Contents

CoverAbouttheBookTitlePageDedicationExtractfromTheSpooksBestiaryEpigraphPrologue:Nessa’sNightmare

Chapter1:IsitaTrade?Chapter2:NoMannersatAllChapter3:TheDarkTowerChapter4:TheKobalosBeastChapter5:IMustFeed!Chapter6:TheShaiksaAssassinChapter7:TheBiteofaBladeChapter8:OnlyOneChanceChapter9:NorthtoValkarkyChapter10:TheHybWarriorChapter11:HisBigStinkyMouthChapter12:TheKeeperoftheGateChapter13:TheHaggenbroodChapter14:GossipandNewsChapter15:GrimalkinChapter16:TheDeadWitchChapter17:DoWeHaveaTrade?Chapter18:AVeryInterestingQuestionChapter19:HostileHungryEyesChapter20:TheTawnyDeathChapter21:TheSlarindaChapter22:TheKangadonChapter23:HeWhoCanNeverDieChapter24:DaughterofDarknessChapter25:FarewelltoMySisterChapter26:TheSlaveKuladChapter27:ACryintheNightChapter28:WewillMeetAgain

Slither ’sDreamGlossaryofTheKobalosWorldAbouttheAuthorTheWardstoneChronicles

AlsobyJosephDelaneyCopyright

AbouttheBook

MynameisSlither,andbeforemytaleisfinished,you’llfindoutwhy...

Slither is not human. Far from the Spook-protectedCounty, he preys upon humans, sneaking intotheirhomestogorgeupontheirbloodwhiletheysleep.

Whenalocalfarmerdies,it’sonlynaturalthatSlithershouldwanttofeastonhislovelydaughters.But thefarmerhasofferedhima trade: in returnfor taking theyoungergirls tosafety,Slithercanhavetheeldestdaughter,Nessa,todowithashewishes...

Slither ’spromisetakeshimandNessaonatreacherousjourneywhereenemiesawaitateveryturn.EnemiesthatincludeGrimalkin,theterrifyingwitchassassin,stillsearchingforawaytodestroytheFiendforgood.

ThelatestinstalmentoftheWardstoneChroniclesintroducesSlither,oneofthemostterrifyingcreaturesJosephDelaneyhasyetcreated.

forMarie

IllustrationbyJulekHellercalled‘Kobalos’

EXTRACTFROMTHESPOOKSBESTIARYIllustratedbyJulekHeller

TheKobalos

TheKobalosarenothuman.Theywalkuprightbuthavesomethingoftheappearanceofafoxorawolf.Thebody is coveredwithdarkhair; the face andhands are shavenaccording to custom; themagewearsalongblackcoatwithaslitinthebacktoaccommodatehistail,whichcanfunctionasanextralimb.

Thesemagesaresolitarycreatureswhoshuntheir fellowcitizensandusuallydwellbeyondthefringesof the frozenKobalosdomain,which is far to thenorthof thecontinentknownasEuropa.Eachone‘farms’ahaizda,aterritorywhichhehasmarkedoutashisown.Withinitthereareseveralhundredhumans, living inhamlets,villagesand farms.He rulesby fear andmagecraft,harvestingsoulsandaccumulatingpower.Heusuallylivesinanold,gnarledghanbalatree,sleepingbydaybuttravelling the boundaries of his haizda by night, taking the blood of humans and animals forsustenance.Hecanshifthisshape, takingon theappearanceofanimals,andcanalsovaryhissize.Thistypeofmageisalsoaformidablewarriorwhosefavouriteweaponisasabre.

TheKobalosareafierce,warlikeracewho,withtheexceptionoftheirmages,inhabitValkarky,acitydeepwithintheArcticCircle.

ThenameValkarkymeanstheCityofthePetrifiedTree;itisfilledwithalltypesofabominationthathavebeencreatedbydarkmagic. Itswallsareconstructedandrenewedbycreatures thatneversleep;creaturesthatspitsoftstonefromtheirmouths.TheKobalosbelievethattheircitywillnotstopgrowinguntilitcoverstheentireworld.1

1TheaboveisbaseduponthewritingsofaveryearlyspookcalledNicholasBrowne,whotravelledfarbeyondthebordersof theCounty.Apartfromhisnotebooks,thereisnoevidencethatanyofhisassertionsaretruebutwemustkeepanopenmind.Theworldisabigplaceandmuchremainstobeexplored–JohnGregory

THEHIGHESTPOINTINTHECOUNTYISMARKEDBYMYSTERY.

ITISSAIDTHATAMANDIEDTHEREINAGREATSTORM,WHILEBINDINGANEVIL

THATTHREATENEDTHEWHOLEWORLD.THENTHEICECAMEAGAIN,ANDWHENIT

RETREATED,EVENTHESHAPESOFTHEHILLSANDTHENAMESOFTHETOWNS

INTHEVALLEYSCHANGED.NOW,ATTHATHIGHESTPOINTON

THEFELLS,NOTRACEREMAINSOFWHATWASDONESOLONGAGO,

BUTITSNAMEHASENDURED.THEYCALLIT–

THEWARDSTONE.

IT ISVERYdarkinmybedroom.Thecandlehasguttered, theflamehasflickeredanddied.It iscoldtoo,despitetheextrablankets.Ithasbeenalongwinter,oneoftheveryworst.Thisisspringbutthereis still a crust of frozen snow on the fields and the farmyard flags, and also ice insidemy roompatterningthewindowpanes.

Butitismybirthdaytomorrow.Iwillbeten.Iamlookingforwardtothecake.Ihavetoblowoutallitscandleswithonereallybigbreath.IfIdothat,Fatherwillgivememypresent.Itisadress–areddresswithwhitelaceattheneckandhem.

Iwanttosleep.Isqueezemyeyestightshutandtry.It’sbettertosleepbecausethenthenightwillpass quickly. I will open my eyes to see sunlight streaming in through the window, dust motesgleamingliketinysuns.

Suddenly I hear a noise. What is it? It sounds like something scratching on the floor by thewainscot.Coulditbearat?Ifearbiggreyratswiththeirsmalleyesandlongwhiskers.Mygreatestfearofallisthatonemightfinditswayintomybed.

MyheartbeginstoracewithfearandIthinkofcallingoutformyfather.Butmymotherdiedtwoyearsagoandhemanagesthefarmallbyhimself.Hisdaysarelongandtiringandheneedshissleep.No,Imustbebrave.Theratwillsoongoaway.Whyshoulditbotherwithmybed?Thereisnofoodhere.

Againtherecomesascratchingofsharpclawsonwood.Myheartjumpswithfear.Thenoiseisnearernow,halfwaybetweenthewindowandmybed.Iholdmybreath,listeningforthesoundtoberepeated. It is, and now it ismuch closer, just belowmy bed. If Iwere to look down, itmight bestaringupatmewithitssmallbeadyeyes.

Imustgetup.Iwillruntomyfather ’sroom.Butwhatiftherat’swhiskerstouchmyfeet?WhatifItreadonitslongthintail?

Nowitgetsevenlouder.Ifeelatugatmybedclothesandshiverwithfear.Theratisclimbingupontomybed,usingitsclawstopullitselfontopoftheblankets.InapanicItrytositup.ButIcan’t.Iseemtobeparalysed.Icanopenmymouth,butwhenIscream,nosoundescapesmylips.

Theratiscrawlingupontomybodynow.Icanfeelitssmallsharpclawsprickingintomyskin

throughtheblankets.Itissittingonmychest.Itstailgoesthumpety-thump,fasterandfaster,keepingperfecttimewiththebeatingofmyheart.

Andnowthereisanewthing,evenmoreterrifying.Theratseemstobegrowingheavierbythesecond. Its weight is pressing down on my chest, making it difficult to breathe. How can that bepossible?Howcanaratbesolargeandheavy?

Now,inthedarkness,Isenseitsfacemovingclosertomine.It’sabigfaceandIcanfeeltherat’swarmbreathonmyskin.But there issomethingevenstranger thanitssizeandweight. Itseyesareglowinginthedark.Theyarelargeandred,andbytheirluridglareIcannowseeitsface.

Itisn’tarat,afterall.Thefaceisthatofafoxorwolf,withalongjawandbigsharpteeth.Andthoseteetharebitingintomynecknow.Long,thin,hotneedlesofpainpiercemythroat.

Iscream.Overandoveragain, Iscreamsilently. I feelas if Iamdying,slippingdowninto thedeepestdarkness,awayfromthisworld.

ThenIamawakeandtheweightisgonefrommychest.Icanmovenow,andIsitupinbedandbegin to cry. Soon I hear the sound of heavy boots pounding across the wooden boards of thecorridor.Thedoorisflungopen,andFatherenterscarryingacandle.

Heplacesitonthebedsidetable,andmomentslaterIaminhisarms.Isobandsob,andhestrokesmyhairandpatsmybackinreassurance.

‘It’sallright.It’sallright,daughter,’hemurmurs.‘Itwasjustadream–justaterriblenightmare.’Butthenheholdsmeatarm’slengthandstudiesmyface,neckandshoulderscarefully.Nexthe

takes a white handkerchief from the pocket of his nightshirt and gently dabs it at my neck. Hescrunches itup inhishandandquickly thrusts itback intohispocket.Butnotquite fast enough topreventmefromseeingthespotsofblood.

Isthenightmareover?AmIawake?OramIstilldreaming?

IWOKEUPfeelingverythirsty.I’m always thirstywhen Iwake up, so therewas nothing different there, no hint at all that this

wouldbeadaytoremember.Iclimbedoutthroughthecleft,highinthetrunkofmyoldghanbalatree,andgazeddownupon

thewhite,frostygroundfarbelow.The sunwouldn’t rise fully for almost an hour and the starswere still visible. I knew all five

thousandofthembyname,butCougis, theDogStar,wasmyfavourite.Itwasred,abloodshoteyepeeringthroughtheblackvelvetcurtainthattheLordofNightcastsoverthesky.

Ihadbeenasleepforalmostthreemonths.Ialwayssleepthroughthattime–thedarkest,coldestpartofwinter,whichwecallshudru.NowIwasawake,andthirsty.

Itwastooclosetodawnfortakingbloodfromthehumansinmyhaizda–theonesIfarmed.Mynextpreferencewouldbe tohunt,butnothingwouldbeaboutyet.Therewasnothing tosatisfymythirst – yet therewas anotherway. I could always go and intimidateOldRowler and force him totrade.

Isqueezedbackintothetreeandslippedmytwosharpestbladesintothescabbardsonmychest.ThenIpulledonmylong,thick,blackovercoat,whichhasthirteenbuttonsmadeofbest-qualitybone.Thecoatcomesdownasfarasmybrownleatherbootsandthesleevesarelongenoughtocovermyhairyarms.

I’m hairy all over – and there’s something else I should mention. Something that makes medifferentfromyou.

Ihaveatail.Don’t laugh – don’t pull a face or shake your head. Be sensible and feel sorry for yourself

becauseyoudon’thaveone.Yousee,mine’salong,powerfultailthat’sbetterthananextraarm.Onemorething–mynameisSlither,andbeforemytaleisfinishedyou’llfindoutwhy.FinallyIlacedupmybootsandsqueezedbackthroughthecleftandontothebranch.ThenIsteppedoutintospace.Icountedtotwobeforeflickingupmyslitherytail.Itcoiledandtightened;theskinraspedagainst

thelowestbranch,breakingoffshardsofbarkthatfelllikedarkflakesofsnow.Ihungtherebymy

tailforafewsecondswhilemykeeneyessearchedthegroundbelow.Therewerenotrackstomarkthefrost.NotthatIexpectedany.MyearsaresharpandIawakeattheslightestsound,butit’salwaysbettertobesafethansorry.

Idroppedagain,landingonthecoldhardground.ThenIbegantorun,watchingthegroundspeedbyinablurbeneathmylegs.WithinminutesI’dbeatOldRowler ’sfarm.

IrespectedOldRowler.Irespectedhimjustenoughtoturnwhatmighthavebeenacrueltakingintoawarytrade.Hewas

verybrave for ahuman.Brave enough to live close tomy treewhenmanyothershad fled.Braveenougheventotrade.

Istrolledalongbelowhiswoodenboundaryfence,butthemomentIreachedthefarmyardflags,Iblewmyselfuptothesizethatworksbestwithmosthumans.Notbigenoughtobetoointimidating,butnotsmallenoughtogiveOldRowlerideas.Infact,exactlythesamesizeasthefarmerhadbeenbeforehisoldboneshadstartedtoweaken,hisspinetobend.

Irappedonthedoorsoftly.Itwasmyspecialrhythmicalrap.Notloudenoughtowakehisthreedaughtersbutaudibleenoughtobringthefarmerhuffingandpuffingdownthestairs.

Heopenedthedoornomore thanthewidthofhiscallousedhand.Thenheheldacandle to thecracksothatitlitupmyface.

‘What is it this time?’ he demandedbelligerently. ‘I hoped I’d seen the last of you. It’smonthssinceyoulastbotheredme.Iwashopingyou’dneverwakeupagain!’

‘I’mthirsty,’Isaid,‘andit’stooearlytohunt.Ineedalittlesomethingtowarmmybellyforafewhours.’ThenIsmiled,showingmysharpteethandallowingmyhotbreathtosteamupwardsintothecoldair.

