Now I could clearly sense the presence that was unobtrusively wafting around the stronghold before. It was close now, too close even...

"I see that you still fancy dangerous situations," Sharish sounded as nonchalant as ever.

"It wasn't dangerous until just now..." Yasenka growled quietly.

"Oh, there is nothing you need to fear from me. Unless of course... wait. I'm sorry, I'm a little confused... wasn't there three of you?"

I think my heart stopped for at least a few seconds.

But it was that fear that caused my panicked mind to come up with an insane idea. Insane, but...

I clenched my fists. I had only this one chance and I knew that if I didn't take it, I would probably regret it for the rest of my life. No matter if it would be short or long.

I took a soundless, deep breath and, trying my very best to look casual about it, left my hiding spot. "Yes, once there was three of us," I said loudly, trying to mimic the ironical smile that I saw on Canidralth's annoying face so many times. "But the times are changing, and with them the alliances..."

My eyes surreptitiously darted across the room, assessing the situation. And it presented itself exceptionally unattractively. There were suddenly around a dozen of strange people in the room, all clad in identical, ashen garments with hoods and scarves covering their features. Siaril was still attempting to shield Yasenka from the arrows that were aimed at them. I spotted Sharish on a small elevation that was previously hidden in the darkness, accompanied by two ansirths sitting obediently at his side.

Upon hearing my voice, a few of those hooded silhouettes immediately turned their bows towards me. But I didn't get intimidated. To my own surprise.

"You can treat them as a present from me," I turned my gaze to Sharish again. "For a good start."

The mage narrowed his eyes. "How am I to understand this?" he asked calmly.

"Well... you can count on my support, but I cannot vouch for those two. Although I think that with time, and by use of some adequate methods..."

Sharish was watching me for a long moment, his expression neutral. And then he started to laugh. Another few seconds and he whispered something to one of his mysterious figures standing next to him. I was almost sure that my plan will end up in one huge catastrophe, but then... Sharish gave me the most cordial of smiles.

"I didn't expect that from you, dear Sigrian. Such a reasonable young man, giving my words a good thought..."

I needed all of my willpower to not let the relief show on my face.

Siaril, who wasn't able to bring a word out till now, suddenly tried to wrench himself free from the grip of the man who just started to bind his wrists. "What's the meaning of this?!"

I glanced at him from above, trying to act indifferent. I knew how much my next words could hurt him, but I knew he would see through them... or rather I really really hoped he would... "I never really was a part of your merry little bunch," my tone was colder than I intended, but at least it served its purpose. "And I think I already told you once: I never trust anyone unconditionally."

Those words caused Siaril to twitch, like he's just been slapped in the face. But I was almost sure I also saw a short spark in his eyes... He knew. He knew that something so cruel was never said between the two of us. He hung his head, letting his dark bangs cover his eyes, and I hoped it was an attempt to hide his true emotions under the cover of helpless anger.

Yasenka on the other hand jerked in her bonds and shouted: "Traitor!"

The echo of the tall chamber repeated that word somewhere beneath the ceiling.

I had no idea if she guessed my true intentions and was playing in our favor, or if that accusation was completely serious, but it stabbed my chest with an ice-cold dagger all the same...

Sharish's laugh filled the room once more. "Am I hearing the growls of rebellion among the Disciples? What a show..." he simply extended his hand to me.

I jumped over the railing and landed next to him with two beats of my wings. The mage patted my shoulder in a friendly manner and ordered his henchmen to lead my friends out.

"Try not to damage them too much," I forced an almost sneering indifference out of myself as Siaril threw me one last look before disappearing into one of the hallways, pushed by those strange people. "They'll be useful once they've changed their minds."

"Of course," Sharish's carefree voice was like the hiss of a venomous snake in my ears. "Though should they be very stubborn, I cannot guarantee anything..."

I shrugged, smiling. "Better than them standing in our way I guess."

"Exactly. Come with me please."

I allowed him to show me through the stronghold, up some stairs, and soon we arrived in the chambers at the top of the surviving tower. They looked incomparably different from everything we've seen till now.

Freshly decorated, starting from a small study with a massive, dark wood desk by a slim and sharply finished window, up to the brass chandelier with a dozen of candles hanging above our heads. There was a fire already burning in the fireplace, a few pokers shining in the pocket carved out in the stone mantelpiece. The atmosphere resembled Light's mansion a little... probably because more than one thing seemed to be seasoned with an ounce of magic. I tried to not let the fascinating surroundings diminish my vigilance though.

