His back broke instantly, and his skull caved in. His arm of flesh and both legs were broken, the splinters of bone protruding from the skin.

The pain was excruciating, indescribable, beyond belief.

Moragon was conscious throughout; he knew exactly what had happened to him. The elixir coursing through his veins tried to rebuild his body even as his internal organs ruptured and he bled internally, even as bits of matter from his head were splattered on the street, and his blood welled in a pool around him.

Then his body gave up.

~

"THANK you, my sweet," Amber cooed to the babe. Tears ran down her cheeks as she rocked him in her arms, even the slightest thought of harm coming to him too much to bear. "Thank you for staying quiet. You knew, didn't you?"

There were shouts and the sounds of running boots outside Amber's chamber. Amber frowned and with the baby in the crook of her arm she bent down and picked up Moragon's sword. Nothing would stop her now.

A man appeared in the doorway. When Amber saw his scarred-face, dark hair lined with grey, and the zenblade in his hands, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I've found her," Rogan Jarvish called over his shoulder. "Lord of the Sky, Amber, am I pleased to see you."

He walked past her and leaned out the window, looking down. "My men found him. Moragon?"

Amber nodded. "Is he dead?"

"He's dead." Rogan then turned his eyes on the baby.

"He's my son," Amber said.

"He's beautiful." Rogan smiled at her.

"Where's Miro?" Amber asked.

"He was coming in by way of the harbour."

"Please, Rogan, can you take me to him?"

"Nothing would give me greater pleasure."

63

63

DAIN Barden was angry, and when he was angry, men jumped when he told them to jump. With satisfaction he saw that the skiff he had commandeered was gaining on the Primate's slower vessel.

He wasn't sure if it was the bloodstained war hammer he held in his hands or the two draugar by his side, but the six men who rowed the boat pulled on their oars as if their lives depended on it, which, he supposed, they did.

Barden was in a foul mood. Not only had the Primate proven himself to be a man without honour, but the melding, Moragon, had betrayed his trust.

Sending only four meldings after the Dain had been foolish though. He was the ruler of the Akari. His race was the strongest of all the peoples of the world, and Barden was the strongest of his race.