"I know you've had a tough…"

"Shh," Amber hushed. "Yes, it's war, and it's been difficult for everyone. But thinking of you is what got me through. I love you. I always have."

"I'm a fool," Miro said.

"No you're not," Amber said. "You're a man." She pulled him down to the soft covers. "Please, show me that you're my man."

That night in Ralanast was a night when no one was alone. Some slept in a lover's arms, while others danced the night away.

And at least one couple made up for lost time.

43

43

PRIMATE Melovar Aspen brooded in his lush chambers at the Imperial Palace in Seranthia when two separate messages came to tell him he was losing the war.

When Melovar had first heard about the desert men and their siege of Tlaxor he'd diverted the legionnaires he was sending to Halaran and instead sent them towards Petrya. While the reinforcements were still travelling, where they wouldn't do anyone any good, the first message arrived to tell him that this desert prince had conquered the unconquerable city. Prince Ilathor had somehow crossed the boiling waters of Lake Halapusa to the Petryan capital, storming the gates and taking the city.

The Petryans were now out of the war.

Haptut Alwar was dead — caught trying to flee, they said — and the warriors of Raj Hazara would soon be pouring through the Gap of Garl and heading for Tingara and their evident goal, Seranthia.

Then the second message arrived. Moragon, the fool, had been touring Loua Louna when the Alturans crossed over into Halaran, and by the time he'd turned back to seize command of the situation, the Alturan commander had retaken several towns and then liberated Ralanast itself.

Moragon's men in the Ring Forts tried to drive through to the city, but they'd encountered a second army left in waiting for this very eventuality. After a great battle near Mornhaven, the Alturans had left the field victors, and soon the Ring Forts would once again be in the possession of the allies.

Moragon had been forced to pull back to the Azure Plains in Torakon. His position in Loua Louna was untenable, he said.

He then told Melovar the latest piece of bad news with his customary directness. After a coup in Vezna, High Lord Dimitri Corizon had been removed from power.

Now the Veznans, also, were out of the war.

The Primate looked at the ancient book of the Evermen, holding its secrets fast as it sat innocuously nearby. He picked it up and hurled it at the ground.

A guard poked his head in.

"Get me Zavros," Melovar said. "Now!"

As he waited for Zavros, the Primate gathered his thoughts. The Akari had rejoined the Tingaran Empire and Dain Barden was now at Melovar's disposal. The Primate would continue to dangle the relic in front of them, but first, it was time for the Akari to show their worth.