‘I’venothingtospare.Timesarehard,’protestedthefarmer.‘It’sbeenoneofthehardestwintersIcanremember.I’velostcattle–evensheep.’

‘Howareyourthreedaughterskeeping?Ihopethey’rewell,’Iasked,openingmymouthalittlewider.

ThecandlebegantodanceandshakeinOldRowler ’shands,justasI’dexpected.‘Youkeepawayfrommydaughters,Slither.D’yehear?Keepaway.’‘Iwasonlyenquiringaftertheirhealth.’Isoftenedmyvoice.‘How’stheyoungestone?Ihopeher

cough’sbetternow.’‘Don’twastemytime!’hesnapped.‘Whatareyeherefor?’‘Ineedblood.Bleedabullockforme–justalittlebloodtosetmeup.Youcansparehalfacup.’‘Itoldyou,it’sbeenalonghardwinter,’hesaid.‘It’sabadtimeandthesurvivinganimalsneed

alltheirstrengthtogetthrough.’SeeingthatIwouldn’tgetsomethingfornothing,Idrewacoinfromthepocketofmycoatand

helditsothatitgleamedinthecandlelight.

OldRowlerwatchedasIspatontotheflankofthebullocktodeadenthefeelingthere;sothatwhenImadeasmall,precisecutinthehide,theanimalwouldn’tfeelathing.Thebloodsoonbegantoflow,andIcaughtitinthemetalcupthatthefarmerhadprovided,notwastingasingledrop.

‘Iwouldn’treallyharmyourdaughters,youknow,’Isaid.‘They’vebecomealmostlikeafamilytome.’

‘Yourkindknownothingaboutfamilies,’hemuttered.‘You’deatyourownmotherifyouwerehungryenough.WhataboutBrianJenson’sdaughterfromthefarmneartheriver?Shedisappearedearlylastspring,nevertobeseenagain.Toomanyofmyneighbourshavesufferedatyourhands.’

Ididn’tbothertodenyhisaccusation,butneitherdidIconfirmit.Sometimesaccidentshappened.MostlyIcontrolmytaking,husbandingtheresourcesofmyhaizda,butoccasionallytheurgegetsthebetterofmeandItaketoomuchblood.

‘Hey!Hangonaminute–weagreedonhalfacup,’OldRowlerprotested.Ismiledandpressedmyfingersagainstthewoundsothatthebloodimmediatelystoppedflowing.

‘Sowedid,’Iagreed.‘Still,threequartersofacup’snottoobad.It’sagoodcompromise.’Itookalongdrink,myeyesneverleavingthefarmer ’sface.HeworealongovercoatandIknew

that its liningconcealedawickedlysharpsabre.Ifsufficientlythreatenedorprovoked, theoldmanwouldn’thesitate touse it.Not thatRowler, evenwithhis sabre,posedany real threat tome,but itwouldbringourtradetoaclose.Andthatwouldbeapitybecausetheywereuseful,menlikehim.Ipreferred to hunt, obviously, but the keeping of bloodstock – especially bullocks,whichweremyfavourite–madethingseasierwhentimeswerehard.Iwasn’tpreparedtokeepthemmyself,butIdidappreciatetheplaceofthisfarmerintheschemeofthings.HewastheonlyoneinmyhaizdathatIevertradedwith.

PerhapsIwasgettingold?OnceIwouldhaverippedoutthethroatofahumansuchasRowler–rippeditoutwithoutamoment’sthought.ButIwaspastmyfirstflushofyouthandwell-advancedinthemagecraftofthehaizda.AlreadyIwasanadept.

Butthis,mytwohundredthsummer,wasadangeroustimeforahaizdamage–thetimewhenwesometimesfallvictimtowhatwecallskaiium.Yousee,livingsolongchangesthewayyouthink.Youbecome more mellow, more understanding of the feelings and needs of others. That’s bad for ahaizdamage,andmanyofusdon’tsurvivethesedangerousyearsbecausetheyleadtoasofteningoftheblood-lust,adullingoftheteeth.

SoIknewIhadtobecareful.Thewarmblood floweddownmy throat and intomy stomach, fillingmewith new strength. I

smiledandlickedmylips.I’dnoneedtohuntforatleastanotherday,soIhandedthecupbacktoOldRowlerandheaded

directly for my favourite spot. It was a clearing in the small wood, on the southern slopes thatoverlooked thefarm.ThenIshrankmyselfdown,coatandboots included, tomysmallestsize, theoneIoftenuseforsleeping.NowIwasnolargerthanagrey-whiskeredsewerrat.

Theoxblood,however, remainedexactly thesamesize,so thatmystomachnowfeltvery full.Despite the fact that I’donly justwokenup, the combinationof avery full stomach and thenewlyrisensunmademefeelverysleepyindeed.

SoIlayonmybackandstretchedout.Myovercoathasaspecialslit,likeaveryshortsleeve,toallowmytailoutintotheair.WhenI’mrunning,huntingorfighting,itcoilsupmybackverytightly,but sometimes in summer,when the sun is shiningand I’m feelingsleepy, I liedownon thewarmgrassandletitstretchoutbehindme.Happyandrelaxed,Ididthatnow,andinnotimeatallIwasfastasleep.

Normally,with a stomach as full as that, I’d have slept soundly for a day and a night, but justbeforesunset,ascreamcutthroughtheairlikeablade,wakingmesuddenly.

Isatupbutthenremainedverystill.MynostrilsdilatedandtwitchedasIbegantosnifftheair.Blood...Iraisedmytailandusedittogathermoreinformation.Thingscouldn’thavebeenbetterandmy

mouthbegantowater.Oxbloodwassweetanddelicious,butthiswasthemostappetizingbloodofall.ItwasfreshlyspilledhumanbloodanditcamefromthedirectionofOldRowler ’sfarm.

Instantlymythirstreturned;Iquicklygot tomyfeetandbegantoruntowardsthedistantfence.

Mylong lopingstridessoonbroughtme to theboundaryand,onceunder the fence, I immediatelygrew to human size. I usedmy tail again, searching for the sourceof the blood. It came from theNorthPasture,andnowIknewexactlywhoseitwas.

I’dbeencloseenoughto theoldmantosmell it throughhiswrinkledskin, tohear itpoundingalonghisknottedveins.Oldblooditmightbe,butwherehumanbloodwasconcernedIcouldn’tbetoochoosy.

Yes,itwasOldRowler.Hewasbleeding.ThenIdetectedanothersourceofblood,thoughthiswasfarweaker.Itwasthescentofayoung

humanfemale.Ibegantorunagain,myheartpoundingwithexcitement.WhenIreachedtheNorthPasture,thesunwasanorangeglobesittingpreciselyuponthetipofthe

horizon.OneglanceandIunderstoodeverything.Old Rowler lay sprawled like a broken doll close to the trunk of a yew tree. Even from this

distanceIcouldseethebloodonthegrass.Afigurewasbendingoverhim.Itwasagirlinabrowndress,agirlwithlonghairthecolourofmidnight.Isensedheryoungbloodtoo.ItwassweeterandmoreenticingthanOldRowler ’s.

ItwasNessa,hiseldestdaughter.Icouldhearhersobsasshetendedtotheoldman.ThenIsawthebull in the next field. Itwas stamping its feet angrily and tossing its horns. Itmust havegored thefarmerwho,despitehisinjury,hadmanagedtostaggerthroughthegateandcloseitbehindhim.

Suddenlythegirllookedbackoverhershoulderandsawme.Withalittlecryofterrorsherosetoherfeet,pulledupherlongskirtaboveherkneesandbegantorunawaytowardsthehouse.Icouldhave caught her easily, but I had all the time in the world now, so I began to walk towards thecrumpledbody.

AtfirstIthoughtthattheoldmanwasdead,butmysharpearsdetectedthefalteringrhythmofafailingheart.OldRowlerwasdying,forsure:therewasamassiveholebeneathhisribsandhisbloodwasstillbubblingoutontothegrass.

AsIkneltdownbesidehim,heopenedbotheyes.Hisfacewas twistedwithpainbuthe tried tospeak.Ihadtobendcloser,untilmyleftearwasalmosttouchingtheoldman’sblood-fleckedlips.

‘Mydaughters...’hewhispered.‘Don’tyougoworryingaboutyourdaughters,’Isaid.‘ButIdoworry,’saidthedyingfarmer.‘Doyerememberthetermsofthefirsttradewemade?’Ididn’treplybutIrememberedthemallright.Thetradehadtakenplacesevenyearsearlierwhen

Nessahadjustturnedten.‘WhileIlive,keepawayfrommythreedaughters!’he’dwarned.‘Butifanythingeverhappensto

me,youcanhavetheeldest,Nessa,inreturnfortakingtheothertwosouthtotheirauntanduncleinPwodente.TheyliveinthevillageofStoneleigh,closetothelastbridgebeforetheWesternSea...’

‘I’lltakecareofthem,’I’dpromised,realizingthatthiscouldbethebeginningofyearsofusefultradewiththefarmer.‘Treat’emlikefamily.’

‘Atrade,’theoldmanhadinsisted.‘Isitatrade?’‘Yes,’I’dagreed.‘It’satrade.’Ithadbeenagoodtradebecause,accordingtothelawofBindos,eachKobaloscitizenhastosell

in the slavemarkets at least onepurra – or humangirl – every forty years or become anoutcast,shunnedbyhisfellowsandslainonsight.Asahaizdamage,Ididnotnormallydabbleinthemarketsanddidnotwishtoownfemalesinthecustomaryway.ButIknewthatthetimewouldcomewhenImust meet my next obligation or suffer the consequences. Otherwise I would become an outlaw,

hunteddownbymyownpeople.Rowlerwasold;oncehewasdeadIcouldsellNessa.Andnowherehewasbeforeme,dying,andNessawasmine.The farmer began to cough up a dark clot of phlegm and blood. He hadn’t long now.Within

momentshe’dbedead.Itwouldtakeaweekatmosttodeliverthetwoyoungergirlstotheirrelatives.ThenNessawould

belongtome.Icouldforcehernorthtotheslavemarket,takingmytimewhileIsampledsomeofherbloodontheway.

Suddenlytheoldmanbegantofumbleinthepocketofhisovercoat.Perhapshewassearchingforaweapon,Ithought.

Buthepulledoutalittlebrownnotebookandapencil.Withshakinghands,notevenlookingatthepage,hebegantoscribble.Hescribbledalotofwordsforadyingman.Whenhe’dfinished,hetoreoutthepageandheldittowardsme.Cautiously,Imovedcloserandacceptedthenote.

‘It’stoNessa,’Rowlerwhispered.‘I’vetoldherwhatshehastodo.Youcanhaveeverything–thefarm,theanimalsandNessa.Rememberwhatweagreed?AllyouhavetodoisgetSusanandBryonytotheirauntanduncle.Willyoukeeptoourtrade?Willyedoit?’

Ireadthenotequickly.WhenI’dfinished,Ifoldeditintwoandpusheditintomyovercoatpocket.ThenIsmiled,showingjustahintofteeth.‘WemadeatradeandI’mhonour-boundtokeeptoit,’Isaid.

Then I waitedwithOld Rowler until he died. It took longer than I expected. He struggled forbreathandseemedreluctanttogo,eventhoughhewasingreatpain.Thesunhadsunkwellbelowthehorizonbeforehegaveafinalshudder.

Iwatchedhimverycarefully,mycuriosityaroused.IhadtradedwithOldRowlerforsevenyears,butfleshandbloodisopaqueandhidesthetruenatureofthesoulwithin.Ihadoftenwonderedaboutthis stubborn, brave but sometimes cantankerous old farmer.Now, at last, Iwould finally find outexactlywhathewas.

Iwaswaitingtoseehissoulleavehisbody,andIwasn’tdisappointed.A grey shape began tomaterialize above the crumpled overcoat. Itwas very faint and ever so

slightlyluminous.Itwashelicalinform,afaintspiral,andmuch,muchsmallerthanOldRowler.I’doftenwatchedhumansoulsbeforeandIlikedtowaitandseewhichwaytheywouldgo.

SowhatwasOldRowler?Washean‘Up’ora‘Down’?I harvest souls and draw power from them, absorbing them intomy own spirit. So I prepared

myselftoreachoutandsnatchthefarmer ’ssoul.Itwasadifficultthingtodoand,evenwiththewholeforceofmyconcentration,couldonlybeaccomplishedifthesoullingeredawhile.Butthissouldidnottarry.

Withafaintwhistleitbegantospiralaway,spinningupintothesky.Notmanydidthat.Usuallytheygaveasortofgroanorhowlandplungedintotheearth.SoOldRowlerwasclearlyanUp.I’dmissedoutonanewsoul,butwhatdidthatmatter?Hewasgonenowandmycuriositywassatisfied.

Ibegantosearchthebody.Therewasonlyonecoin.ProbablythesameoneI’dgivenhimearlierfortheoxblood.NextIpulledoutthesabre.ThehandlewasalittlerustybutIlikedthebalanceandthebladewassharp.

Iswisheditthroughtheairafewtimes.IthadagoodfeeltoitsoIthrustitsafelyintotheliningofmyownovercoat.

