The Iron Kingdom lay in ashes. Overnight, the people had been driven into a blood-crazed fury. One that had seen them butcher each other. Their corpses lined the streets and buildings. Those scattered villages protected by the gods were besieged. Clans of satyrs and giants came out of the mountains to take what land remained.

But help was at hand. Colonization ships arrived under the golden cobra of House Gabriel. Black-armored men, with armies of mercenaries at their command, met the coming monstrosities. Three battles had already been fought, and the invaders had been checked. From there, the Harlenorians had shored up the defenders. Dead villages were being buried, and their houses were repurposed for the colonists ' use.

Many a funeral was held over mass graves. Duke Vanion, the colonists' leader, saw to it that the bodies were given rites and as much dignity as possible. He made contact with local leaders and coordinated with them for mutual gain.

The Iron Kingdom would recover. But it would be a long wait.

Lucius felt a twinge of pride for his students ' efforts. The spell had been a work of genius, set up over centuries. And Melchious had swelled the numbers of his raishan hordes for centuries. He looked to Karasush, the Sorcerer. "Melchous has done his work well."

"Yes," said Karasush, a note of distaste in his tone.

He'd hoped Fortenex's minions would have an easy slaughter in taking the land. Instead, they were going to have a serious fight on their hands. "As usual. He might have done it better if you hadn't allowed William to slip through your domain."

That too, had been a work of genius, albeit of a different kind. A plan had been thrown together hastily to interfere with Melchious' designs. And the survivors owed their lives to it. Still, Lucius took exception to one remark. "My domain? What do you mean? It belongs to the Withering King, and it was he who proclaimed that he be allowed a headstart.

"William merely made good use of the time given to him."

"And had you sicced your Einheroth on him right away, he wouldn't have had the chance," noted Karasush. Karasush had a history of William Gabriel interfering with his plans.

Lucius was not one to hold a grudge. He enjoyed the game and liked to see the newer players earn their spurs. He was certain William would make an excellent rival to Melchious. The dear boy always did his best when striving against some great hero. "Perhaps. But as your master favors blood and death, I favor humanity. William has the makings of a great champion of the human race. I thought it would be a shame for his story to end there. Besides, Melchious prefers to have someone to test himself against.

"He'll find much more entertainment matching wits against a worthy opponent. And I expect he'll enjoy a vendetta with Azgora."

"She slashed him to ribbons and blasted him with lightning," noted Karasush.

Lucius chuckled. "Melchious has an immense tolerance for pain. And he does his best work when seeking vengeance. And now William has sworn vengeance himself.

"Believe me, Karasush, it shall make for a worthy saga.

"What would have happened if I had allowed William to be killed? Melchious should have wiped out the Iron Kingdom entirely. All would be dead. Vanion would have held some small territories for colonization. But no great wars or deeds would come from the conflict.

"As it stands, the foundations have been laid for a new realm."

"My master, Fortenex, understands this," said Karasush in irritation. "And that is why he has not pressed the matter. But I disagree entirely. Had the Iron Kingdom been cleared away, we could have opened one of the gates within this place.

"Fortenex's chosen could have established colonies with ease.

"Instead, our territorial gains will be smaller and only gained after a serious fight."

"Your caution serves your master well," said Lucius. "But I'm certain they will glad to face a worthy enemy. Their kind prefers to take the path of most resistance." Then, turning, he began to float away, his cloak fading behind him.

"Where are you going now, Lucius?" asked Karasush.

Lucius looked up, still fading. "Karasush, you are of the bloodline of my secondborn, and I am concerned for your wellbeing. But I see no reason why I should discuss my plans with you."

"You might enjoy explaining them," said Karasush flatly. He didn't sound like someone who thought he'd been clever. His tone was calm.

Lucius remembered why he liked this fellow. There was a rare sorcerer of the dark powers who was wholly practical in his methods. He allowed himself to rematerialize. "I suppose I would. It might pass the time between cradle and oblivion. I'm heading to the southeast, beyond the Black Mountain. To the Dusk Lands."

"To what end?" asked Karasush.

"The Dust Elves have made their new homeland there," said Lucius. "Or they did decades ago. Perhaps in a century, one loses track of time. They have other holdings in other lands, but that is the only place they and they alone possess.

"I've already exterminated the Dreamer Elves.

"I thought I might make the Dust Elves the next on my list."

"Why?" asked Karasush.

Lucius laughed. "I enjoy raising armies of undead to destroy civilizations. I don't like elves. And I'm rather in the mood for some plotting."

"Surely, you must need more reason to destroy a species than that," said Karasush.

"On the contrary, Karasush," said Lucius, "I can. I am. And there is nothing you can do to stop me. Melchious has worshippers for that reason, but not Fortenex. And when you get a message to that place, my plans will already be in motion."

"There are times, Lucius, that I wonder why my people ceased to worship you," said Karasush. "Then I see how joyless you are in the destruction you wreak, and I wonder no more. Melchious destroys because he enjoys it, but you do it as a hobby. Something to pass one idle and meaningless moment to the next.

"Have you considered taking up wood carving?"

"My children are entitled to do and believe as they wish," said Lucius. "My only interest is in ensuring they inherit the world." And he was about to leave.

"...The Dust Elves are home to the last remaining Dark Gate in this world, aren't they?" asked Karasush.

His education had served him well. Had he lips, Lucius should have smiled. "Indeed, they are. I am glad your education shows itself, Karasush. In fact, it lies within my stronghold of Del Gabor. Why the interest?"

"It occurs to me that we have not tested the creation of gates," said Karasush. "The Dark Gate within that realm might be useful as a... testing ground.

"To iron out any kinks in the spellwork."

"The Dark Gates were not meant to go between worlds, Karasush," said Lucius. "They were meant to transport people across miles. The two are different tasks."

"I know," said Karasush. "But there is some overlap. And it isn't as though there are more Dark Gates to connect it to."

"What are you suggesting?" asked Lucius. He was genuinely curious.

"An alliance of sorts," said Karasush. "I will contact the sorcerers on the other side. I may convince them to send through a small colonization effort. That effort will then assist you in seizing control of the Dust Lands.

"We learn more about the process. And it will be no great loss if we fail."

"Well, it seems a worthwhile means to pass the time," said Lucius. "Very well then, I shall make the arrangements.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, my wraiths have some disputes I must judge. Farewell."

As Lucius departed, his form vanished first. Just before his will went away, he saw Karasush walk off, muttering to himself. "...I truly hate that man." He heard him say.

Well, Lucius couldn't account for taste.