Nadaz answered, keeping his head bowed, “It is Nadaz, Voice of the Host, O King of the deep, Lord of the abyss, Defier of the sun! The fox Slagar has returned, bringing many creatures young and strong to work in your realm beneath the earth.”

There was a pause, then the voice from the statue spoke again.

“Who is the other one?”

Nadaz went to Slagar, and a whispered conversation took place.

The purple-robed rat returned to his former position. “He is a young rat named Vitch. The fox says that if it pleases you he is a gift, to serve in the ranks of the Host.”

“He is not born to the Host, our ways are not known to him.” The voice was curt and dismissing. “A rat that comes from the place of woodlands is of no use to us. Chain him with the slaves!”

Two black-robed rats appeared out of the shadows. They seized Vitch and chained him, dragging him off as he screamed at Slagar, “Save me! Don’t let them do this to me! I was loyal to you, I served you well. Help me, Slagar!”

The masked fox did not even turn to look at Vitch. He stared at Nadaz and shrugged.

“I thought he might have been useful, being a rat like yourself.”

The voice cut short further conversation between Slagar and Nadaz: “Keep the new slaves in darkness without food until I decide they are fit to work. Hunger and lack of light is a sound lesson for creatures that have known freedom in the woodlands. Ask the fox what he wants of me.”

Nadaz conferred with Slagar again.

“Malkariss, All-powerful One. Slagar says to remind you of your promise when he brought you the last slave workers: that you give all the land above ground to him, from the gorge to the south boundaries of your realm. He says he will serve your interests faithfully and be your voice above ground.”

“Tell the masked one to be patient awhile. Take him down below and show him the work that is being done to complete my underworld kingdom. I will watch him for a time, and when I have made up my mind that his voice above ground would serve me as well as yours does beneath the earth, then I will send for him.”

Slagar could hardly wait for Nadaz to walk back to him. He had heard the voice of Malkariss clearly.

“Listen, rat, tell your master that I’ve kept my side of the bargain. He promised me that land; now you go and tell him I have a right to the territory!”

Nadaz rattled the skull on his sceptre. The masked fox was suddenly surrounded by the black-robed rats with their short stabbing spears held ready. The Voice of the Host confronted Slagar.