Thatdone,Iwasfreetobeginthemainbusinessofthenight.OldRowler ’sdaughters...

ITWASGETTINGdarkwhenIreachedthefarmhouse.There’dbenomoontonightandtherewasonlyonelightcomingfromthehouse–thefaint,fitfulflickerofacandlebehindthetatteredcurtainsofthefrontbedroom.

I lopedup to thedoorand rapped loudlyupon it three times. Iused theblackknocker, theonedecorated with the one-eyed head of a gargoyle, which was supposed to frighten off anythingthreateningthatapproachedbynight.Ofcourse,thiswasjustsuperstitiousnonsenseandmytriplerapechoedthroughthehouse.

Therewasnoreply.Thosethreegirlshadnomanners,Ithought.Nomannersatall.Angrily, Idroppedonall foursandran three timesround thehouse inawiddershinsdirection,

againsttheclock,andeachtimeIpassedthefrontdoorIletoutaloud,intimidatinghowl.NextIreturnedtothefrontofthehouseandblewmyselfuptothreetimeshumansize.Iplacedmy

foreheadagainstthecoldglassofthebedroomwindowandclosedoneeye.Withmylefteye,Icouldjustseethroughthenarrowchinkwherethecurtainsmet.IspottedNessa,

myinheritance,andhertwosisters,huddledtogetheronthebed.Nessawasinthemiddle,withherarmswrappedabouttheshouldersofheryoungersisters,Susan

andBryony.I’dspiedonthemmanytimesbefore.Therewasn’tmuchIdidn’tknowaboutthesegirls.Nessawasseventeen,Susanayearyounger.SusanwasplumperthanNessa,withhairthecolour

ofripecorn.Shewouldhavefetchedthebestpriceattheslavemarket.AsforBryony,shewasstillachild,abouteightsummersoldatthemost;cookedveryslowly,herfleshwouldbesucculent,eventastierthanday-oldchicken–thoughmanykobaloswouldprefersuchyoungfleshraw.

ThetruthwasthatNessawasworththeleastofall,buthersalewouldallowmetofulfilmydutiesunderthelawofBindos.Atradeisatrade,andIalwayskeepmyword,soIshranktohumansizeand,withonealmightyblowofmylefthand,struckthefrontdoor.

Thewoodsplintered,thehouseshook,thelockshatteredand,withagroan,theolddoorswungback upon its hinges. Then, without waiting for an invitation, I stepped across the threshold andclimbedthewoodenstairs.

NESSA

Ifeltashamedathavingleftmyfatherlikethat.I’dlefthimtodiealone.Buttheterrorofseeingthebeastsoclosehadoverwhelmedme.

Havingreachedthesafetyofthehouse,I’dlockedallthedoorsandthenledSusanandBryonyuptomybedroom.Myanguishand terrorhad renderedmealmost speechless,butonce there I couldkeepsilentnolonger.

‘Father ’sdead!’I’dcried.‘He’sdead–goredbythebull!’Mysistersbothgavewailsofgrief.We’dclimbeduponto thebedandI’dputmyarmsaround

them,tryingtogivewhatcomfortIcould.Butthenweheardtheterrifyingnoisesoutsidethehouse.Theybeganwiththreeloudraps,quicklyfollowedbyaseriesofterribleblood-curdlinghowlswhichmadethehairsonthebackofmyneckstandup.

‘Coveryourears!Don’tlisten!’Iurgedmysisters.Ofcourse,myarmswerestillaroundthemsoI was forced to endure the terrifying sounds. I thought I heard heavy breathing from outside thewindow,andforoneawfulmomentitseemedasifagiganticeyewaspeeringthroughthegapinthecurtain.

Buthowcouldthatbe?Thebeastwasnotthatbig.I’dglimpsedhimonhisvisitstoourfarmandhe’dseemedhardlytallerthanmypoorfather.

Next therecamea terriblecrashfrombelow. Iknewexactlywhat itwasandmyheartbegan tobeatevenfaster.Thebeasthadsmashedinthefrontdoor.

Iheardheavyfeetstampingup thestairs,approaching thebedroomdoor. Itwas locked,but thedoorwasnowherenearasstoutastheonethebeasthadalreadyforced–itwouldprovenodefenceatall.Mywholebodybegantoshake.

ThedoorhandleslowlyturnedwhileIgapedatitinterror.‘Nessa,’thebeastgrowled.‘Openthedoorandletmein.I’myournewfathernow.Beanobedient

girlandletmein.’Ifeltappalledatwhathewassaying.Howcouldsuchamonsterclaimtobemyfather?‘Yourolddeadfather left thefarmtome,Nessa,’ thebeastcontinued. ‘Andhegaveyou tome.

Andifyou’regoodtome,Nessa, thenI’llbegoodtoyourtwoplumpsisters.Heaskedmetotakeyoursistersonalongjourneytoliveinhappinesswithyourauntanduncle.IpromisedhimI’ddothatbecauseIalwayskeepmypromisestothedead.Butyoubelongtome,Nessa.Soyouhavetobeobedient.Whydon’tyouanswer?Don’tyoubelieveme?Well,readthis,then.It’syourfather ’swill.’

Icouldn’tbelievewhathewassaying.Mysisterswerewhimperinginshock.Howcouldmyfatherhaveagreedtosuchaterriblething?Iwondered.Ithoughthe’dlovedme.Didn’thecareaboutmeatall?

Thebeastpushedapieceofpaperunder thedoorandIclamberedoff thebed,pickeditupandstartedtoreadwhatwaswritten.

ToNessaI’ve promised the beast that he can have the farm and you. In return he’s promised to deliverBryonyandSusantoyourauntanduncle.I’ve triedtobeagoodfatherand,haditeverprovednecessary, I would have sacrificed myself for you. Now you must sacrifice yourself for youryoungersisters.Yourlovingfather

Despite theshakinessof theletters, itwasundoubtedlyFather ’shandwriting,butIhadtoreaditthree timesbefore itsmeaningsank intomybefuddledbrain.Therewerespotsofbloodon it–he

musthavewrittentheletterinhisfinallivingmoments.Icouldn’tthinkstraight,butIknewthatIhadtogetthebeastoutofthehouse.IfIdidn’tagreeto

whatmyfatherhadwritten,thedreadfulcreaturewouldsmashdownthebedroomdoorandperhapskillallthreeofus.SoItookadeepbreathtocalmmyselfbeforespeaking.

‘Iacceptthetermsofmyfather ’swill,’Isaid.‘Butmysistersareterrified.Iwantyoutogoawayandleaveusaloneforawhile.Pleasestayawayfromthefarm.’

‘I’lldo that,Nessa,’ thebeast replied, surprisingmewithhisagreement. ‘Nodoubtyou’llneedsome time to get over your father ’s death.But youmust come and visitme tomorrow just beforesunset.Iliveinthelargestghanbalatreeonthefarsideoftheriver.Youcan’tmissit.Therewe’lltalkaboutwhathastobedone.’

*

ThefollowingdayIsetofftokeepmypromise.Iwasterrified,andhavingtovisitthebeastatduskonlymadeitworse.I’dspentthedaydoingmyusualfarmchoresinadditiontothosetasksusuallyperformedbymyfather.Despitethat,Ihadn’tbeenabletokeepatbaymyfearofwhatwastocome.SoonitwouldbedarkandIwouldbealonewiththemonsterandtotallyathismercy.

Neighbourshadgonemissingfromtimetotime–somethingmyfatherwouldnevercommenton.OnceIhadaskedhimwhetherhethoughtthebeastwasresponsible.

‘Neverspeakofsuchthingsagain,daughter!’hehadwarned.‘Wearesafeinourownhouse,sobegratefulforthat.’

But nowwewereno longer safe in that house. If I didnot visit the lair of thebeast, hewouldreturntoourfarm.Whatcouldbemoreterrifyingthanthat?

Perhapshewoulddevourmeonthespot.Afterall,myfatherhadgivenmeintohisownershipinreturnforthesafetyofmytwosisters.

IhadtoldBryonyandSusanthat,ifIfailedtoreturnbydawn,theyshouldfleetothehouseofaneighbourontheothersideofthevalley.Buteventheretheywouldn’tbesafeif thebeastfailedtokeephisword.

Ireachedtheriverbankandapproachedthefordingplace.Therewasnodoubtaboutthelocationofhis lair.Hewas right: I couldn’tmiss it. Itwas twiceasbigasanyother tree in thevicinity–agigantic ghanbala with a trunk of a tremendous girth, its huge twisted branches stark against thefadinglight.

I approached the tree, and as I moved closer to that vast trunk, it grew darker, the branchesgathering aboveme to blockout the last of the light from the sky.Suddenly therewas a soft thudbehindmeandIwhirledroundinterrortofacethebeast.

‘Hello,Nessa,’he said,givingmeahideous smile that revealedhis sharp teeth. ‘What agood,dutifuldaughteryouaretokeepyourpromise.Tomorrow,justtoshowyouhowgratefulIam,I’llburyyourpoorfather ’sbodybeforetheratscanspoilittoomuch.Theeyeshavegonealready,I’mafraid,thoughhewon’tbeneedingthemnow.Butsadlythosearen’ttheonlythingshewasmissing:theratshadalreadynibbledofftwoofhistoesandthreeofhisfingers.Still,hisbodywillsoonbeinthegroundandI’llcoverhisgravewithrockssothatitwon’tbedugupbyahungryanimal,don’tyouworry.He’ll be safe and snug in the dark, being slowly eaten byworms, as is only right andproper.’

Thatcruel,callousreferencetomyfatherbroughtalumptomythroatandIcouldhardlybreathe.I bowedmy head andwas unable tomeet themonster ’s eyes, ashamed that I’d not plucked up the

courage togoout andburymy fathermyself.When I lookedup, hegave another grotesquegrin,pulledakeyfromhispocket,spatuponit threetimes,andinsertedit intoalockinthetrunkofthetree.

‘This isadoor Iuseonly rarely,’hesaid, ‘but it’s theonlyway togetyou into the tree inonepiece.Enterbeforeme.Youaremyguest!’

Fearful that hemight strikeme down from behind, I nevertheless turnedmy back on him andwalkedthroughtheopendoorwayintothetree.

‘MostguestsareusuallydeadwhenIdragtheminhere,butyouarespecialtome,Nessa,andI’vedonemybesttobrightenuptheplaceforyou.’

Hiswordshorrifiedme,andmyheartbegantopalpitate,butIlookedaboutmeinastonishment.Itwasincredibletofindsuchwell-furnishedquarterswithinatree.Therewerethirteencandles,eachinanornatecandlestick,setuponadiningtablesohighlypolishedthatIcouldseemyownreflectioninit.

‘Wouldyoulikeaglassofwine,Nessa?’thebeastaskedinhisgruffvoice.‘Thingsalwayslookbetterviewedthroughthebottomofaglass.’

Itriedtorefusehisoffer,butwhenIopenedmymouthIcouldonlymanageagaspoffear.Hiswordsmademeshiverbecausethatwasoneofmyfather ’ssayings.InfactIcouldseethatitwasmyfather ’swine.Iknewthathe’dsoldtenbottlestothebeastthepreviousautumn:theywerealllineduponthetablebehindthetwoglasses.

‘Wine is thenextbest thing toblood!’hesaid, showingmehis teethagain.He’dopenedall thebottlesalreadyandtheywerenowjustlooselycorked.‘I’mfeelingverythirstyandIhopeyouwon’texpectmorethanyourfairshare.Fourbottlesshouldbeenoughforahuman,don’tyouagree?’

Ishookmyhead,refusingthewine.Butsuddenlyalittlehopeflaredwithinme.Ifhewasofferingmewine,maybehewasn’tgoingtokillmenowafterall?

‘It’sgoodwine,’thebeastcommented.‘Youroldfathermadeitwithhisownhands.SoI’llbeonlytoohappytodrinkyoursharetoo.Wewouldn’twanttowasteit,wouldwe,littleNessa?’

AgainIdidn’tspeak,butbeganlookingattheroominmoredetail,myeyestakingineverything:thebottlesand jarson the rowsand rowsof shelves; the long table in the far cornerof the room,decorated with what appeared to be the skulls of small animals and birds.My eyes stopped theirwanderingatthethreelambskinrugsthatadornedthefloor.Eachonewasamostvividshadeofred.Surelythatwasn’tjustdye...coulditbeblood?

‘Iseethatyou’readmiringmyrugs,littleNessa.Ittakesalotofskilltokeepthemlookingthatway.Bloodneverwantstostayredforlongoutsideabody.’

AtthosewordsIbegantotremblefromheadtofoot.‘Thetruthis,Nessa,I’dliketotastealittleofyourbloodnow.’Icringedawayfromthebeastin

fear,buthecontinued,‘However,you’veshowngoodfaithbycomingtoseeme,makingmebelievethatyouwillkeeptothetermsofthetradeImadewithyourfather.That’swhyIaskedyouhere.Andyouhavepassedthetest,satisfyingmethatyouareapersonofhonourwhocankeeptoanagreement.Youhavealsobeengraciousenoughtorefusethewine,sothatnowIhavealltenbottlestomyself.SoIamgoingtoletyougohome.

