‘We will need a large, open area on the planet’s surface,’ Radimir said, to a few gasps from his audience. ‘It must be at least seventy yards across in all directions, and cleared of debris. We will have to inscribe runes and wards, and trust me when I say that you do not want them to be disrupted because someone left a rock in the wrong place.’

He let them dwell on that for a moment. Of course, the runes and wards would be doing nothing to ensure their safety. Radimir didn’t want them disrupted because otherwise the ritual simply wouldn’t work. But they didn’t need to know that.

‘But Goodsire Niklau,’ someone spoke up, ‘we can’t be certain that our work will go uninterrupted. The Smog Deeps are dangerous!’

‘So am I,’ Evelyn Darke retorted, from the corner where she’d ensconced herself. There was a muttering and mumbling, but a general nodding of heads. Most people knew the Children’s resident pyromancer, and the notion that she’d be there to protect them seemed to go some way to reassuring the gathered crowd.

‘Aylen, Evelyn and Svet will be with you,’ Radimir said, receiving nods from the three that he’d named. ‘Take whatever weapons and protective gear you have, but do not fear the foul air overmuch. Soon the gods will come, and then whatever hardships you may suffer in the meantime will be as nothing. They will be seen as badges of loyalty and devotion!’

He pulled a data-slate out of his pocket. ‘Sulaman.’

‘Yes, Goodsire Niklau?’ the archivist said expectantly.

‘These files are of the designs that must be made,’ Radimir told him, handing it over. ‘Each one shows but a section of it. Do not attempt to collate the files together to make a whole. Do not try to look at the whole thing when it has been set in place. Without the proper training, your mind would be destroyed long before you could receive the knowledge that you seek, such is the glory of the gods.’

Eichner swallowed nervously. ‘But that would be a badge of loyalty and devotion, would it not? And the gods would heal me?’

Radimir shrugged. ‘There is loyalty, and then there is carelessness, my friend. Do not take the gods’ mercies for granted. They don’t appreciate it.’

Eichner nodded, his expression apologetic. ‘Of course, of course! And, uh, if you will forgive me, Goodsire Niklau… It sounds as though while we are doing this, you will be elsewhere. May we know your intent?’

Radimir considered. This wasn’t his cult, not really. They were Eichner’s. He was in good standing so long as he had the archivist’s backing, but Eichner was intelligent and independently minded. It might be wise to mollify him, and Radimir trusted that Marjuk had ensured there were no imposters present.