It was a task of illusion, only slightly more difficult than making witchfires run over armor. It took just a minute to transform both of us. Meantime, the Shadowlanders closed in, though not with the enthusiasm you would expect of men who had caught their enemies flatfooted.

I raised Shadowspinners head high. They recognized it. I used an augmentation spell to make my voice carry. The Shadowmaster is dead. I have no quarrel with you. But you can join him if you insist.

Swan had an impulse. He bellowed, Kneel, you swine! Kneel to your mistress!

They looked at him, a foot taller than the tallest of them, pale as snow, golden-maned. A demon in mans form? They looked at Blade, almost as exotic. They looked at me and at Shadowspinners head.

Ram said, Kneel to the Daughter of Night. He was so close I could feel him shaking. He was scared to death. The Child of Kina is among you. Beg for her mercy.

Swan grabbed the nearest Shadowlander, forced him to his knees.

I still do not believe it. The bluff worked. One by one, they knelt. Narayan and his arm-holders started chanting. They chose something basic, repeated mantras, of a sort common in Gunni ceremonials and Shadar services. They differed mainly in including lines like, Show mercy, O Kina. Bless Thy devoted child, who loves Thee, and, Come to me, O Mother of Night, while blood is upon my tongue.

Sing! Swan bellowed. Sing, you scum! Typically Swan, he roared around forcing the slow to kneel and the mute to cry out. His actions were not sane. Sane men do not force enemies who outnumber them a thousand to one. They should have torn us apart. The thought never occurred to them.

We are a feeble-minded species, Blade observed in wonder. But youll have to keep escalating or theyll start thinking.

Get me water. Lots of water. I held the Shadowmasters head high and shouted for silence. The devil is dead! The Shadowmaster is cast down. You are free. You have won the countenance of the goddess. She has blessed you though you have turned your faces away for generations, though you have denied and reviled her. But your hearts know the truth and she blesses you. I raised the intensity of my witchfire showmanship, became a fire with a face. She has given you freedom but no gift is free.

Blade brought a waterskin. I need a goblet, too, I whispered. Keep the water out of sight. I continued trying to generate a state of hysteria. That was less difficult than reason suggested it should be. The Shadowlanders were tired, terrified, hated the Shadowmasters. Narayan led another singalong. Blade brought me a goblet from Shadowspinners tent. I prepared it. The spell was difficult but once again I achieved an unexpected success.