‘Bereadyatsunsettomorrow,’hetoldmeasIstartedtobreathealittlemoreeasily.‘Killandsaltthreepigs,butcollecteverylastdropofbloodandfillamilkchurnwithit–thejourneywillmakemeverythirsty.Packupcheeseandbreadandcandlesandtwolargecookingpots.Oilthewheelsofyour largestcart. I’llbringhorses,butyoumustprovide theoats.Andtakeplentyofwarmclothesand blankets. Theremight be snow before theweek is out.Wewill take your two sisters to their

relatives,asIpromised.Oncethatisdone,Iwilltakeyounorthandsellyouintheslavemarket.Yourlifewillbeshortbutusefultomypeople.’

Iwalkedslowlyhome,numbedbywhat Ihad learned.But therewerepracticalities toconsider,suchasdealingwiththefarmanimals.Theywouldbebestgiventooneofourneighbours.Ihadalotto arrangebeforemy life changedutterly. Iwas going to become a slave of the beasts andwouldsurelynotsurviveforverylong.

IARRIVEDATthefarmatsunset,aspromised,andwaspleasedtofindthethreeRowlersistersreadyforthejourney.

Three stout trunkswaited in the yard, and upon the smallest satBryony, nervously picking theloosethreadsfromherwoollengloves.SusanwasstandingbehindBryony,hermouthpulleddownintoapouty sulk,whileNessapacedupanddown impatiently. Itwasgettingcolderby theminute.They had sensibly chosen to wear their warmest woollen dresses, but their coats were thin andthreadbare,offeringlittleprotectionagainstthecold.

Ihaltedattheopengateandstaredatthegirls,almostdrooling.Andonlookingmoreclosely,Isawthat thefleshof theyoungestsisterwouldbevery tenderandbesteatenuncooked;evenrawitwouldmeltoffthebone.AsforSusan,therewasplentyofmeatonherolderbones,butIknewthatherbloodwouldbeevenbetter.IwouldneedallthedisciplineIcouldmustertokeeptothetermsofmydealwiththedeadfarmer.

Dismissing such thoughts frommy head, I urged my black stallion into the yard, his hoovesclatteringontheflags.BehindmeI ledawhitemareandaheavyshirehorsefordrawingacart inwhichthetwoyoungersisterscouldride.Ihadstolenallthreehorsesthatveryday.

Icircledtheyardthreetimesbeforecomingtoahalt,thenleaneddownandshowedmyteethinawidesmile.TerrorflickereduponthefacesofBryonyandSusan,butNessawalkedboldlyuptomeandpointedtowardstheshedjustbeyondthestables.

‘Thecart’s inthere,’shesaid,herchinraiseddefiantly.‘It’salreadyloadedwiththeprovisions,butthetrunksweretooheavyforus...’

IleapeddownfrommyhorseandflexedmyhairyfingersclosetoNessa’sface,makingthebonescrack.Then,innotimeatall,Iharnessedtheshirehorsetothecartbeforetossingupthethreetrunks–feeblehumans;thetrunkswereaslightasair.

Then I smirked when Nessa noticed the freshly sharpened sabre at my belt, the one that hadbelongedtoherfather.

‘Thatismyfather ’ssword!’sheprotested,hereyeswidening.‘Hewon’tbeneedingitnow,littleNessa,’Itoldher.‘Anyway,wehavenotimetowastedwelling

onthepast.Thiswhitemare’sforyou.Choseitspecially,Idid.’‘Aremysisterstorideinthecart?’sheasked.‘Ofcourse–theywillfinditfarbetterthanwalking!’Ideclared.

‘ButSusanhasnoexperienceinhandlingahorseandcart,andthegoingmaybecomedifficult,’Nessaprotested.

‘Fearnot,littleNessa:theshirehorsewillbeobedienttomywillandyoursisterswillcometonoharm.Theycansimplysitinthebackofthecart.’

Ithadbeenbuttheworkofaminutetobreatheintothenostrilsofthebighorseandusemymagictoclaimitsobedience.Itwouldfollowinmywake,movingonlywhenImovedandhaltingwhenIbroughtmyownmounttoastop.

‘Yousaidyouwouldburymyfather,’Nessaaccusedsuddenly,‘buthisbodywasstilllyingthere.Don’tyouworry– Idid itmyselfwith thehelpofmysisters.However, it suggests tome thatyoudon’tkeepyourpromises,afterall.’

‘Ialwayskeeptoatrade,Nessa–butthatwasnosuchthing,merelyakindofferthatImeanttocarryout.UnfortunatelyI’vebeenbusygettingholdofthesehorsesanddidn’thavetime.Itwasbetterthatyoushouldburyhimthough.Itmightmakeupforrunningawayandleavinghimtodiealone.’

Nessadidn’tanswerbutatearrandowneachcheekandshequicklyturnedherbackonmeandstruggledupintothesaddlewhilehersistersclimbedintothecart.Aswerodedownthetracktowardsthecrossroads,theairgrewevencolderandfrostbegantowhitenthegrass.

Ithadbeendifficultobtainingthreehorsesatsuchshortnotice.Iavoidkillingorstealingwithinmyownhaizda,sohadbeenforcedtorangefarbeyondittoacquirethemounts.

IhopedthatNessawouldn’tnoticethedarkbloodstainontheleftflankofthewhitemare.Therehadbeenconflictbetweenmypeopleandhumansforatleastfivethousandyears.Attimes,

during periods of Kobalos expansion, it had flared up into outright war. Now it was merely asimmeringhostility.

Myprivatedomain,myhaizda,islarge,containingmanyfarmsandanumberofsmallsettlementswhichIhusbandandcontrol.ButoncebeyonditsbordersIbecomealoneenemy,likelytoattractallsorts of unwelcome attention. No doubt, seeing the purrai in my possession, humans would bandtogetherandattempttotakethemfrommebyforce.Forthatreasonitwasnecessarytobevigilantandtravelmostlybynight.

Justbeforedawnonthethirdday,itbegantosnow.At first the dusting was very light, hardly adding to the white coating of frost. But the snow

persisted,grewheavier,andthewindstartedtoblowhardfromthewest.‘Wecan’t travel in theseconditions,’Nessaprotested.‘We’llget trappedinadriftandfreeze to

death!’‘Thereisnochoice,’Iinsisted.‘Wemustgoon.Iamhardyandcanendure,butifwestopnow,

youpoorweakhumanswilldie!’Despite my words I knew that the weather would soon bring us to a halt. The girls couldn’t

survivemorethanafewdaysintheseconditionssoIwasforcedtochangemyplans.Althoughtheheavenswerenowlitwiththegreylightofdawn,Idecidedtotakearisk,andaftera

shortrestwecontinuedonourway.Weheadedwestnow,ratherthansouth,rightintotheteethofwhathadbecomeablizzard.

AtfirstSusanandBryonysatcoweringunderthetarpaulininthebackoftheopencart;bothkeptcomplainingofthecold,butIcouldhardlyblamethemforthat.Then,afteranhourorso,theysaidthatwhenshelteringfromtheweatherunderthetarpaulin,themovementofthecartmadethemfeelsick,sofortherestofthedaytheykepttheirheadsaboveit,exposedtothebittercoldanddampoftheblizzard.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheyfrozetodeath.

As the lightbegan to fail,weweremoving throughadensewoodof spruceandpine,heading

downaslopetowardsafrozenstreamwithanevensteepersloperisingbeyondit.‘We’llnevergetourhorsesupthatincline!’Nessashouted.Shewasright.At the bottom on the left stood a five-barred gate. Here, giving the purra a wicked grin, I

dismounted.Afteragooddealofscoopingofsnowandpullingand tugging, Imanaged toopen itwideenoughforthehorseandcarttopassthrough.

Acindertrackranalongsidethestream,anduponthis thesnowhadbeenunabletotakeahold:eachsnowflakehadmeltedimmediatelyonmakingcontact.Thetrackwasactuallysteaming.

IwatchedNessadismountandleadherownmarethroughthegate.Shereacheddowntotestthesurfacewithherfingers.

‘It’shot!’shesquealed,drawingherfingersawayrapidly.‘Ofcourseitis!’Isaidwithalaugh.‘Howelsecoulditbekeptfreeofsnow?’Nessawalkedbacktothecartandspoketohersisters.‘Areyouallright?’sheasked.‘I’msocold,’Susancomplained,‘Icanhardlyfeelmyhandsorthenoseonmyface.’‘Ifeelsick,Nessa.Canwestopsoon?’Bryonyasked.Nessadidn’treplybutlookedupatme.‘Wherearewegoing?’‘Ahostelry,’Irepliedand,withoutbotheringtoelaborate,Ileapedbackontomyhorseandtook

uptheleadonceagain.The spruce and pine gaveway to deciduous sycamore, oak and ash trees,whichwerewaiting,

bereftofleaves,forthecomingoftheshortsummer.Thesetreespressedinuponus,darkandthick,their starkbrancheshooked like talonsagainst thegrey sky. Itwas strange to see such trees so farnorth.

Soontherecameastrangesilence:thewindsuddenlydiedaway,andeventheclopofhoovesandtherattleofthecartwheelsseemedmuffledonthecinders.

Bryony,theyoungestchild,startedtosobwithcold.BeforeNessacouldrideclosertoofferherwords of comfort, I turned and hissed at her to ensure her silence, placing my finger verticallyagainstmylips.

Afteranotherfewmoments,Isawthroughthetreesafaintpurplelightthatblinkedonandoffliketheopeningandclosingofagianteye.Finallyabuildingcameintoview.

Itwasadarktower,enclosedbyahighcircularwallcompletewithbattlements,andaportcullisthatcouldonlybereachedbymeansofadrawbridgecrossingawidemoat.

‘Isthiswhatyoucallahostelry?’Nessademandedangrily.‘I’dhopedforaninnwithwelcomingfiresandcleanroomswherewemighttakerefugefromtheblizzardandsleepincomfort.Mysistersarehalffrozentodeath.Whatisthisstrangeforbiddingtower?Itseemstohavebeenconstructedbyotherthanhumanhands.’

The tower itself was about nine storeys high and the size of three or more large farmhousescombined. Itwasbuiltofadarkpurplestone,and thewholestructuregleamedas rivuletsofwatercascaded down its sides. For, although snowwas still falling heavily from the darkening sky, allaroundthetowerthegroundwascompletelyclear.Bothwallsandgroundweresteaming,asifsomehuge fire burned deep within the earth. The fortress had been constructed over a hot-spot, anundergroundgeyserthatheatedthestonesofthetower.

Ihadspentanightinthistoweralmostfortyyearsearlier,onmywaytosellaslaveandmeetmylegalobligationsunderthelawofBindos.However,at thattimeithadbeenruledbysomeonewhowasnowdead,slainbyNunc,theHighMagewhowasthetower ’spresentincumbent.

I smiled atNessa. ‘It is not a hostelry for your kind.But beggars can’t be choosers. This is akulad,afortressbuiltbymypeople.Betterstayclosetomeifyouwishtosurvivethenight.’

Aswemoved forward, Iheardgasps from the twoyounger sisters, and theportcullisbegan torise.Thesoundofchainandratchetcouldclearlybeheard,buttherewasnogatekeeper,andnobodycameouttoeithergreetorchallengeus.

I guided the purrai across the circular inner courtyard towards stableswith fresh straw for thehorsesandalean-tounderwhichthecartcouldbeshelteredfromtheworstoftheelements.ThenIledthemthroughanarrowdoor toaspiralstaircasethatrosewiddershinsupandup, intothedarkinnertower.Everytenstepsthereweretorchessetwithinironholdersboltedtothewall.Theiryellowflamesdancedandflickered,althoughtheairwasperfectlystill,buttheywereneverenoughtodispeltheshadowsthatgatheredabovethem.

‘Idon’tlikethisplace,’Bryonywhimpered.‘Icanfeeleyeswatchingus.Horriblethingshidinginthedarkness!’

‘There’snothingheretoworryabout,’Nessatoldher.‘It’sjustyourimagination.’‘Buttherecouldbeinsectsandmice,’Susancomplained.Succulentshemightbe,butthatpurra’s

voicewasstartingtoirritateme.Webegantoclimbthestairs;woodendoorswerespacedatintervals,butthenwecametothreeset

quiteclosetogether,soIchosetheseforthesisters.Eachhadarustyironlockintowhichwasinsertedalargesteelkey.

‘Here’s awarmbedroom for eachof you,’ I said,my tail rising in annoyance. ‘You’ll be safeenoughinhereifIlockthedoors.Trytosleep.There’snosupper,butbreakfastwillbeservedsoonafterdawn.’

‘Whycan’twealljustsharearoom?’demandedNessa.‘Toosmall,’Isaid,openingthefirstofthedoors.‘Andeachhasonlyonebed.Younggrowing

girlslikeyouneedyourrest.’NessalookedinandIsawthedismayonherface.Itwasindeedsmallandcramped.‘It’sdirtyinthere,’Susancomplainedwithapout.Bryonybegantocrysoftly.‘IwanttostaywithNessa!IwanttostaywithNessa!’‘PleaseallowBryonytosharemyroom,’saidNessa,makingonelastdesperateappeal.‘She’stoo

youngtobeleftaloneinaplacelikethis...’ButIpaidnoheedand,twistingmyfaceintoasavageexpression,pushedherroughlyinside.Next

Islammedthedoorbehindherandtwistedthekeytolockherin.Iquicklydidthesameforeachofhersisters.

