All were dressed conservatively and were doing practical, sensible things.

It was as though they were in paradise.

What horrible wrong had been done to make this castle with cold stone? Why did a few adornments seem like heaven? Was it Kern? Edward kept his eyes away from them. But, at last, a door opened into an office. Lord Kern was behind a desk, writing with a truly miserable look. His eyes were veiled in shadow, and he almost looked like he might break down and cry, though he never would.

But there was no reason for it.

Looking up, Kern saw Edward and smiled slightly. A bit of the darkness came out of his eyes, and he stood. Now he was the stern man. "Edward, you've got her to come back with you.

"Just excellent. I'm told that Tavish is controlling the situation, and things should be going well. You're going to have a lot more responsibilities going forward.

"I expect I'll be called all over to mediate things. Vanion is reasonable, but Edmund Telus has hated me for years. Getting him on our side could be interesting."

"With respect Father, I should undertake some missions out of Haldren," said Edward. "I have been here too long."

Kern nodded. "If that is what you wish."

"Also, given the situation, it might be best to call for a week of prayer for the population," said Edward. "Demons seem to be slipping through the cracks."

"What for?" asked Kern as if he'd not heard the last part.

"I believe our spiritual defenses have been weakened," said Edward. "The servants, too, should do so. Regular prayers if only to keep worse things at bay." He eyed Tanith in obvious terror, though he hid it well.

Tanith had felt a power within her, not the Shark Queen, but something else. Something awakened by proximity to the Shark Queen.

"The people may do as they like," said Kern sternly. "Faith in the gods is personal, not political, and compelling it is useless." Then he looked to Tanith and stepped around the desk, straightening his blue robe. "Please, Lady Tanith, this way. I am Lord Kern; I hope my subordinates did not alarm you."

"She alarmed us," said Edward.

They were led out of the office and down a side passage. Then up a flight of stairs to the top of the only tower.

Here they came to a room with two odd water contraptions. One of them was a pool of water in a bucket, suspended perfectly still. It was very still. But a strange, tube-like device dripped water into the surface, sending many ripples for a time. Eventually, there was a moment of perfect clarity, and then there was another drop.

On the opposite side of the room was another water contraption. It was a series of tunnels with swirling water within. Some magic or means was causing it to spiral around in an eternal circle. Tanith saw beneath it that many gears and weights were making it happen. Even so, it would eventually need to be reset. Looking back to the other, she saw that the machine with the buckets would also need to.

Tanith felt that the machine with the rushing water had to be reset more often. Over each one was a window facing the sunrise and sunset, a poor defensive structure, yet glass was in front of it. So that there was a beam of light on one in the morning, neither at noon nor on the other at the desk.

Did they represent something? Kern was standing between them as if an automaton.

"I'm not here for pleasantries," decided Tanith. "What alarms me is the balance of power falling to pieces around us, Lord Kern. An army of Furbearers is planning to come down here and siege you. I tried to talk them out of it, but they are intent on blood."

"You were the one who led their attack," said Kern.

"I am interested in a stable buffer state between our peoples," said Tanith. She was putting on her most professional appearance. "That is the entire reason that the battle was fought. The Furbearers perceived the conduct of your emissaries as condescending. It was apparent they were not respected.

"Since they'd liberated themselves from slavery with my help, they were angry. I choose to channel that anger toward attacking your military."

"And your favored targets are my Dren guests?" asked Kern.

"The Furbearers believed there was a plan to supplant them using the Drens," said Tanith. "And, I have no desire to see Harlenorian men supplanted by immigrants. If they were honorable, they ought to have died for their country.

"As it is, they fled to us. So we killed as many foreigners as we could while hurting you."

"Well, if nothing else, that bloodletting has cooled the hells of our fighters. It has helped ease the immigrant's arrival," said Kern, gaining a bit more humanity. "I promised them sanctuary and shelter for their families.

"The malas trade Vanion has started is being used to transport refugees. Individuals who no longer want to live under the tyranny of Baltoth. Many of these men were waiting for a family."

