“We have come together in defiance,” he began, looking to each of them and nodding respectfully. “Defiance of a past that must not darken our future. As I speak, Torcan Swinehelm and his followers are preparing to awaken the Forge Born. We have little time, so I will be brief. The Flame Binder allied with the Red Caps will soon ignite the fires of life within the most dangerous foes this land has ever known. The Seelie Court remains silent. Toad Holm lies corrupted, and the race of man is divided, unprepared. All that stands between Airlann and cruel domination are we few, brought together by roads of fortune, retribution, desperation and design. We can stop this. We can stop this, if we are willing to risk all.”

It was Sir Corc who spoke. “What do you propose?”

“Kill the Flame Binder,” Deglan said gruffly.

“Impossible,” Curdle said sadly. “He very well may be the last vessel of the purging element. The sole wielder of Fire. The power within him is more than any of us can contend. I doubt even Muckle could stand against him.”

“You never know,” the fat goblin said, his face considering.

“No,” Curdle defeated the notion with a cut of his hand. “Alone the Flame Binder is dangerous, and within the castle he will be surrounded by Red Caps. We are not an army. Were it possible to slay him, it remains unwise. We do not know what will happen to the Elements if his life ends. It could very well spell the end of all things.” The seer squinted into the oblivion. He shook his head with finality. “No. The chances of preventing him from completing his ritual are near to nothing. I do not think we can stop him in time.”

“Then those towering bastards will awaken,” Deglan said. “And we are doomed.”

“They will awaken,” Curdle agreed, “but we have a chance to affect how.”

“Explain,” Sir Corc said.

“Coltrane is the key,” Curdle said, nodding at the tall form of the Forge Born visible over the crumbling wall. “The Magic within him is still strong. Though he is drawn to the Flame Binder like a moth to a candle, he is not yet a slave. The Red Caps have the Gaunt Prince’s heir secured within the castle. If the other Forge Born return to life they will be servants to his will…unless we can restore their own will to them.”

“How?” Rosheen asked.

Curdle took a deep breath. “By redirecting the Fire that grants them life and channeling it through Coltrane, allowing his heart to flow into them.”

“And who is going to do that?” Deglan demanded.

“That would be me,” Muckle said, standing up next to Curdle.

“You?” Deglan laughed in disbelief.

“Us, actually,” Curdle said, shrugging off Muckle’s attempts to place an arm around him. “It will require both of us to succeed.”