Butalthoughcrueltyisinmynature,itwasnotthisthatpromptedmybehaviournow.Ihaddoneitfortheirownsafety,confiningeachseparatelytomarkthemasthreedistinctitemsofmyproperty,accordingtothecustomsofmypeople.

I’d had no choice but to bring the three girls here – they would soon have died of exposureoutside.Wewerenowwellbeyond the lasthumanhabitationand thiswas theonly refuge thatwasavailable. Itwasadangerousplace,evenforahaizdamage,andIcouldnotbesureofawelcome.Now,aswascustomary,Ihadtoascendtothetopofthetowertomakeobeisancetoitslord,Nunc.Hehadaformidablereputationandruledbyfear.

HewasaHighMage, themostpowerful rankofKobalosmage.Asoutsiderswhodwellwithinour own individual territories far from Valkarky, we haizdas do not fit within that hierarchy ofmages.IdonotfearaHighMage,butwouldifnecessarymakeobeisancetohim.IfIwereforcedtofighthim,Iwasnotsurewhattheoutcomewouldbe.NeverthelessIwascurioustomeetNuncinthefleshandsee ifhe livedupto thestories toldabouthim.Itwassaid that, inaraidagainstahumankingdom, he had devoured the monarch’s seven sons in front of him before tearing off that

unfortunateking’sheadwithhisbarehands.AsIclimbedthespiralstaircase,theairgrewwarmerandmorehumidandmydiscomfortgrew.

Such was the peculiarity of the High Mages that they sometimes actively sought out a harshenvironmentinordertoprovetheirhardiness.

EventhoughIwasnowwithinsightofthetoplanding,noguardswerevisible.YetmytailtoldmethatmanyofNunc’sservantswerenearby,inthesubterraneanareasbeneaththetower.

Therewasonlyonedooron the landing,andIpushed itopen. I foundmyself in theanteroom.ThiswasabathhousewhereNunc’sservantsandguestscouldcleansetheirbodiesbeforeproceedingfurther.However,I’dneverseenonequitelikethis.Insuchrooms,thewaterwasoftenuncomfortablywarm,butthetemperatureherewasextreme.TheairwasfullofsuffocatingsteamandIimmediatelybegantostruggleforbreath.

Theentireroom,butforaperimeterstripofstoneandanarrowarchthatprovidedabridgetothefarside,wasgivenovertoahugesunkenbathfilledwithwatersohotthatitwasgeneratingsteamasIwatched.

Nunc,theHighMage,wasimmersedinthebathuptohisarmpits,buthiskneeswerevisible,anduponeachherestedahugehairyhand.Hisfacewasveryfull,andshavedaccordingtothecustomofKobalos mages. The short stubble was black, but for a long grey patch low on his forehead – aduellingscarofwhichhewasveryproud.

AlthoughNuncwashuge–halfasbigagainasme–Ifeltnotintheleastthreatenedbyhisbulk.Sizewasrelative,andasahaizdaIcould,inamoment,blowmyselfuptoanequalsize.

‘Enterthewater,guest,’Nuncboomed.‘Myhouseisyourhouse.Mypurraiareyourpurrai.’Nunc had addressedme inBaelic, the ordinary informal tongue of theKobalos people; itwas

years since I’d last heard it and the language sounded strange, almost as if the time I’d spent nearhumanshadmademyownpeoplenowseemalien. Immediately itmademewary. I hadnevermetNuncbefore,andforaKobalostospeaktoastrangerinBaelicimpliedwarmthandfriendship,butworryinglywasfrequentlyusedbeforeofferingtotrade.IhadnothingIcouldbarter.

I bowed and, after removingmy belt and sabre, which I carefully positioned against thewall,undidthethirteenbuttonsofmycoatandhungitononeofthehooksonthebackofthedoor.Itwassomewhat heavier than usual, for the lining contained the three keys to the girls’ rooms. Next, Iremovedthediagonalstrapsandscabbardswiththetwoshortbladesandset themdownnext to thesabre.

FinallyI tuggedoffmybootsandpreparedtoenter thewater. Itwouldtakegreatconcentrationandwillpowerformetoenduresuchaboilingtemperature,butIhadtoimmersemyself,ifonlyforashorttime,inordertocomplywiththecustomsofhospitality.ImustnotgiveNuncanexcusetoactagainstmeinanyway.

Thewaterwasveryuncomfortable,butIslidin,forcingmyselftoputupwithit.However,otherthoughtswerealreadydisturbingmyconcentration.IrememberedNunc’sgreetingandwassuddenlydismayedbyhisreferencetopurrai.

Purrai are human females, usually bred within the skleech pens of Valkarky – sometimes forslaverybutmostly tobeeaten.The termcanalsoapply tohumanfemalessuchas the threesisters.ThatNuncshouldkeeppurraiinthistowerwasoflittlesurprise,buttoofferthemsopromptlytoaguestshoweddisrespect.This,inconjunctionwithhisuseofBaelic,suggestedthathedidindeedwishtotrade.

Nunc’snextwordsimmediatelyconfirmedthatIwasright.‘Iofferyoumythreemostprizedpurrai,butIrequiresomethingofyouinexchange–atrade.

Youmustgiveyourownpurraiintomypossession.’‘Withtheutmostcourtesyandrespect,Imustdeclineyourgenerousoffer,’Itoldhim.‘Iambound

byapromiseImade.ImustdelivermythreepurraitotheirrelativesinPwodente.’Nuncgrowleddeepinhisthroat.‘Anypromisemadetoahumanhasnovalidityhere–asHigh

MageIrequireyourobedienceinthismatter.IneedtheyoungestchildthisnightatthefeastofTalkustheUnborn.Suchyoungtastyfleshwillgracetheoccasion.’

‘AlthoughIrespectyourposition,Lord,’Isaid,keepingmyvoicepoliteanddeferential,‘Ioweyounopersonalallegiance.ThepurraiaremypropertyandIhavethenaturalrightunderKobaloslawtodisposeofthemasIthinkfit.SoIamsorry,butmustrejectyouroffertotrade.’

Itwas true that I had to respectNuncas aHighMage,but Iwasperfectly entitled to refusehisdemand.Therethemattershouldhaveended,butnosoonerhadIspokenthanIfeltasuddensharppaininmyleftleg,closetotheankle.Itwasasifsomeonehadprickedmyfleshwiththepointofabladeandtwisted.

Instinctively,Ireacheddownandtouchedsomethingthateludedmygraspandundulatedquicklyawaythroughthewater.

Icursedmyownstupidity,realizingthatI’dbeenbittenbysomekindofwatersnake.Theheatandthesteamhaddulledmysenses;otherwiseIwouldhavebecomeawareofthecreatureuponenteringtheanteroom.HadIraisedmytail,Iwouldhavedetecteditforsure,butsuchanactwasunthinkable;itwouldhavebeenaseriousbreachofetiquetteandagreat insult tomyhost. Ihadneverexpectedsuchtreachery.

Fearingformylife,Iturnedandtriedtoclamberoutofthepool.Butitwasalreadytoolate.Islippedbackintothewater,awarethatmybodywasrapidlybecoming

numb.Itwasalreadydifficulttobreatheandmychestwasgrowingeventighter.‘You are dying,’ said Nunc, his deep voice booming back from the walls. ‘You should have

acceptedmyoffer.NowyourpurraiaremineandIneedgiveyounothinginreturn.’Shudderingwithpain,Ifellintoanintensedarkness.Iwasnotafraidtodie,butIfeltdeepshame

athavingbeenbestedsoeasily.IhadmadeamistakeinunderestimatingNunc.Skaiiumhadcreptuponmealmostwithoutmynoticing.Itrulyhadgrownsoft.Iwasnolongerfittobeahaizdamage.

NESSA

YOUMUSTBEbrave,Nessa,Itoldmyself.Ifeveryouneededcourage,youneeditnow–foryourownsakebutmostofallforyoursisters’!

I had been locked in a small oblong roomwithout a window. There was the stub of a candleimpaled upon a rusty spike protruding from the wall, and by its flickering light I examined mysurroundings.

Myheartsankindismayfor,intruth,thiswasnothingmorethanacell;therewasnofurniture–justaheapofdirtystrawinthefarcorner.

Icouldseedarkstainsonthestonewalls,asifsomeliquidhadbeensplashedthere,andIfeareditmight be blood. I shivered and lookedmore closely, and immediately felt heat radiating from thewall.AtleastIwouldn’tbecold.Thatwasasmallcomfort.

Aholeinthefloorwitharustymetallidservedtomeettheneedsofbodilyfunctions;andtherewasapitcherofwaterbutnofood.

Foramoment,asItookstockofmysurroundings,Ifeltdespair,butthatwasquicklyreplacedbyanger.

Whyshouldmylifebeoverbeforeithadproperlybegun?Thedeepsorrowthat Ihadexperiencedat thesuddendeathofmyfatherhad transformed itself

intoapermanentacheof loss.I lovedhim,butIwassoangry.Hadhenot thoughtofmyfeelings?Whathadhesaidinhisletter?

Had it ever proved necessary, I would have sacrificed myself for you. Now you must sacrificeyourselfforyouryoungersisters.

Howpresumptuousofhimtocommandmetosacrificemyselfformysisters!Howeasyitwasforhimtosaythat!Thatsacrificehadneverbeendemandedofhim.Hewasnowdeadandfreeofthisawfulworld.Mypainwasonly juststarting. Iwouldbecomeaslaveof thesebeasts. Iwouldneverhaveafamilyofmyown–nohusbandandchildrenforme.

Icheckedthedoor,but therewasnohandleontheinsideandI’dheardthekeyturninthelock.Therewasnowayoutofthecell.Ibegantocrysoftly,butitwasnotself-pitythatreplacedmyanger;

Iweptformysisters–poorBryonywouldbeterrified,confinedinacelllikethisalone.How quicklywe’d fallen from relative happiness to this state ofmisery.Ourmother had died

givingbirth toBryony, but since that saddayFather haddonehis verybest, providing for us andbravelytradingwiththeKobalosbeast–Slither,hecalledit–tokeepitatbay.We’dhadlittlecontactwith the nearby village and other farms, but enough to knowof the beast’s reign of terror and torealizethatwehadbeensparedthefearandsufferingthatothersintheneighbourhoodhadendured.

I thought I couldhearBryonycryingout in thenextcell,butwhen Iplacedmyear to thewalltherewasonlysilence.

IcalledouthernameasloudlyasIcould–andthenasecondtime.AftereachattemptIlistenedcarefullywithmyearagainstthewall.ButtherewasnoreplythatIcouldhear.

Afterawhilemycandlegutteredout,plungingmeintodarkness,andagainIthoughtofBryony.Nodoubthercandlewoulddothesameandshe’dbeterrified.Shehadalwaysbeenafraidofthedark.

EventuallyIfellasleep,butwassuddenlyawokenbythesoundofakeyturninginthelock.Thedoorgroanedonitshingesandslowlyopened,fillingthecellwithyellowlight.

I fully expected to see Slither, and I tensed, preparing myself for whatever happened next.However, itwas a youngwoman,whowas standing in the open doorwaybrandishing a torch andbeckoningmewithherotherarm.

Shewasthefirsthuman,apartfrommysisters,thatIhadseensinceleavingthefarm.‘Oh,thankyou!’Icried.‘Mysisters—’ButmysmileofrelieffrozeonmyfacewhenIsawthefierceexpressioninhereyes.Shewasnothereasafriend.

Herbarearmswerecoveredinscars.Somewerealividredandquiterecent.Fourotherwomenstoodbehindher;twoofthemhadmultiplescarsontheircheeks.Whyshouldthatbe?Didtheyfightamongstthemselves?Iwondered.Threewerecarryingcudgels;thefourthbrandishedawhip.Theywereallquiteyoung,but theireyeswere fullofanger,and their faceswereverypale,as if they’dneverseensunlight.

I rose tomyfeet.Thewomanbeckonedagainand,whenIhesitated,entered thecell,seizedmyforearmanddraggedmeroughlytowardsthedoor.Iscreamedoutandtriedtoresist,butshewastoostrong.

Wherewere they takingme? I couldn’t allowmyself to be separated frommy sisters. ‘Susan!Bryony!’Iyelled.

Outside,botharmsweretwistedupbehindmybackandIwasforcedupthesteepflightofstonestepsuntil, rightat thevery top,wecametoadoorway.Thewomenthrustme throughitviolently,makingmelosemybalanceandsprawlontothefloor,whichwassmoothandwarmtothetouch.Itwascladwithornate tiles,eachdepictingsomeexoticcreature thatcouldonlyhavecomefromtheartist’simagination.Itwashotandhumidwithin,theairfullofsteam,butahead,asIgotupontomyknees,Isawahugebathsunkintothefloor.

Once they’dpushedme inside, thewomenretreatedbackdown thesteps, first locking thedoorbehind them. I climbed to my feet and stood with trembling legs, wondering what was going tohappennext.WhyhadIbeenbroughthere?

Peeringthroughthesteam,Isawanarrowbridgeleadingoverthebathtothefootofagreatrustyiron door on the other side. Then I heard someone cry out in pain. That door filled me withforeboding.Whatlaybeyondit?