"Tell them their Father died to defend their future," said Tanith. "Then give them all the worst jobs and hope they go away."

Silence.

"Have you no compassion?" asked Kern, as though he'd been expecting to be asked that question.

"Not really," said Tanith. "What about the Babarassians? What is your plan here?"

"The plan has succeeded, finally," said Kern. "Lady Farwa managed to get the promised malas to my ports, and I may now build a Sorcerer's Guild for King Gavin. It was intended to be quiet, painless, and not disturb anyone. That was never an option.

"For reasons which by this point must seem all too obvious.

"Our original plan was to transport it to the Furbearer ports and move it here. However, with the Babarassians scattered and broken, we may instead send it by our usual route. The trade lanes should be safer.

"King Tyos will have much safer voyages to Themious henceforth." Silence, and he looked for words. "This entire situation has been a disastrous escalation no one wanted. And I am beginning to wonder if anyone at all planned it that way."

"What do you mean?" asked Tanith.

"Tanith Telus, could you tell me everything that has happened so far from your perspective?" asked Edward, interceding.

"We're going to be here a while," said Tanith.

Kern looked up as a door entered, and a woman entered. For a moment, he regained some measure of his humanity. He looked more human now. "Would you bring us some tea, please?"

The woman already had tea, as though she'd done this before. It was set down on a circular table in the corner. Tanith had not seen it, but now it was pulled out by Kern and Edward, and chairs set down. So she sat down with them.

"I have never seen servants so happy," said Tanith.

"They come from a place called Caliph that could charitably be called hell on earth," said Kern. "A nice place to visit if you don't pay attention." His voice was filled with hatred and disgust. "I did pay attention, and I observed the brutal treatment of the women there. They were bred for beauty, but they were treated as animals. The surrounding nations around Caliph hate the place; it is a twisted parody of their culture.

"The name was chosen to mock them.

"I needed servants, and I chose to free as many of them as I could. First, I buy them as slaves, as some people do. Then I give them employment and decent treatment, and honest work. I have only touched one of them, the first, and I will never do so again.

"Both of us do exceeding well by it." His disgust was even worse than before.

"I have always said this was an unseemly practice," said Edward.

"You have not been to Caliph, Edward," said Kern. "The place is a nexus point like Antion. , But unlike Antion, it has been corrupted by outsiders and turned into an abomination. I make no exaggeration when I say that... all this is akin to heaven compared.

"No beatings, no being raped for fun and healed, no verbal abuse or being sold to even worse masters. Some of them have been sold to demons, Edward, like the one that took your arm. I can't save them, but I could help these.

"They have mass graves just for the women disposed of in the snuff houses."

"Snuff houses?" asked Tanith.

"You don't want to know," said Kern sadly. "Antion was not becoming Caliph; you don't need to fear. It took many ages for Caliph to be what it is, and those who built it would be ashamed.

"It requires a very specific level of evil.

"One must be utterly repulsive but have enough good qualities to not be utterly destroyed. Yet those good qualities must be hostages of sorts. I suspect they also have trade with the Demoration and are being propped up by outside resources.

"'There innocent people in this city.'

"Thus preventing the gods from seeking vengeance. You also need a view of good in the surrounding lands that does not allow vengeance. If any society around Caliph were willing to start a war for revenge, the city would be annihilated in a week.

"But, if revenge is wrong, you can only have defensive wars. You may only assault a city with a clear, strategic reason. In worldly terms, however, the cities benefit from Caliph immensely. It provides income and money; they generally keep their worst atrocities out.

"There have been wars with them. Yet the city has never been destroyed."

"Rather like Zigilus," said Tanith, remembering the tales of Abdul Sahshir.

"Rather, Caliph is what Zigilus might become if not destroyed periodically," said Kern. "Zigildrazia makes a point of destroying Zigilus before it faces a crossroads. That between becoming wholly irredeemable and abandoning the path of lust.

