Rath’Dessembrae raised a slim hand. ‘One moment, please, Mortal Sword,’ she said. ‘Whilst we know nothing of the nature of the Barghast’s intentions, we ask that you remain in attendance, for there are matters that must be discussed at the conclusion of the audience.’

Brukhalian bowed his head. ‘Then we must convey our distance from the Barghast and their unknown petition.’

‘Of course,’ the masked woman murmured, the sorrowful visage of her god’s face shifting into a slight smile.

Itkovian watched Brukhalian return to where he and Karnadas stood just within the entrance.

Hetan and her brother strode to take position on the millstone. She studied the priests, then lifted her head and called out, ‘The White Face is in mourning!’

A hand thumped down on the railing. Rath’D’rek was on his feet, the Worm of Autumn’s goddess face twisted into a scowl. ‘Again? By the Abyss, you deliver your tribe’s claims at this time? The same opening words! The same idiotic assertion! The answer was no the first time, no the second time, no every time! This audience is closed!’

‘It is not!’

‘You dare address us in such a tone—’

‘I do, you fart-fouled runt!’

Eyes wide, Itkovian stared at Hetan, then at the Council.

The Barghast woman spread out her arms. ‘Attend my words! Ignore them at your peril!’

Her brother had begun a soft chant. The air swirled around the two savage warriors.

On all sides, the Gidrath guards reached for their weapons.

Itkovian stumbled as Karnadas pushed past him, robes flowing behind the priest in his haste. ‘A moment, please!’ he cried. ‘Holy brothers and sisters! Would you see your loyal guards slain? Would you see the Thrall itself destroyed, with all of you killed in the process? Look carefully upon the sorcery you see before you, I beg you! No simple shaman’s magic – look! The Barghast spirits have assembled. Brothers and sisters, the Barghast Spirits are here, in this room!’

Silence, save for Cafal’s low chant.

Brukhalian drew close to Itkovian. ‘Shield Anvil,’ he muttered, ‘know you anything, sir, of what we see before us?’

‘The possibility had not even occurred to me,’ Itkovian murmured. ‘An old petition, this one. I did not think—’

‘What is it they request?’

He slowly shook his head. ‘Recognition, sir. The earth beneath this city is Barghast land, or so they assert. Reading the accounts of previous audiences, they have been dismissed with a boot to the backside, more or less. Mortal Sword, I did not imagine—’

‘Listen, now, sir. The woman has leave to speak.’

The brothers and sisters had heeded the Destriant’s words, were now once again seated, displaying an array of furious expressions. Had not the moment been so tense, Itkovian would have grinned at the obvious ... consternation of the gods.