‘And what would happen if I went to the city of Zemoch, discovered that I couldn’t destroy Azash with Bhelliom and smashed the jewel instead?’

‘The city would be obliterated,’ she said in a troubled tone, ‘– along with any mountain ranges in the vicinity.’

‘I can’t really lose then, can I? Either way, Azash ceases to exist. And, if what Krager told us is true, Otha’s at Zemoch as well, along with Martel, Annias and various others. I could get them all. Once Azash and Otha are gone, the Zemoch invasion would disintegrate, wouldn’t it?’

‘You’re talking about throwing your life away, Sparhawk,’ Vanion said.

‘Better one life than millions.’

‘I absolutely forbid it!’ Ehlana shouted.

‘Forgive me, My Queen,’ Sparhawk told her, ‘but you ordered me to deal with Annias and the others. You can’t really rescind that command – at least not to me, you can’t.’

There was a polite rap on the door, and Tynian entered with the Domi, Kring. ‘Sorry to be late,’ the Deiran Knight apologized. ‘The Domi and I have been busy with some maps. For some reason, the Zemochs have sent forces north from their main encampment on the Lamork border. There’s an infestation of them in eastern Pelosia.’

Kring’s eyes brightened when he saw King Soros. ‘Ah, there you are, My King,’ he said. ‘I’ve been looking all over for you. I’ve got all sorts of Zemoch ears I’d like to sell you.’

King Soros whispered something. He still appeared to have a sore throat for some reason.

‘It’s starting to fit together,’ Sparhawk told the council. ‘Krager told us that Martel was taking Annias to the city of Zemoch to seek refuge with Otha.’ He leaned back in his chair. ‘I think the final solution to the problem we’ve been having for the last five centuries lies in the city of Zemoch and not on the plains of Lamorkand. Azash is our enemy, not Martel or Annias or Otha and his Zemochs, and we’ve got the means to destroy Azash once and for all in our hands now. Wouldn’t we be foolish not to use it? I could wear the petals off Bhelliom destroying Zemoch infantry units with it, and we’d all grow old and grey on some fluid battlefield to the north of Lake Cammoria. Wouldn’t it be better to go right to the heart of the problem – to Azash Himself? Let’s have done with this so that it doesn’t keep cropping up every half-eon or so.’

‘It’s strategically unsound, Sparhawk,’ Vanion said flatly.