'Is Khalul with them?'

'Why would he be? He stays in Sarkant, in his sunny gardens upon the mountain terraces, and waits for news of your destruction. Mamun leads them. Fruit of the desert, thrice blessed and thrice—'

'I know the names he calls himself, the arrogant worm!'

'Whatever he calls himself, he is grown strong, and the Hundred Words are with him. They are here for you, brother. They are come. If I walked in your footsteps I would be away. Away to the cold North, while there is still time.'

'And then what? Will they not follow me? Should I flee to the edge of the World? I was there, not long ago, and it holds little appeal. I have yet a few cards left to play.'

A long pause. 'You found the Seed?'

'No.'

Another pause. 'I am not sorry. To tinker with those forces… to bend the First Law, if not to break it. The last time that thing was used it made a ruin of Aulcus and came near to making a ruin of the whole world. It is better left buried.'

'Even if our hopes are buried with it?'

'There are greater things at risk than my hopes, or yours.'

Ferro did not care a shit for Bayaz' hopes, or Yulwei's either if it came to that. They had both deceived her. She had swallowed a bellyful of their lies, and their secrets, and their promises. She had done nothing but talk, and wait, and talk again for far too long. She stood up, and lifted her leg, and gave a fighting scream. Her heel caught the lock and tore it from the frame, sent the door shuddering open. The two old men sat at a table nearby, a single lamp throwing light over the dark face, and the pale. A third figure sat in the shadows of the far corner. Quai, silent and sunk in darkness.

'Could you not have knocked?' asked Bayaz.

Yulwei's smile was a bright curve in his dark skin. 'Ferro! It is good to see you still—'

'When are the Gurkish coming?'

His grin faded, and he gave a long sigh. 'I see that you have not learned patience.'

'I learnt it, then ran out of it. When are they coming?'

'Soon. Their scouts are already moving through the countryside of Midderland, taking the villages and laying the fortresses under siege, making the country safe for the rest who will come behind.'

'Someone should stop them,' muttered Ferro, her nails digging into her palms.

Bayaz sat back in his chair, the shadows collecting in his craggy face. 'You speak my very thoughts. Your luck has changed, eh, Ferro? I promised you vengeance, and now it drops ripe and bloody into your lap. Uthman's army has landed. Thousands of Gurkish, and ready for war. They might be at the city gates within two weeks.'

'Two weeks,' whispered Ferro.

'But I have no doubt some Union soldiers will be going out to greet them sooner. I could find you a place with them, if you cannot wait.'