I sat in the armchair that Sharish pointed me to and soon after a patterned, azure tea service appeared on the small table between us.

"You surprised me," admitted my host, pouring the steaming liquid into the delicate cups. "What convinced you to have that sudden change of heart?"

I took one of them and froze for a second when a familiar scent hit my nostrils. We enjoyed this tea just a few days ago, with Light... Looking up at Sharish, I pretended to take a sip, in reality just moistening my lips. I didn't want to take any risks. There was no telling whether he really believed me, or was just playing some sadistic game.

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"It wasn't sudden," I made stuff up on the spot. "I intended to do it much earlier, but was waiting for an opportunity to not only escape, but also to capture them... Besides, I had no idea where to look for you. But then Yasenka came up with that brilliant idea of checking if you were up to something in your old hideout..."

"A brilliant idea indeed, but I don't think she expected that it would turn out brilliantly for someone else."

"I hope you don't mind the assault in the middle of the night."

"On the contrary, I'm delighted."

I smiled inwardly. Oh, 'delighted' is something you will yet be...

"You picked a good moment," Sharish continued. "I'm about to finish preparations for another conquest."

I put the cup down onto the saucer resting on my lap. "Another?" I asked, then pretended to ponder over his words for a moment. "Was this beautiful mess in Ioreth your doing after all?"

"Who else's would it have been?"

"And who obtains the honors next?"

"Shinestone. I want to clean up the view I have from my windows."

"I see..."

Sharish must have felt that the information he treated me with caused some anxiety, because he squinted at me like he was aiming an arrow at a target. "Do you have any objections?"

I decided to risk a precarious step in this conversation. "Not at all," I said impassively. "I thought Shinestone is inhabited by many mages though?"

"It is. And I have warned them. Some decided to return north, some will stay to help..."

"Oh..."

A small, curious smile appeared on his lips. "I don't have to hold onto everything I decide like a drunk to a fence though. I feel like there's some ideas running through your head... Mind sharing fresh views?"

I smiled, unhurriedly crossed my legs and looked outside the window. "I thought that we could play it a little differently, cause some more terror... What if we followed the track of nearest cities, moving from the spot where you started? I'm sure the rumors about your army will march far ahead its advance... That way the news spreading across Earlindon will cause people to expect the next target, which would cause more solid panic. And even if they will be warned in a sense, I don't think they'll be able to prepare defenses capable of stopping your ansirths..."

The mage kept my stare locked with his for a moment before letting out a small puff of laughter. "You've got some creativity in that pretty head of yours. It indeed sounds interesting. So you suggest the next to be..." he seemed to be summoning up the image of a map in his mind, "Leeshan?"

I nodded. "Then Vernet, Tacritia and so forth..."

I just hoped that, in accordance with the letter that reached Tacritia, the citizen of Leeshan were prepared for ambush... and maybe, if me and my friends escaped, Sharish would forget about my suggestion completely. And if we didn't, then I could as well not worry about it...

"I'll think about this. But it's a tempting idea. I like it when human confidence gets covered by a fine web of cracks..."

"Thank you. Can I ask you something now?"

"Of course."

"Who are those people who serve you?"

"Oh, they're kanh."

The cup I just picked up again would probably have slipped out of my hand if I didn't promptly put it back down. "Kanh... here...? So far away from Hreshia?"

Sharish laughed again. "I see you didn't spare any effort in your research. It's true, the main entrance to Heiserth is hidden in Hreshia, but you don't believe that the dark elves would be satisfied with such limited possibilities of getting some fresh air, do you? There wasn't an actual entrance in these mountains though, not until very recently... Dear Yasenka opened it herself by putting a hole through the whole stronghold with that damned ritual. And she did me a favor, really. It wasn't hard to convince the elves I met under this ridge to aid me. Some clans hate the human race with true passion..."

I only nodded. That explained the corridors and the door in the underground, explained why Sharish decided to settle down here again... and foreshadowed trouble.

"Allow me to ask something now," Sharish's voice startled me out of my thoughts. "I heard that you were searching for the shards of the Ilmerast."