My tremblingbecamemoreviolentandmyheart sank, for ithadsounded likeSusan.Surely itcouldn’tbeher?Ihadn’theardathingfrommyroom.Butwhenthecrycameagain,Iwascertain.Whatwashappeningtoher?Someonewashurtingher.Thewomenmusthavedraggedheruphere

too.Butwhy,when the beast had promised to protect us? Father had always claimed that hewas a

creatureofhisword– thathebelieved inwhathecalled ‘trade’andalwayshonouredwhathehadpromised.Ifthatwasso,howcouldheallowthistohappen?Orcoulditbethathehadlied–thathewastheoneinflictingthepain?

Iwalkedalongtheedgeofthebath.ThenIhaltedand,forthefirsttime,noticedtheblackcoatonthehookbehindthedoorand,beneathit,restingagainstthewall,thebeltandthesabrethathadoncebelongedtomyfather.WasSlithernowontheothersideofthatdoor,hurtingSusan?

Ihadtodosomething.Myeyesskitteredhitherandthither,alongthelengthoftheroom,lookinganywherebutat thedoor.AllatonceIsawsomethingdarkinthebathclosetothewallonmyleft.Whatwasit?Itlookedlikesomedarkfurryanimalfloatingface-downinthewater.

The creature looked far too small to be the beastwho called himself Slither – itwas hardly aquarterofhisbulk–butIrememberedthatmyfatherhadoncetoldmehow,byusingdarkmagic,ahaizdamagecouldchangehissize.Peepingthroughthecurtainswhenhevisitedourfarm,Ihadalsoseensomeevidenceof this, for thebeasthadindeedseemedtovaryinsizefromdaytoday.IalsorememberedthehugeeyethatIhadglimpsedthroughthechinkinthecurtainwhenSlitherhadvisitedthehouseaftermyfather ’sdeath.Ihadassumedthatitwastheworkofmyownimagination,inspiredby terror.Butwhat if it reallyhadbeen thebeast?Couldhe reallymakehimself thatbig? If so,hecouldsurelyalsoshrink.

ButifthisbodywasSlither ’s,thenwhohaddonethistohim?Howhadhecometodrowninthisbath?SuddenlyIthoughtIsawthebeast’sleftfoottwitchveryslightly,andsteppedcloser.

Washestillalive?Ifhewas,onepartofmewantedtopushhimunderthewateranddrownhim.Nothingcouldpleasememore,andhewashelplessnow.Iwouldnevergetabetterchancethanthistofinish him off. But it wasn’t possible.Wewere in a dangerous place, inhabited bymore of thesebeasts.Withouthisprotection,allthreeofuswoulddiehere.

So,withoutfurtherthought,Ikneltclosetothewaterand,leaningacross,graspedhimfirmlybythescruffoftheneck.

Even as I did so, I saw something moving very rapidly through the water towards my hand;instinctivelyI releasedmyburdenandwithdrew.Itwasasmallblacksnakewith threevividyellowspotsontopofitshead.Ihadseensnakesinthefieldsbutneveroneasstrikingasthis.

Iwatched itundulateaway,movingmoreslowlynow,but itwashard tosee through thesteam.Knowingthatitmightcirclebackatanymoment,Iwastednotime,andnowgrippedthebeastwithbothhands–atthebaseoftheneckandlowonhisback–entwiningmyfingersinhisfur.‘Comeon!’Isaidtomyself.AndItensedandpulledupwardswithallmystrength.

Thebathwasfullalmosttothebrim,butevensoIfounditdifficulttohaulthecreatureoutofthewater.Imadeonefinaleffort,andmanagedtodraghimupontothesideofthebath,whereIknelt,tremblingwithexertion.Againthescreamcamefrombeyondthedoor,andthistimeIwasquitesurethatitwasthecryofSusanintorment.

‘Please!Please!’shecriedout.‘Don’tdothat!Ithurtssomuch.Helpme!PleasehelpmeorI’lldie!’

Mythroatconstrictedinanguish.Icouldn’tbearthethoughtofoneofthesecreatureshurtingher.Slither had promised to protect us: he was bound by that promise – without him we were

completely at the mercy of the other inhabitants of the tower. But when I looked down at thebedraggledbody, itdisplayedno signof life at all, and Iwas filledwithutterdespair.Again therecame a cry of pain and terror from Susan. In response, filled with anger at the hopelessness of

everythingandthepainofmysister,IbegantobeatSlither ’sbodywithmyfists.AsIdidso,wateroozedoutofhismouthandformedasmallbrownpuddlebesidehishead.

Thecolouroftheliquidgavemeanidea.Isuddenlyrealizedthattherewas,afterall,onemorethingthatIcoulddo,onefinalwayinwhichhemightpossiblyberevived.

Blood!Humanblood!MyfatherhadoncesaidthatwasthemainsourceofSlither ’spower.Quickly,Igottomyfeetandwentovertothedoorwherethebeast’slongblackcoathung.There,

Istoopedandpickedupthesabrethathadoncebelongedtomyfatherandcarrieditbacktowherethecreaturelay.Kneelingdown,Iturnedhimover.

My eyes swept upwards from his toes, notingwith distaste the tangled forest of black fur.Hismouthwasopenandhistonguelolledsidewaysoverhisteeth,hangingdownalmostasfarashisleftear.Thesightofhimdisgustedandrepelledme.

Nervously,anticipatingthepain,IpositionedmyarmjustaboveSlither ’smouthand, takingthesabre,madeaquickcut intomyflesh.Thebladehadbeensharpenedandsliced intomyinnerarmmoredeeplythanIhadintended.Therewasasharppainandastingingsensation.Andthenmybloodwasfallinglikedarkrainintotheopenmouthofthebeast.

ITWASMYfifthsense,thatoftaste,whichdrewmeupoutofthatdarkpitintowhichIhadfallen.Mymouthwasfullofwarm,sweetblood.

Ichokedandspluttered,butthenmanagedtoswallow,andtherichliquidsliddownintomybelly,restoringmetolife.Myolfactorysensereturnednext.Theinvitingodourofthebloodofahumanfemalefilledmynostrils.Shewasverycloseandwasfullofthesamedeliciousbloodthat,evennow,wasfillingmymouth.

The next sense to return was touch. It began with pins and needles in my extremities, whichquickly became a fire, so that it felt as ifmywhole bodywere burning. Itwas then thatmy auralsensessuddenlyfunctionedoncemoreand,hearingsomeoneweeping,IopenedmyeyesandstaredupinamazementatthefigureofNessa,whowascrouchingoverme,tearsrunningdownherface.Isawthesabregrippedinherrighthand.Mymindwassluggish,andforamomentIthoughtshemeanttostrikemewithit.

Itriedtobringupmyarmstodefendmyself,butIwastooweakandcouldn’tevenmanagetorollaway.Buttomysurpriseshedidnotcutme.Ilaytherestaringupather,tryingtomakesenseofwhatwashappening.

SlowlyIbegantounderstandwhyshewasholdingthesword,finallylinkingitssharpedgetothebloodfallingtowardsmefromthedeepcutonherinnerarm.

Then,asmymemoryreturned,IrecalledNunc’streachery. . . thebiteofthewatersnake.Ihaddied.Orsoithadseemed.Thebloodwasstillfallingintomymouthbut therewaslessof itnow.Iswallowed again, then reachedup, trying to seizeNessa’s arm so that I coulddraw it down tomymouth.Ineededmoreblood,butmovedtooslowly,andwithalookofdisgust,shesnatchedherarmoutofreach.

BynowthebloodhaddoneitsjobandImanagedtorolloverandriseupontomyknees,shakingmyselfviolently likeadogso thatwaterdropletsscatteredinalldirections.Mymindwasworkingfasternow.Iwasbeginningtothink.BeginningtorealizetheenormityofwhatNessahaddoneforme.

She had given me her blood. And that human blood had strengthened my shakamure magic,

counteractedtheeffectsofthesnakebiteanddrawnmebackfromtheedgeofdeath.Butwhyhadshedoneit?Andwhywasshehereandnotstilllockedinthecell?

‘Mysister.Someone’shurtingmysisterthroughthere.Helpher,please!’Nessabegged,pointingtothedoorontheothersideofthebridge.‘Youpromisedwe’dbesafe...’

Iheardanothersoundthen.ItwasthedistantwhimperofagirlanditcamefrombehindthedoortoNunc’sprivatequarters.

‘She’s been taken in there!’ Nessa continued, her voice growing more frantic. ‘And where’sBryony?Someawfulwomenthrewmeinhereandlockedthedoor.Ihavejustsavedyourlife,soyouowemenow!Helpus,please!’

Istoodshakilyandraisedmytail.Withit IsensedNuncandknewwhySusanhadcriedout.Hewasdrinkingherblood.IwasoutragedthatNuncshouldfloutKobaloscustomsandavailhimselfofmypropertylikethis.ButIwasalsofilledwithasenseofdebttoNessa.Shewasright:Iowedhermylife.

It was strange to acknowledge such a thing. A human female was nothing.Within the city ofValkarky shewas just property. Sowhy should I feel thisway?What if it trulywere skaiium, thesofteningofmypredatorynature?Suchathingwouldindeedbeterribletobear.

IturnedtofaceNessa.IwouldkillNuncandhardenmynatureagainintheprocess.Nothingwasmoreimportant.

‘Givemetheblade!’Icommanded,simultaneouslyblowingmyselfupinsizesothatIwasaheadtallerthanthegirl.

Weepingnow,Nessahelditouttowardsme.Herhandwasshaking,butIsawthatthebloodhadalmostceasedflowingfromherleftarmandwasbeginningtocoagulate.Ratherthantakingthebladethenandthere,Iturnedmybackonthegirlandwenttogetmycoatandboots.

Ipulledthebootsonfirst,lacingthemupcarefully,thenfastenedthestrapsacrossmyshouldersandchest,checkingthattheshortbladeswerecorrectlypositionedinthetwoscabbards.NextIdrewonmy coat, realizing as I did so that the three keys had been removed. As I fastened all thirteenbuttons,Susancriedoutagainfrombeyondthedoor.

‘Please–pleasehurry!’beggedNessa.ButIknewthatitwasimportanttoavoidunduehaste.DespitemyangerImustmovewithcaution,

choosingmymomentandstrikingonlywhentheoccasionpermitted.Nuncwasalonewiththegirl,buttheremightbeuptothreescorewarriorsquarteredbelowthetower,readytodefendtheirHighMage.

‘So,whobroughtyouhere?’Iasked,bucklingonmybelt.‘NotKobaloswarriors?’‘No.Theywerewomen.’‘Howmany?’‘Therewerefiveofthem.’Iheldmyhandoutforthesabre.SothepurraihadbroughtSusantoNuncsothathecoulddrink

her blood very slowly, savouring every sip.No doubt he had a different type of pleasure inmindwhenhedealtwithNessabecauseshewas tooskinnyandherbloodwouldbe thin.Hewouldhaveused her for blade practice, attempting to cut her as many times as possible without killing her.Eventuallyshewouldhavediedofshockandbloodloss.Bynow,Iwascertainthatthechild,Bryony,wouldhavealreadybeengiventothewarriorstoprepareforthefeast.

Ifeltbetternow.Iwasstronger,butnotyetstrongenough.Morebloodwouldhelp.Iknewthatthemost sensible course of actionwould be to take it fromNessa by force, but somethingwithinmeresistedthatalternative.ThenIrememberedthesnake!

Iwentovertotheedgeofthebathandkneltdown,immersingmyhandinthesteamingwater.‘Becareful!’Nessaexclaimed.‘There’sasnakeinthere!’‘ThatIknowtomycost,littleNessa.Itwasresponsibleforputtingmeinthepositionyouluckily

foundmein.Nowitisthesnake’sturntosuffer!’I’dprobablybeenbittenbythesmallblacksnakeknownasaskulka,greatlyfearedbecauseitsbite

inducesaswiftparalysis.Ithastheadvantageforanassassininthatthepresenceofitsvenominthebloodisalmost impossibletodetectafterwards.Itsvictimsbecomehelpless themomentthepoisonhasenteredtheirbloodstream.Thentheydieinagony.NodoubtNunchaddevelopedhisimmunitybygradualexposuretothetoxin–thecreaturewasprobablyhisfamiliar.

Mytailwasstandingerectonmybackand,moreaccuratelythaneyeorear,ittoldmepreciselywherethesnakewas.Itwasundulatingswiftlytowardsmyhandnow.

Butjustastheskulkaopeneditsmouth,fangsreadytostrike,Imovedquicklyandsnatcheditoutofthewater.Ihelditaloft,grippingitbelowtheheadsothatitcouldnotbiteme.Then–tohorrifiedgaspsfromNessa–Ibitoffitsheadandspatitoutintothewater,beforesuckingthebloodfromthebody.

Therewasn’t anywherenear enough, so I toreoff anotherpieceof snakeandbegan tochew itcarefully. The foolish girl struggled to control her disgust. Couldn’t she see that I did what wasnecessaryinordertosavehersister?AsIswallowedtheflesh,Susancriedoutfrombeyondthedooronceagain.

IturnedandsmiledatNessa.‘Bepatient,littleNessa.Ineedstrength.IfIamweak,allofuswilldie.’

