She stepped between her guards and put her hand on the shaman’s chest, felt his heart thudding against his ribs, and looked deep enough to see his spirit burning in his eyes. ‘It has been inside you for weeks now, brightening you, glorifying you; I see its light in your face. When you reach the border you will no longer hear it. You will be lost. Bereft. Don’t throw it away. Don’t discard the glory inside you and condemn your thousands of brave warriors to pointless death.’

‘She is a scorpion, Tayan. Her words are venom.’

‘Betsu, peace,’ the shaman said, but he neither looked at her nor moved away from the pressure of Enet’s hand on his chest. They stared into each other and she felt him waver, she felt him teeter on the edge of surrender. And step back. ‘May we speak again tomorrow, Great Octave?’ he asked formally.

‘I have duties in the source, with the Singer,’ Enet said. ‘But I will find some time to show you the city.’ She walked to the door and looked back over her shoulder. ‘You are lucky you arrived when you did,’ she added as if it was an afterthought. ‘The new moon will come before you leave. You can take part in our ritual offerings to the holy Setatmeh.’

‘Is that a threat?’ Betsu demanded, clenching her fists.

Enet only smiled. ‘Under the song.’

THE SINGER

The source, Singing City, Pechacan, Empire of Songs

The song is eternal. My song shall be eternal, spreading across Ixachipan and then the world until all know my strength and the Pechaqueh power.

I, Xac, 174th Singer of Pechacan, wielder of the magic that binds the Empire, will be the once, last, and only Singer, walking at the world spirit’s side for eternity.

I honour my ancestors, who have brought the Empire so close to its final glory. Because of them and the grand work of expansion they began, I shall wake the world spirit.

Because of myself and all the reverence I am owed, I shall achieve greatness so radiant it will reflect back through the years to burnish their legacy brighter.

Through me Ixachipan will be brought to harmonious glory. Through me will be an end to war and division. Through me will the Pechaqueh rule supreme and the Empire be prosperous. Through me the world spirit will awaken.

And with that awakening, I shall wax into my full power. None shall withstand us. None shall want to withstand us. The world spirit and I will make a garden of the world, and a music of living. All shall know my name. All shall know me.

For I am the Singer, and my will is stone.

TAYAN

Great Octave’s estate, Singing City,

Pechacan, Empire of Songs

153rd day of the Great Star at morning