Would Shadowstar want me to do this? Jig hesitated. He had promised to follow the god’s rules, but Shadowstar had been a bit vague as to exactly how those rules applied. Respect the shadow and the light both, for both have their place in the world. What was that supposed to mean? Was Barius the shadow or the light? Stupid metaphors. Still, Shadowstar had protested when Jig thought about abandoning Riana and the others to their deaths in Straum’s lair. He seemed to think killing was something to be done only as a last resort. It was a strange philosophy, one that would take some getting used to.

With a silent sigh, Jig started to put the sword away.

The sound of the blade returning to its sheath caught Barius’s attention. He whirled, and his eyes homed in on the half-bared sword. His lips tightened into a terrible grin.

“I knew one such as you could never be trusted,” Barius said. He sounded merry. He finally had an excuse to kill Jig, something he had wanted to do from the beginning. He tucked the Rod of Creation through his belt and slashed the air a few times with his own sword. Not knowing what else to do, Jig pulled his sword back out.

Barius promptly knocked it across the room.

“Jig!” Riana took a step after him, but Darnak caught her arm.

“This is how it has to be, lass.”

She struggled, but the dwarf’s grip was iron. “Why? Because your noble prince can’t stand the fact that Jig humiliated him time after time? Maybe Jig knows Barius means to kill him as soon as we reach the surface. Maybe he was afraid.”

Yes, he had been afraid. Now he was terrified. His sword was gone, and as his back touched the wall, he realized he had nowhere else to run. Fangs and claws were no match for steel, and Jig had never been much of a fighter anyway.

He glanced over and saw Smudge’s web right beside him, now waist high. Fire-spiders built quickly when they were frightened.

“I’m sorry,” Jig said. He hadn’t intended to lead Barius back to Smudge. He hoped Barius would ignore the spider. Was he so spiteful he would kill Jig’s pet once Jig was already dead?

“A bit late for apologies,” Barius said, misunderstanding. He raised his sword. “If it’s any consolation, I will be merciful. A single stroke to sever your head from your shoulders. A painless execution, which is better than you deserve.”

“If you want to be merciful, shut up and get it over with.”

Barius’s eyes widened. “Brave words from a goblin. Very well.”