Onlywhen I’d finished eating thewhole snakedid I cross thenarrowbridge and approach therusty iron door. As I expected, it was unlocked, so I pulled it open and stepped into a narrowpassagewaywhich ended in a single door. This I also opened and,withNessa close onmy heels,steppedboldlyintoNunc’sprivatequarters.

This spacious room functioned as the study, private armoury and bedroomof aKobalosHighMageand,assuch,wasacuriousmixtureofthespartanandtheluxurious.Uponthebareflagsstooda large ornate oaken desk, its edges embellished with the finest silver of a type I recognizedimmediately. ItwasCombe-quality silver seized fifty-three years earlier in a daring guerrilla raiddeep into that human territory far to the south.Nunc’s exploitswerewell known.Hehad achievedmuchbutwasknowntobeegotisticalandhadworkedtoensurethathisfamespread.

On the far wall hung shields, axes, spears and blades of many types, some very exotic, andbeneaththemstoodalargetablecoveredwithmapsandpilesofpapers,heldinplacebylargeblueagatepaperweights.

Therooms inmyghanbala treealsocontainartefacts thatarepleasing to lookupon,but ratherthan thisostentatiousdisplayofmapsandweapons, they representmyown interests: jarsofherbs,ointments andpreserved faunaand florawhichadd tomyknowledgeof thenaturalworld andareusefultomymagic.

Here the walls were panelled so extensively that not a trace of stone was visible; some werecarvedwithrepresentationsofwarriorsinfullcombatarmour,includingthelastKingofValkarky,whohadbeenslainbyanassassin.

I spottedNunc, with Susan in his grasp, his teeth embedded in her neck. By now the girl wasunconsciousanditwasNessawhosuddenlyscreamedbehindme,alertingtheHighMagetothethreatIposed.

He released the child immediately and leaped backwards. As Susan crumpled to the floor, he

seizedahuge spear from thewall andbrandished it aloft, directing it towardsme.Hehaddressedformallyinpreparationforthefeast,andwasunfortunatelywearingexpensivechain-linkarmourthatIjudgedthickenoughtodeflectablade.Buthehadintendedtoeat,notfight,andthushisheadandthroatwerebareandvulnerabletosharpsteel.

‘LordNunc!’Icried,myvoicefilledwithanger.‘Youhavesomethingofmineandnowyoumustreturnit!’

AsIspoke,Iliftedmytailsothatitstoodupatmybackandwouldgivemeearlywarningofmyenemy’sintentions.ItwasfortunatethatIdidso.TherehadbeennovisibleindicationthatNuncwouldattack – not even a twitch or the tensing of muscles – but by way of answer he hurled his speardirectlyatmyhead.AsIhavesaid,mytailhadalreadyalertedmetothisandIwasprepared.Astheweaponspedtowardsme,Imovedjustonepartofmybody:Iraisedmyarmand,usingthebroadflatof the sabre’s blade, skilfully deflected the spear so that it struck the wall close to the door andcrashedharmlesslytothestoneflags.

Susanopenedhereyesthenandmanagedtokneeluponthefloor,hereyesstaringwildlyatthesceneabouther.Themomentshebegantoscream,Nuncranovertothefarwall,seizedasabreandashield,andturnedtofaceme.

Hewasevidentlystrong:themusclesofhistorso,althoughsomewhatthickenedaboutthemidriff,boretestamenttohisdailytraininginmartialskills.

Imyselfhad traineddailywhenyounger,before Ibecameahaizdamage.ButnowmyhuntingkeptmefitandIpreferredtorelyonmyinstinctsinbattleratherthanfollowtheroutinesofaHighMage.

Itmightbe thatNuncwas somewaypast his prime,buthewould still bedangerous and Iwasaware thatmyordeal in thewaterhad taken its tollonmyownstamina.Thus Icouldnotendurealongstrugglehere.Towin,ImustfinishNuncoffquickly.

WithmylefthandIundidthetopthreebuttonsofmycoatandreachedinside,withdrawingashortblade.Now,brandishingtwoblades,Imovedroundthedeskandbegantoadvanceslowlytowardsthemage.

Outofthecornerofmyeye,IsawNessarunningtowardsSusan.Ithoughtthatshewasrushingtocomfort her sister, but then, tomy astonishment, she pickedup the spear that lay on the floor andchargedstraightatNunc.

Asthespearshatteredagainsthisshield,heusedthelatterlikeaclub,swingingitsidewaysagainstthegirl.Itstruckherontheshoulderandsentherflyingintothepanelledwall.

I saw my advantage. Nunc had made the mistake that would kill him. Taking the opportunitypresented byNessa’swild charge, I had followed close and swift upon her heels, and now,with asweepofmysabre,IcutNunc’sthroat.

Seeingmyapproach,hehadtriedtobringtheshieldbackacrosstocoverhisbody,buthewastoolate.Suchwasthespeedandforceofmyblowthathisheadwasalmostsevered.Ashefelltothestoneflags,IputmyownsabreanddaggerasideandsankontomykneesbesidethedyingHighMage.

Imustfeed.Hisbloodrepresentedstrength.Itpromisedachancetoescapefromthefortress.AsthebloodpumpedfromNunc’sneck,Ifedgreedily,drinkingdownthehotsweetbloodinhuge

gulps,feelingthelife-forcefillingmybodywithnewstrength.

WHENI’DFINISHED,Istoodupandbelchedloudly.Betteroutthanin!BynowNessawasbackonher feet,holdingher shoulderandgrimacingwithpain. Ihadbeen

impressedbyherbravery–heractionshadmadeiteasierformetodefeatNunc.Herfacewaspaleand I could see her trembling, but apart from a little bruising she would no doubt make a fullrecovery.Purraiwereveryresilient.Ismiledather,butshejuststaredback,anexpressionofhorrorandrevulsiononherface.SoIlickedmylips,wentbackintothebathhouseandkneltdownbesidethewater. Ibentoveruntil Iwasalmost touching its steamingsurface, then,withbothhands, began tosluicethebloodoffmyfaceandhair.

AsIfinished,NessaandSusan,arminarm,cameintothechamberbehindme.Iturnedtofacethetwosistersand smiledagain.But they lookedatmeas if Ihaddone themharm rather than savingthemfromcertaindeath.Ofcourse,Ihadtomakeallowancesfortheircondition.Inadditiontoherdamaged shoulder, one side of Nessa’s face was badly grazed. She must have hurt it when Nuncdashedherasidewithhisshield.AndSusanwasextremelypale;shehadbeendrainedalmosttothepointofdeath.

‘I’llgetclothesforbothofyou,’Isaid.‘Sensiblepurraiclothestokeepyoualiveintheblizzard.Thenwe’llleavethisplace.’

Susanopenedhermouthbutnowordscameout.ShewasshakingalloverafterherexperiencewithNunc.ButNessalookedangryanddetermined.

‘WhataboutBryony?’shedemanded.‘Ofcourse,Nessa,I’llgetclothesforhertoo.Butnowwemustescapethisfortress.Ifyouareto

haveanyhopeoflife,youwilldoexactlywhatIsay.’Isawnopoint inupsettingherbyrevealing thatBryonywasprobablyalreadydead.Shewould

findoutsoonenough.Iledthewaydownthestonesteps.Beforeme,Iheldoutthesabreandashortblade;behindme,

mytailstoodup,quiveringasitsearchedaheadfortheslightestthreat.Iseizedgarmentsfor thetwogirlsfromaroomusedtostoretheclothesof thetower ’sslaves:

warmhempentrousers,thickwoollenuppergarmentsandawaterproofcapeandhoodsuchaswerewornbypurraiwhentheyattendedtotheirdutiesintheinnercourtyard.Carryingthese,Icontinued

thedescent.Ihadn’tbotheredtocollectanyclothesforlittleBryony–therewerenonesmallenoughanyway–

butNessaacceptedthebigbundleIthrustintoherarmswithoutsuspectinganything.Atlastwecametothethreerooms.Thekeyswerebackinthelocks,butallthedoorswerewide

open.Ipausedas,withacry,Nessarushedintoallthreerooms,oneaftertheother,insearchofhersister.Finally,hereyeswildwithgrief,shestormeduptome.

‘Whereisshe?Where’vetheytakenher?’‘Besttoforgether,littleNessa.She’llbeatpeacenow.’‘She’sjustachild!’Nessacried,herfaceveryclosetomine.‘Youpromisedthatshe’dbesafe!’‘Forgether.Wehavetoleavenow.Wemustleaveorwe’llalldie.Ifyoustillwanttolive,follow

menow.Soonitwillbetoolate.’‘Iwon’tgowithouther.’Shewas testingmypatience. ‘Thenyou’lldiehere, littleNessa.You’llchangeyourmindwhen

youfeelthebladescutyourflesh.They’llkillyouveryslowly...’‘Isavedyourlife,’Nessasaid,hervoicealmostawhisper.Thenshereachedforwardandwrapped

herfingersinmyhair,pullingmedowntowardsheruntilourforeheadswereactuallytouching.‘Youowemealife.Isavedyousoyoucouldsavemysisters.’

Ifeltverystrange.Herwordsshouldn’thavebeendisturbing,but theywere.Theyspokea truththatIcouldn’tdeny,buttheyshouldn’thavehadeventheslightestpoweroverme.Itwasoddtootohavehersoclose,tofeelherfingerstwistinginmyhair.

InastrangewayI likedit. Ialso likedthewayherforeheadwas touchingmine.Nohumanhadevercomesoclosetomebefore.Nohumanhadeverdared.Mostwouldhaveputasmuchdistanceaspossiblebetweenthemandme.Yetherewasthisgirlholdingmyheadagainsthersandstaringdeepintomyeyes.

Withasuddenjerk,Nessareleasedmeandsteppedback,buryingherfaceinherhands.ForamomentIcouldnot thinkclearly.ThenIheardmyselfspeaking,andmyvoiceseemedto

comefromagreatdistance;itwasasthoughitbelongedtoanother.‘Goandgetourhorsesfromthestables.Saddlethembutleavethecart–thesnowwillbetoodeep

by now. If your sister lives, I’ll bring her to the outer gate. If I don’t appear by the time you’vefinishedreadyingthehorses,rideoffwithoutmeandheadsouth.TheweatherwillchangewithintwodaysorlessandIwillcatchyouup.’

ThenIledthesisterstothedoorthatgaveaccesstothelargeinnercourtyard.WhenIopenedit,snowwas stillwhirlingdownwards. In thedistance I saw the stables, theyellow lantern-light fromwithinreflectingonthewetflags.IturnedandthrusttheshortbladeintoNessa’shand.

‘Ifanypurrai trytostopyou, threatenthemwiththis.Theyfear theblademorethananything–theygrowupfamiliarwithitsbite.Itisthechiefmeansbywhichtheyaretrained.’

Nessanodded,determined,andwentoutintothesnowwithhersisterfollowing.ShelookedbackonceandIsawhereyesglitterinthedarknessliketwodistantstars.Onceagain,IwasastonishedbywhatIwasdoing,astonishedbymyresponsetothispurra.

FrommypreviousvisithereIknewthelayoutofthetower.Thelargecellarwasusedforfeasts,andIwentdownthestepsuntilIcametothestoutoakendoor.Itwasnotlocked.Thosewithindidnotfearintruders.Ionlyneededtoturnthehugeironringatitscentreandpushitopen.

Igrippedthesabrefirmlyinmyrighthandandthrustmytailhighupmyback,searchingbeyondthedoor.First,Ifoundthechild.Tomysurprise,shestill lived,butinmomentsthatwouldchange.Theywerepreparingtocutherthroat.

I began to assess the level of opposition. Some of those within were cooks; others werearmourersorgenerallabourers.Yetthatstillleftthirty-ninehardy,well-trainedwarriors.Iwouldbefacingpowerfulodds.

AlthoughIneverdoubtedforamomentthatIwouldbevictorious,mychancesofgettingthechildoutinonepiecewerenotgood:intheheatofbattle,allthingsareuncertain.

Withmylefthand,Islowlyturnedtheringto theright.Then,equallyslowly,Igavethedooralittlepushsothatitopenedgradually,creakingonitsancienthingesasitdidso.

Alargeopenfireplacewasthefocalpointofthehugeroom;itwassetwithinthefarwallsothatalmostalltheoccupants–Kobaloswarriorsandservants–werefacingtowardsitwiththeirbackstome. The room hummed with animated conversation. Several long tables stood between door andfireplace;theywereheapedwithdishesandtankards,butalthoughtherewassomefoodontheplates,themainactivity so farhadclearly involveddrinkingagooddealof strongale.Alcoholdulls thesenses – a haizdamagewould never defile his body in such away.Their foolishness pleasedme,loweringtheoddsagainstme.

Themaincoursewasyettobeserved.Indeed,ithadyettobecooked.Thespitdidnotcurrentlyholdmeat,butitwouldnothavelongtowait,forBryonyhadbeenforcedtoherkneesclosetothefire; a wooden bucket had been placed directly under her head to catch the blood. They hadblindfolded the sobbing purra so she couldn’t seewhatwas about to happen to her –more out ofexpediencythanmercy:evenasIwatched,abladewasbeingsharpened,readytoslitherthroat.Andthen I saw her executioner and noted the three long, black, braided pigtails thatmarked him as aparticularly dangerous adversary. Those three distinctive plaits showed that he was one of theShaiksa,abrotherhoodofeliteassassinsthatansweredonlytotheTriumvirateofHighMageswhoruledValkarky.

