That got me a few startled looks. I folded Momas rumel as Narayan had taught me, discarded my yellow cloth and took the black. No one argued with my self-promotion.

How to reach these men without hearts? They were impressed now, but not indelibly, not permanently. Ram.

Ram came out of the darkness. He did not speak for fear of betraying his feelings. I think he might have stepped in if Momas attack had succeeded, though that would have been the end of him. I gave him instructions.

He got a rope and looped one end around the dead mans left ankle, tossed the rope over a branch, hauled the corpse up so it hung head down over the fire. Excellent, Ram. Excellent. Everyone gather round.

They came reluctantly as the summons spread. Once they were all there I cut Momas jugular.

The blood did not come fast but it came. A small spell made each drop flash when it reached the fire. I seized Narayans right arm, forced him to put his hand out and let a few drops fall on his palm. Then I turned him loose. All of you, I said.

Kinas followers do not like spilled blood. There is a complex and irrational explanation having to do with the legend of the devoured demons. Narayan told me later. It has a bearing only because it made the evening more memorable for those men once they had the blood of their fellow on their hands.

They did not look at me while they endured my little ceremony. I used the opportunity to hazard a spell that, to my surprise, came off without a hitch. It turned the stains on their hands as indelible as tattoos. Unless I took it back they would go through life with one hand marked scarlet.

The jamadars and priests were mine, like it or not. They were branded. The world would not forgive them that brand if its meaning became known. Men with red palms would not be able to deny that they had been present at the debut of the Daughter of Night.

Nowhere did I see any doubts, now, that I was what Narayan claimed.

The dreams were powerful that night but not grim. I floated in the warmth of the approval of that other who wanted to make me her creature.

Ram wakened me before there was light enough to see. He and Narayan and I rode out before the sun rose. Narayan did not speak all day. He remained in shock.

His dreams were coming true. He did not know if that was what he wanted anymore. He was scared.

So was I.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Longshadow had fallen into a permanent rage. The wizard Smoke, a trivial little nothing, was stubborn. He was determined not to be enslaved. He might die first.