“No?” Satoris laughed, harsh and hollow. “And yet, and yet. Ah, Dreamspinner! What did you see in the Delta? Too much, I think; too much. I destroyed the Marasoumië and I reckoned it worth the cost, for it would destroy Haomane’s Weapon within it. And yet he lives, he places himself within my grasp, no longer able to Shape matter, and I …” He glanced at his empty hand. “I cannot seize him. I bleed, I diminish. Clouds I may summon; smoke and fire, signifying nothing. Godslayer beckons, but I cannot rise to its challenge. I cannot Shape the earth. I spent myself too soon.”

“My Lord!” Unable to bear it any longer, Tanaros rose to his feet. “We are here to serve you,” he said passionately. “Tell us your will, and we will accomplish it.”

“My will.” Lord Satoris glanced around him, surveying his creation. “These mountains, this fortress … oh, my Three! Years, it bought me, bought us; ages. How much of myself did I spend to erect them? What folly beckons me to betray them? Ah, Malthus! You are a formidable foe. And I … I am tired. Uru-Alat alone knows, I am tired.” He heaved another sigh. “I would see it ended.”

Tanaros bowed to the Shaper. “My Lord, you have not erected Darkhaven in vain. It can withstand this siege. But if it is your wish to give battle, my Fjel are eager and ready.”

“Can we win?” Vorax asked bluntly. He glanced sidelong at Tanaros and clambered to his feet. “Folly, aye, there’s no question it’s folly. Less of one if we stand a chance of winning.”

“Our chances are good.” Tanaros pictured the army of Haomane’s Allies in his mind. “They are many, but poorly coordinated. It is the effects of Malthus’ Soumanië I fear the most.”

“Malthus will not be so quick to assail your soul once you take to the field wearing the Helm of Shadows, cousin,” Ushahin murmured. “He will be hard-pressed to quell the terrors in his own people.”

“You are eager to do battle for one who can scarce wield a blade, Dreamspinner.” Vorax shook his head. “No, there is too much risk, and too little merit. I like my flesh too well to offer it to the swords of Haomane’s Allies when I have strong walls to protect it. That way lies madness.”

“Madness,” Ushahin said drily. “Not an hour ago, you were charging toward the Defile, willing to mount a singlehanded assault. Whose madness was that?”

Vorax flushed brick-red. “Malthus’, and you well know it!”

Ushahin shrugged. “It will come again, and again and again. The Counselor is powerful, and Haomane’s will lends him strength. He will use the Soumanië to weaken our resolve.” He smiled crookedly. “We have weapons to counter such an attack, but none to defend against it.”

“It is his Lordship’s choice,” Tanaros said.

They looked to the dais and waited.