Thismadesavingthechildamuchmoredifficulttask.Thecreakofthedoorwaslostamidstthehubbubofmanyvoices,butIquicklyamplifieditsothat

itfilledtheroomwiththunder,andallwithoutexceptionturnedtogazeatthesourceofthatstrangenoise.

I steppedboldly forward into the roomandcalledout ina loudchallengingvoiceso thatnonecouldfailtohearmywordsorunderstandwhatitwasthatIsaid.

‘Give the child to me!’ I demanded. ‘She is my lawful property and has been taken frommeagainstmywishesandagainstallcustomsofhospitalityandrightsofownership.’

NESSA

I LEDMY sister, shiveringwithcoldandfear, towards thestables.Thewindwasdrivingsnowflakesintoourfacesbuttheflagswerewetandsteaming.

‘Howcouldyoutouchhim,Nessa?’Susanasked.‘Howcouldyoubeartobesoclosetohim?’‘IdidwhatwasnecessarytosaveBryony,’Ireplied.Intruth,Icouldn’tbelievewhatIhadjustdone–grippinghimbythehairlikethatanddragging

himclosesothatourforeheadsweretouching...Hemighthaveslainmeonthespot.Ihaddoneitonthespurofthemoment,driventosuchrecklessnessbymyfearformylittlesister.SomehowithadworkedandIhadsurvivedtheencounter.

SinceMotherhaddiedgivingbirthtoher,Bryonyhadbeenlikemyownchild.Ihadtosaveher.Thereweretwodoorsgivingaccesstothestables,andaswereachedthenearerone,Susanstarted

towhimperwith fear. I turnedangrilyand shushedher. I immediately feltguiltyatdoing so. Ihadbehavedexactlyasthebeastwouldhavedone.ButifanyoftheKobalosheardus,wewoulddiehere.IthoughtofpoorBryonyandhopedagainsthopethatSlitherwouldbeintimetosaveher.CautiouslyImovedintotheareaofyellowlightcastbythelanternsandpeeredintothestables.Theairwasmuchwarmerhere,andsmelledofhayandhorsedung.

Therewerethirtyormorestalls,allofthemoccupied.Ibegantowalkslowlyforward,peeringintoeachone,lookingforourownanimals.Iwasn’tsureifI’denteredbythedoorwe’dusedbefore.Perhapstheywereattheotherendoftheblock?Istrodepurposefullyforward.

Thentwothingshappenedthatbroughtmetoahalt.Iheardharsh,gutturalvoicesfromthefarendof thestables.Therewasnobody insight, and Icouldn’tmakeoutwhat theyweresaying,but theysounded like Kobalos. Next I became aware of something else: the first five or six horses werealreadysaddled,eachdrapedwithtwosmallbagsofwhatlookedlikeprovisions.Whynottaketheseandavoidthedelayandriskoffindingandsaddlingourownhorses?Isaidtomyself.

QuicklyIpulledbackthedoorofthestalland,seizingthebridle,ledthefirstofthehorsesout.‘Takethisone!’Isaid,passingitovertoSusan.

‘Whataboutthecartandourtrunks?’shecomplained.‘Allmybestclothesareinside.’

‘Wehaven’ttimetogetthem,Susan.Ourlivesareatrisk,’Isnapped,turningmybackonher.Itwastheworkofjustafewmomentstoleadouttwomorehorses–piebaldlikethefirst–from

theirstalls.IwasjustabouttogetafourthmountwhenIheardsomeonecrossingthewetflagsandapproachingthestabledoorbehindus.

Myheartbegantopoundinmychest.Iwasterrified.WhatifitwasanotherofthefierceKobaloslikethebeastwhohadattackedSusan?WhatchancewouldIhaveagainstsomethinglikethat?ForamomentIpanickedcompletelyandwasreadytorunandsavemyself.Then,withasenseofshame,IthoughtofSusanandBryony.HowcouldIleavethem?

SoItookadeepbreathtosteadymyself,turned,andgrippedtheknifeinmybeltmoretightly.Tomysurprise,comingtowardsmewasoneofthefiercewomenwhohadtakenmeuptothebath

housewhereI’dfoundSlither.ShewascarryingaclubandIsawangerandpurposeinhereyes.WithatremblinghandItuggedtheknifefrommybeltandpointedittowardsher.Thesightofitbroughthertoastopaboutfivepacesshortofme.

Ifearedtheclubshewielded,butIcouldseethatmybladescaredhermore.ItookasteptowardsherasifImeanttoattack;shetookastepaswell–backwards,awayfromme.

‘Susan,takethehorsesoutside!’Ishouted,keepingmyselfbetweentheslavewomanandmysister.TwiceSusanfumbledwiththereinsbutmanagedtoleadthethreepiebaldmaresoutintotheyard.

Ifollowed,backingslowlyandwarily,nevertakingmyeyesoffthewomanwhoheldthecudgel.NowshewasmatchingmestepforstepandIthoughtIsawanewdeterminationinhereyes.

Her face was criss-crossed with scars, as were her arms. A slave’s rearing and training wereeffectedwith the bite of a blade – soSlither had toldme.Nodoubt Iwould face the samewhen Ibecameaslavemyself.

I triedanew tactic. ‘Whydon’tyoucomewithus?’ I suggested, forcinga smileontomy face.‘Youdon’thavetostayhereandbemistreated.Escapewithus!’

Shedidnotreply,answeringmywordswithascowl.SuddenlyIunderstood.Ifsheallowedmetoescapewith thehorses, shewouldbepunished–perhapsevenkilled.She fearedhermastersmorethanshedidme.ButnowIwasoutintheyard,andIhadtoprotectmyfamily.

‘Thegate!Leadthemtothegate!’IshoutedatSusan,pointingtowardsit.Theslavewasstillmatchingmestepforstepbuthadnotyetattacked.ThenIheardmorefemale

voices.Otherslaveswererunningtowardsus–includingtheirleader,thewomanwiththetorch.‘Idon’twanttodie!Idon’twanttodiehere!’Susanscreamed.‘Whatdidwedotodeservethis?I

wishIwerebackatthefarm!’Iknew that itwasallovernow:Susanwascorrect–wewouldprobablydiehere.But Ihadno

intentionofbetrayingmyownterroranddespair.Whygivethemthesatisfaction?IraisedthebladetoshowthatIwouldnotgodownwithoutafight.Thewomanwiththeclubhelditaloftandranstraighttowardsme.Iwasscaredbutdesperate,and

asshebroughtdowntheclub,intendingtobrainme,Islashedatherarmwiththedagger.Thebladecutintoherforearm.Shescreamedandtheclubdroppedfromherhand.Nowshewas

lookingatmewithpain-filledeyes,whileblooddrippedfromherarmontotheflags.Foramomentithaltedtheothersintheirtracks.Butthentheybegantomoveforwardagain.

WherewasSlither?Iwondered.HadhemanagedtorescuepoorBryony?

THIRTY-NINEKOBALOSWARRIORSfacedmeinthecellar.Thirty-ninewarriorsbetweenmeandthehumanchildIhadcometoclaim.Theyworearmourbutwerewithouthelmets,aswascustomaryonsuchoccasions.Thehairontheirfaceswaslongandobscuredtheirmouths.

Then there was that most dangerous opponent: the pigtailed Shaiksa assassin who now held abladetoBryony’sthroat.

Foramomenttheroombecamealmosttotallysilent;allthatcouldbeheardwasthecracklingofthe logs in the fireplace.Then,witha roarofanger,awarriorcharged towardsme, liftingahugedouble-edgedsword,readyforthekill.

Igavenoground,movingonlyat thevery last second. I stepped to the right,duckedunder thedescendingbladeandstruckoutsidewayswithmysabre.Mybladebitintohisneckandseveredthespinalcolumnsothatmywould-bekillerfellstonedeadatmyfeet.

Then I slowly flexed the fingersofmy left hand so that theknuckles cracked, and then,with awide,cruelsmile,reachedintomycoatandwithdrewmysecondblade,adagger,sothatnowIfacedmyenemieswithasharpweaponineachhand.

‘Givemewhatisrightfullymine.GivemewhatIdemand.DoitquicklyandImayletsomeofyoulive!’Ishouted,amplifyingmyvoicesothatthedishesrattledandtheknivesandforksdancedonthetable-tops.

I had used those words as a distraction – because immediately, without waiting for a reply, Ileaped up onto the nearest table. Then I was racing across the table-tops towards the fireplace,scattering silver dishes and golden gobletswithmy feet, allmywill directed towards one end: topreventtheassassincrouchingoverthechildfromslayingher.

To control the assassinwhile dashing throughmy enemieswas not easy. Shaiksa assassins aretrainedinamultitudeofminddisciplinesandcansometimesresisteventhewillofamage.

Thus, even as I jumped down from the final table, he began to slice the blade up towards thechild’s throat.Theblindfoldhad fallen fromhereyes,andsheshriekedas it approachedher.But Istruckoutwiththehiltofmyownblade,drivingithardintothetempleofmyopponentsothathefellbackwards,stunned,theweaponfallingfromhishand.

Itdidnotpaytokillsuchabeingwantonly.TheShaiksaneverforget,andevenasonelaycloseto

death,hisdyingmindcouldreachoutoveragreatdistancetotellhisbrothersthenameandlocationofhisslayer.Soitwaspragmatism,notmercy,thathadguidedmyhand.

I snatched up the child. She screamed as I lifted her, but I used the mage skill called boska:adjustingthechemicalcompositionof theair inmylungs,Ibreathedquickly intoherfaceandshefellinstantlyintoadeepcoma.

Then I turnedback to facemy enemies,whowere approachingmewithweaponsdrawn, facesfilledwithfury.Ibegantoincreasemysize,simultaneouslyusingmywilltohurlintotheirfacesatwitchingpulseofnaked fear so that, as Igrew, their eyes rolled in their sockets and theirmouthsopenedindismay.

Then, with one final effort of will, I reached out with mymind and extinguished the thirteentorchesthatlit thesubterraneanbanquethall.Itwasinstantlyplungedintodarkness,butthroughmymage eyes I could still see: forme, the roomwas lit by a silver spectral light.Thus Iwas able toescapethemelee,passingsafelythroughmyenemies.

IhadalmostreachedthedoorwhenIsensedathreatbehindme.ItwastheShaiksaassassin.Hehadrecoveredquicklyand,unlikethewarriors,wasresistingmymagic.Nowhewasracingtowardsme,twirlingabladeinhislefthandandawar-axeinhisright.Everyfibreofhisbeingwasfocuseduponslayingme.

Haditbeenpossible,Iwouldhavestoppedhimusingminimalforce.Incombat,oneusuallyhasoptionstochoosefrominordertocounteranattack.ButsuchwastheferocityofhisassaultandhisdeterminationtoendmylifethatIhadonlyonechanceandwasforcedtoemployittosavemyself.

I ducked below his first blade, but I knew that I could not escape the second: this was arcingdownwardstowardsmyhead,threateningtoseveritfrommyneck.SoIpiercedtheassassin’sheartwith my own blade. The effect was instantaneous – the axe dropped from his nerveless fingers,reachingthegroundfractionallybeforehisdeadbody.

WiththisvictoryIhadsavedmylife,butIhadchangeditforever.InkillingtheHighMage,Ihadmademyselfanoutlaw in theeyesof theTriumvirate;but inkilling theassassin Ihaddirected thewrathofhisbrotherhoodontomyhead.TheywouldseekvengeanceandhuntmetotheendsoftheearthuntilItoowasdead.

Iranintotheyardnotamomenttoosoon.NessaandSusanhadbroughtthreehorsesoutofthestables.Nessawasholdingaknifeuncertainly,tryingtowardofffourpurraiwhowereconvergingonher.Susanwasscreaminghysterically.

ButthenInotedafifthslave.Shewascradlingherarm,whichwasbleedingprofusely.SoNessahadshownsomecourageandgotatleastoneblowin!Anotherfewmoments,however,anditwouldhavebeenallover.Irantowardsthem,andtheotherpurraishriekedandfledbacktowardsthestables.

Iglancedquicklyatthethreepiebaldmares–nonewerethemountswehadbroughtwithustothetower.InonerespectthatwasgoodbecausethesewereshodintheKobalosway,withwideshoesthataffordedabettergripandpreventedthemfromsinkingintoallbuttheverysoftestfreshsnow.Therestwasbad–verybad.Allweresaddledbuttheylackedsaddlebagsandprovisions.Therewasnograinforthehorses.Alltheycarriedwasthecustomarytwosmallsacksofoscher,whichcouldbeused as emergency food for them. It wasmade of oats with special chemical additives that couldsustainabeastofburdenforthedurationofalongjourney.Ofcourse,afterwardsthehorsewoulddieandoscherwasthereforeonlyusedasalastexpedient.ButwhatchoicehadNessagivenme?

Withacurse,Ileapedupontothebackofthenearesthorseanddrapedtheunconsciousformofthechildoverthepommel.

‘