I reduced the moment of hesitation to a minimum. "It's true," I was starting to feel like a moth playing with fire.

"Did you manage to find any?"

"We got one from the priests of the temple in Tacritia. I wanted to bring it with me, but Yasenka hid it somewhere..."

"Don't worry, she'll tell us where it is soon enough. You found only one then?"

"Yes. But another is supposedly hidden somewhere in the Dragon Mountains..."

"I heard about it too. I sent a few ansirths there some time ago so they would search the old caverns for any remaining life forms or traces of magic... but they didn't return."

"Oh?" despite the seriousness of the situation, I had to use all of my willpower to not burst out laughing. "You don't think such powerful beasts could've been attacked by anything, do you?"

Something huge and golden maybe?

Sharish dismissed it with the wave of a hand, like he was chasing away a mosquito. "They probably didn't even find the way... incompetent beasts. I should have sent a kanh or two with them. Or just myself."

"I could fly there for you... if you wish."

"That's very kind of you, but I want to focus on Shinestone now... or Leeshan. The shard can wait, after all there is no one left to stand in our way to it. For now..." he added, seeing me vainly trying to hide a small yawn, "maybe you should get some rest? You look tired."

Exactly what I wanted to achieve. I didn't have time for any more parlor chit-chat. "Gladly. They woke me up at an inhumane hour. But... won't it be a problem if I suddenly stay here?"

"Not at all. Besides, where else could you go right now?" Sharish stood up, so I put my cup on the table and did the same. "You can use my chamber today. Tomorrow... you will have your own, I'll make sure of that."

"Thank you," I gave him a small smile.

Sharish wrapped his arm around my shoulders in a friendly manner and so did some luxurious scent, rather heavy for the hot season. He led me to the nearest door, behind which hid a spacious bedroom combined with a tiny library. It was at least twice the size of my bedroom in Light's mansion, which confirmed my suspicions of some magic being involved. There was no way this much could fit into one floor of a tower otherwise. The interior was lit by a subtle, almost intimate light of a few candles, the corners vanishing in shadows.

That view managed to throw me off balance a little at last. "Are you sure I can...?" I started unsurely, as if I was addressing the most generous host in all of south Earlindon, and not my mortal enemy.

He just smiled at me, amused. "Modest as always," he gently pushed me inside. "You're my guest, and after what you just did for me, you deserve even better. I have something to take care of tonight anyway."

When he quietly closed the door after a cordial 'sleep well', I sighed heavily. Either he's really as stupid and naïve as he looks... or he's a damn good liar. But... wasn't it impossible? I circled my fingers around my sirath. It stayed cold throughout the whole conversation. Was he really crazy enough to immediately trust me...?

I sighed again and snuffed all the candles except for one, watching how the barely visible smoke trails wandered towards the ceiling forming mocking question marks suspended in the air. I sat on the enormous bed to wait until the sounds next door die down. The remaining flame diminished occasionally, which made the golden frames of the paintings and tin candleholders look like bloody dew covered their smooth surfaces...

When soft creaking finally withdrew somewhere deeper into the stronghold, I stood up, walked over to the window and opened it. I took a moment to listen to the sounds of dying night, watching the faint glow in the east. Thick mist was slowly spreading across the valley, its shreds gathering in small ground depressions. It looked like it was cleanly cut off by a sword further above, at the level of the saddle between the peaks where the river came from. It unhurriedly began to settle, heralding a sunny day.

Where did the kanh bring Siaril and Yasenka...? Underground? If they were locked behind that door, I had little chance of freeing them. It was rather unlikely that they got hurt, being so valuable to Sharish, but...

My hand froze on the windowsill.

They were safe. I was even in a position to demand their safety and comfort. And the same position gave me the chance to learn whatever I wanted, maybe even change the course in which Earlindon was heading...

'Disagreeing with him while at his side seems to be far more effective than doing it from the opposite side...'

I looked up, almost expecting to see Nacre soaring in the softening sky. There was no bird in sight though. That probably meant... that those words came back to me in this very moment for a good reason...

I glanced over my shoulder shortly before my gaze returned to the outside. Before I could make such a decision, I needed to consult Siaril and Yasenka. Whether I should feel guilty about suggesting it... I could think about that later.

Much later.

Preferably never.

I climbed onto the windowsill and jumped out into the cold mountain air.