“One moment,” Relos Var said. He turned back to Kihrin. “Let there be no lies between us. You’re right. I don’t care what happens to Atrine, and my feelings toward Morios are at best ambivalent. I’m doing this because I care about fulfilling the prophecies. I also care a great deal what it will mean when Janel stops Morios.”

“That’s right. You need to replace Duke Kaen as Jorat’s rebel ruler, don’t you? Janel’s the backup plan.” It was almost refreshing to hear Var admit he didn’t care. The wizard only ever helped when his goals temporarily aligned with others. Var wanted to see some Hellwarrior-related prophecy fulfilled—helped along by Janel overthrowing Duke Xun, by killing Morios. The population would interpret her victory over the dragon as proof of her right to rule them. Which put her one step closer to smashing the empire. And that was what Relos Var wanted. As always, he played the long game.

Var smiled. “By the way, if you break Janel’s heart, I will make your life a living hell.”

Kihrin felt himself flush with anger. “Seriously? You’re giving me the father talk?”

“I don’t see Qoran Milligreest stepping up to do it.”

Thurvishar cleared his throat. Kihrin hadn’t realized someone could clear their throat angrily before. Thurvishar looked like he was seconds from closing the portal on them both.

“Let’s go kill a dragon,” Relos Var said.

Kihrin walked through the portal.

55: THE DRAGON OF WAR

Atrine, Jorat Dominion, Quuros Empire. Three days since Kihrin asked questions to which he already knew the answer—actually, forget this one: that could be any day in the past twenty years

When Kihrin looked back, he realized Thurvishar hadn’t followed. He suspected the mage had opened a second gate, in a far more dangerous location, somewhere inside Atrine. Kihrin shook his head. Senera wore the Name of All Things—and as far as Kihrin knew, any Cornerstone protected its wearer from casual scrying. Which meant Kihrin had no idea how Thurvishar intended to find Senera in a city that size, let alone help the woman if she proved to be in jeopardy.

Of course, given what Kihrin had been told about Senera, he also wouldn’t have prioritized her rescue. Thurvishar clearly had differing opinions.

Then a deafening roar made the ground shake, and Kihrin put his hands over his ears, wondering how anyone closer could possibly stand it. When the sound quieted, he looked to its source, toward Atrine.