‘I found men in the capitol who listened to my plans. They knew the army and
knew the battlefield. They’re no friends of a hidebound Emperor who sees no more
of war than a parade ground, but they became my friends. They gave me leave to
search the ruins with my men and arranged for the garrison posts here when all
omens said the answer lay in Sanctuary. If I can return to tnem with the formula
the army won’t be the whipping-boy of lazy Emperors. Someday men who understand
steel and blood would rule … but, I’ve failed them. The damned S’danzo curse
has preceded me! The mage was gone when I got here and my dreams have receded
further with each step I.decided to take.’
‘Walegrin,’ Illyra began, ‘the S’danzo are not that powerful. Look at the cards.
I cannot read your writing, but I can read them and there are no curses in your
fate. You’ve found what you came for. Red clay yields steel through the Ore
ruler, Quicksilver. True, Quicksilver is a deceiver, but only because its depths
are concealed. Quicksilver will let you change this scribbling into something
more to your liking.’ She was S’danzo again, dispensing wisdom amid her candles,
but without the bright colours and heavy kohl her words had a new urgent
sincerity.
‘ You are touched by the same curse! You lie with your husband yet have no
children.’
Illyra shrank back ashamed. ‘I … I use the S’danzo gifts; I must believe in
their powers. But you seek the power of steel and war. You need not believe in
S’danzo; you need not fear them. You ran away – you escaped! The only curse upon