"Caliph is what happens when such a city continues down that path. Antion would need many ages to decay that far. And it would have to be very gradual, or the fall would destroy them."

"And what about the Furbearers?" asked Tanith, surprised that Kern talked about this so much.

"They attacked us; first, it is as simple as that," said Edward.

"What do you mean?" asked Tanith.

"Tensions had been growing between the border settlements for some time," said Kern. "The Furbearers and my people were growing numerous. King Gavin had created a lasting peace. But the Furbearers had no tradition of going to war, and many men went to war. So they found themselves coming to find Furbearers squatting on their land.

"'King' Osris has no authority to compel his people to do anything. He is a general organization that is called on in times of crisis. He could suggest they stop firmly but could not force the issue. Some of them went back; others pressed forward. Then, a few months ago, things began to get out of hand. Several fights broke out, and there were a few robberies.

"The militia was all ready for conflict.

"Of course, ordinarily, I would have negotiated matters with them. And I did, several times, in fact. But they kept pushing.

"That alone, of course, would not be sufficient justification for the scale of the attack.

"But there were other factors."

"What factors?" asked Tanith.

"I was tasked by King Gavin with creating a Haldrenian Sorcerer's Guild, as I said," said Kern. "It is a project I have been working on for some time. Largely figuring out what had to be done for it to happen. The Guild prefers to keep information private. However, it was decided that it must be done secretly.

"If Duke Vanion learned of it, he might think we were moving against him. The same could be said for many other political parties. So many business interests would be damaged if the Sorcerer's Guild had an alternative."

"We delayed the plan for some time," said Edward. "Fearing escalation.

"But word reached us that King Tyus was planning to arrange a political marriage. So it was with the realm of Stormstrike. Magicora is usually the place that provides magical support to Haldren. And since Escor is divided, we can handle them working against us. They prefer to remain neutral.

"Yet if Escor becomes stable, Magicora would have to pick sides. And Escor is the logical choice.

"That meant we had to destabilize Escor or get our own magical school. For obvious reasons, we chose the magical school."

Kern nodded in approval and smiled a bit. It seemed to be a great act of will to do so, but he managed it. "The problem is that such a school requires a nexus of energies. A place where spirits can be more active than is normal for the world. Wielding magic in a normal place is easy enough as an isolated incident.

"But try having an entire class practice it, and you'll exhaust the spirits very quickly.

"An organized curriculum requires malas to create the energies the spirits use."

"Thus, why you attempted to get it from Antion?" asked Tanith.

"Yes," said Kern. "I've long had contacts with the Sorcerer's Guild. I had a rather extended career. They understood the need to maintain the balance of power and avert a war. At the time, we'd expected an extended war with Calisha.

"Vanion's strategy was... unique and unexpected.

"In any event, we'd put together everything. However, we could not actually get it through to Ascorn. Vanion has been admirably ridged in policing the use of malas, all the more so since the Khasmir Campaign. That is a good thing, and no one save the corrupt begrudged the loss of Savior's Run. But it caused serious problems.

"Duke Vanion is, after all, a political rival or at least a potential one.

"That was why I arranged for one of my sons, Tavish Kern, to establish waypoints with the approval of the local lords. At the same time, it took some of the pressure off the nobility and provided a means to bypass the absurd taxes.

"I mean the ones' on the King's Road.

"It isn't the fault of any one person, you see, the system used for the King's Road-"

"I know the system I've traveled it, and it desperately needs reform," said Tanith.

"Something to discuss later," said Kern. "In any case, the system was set up. And it led to great prosperity in Ascorn, at least until Arkan brought in the Healer's Guild. Arkan, of course, claims it was inevitable, but the truth is the nobility could have stopped it at any time.

"Antion has become complacent and weak, and the fiasco with Lord Rius has finally woken them up. They fear that if another incident like that happens, they could have a rebellion. Thus they are working to do what they should have done a decade ago.

"Historically, the best solutions involve fixing them at the beginning."

"Does not Tavish work for Arkan?" asked Tanith.

