‘I’d certainly be glad to hear it,’ Preceptor Darellon said. ‘I’m not too happy with any of the options I’ve heard so far.’

‘Sephrenia,’ Sparhawk said, ‘just how powerful is the Bhelliom really?’

‘I’ve told you that it’s the most powerful object in the world, dear one.’

‘Now there’s a thought,’ Wargun said. ‘Sparhawk could use Bhelliom to obliterate whole chunks of Otha’s army. Incidentally, Sparhawk, you are going to return Bhelliom to the royal house of Thalesia when you’re finished with it, aren’t you?’

‘We might discuss that, Your Majesty,’ Sparhawk said. ‘It wouldn’t really do you all that much good, though. It won’t do anything at all without the rings, and I don’t feel much like surrendering mine yet. You can ask my queen how she feels about hers, if you wish.’

‘My ring stays where it is,’ Ehlana said flatly.

Sparhawk had been mulling over his earlier conversation with Sephrenia. He was growing increasingly certain that the impending confrontation was not going to be settled by vast armies clashing in central Lamorkand in the way that the one five hundred years earlier had been. He had no way to justify his certainty, since he had not reached it by logic but rather by some intuitive leap that was more Styric in nature than Elene. He somehow knew that it would be a mistake for him to immerse himself in an army. Not only would that delay him in something he must do, but it would also be dangerous. If the subversion of Sir Perraine had not been an independent act on Martel’s part, then he would be exposing himself and his friends to thousands of potential enemies, all completely unidentifiable and all armed to the teeth. Once again he absolutely had to get clear of an Elene army. His idea grew more out of that necessity than out of any real conviction that it would work. ‘Is there enough power in Bhelliom to destroy Azash?’ he asked Sephrenia. He already knew the answer, of course, but he wanted her to confirm it for the others.

‘What are you saying, Sparhawk?’ she asked in a tone of profound shock. ‘You’re talking about destroying a God. The whole world trembles at such a suggestion.’

‘I’m not raising the question to start a theological debate,’ he said. ‘Would Bhelliom be able to do it?’

‘I don’t know. No one’s ever had the temerity to even suggest it before.’

‘Where is Azash most vulnerable?’ he asked.

‘Only in His confinement. The Younger Gods of Styricum chained Him within that clay idol Otha found centuries ago. That’s one of the reasons He’s been seeking Bhelliom so desperately. Only the Sapphire Rose can free Him.’

‘And if the idol were to be destroyed?’

‘Azash would be destroyed with it.’