Asroth rose from his chair and paced forward. The ground smoked and hissed with each footstep, leaving behind a blackened imprint.

‘Welcome to my home,’ Asroth said, smiling through blue-tinged lips.

‘My lord,’ Uthas said. He stood a hand taller than Asroth, but still his legs were suddenly weak and he slid to his knees.

Asroth crouched before him, a broken-nailed finger tracing Uthas’ chin, lifting his head so that their eyes met. The ground lurched beneath Uthas’ feet, he felt as if he was falling. He did not much care for the sensation.

Asroth licked his lips with a black tongue, as if tasting the air. ‘I know you,’ he said. ‘You are mine.’

‘I am,’ Uthas heard himself say, voice dry as gravel. He remembered vividly when Rhin had conjured Asroth through spells and flame. At the time it had been terrifying and exhilarating both. This time it was mostly terrifying.

‘Why are you here?’ Asroth asked.

‘Uthas has information of value to our cause,’ Calidus said. ‘He knows the whereabouts of two of the Treasures.’

‘That will be most helpful,’ Asroth said. ‘They are vital to our campaign. Which Treasures?’

‘The cup and the necklace, my lord,’ Uthas said.

‘Nemain’s necklace,’ Asroth said quietly. He closed his eyes, dark veins tracing his eyelids. ‘I remember seeing it about her neck as she fought me.’ He smiled, opening his eyes. ‘She had spirit. And you slew her.’

‘I did,’ Uthas said, feeling both shame and pride flow through him.

‘So where are these Treasures?’

‘I am aware of their last known locations,’ Uthas said.

‘Not quite the same as where they are now,’ Asroth said.

‘No, my lord, but it is unlikely that they have been moved.’

Asroth nodded. ‘So. Where are these last-known locations?’

Uthas paused, fighting the urge to speak, to spill the information from his mouth. He clenched his teeth together.

‘Uthas would ask a reward of you, for this information,’ Calidus said.

Thank you, thought Uthas. Never had he felt more grateful to someone for speaking for him.

Asroth frowned, his alabaster skin creasing like old parchment.

‘You would bargain with me?’

‘No, my lord,’ Uthas uttered. ‘A reward . . .’

‘Ahh.’ Asroth stood and strode back to his chair, his leathery wings wrapping around him as he sat. ‘It is true, I reward those who serve me – successfully. And punish those who fail me. What reward do you wish for?’

‘To be King of the giant clans – and to rule from Drassil, our ancient home. When the war is won.’

‘But your giants are Sundered. Even I cannot change what is already done.’

‘I ask that they be given the choice, in this God-War. Those who join your cause have me as their lord, your vassal king. Those that refuse, back to dust.’