"Nominally? Yes," said Edward. "In practice, no one works for anyone but themselves in the criminal world. They are akin to nobility, without principles, sophistication, or morals. They'd love to be considered Lords and Ladies of the underground.

"But I've never heard of a Lord being applauded for beating his wife or murdering his best friend. Such things happen, but it makes the Lord in question a pariah. Kafka was the exception, and that was only because he got results and was insane."

"I hadn't noticed," said Tanith. "His actions seemed pretty rational to me, if a bit ruthless."

"The point being, Tavish was out for himself as everyone was. Arkan put pressure on him one way, I another, and Rius as well," said Edward. "He is simply a mercenary maneuvering his way one way or another in changing tides."

"He is no more a mastermind than yourself or I," said Kern. "Unimportant in the face of forces beyond one man's ability to influence directly.

"Do you see that tranquil pool over there?" He pointed, and Tanith looked. "When a drop of water lands, the ripples are all anyone sees. A single stone makes all the difference. Now, look at that manmade vortex. You toss a stone into that, and it makes no visible difference." Tanith realized that there was water dripping from a tube into the water. She hadn't noticed.

Which was the point, wasn't it?

Was Tanith the vortex or the stone? The mania which possessed her now and then remained in the background. Yet it was also within her, part of her. It was staying outside and waiting to enter, feasting on every foe she slew, driving her to greatness.

When Tanith laughed, another woman laughed with her, and the wind carried her voice.

"Some, like Alchara, say that the pond should be forever tranquil," continued Kern. "Yet nothing will be done if that is the case, and man will decay. So why even bother to exist if all your existence is to observe yourself? Pierce too many layers, and you will find that you have stayed in a castle your entire youth, doing what you were told.

"A tranquil pond becomes stagnant and overgrown with weeds and muck. And all you can do then is rip it up.

"Others, like Anoa the Bright, believed in constant movement. Unceasing energy in pursuit of your goals.

"You can't see your own reflection in a rush of water. It will bring you neither knowledge nor truth. Only unending toil. Ripples and oceans in storms."

"How does this relate to the Furbearers?" asked Tanith.

"Transportation," said Kern. "Your father, Edmund Telus, is a staunch ally of House Gabriel. And he would never allow this kind of operation. The malas would be seized the second they arrived and returned to Gel Carn.

"The route to King Gavin's domain, meanwhile, is difficult. Babarassians often prey there, and the ships would take us past numerous dangers. And even if it arrived, it would surely be seen by Escor and others. So secrecy was important to the plan as well.

"So the Furbearer's lands were the logical place. We needed to set up a port there.

"I was trying to negotiate such a plan; however, they are extremely defensive in yielding any of their lands. And, they consider territory that is mine by right theirs by virtue of squatting there.

"Tavish became aware of these difficulties. He suggested we might bring in the Babarassians. Effectively drive the Furbearers out and get rid of them for good. I initially turned the idea down flat. Aside from a lack of morality, it is also a risky move that could easily backfire.

"A belief which, I'm afraid, seems to have been proven all too justified."

"So why did you do it?" asked Tanith.

"Outside pressure came from Antion," said Kern. "King Gavin was informed that crop failures might occur if the fields were not tilled. I could confirm the information. As laid out by Anoa the Bright, the first rule of being a ruler is that you cannot let your people starve. Unless starving is the only way to avoid slavery, of course, he was very particular about that.

"Atravain refused to give back any territory she had bought, and neither did the others. But, to be fair, she had the legal right, and blood spilt and shed by her late husband had claimed it. At the same time, there was more fighting on the border, and tensions were getting even worse.

"Then, somebody burned down a storehouse filled with valuable goods. A rumor broke out that Furbearers did it, and given the situation, everyone believed it. I suspect an overzealous individual might have done it. Or it could have been an accident.

"But it did not matter.

"Once it flared up, there was going to be a fight. If I tried to stop it, I would be acting against all my superiors' will and destroying my power base. And since the Babarassians would at least be drawn away from their usual haunts, I took it.

