Rorelan's scowl returned. "I've just come from a meeting with High Enchanter Merlon. Miro, do you have any idea how low our supplies of essence are? We can't afford these experiments of hers. The High Enchanter says she won't listen to reason. And this new companion of hers… let's just say the Lord Marshal's sister needs to consider the company she keeps."

"I'll speak with her," Miro said. "Where can I find her?"

A great boom sounded from somewhere, followed by a whoosh that made the ground rumble. If they had been anywhere except the Crystal Palace, dust would have fallen from the ceiling.

High Lord Rorelan levelled Miro with a steady gaze. "I don't think you'll have any trouble."

2

2

TAPEL was always finding strange things, but this was certainly the strangest. He regarded the man, as always trying not to stare too hard at the bandages around the man's throat, while the man regarded him back with coal-dark eyes. The man tried to sit up, and when Tapel pushed him back down as his mother had instructed, the stranger was too weak to protest.

Tapel's mother was always telling Tapel what to do and what not to do, when it came to the stranger. She was out a lot of the time, so it was often Tapel who took care of him.

It was only fair, Tapel supposed. It was he who had found the stranger, after all.

~

THE armies of Altura and Halaran had met the Black Army just outside Ranalast, in a great collision of men and steel in the now-ravaged land that had once been low farmland, gentle hillocks and forested copses.

Like so many others, Tapel and his mother, Amelia, had prayed for their countrymen and their Alturan allies. Ralanast had been occupied for weeks, and all knew the attempt to liberate the Halrana capital from the ruthless soldiers of the imperial legion was a desperate gamble.

The explosions and screams could be heard throughout the day, from all quarters of Ralanast, from the dusty masons' quarter to the deserted market district. The Halrana who had stayed in their capital and not attempted the frantic flight to Altura gathered in front of the Terra Cathedral, old men and women with small children peacefully demonstrating their wish for their occupiers to leave. The legionnaires dispersed the crowd with pikes and blood-drenched swords.

Legasa Telmarran, High Lord of Halaran, and Prince Leopold of Altura fought bravely. Then, in the afternoon word arrived that the army of Alturans and Halrana was surrounded. High Lord Legasa asked for quarter, but none was given. The encirclement grew tighter, and the butchery began.

Tapel's mother had cried, and Tapel had held her hand, not sure what else to do. By nightfall, the battle was over. Some soldiers had escaped, bursting out of the enemy's net in leaderless groups, but Ralanast's last chance at freedom was over. High Lord Legasa was dead, killed in battle. Prince Leopold had fled the field.