"I expected to force some bad terms on them, take enough slaves to fill the quota, and go home. Unpleasant, not unprecedented, and necessary. I am sure you have done the same for many villages. In any event, your Father would surely have interceded on their behalf."

"So what happened?" asked Tanith.

"I won," said Kern sadly. "My forces completely overwhelmed the Furbearer armies. The guards were not at their posts; many drank despite Osris' objections. The Babarassians landed at about the same time and hit them from behind. I'd already conquered them by the time word came to Edmund Telus.

"That's why I gave your brother the position; I hoped to stave off a full-blown war. I'd assumed that Rius was reasonably competent. Whatever did you kill him for?"

"Sokar killed him," said Tanith. "And he was utterly incompetent. He refused to let me sit in on a meeting with men from Haldren. He was dismissive and handled his operations poorly. In addition, he had dealt with everyone but refused to assert control."

"He refused to let you sit in on meetings?" asked Kern. "Was the man deranged? That's as good as an act of war. I was trying to establish a marriage alliance between our houses to end the feud."

"Marriage alliance?" asked Tanith.

"Yes, it's a common practice," said Kern.

"I don't have a problem with it," said Tanith, surprised he implied she did. "It's my duty if my Father orders me to marry someone. And it is a good reason."

"That do you credit," said Kern, sounding pleased. "But I don't understand why he would not let you sit on the conversations? Several notable dignitaries expressed distress you did not attend when I was there. They'd come from all over.

"Rius just said you were occupied with the garrison. He said he'd had to direct you in everything and was dismissive of William."

"Rius dismissed me as William's attack dog," said Tanith. "A sort of tame wolf that savaged anyone he told me to. Not to be allowed into meetings.

"Maybe he thought I'd overshadow him." She paused. "...Reg Hawkthorne was running the place better than him.

"So I challenged Rius to single combat, and he sent men after me. I killed them in self-defense, except for one who ran away; I killed him for cowardice. Anyway, I more or less was done with him."

"Was it necessary to kill those men?" asked Edward.

"Yes," said Tanith. "They attacked me, and who do you think clapped all those people in chains in the first place? I didn't even use my swords; I did it with my bare hands and no armor.

"What else could I do?

"Rius sicced them on me."

"We'll call it fortunes of war, Edward," said Kern. "We've already killed several Telus' men and many Furbearers."

"In any case.

"My plan, insofar as it went, was to reign in my unexpected success. But the Babarassians were already there, and I couldn't stop them.

"Even so, I took solace in that at least the plan had succeeded."

"Then Reg Hawkthorne happened," noted Tanith.

"Not really, no," said Kern. "Reg Hawkthorne was a nuisance to me, not a threat. He caused a lot of trouble for Rius and the countryside, and he ought to hang. But his efforts were not significant enough to come out here.

"He would have let the malas go through, especially since the Babarassians were on his side. In fact, he played into my plans, such as they were, perfectly. So reg was a perfect justification to bring Lord Dunmoore in and begin a war with the Babarassians.

"Once he arrived, the Paladin Order could justify a campaign to destroy their colonies. That would have also removed the economic crisis that Duke Vanion's peace terms set off.

"It was William who destroyed everything. Though I suppose the root problem was that Reg could take power in the first place.

"You see, he was an outsider once he arrived and only saw the surface-level problems. So he looked for the sources of those problems and dismantled the entire machine. At the same time, you rose to a position of influence over the forces of Ascorn. You ingratiated yourself with the paladins.

"Rius might have been in command, but he could not alienate you.

"Neither could he explain the situation because doing so would reveal the whole show. So he just had to play along and try to salvage things. The real issue was that William only saw the machine when it was misused. So he took the whole thing to be nothing but a parasitic abomination."

"I don't think you realize how much it could be misused, Lord Kern," said Tanith. However, she appreciated how surreal it was being the one to say it.

"Perhaps I did," said Kern. "But under proper direction, it would not have been a problem. Duke Vanion is such an example. The Dust Elves are kept in control.

"Systems tend to grow beyond their intended constraints, and it was a necessary evil at the best times. However, at this point, it does not matter.

"The Sorcerer's Guild will likely face investigation. Tavish has had his business empire dismantled by his own associates. The Furbearers have been invaded, enslaved, and traumatized. House Gabriel has been forced into a direct confrontation they don't want.

And a lot of innocent people are dead.

"And absolutely no one has gotten what they wanted. Not without cost."

"What about the militias you've been training out there?" asked Tanith.

"Preparation for an inevitable war with House Gabriel. And trying to help speed along the Heir of Kings," said Kern. "You see, Arengeth wants the Calishans to have connections to Haldren. If only Vanion could negotiate with them, it would leave us in an impossible situation.

"You've been doing much the same thing. And a competent militia system is one of the responsibilities of nobility."

"You see, we'd thought you were planning a takeover," said Edward. "Thus, why were you reluctant to send forces to Khasmir.

"Vanion has a reputation as ambitious and ruthless and a bit of a social climber."

"Duke Vanion is a great man," said Tanith, offended. "And mark these words; one day, he'll be King of Antion."

"What makes you keep saying that?" asked Edward.

"Nothing I've seen from the other factions has impressed me," said Tanith. "Rius was a fool; House Hawkthorne is easy to manipulate; Atravain can't control her own people. King Andoa is nowhere to be seen, and no one takes House Korlac seriously.

"That leaves House De Chevlon and House Gabriel. The Dust Elves are on our side, and William is taking the Thieves Guild to pieces. So the only piece left to play is the High Priest of the Gods and the Paladin Order.

"They are not allowed to take sides.

"Vanion is respected, and commands the loyalty of many powerful men. And he is in a defensible and vital position. His power base is secure. There is an Heir of Kings in Gel Carn, who has the support of Gail Arengeth and is very unimpressive. Relma Artortious is no warrior and can't lead armies.

"She's a decent showman and speaker but has no real guts. Benarus is a fool who can't stick by his own kind. His strategy for dealing with an invasion of wolves was to wait for Arengeth to fix it for him. When people tried to hit back, Benarus shut them down hard.

"Argath and I did some damage, but Adrian Wrynncurth had it all his own way."

"Where are you going with this?" asked Edward.

"Relma is going to want to be set up as some sort of Queen or King," said Tanith. "So give her a job as a mediator. Vanion takes Antion by marriage or appointment, and Arengeth keeps repairing Escor. Everyone wins."

"I thought you hated Relma Artorious," said Edward.

"Not really," said Tanith. "Nobody wants to lose their nation to some amorphous mass to go make friends with Calisha. We've our own lands, and we want to mind them. So set her up as a figurehead mediator with a wise advisor, tell her she's important and shut her up.

"Then just don't appoint her heir. Problem solved.

"No popular will; everybody gets to keep their nation."

Kern looked to Edward. "...I must say, this sounds like a dreadfully good idea.

"I've never been fond of the idea of remerging Harlenor. All of us are our own people. Anoa the Bright was a great war leader, and we owe him much. But his time is long passed.

"Perhaps, Edward, you could undertake a mission to Antion to investigate sentiment. Share the idea a bit."

"It seems a worthy task," said Edward.

"And what are your thoughts on this, Tanith?" asked Kern.

"Well, I've gotten to kill a bunch of people without any guilt or moral culpability," said Tanith. "I've gotten to go on a bunch of adventures with a beautiful foreign Princess. I've made House Gabriel more powerful.

"And to top it all off, everyone is blaming everyone except me.

"So I get off scot-free. Pretty good run if you ask me. Could have more dead Calishans, but I can't complain."

Kern sighed. "...I'm very happy that the miserable state of the human condition has worked out in your favor, Lady Telus. And I will certainly not be marrying you to any of my sons."

"Thank goodness," laughed Tanith.

Today had been a good day.