Yet it was still strong. Twenty men, armed with bow and sword, walked the four walls, while four others- keen-eyed and watchful – manned the mock towers at each corner. The gates were barred, and six savage hounds patrolled the gardens. He could see one of them now, lying on all fours beside an ornate path. Its black fur made it almost invisible.
I am safe, thought Zhu Chao. Nothing can harm me.
Why then am I so afraid?
He shivered and drew his sheepskin-lined robe of purple wool more closely about his slender frame.
Kar-Barzac was becoming a disaster. Kesa Khan still lived, and the Nadir were defending the walls like men possessed. Innicas was dead, the Brotherhood all but destroyed. And Galen had been inexplicably murdered upon his return to the Drenai forces. He had walked into the tent of General Asten, and told the man about the tragic betrayal that had seen the death of Karnak. Asten had listened quietly, then stood and approached the Brotherhood warrior. Suddenly he reached out, grabbing Galen by the hair and wrenching back his head. A knife-blade flashed. Blood gouted from Galen’s throat. Zhu Chao had seen it all, the dying warrior falling to the floor, the stocky General looming above him.
Zhu Chao shivered. It was all going wrong.
And where was Waylander?
Three times he had cast the search spell. Three times it had failed. But tonight all will be made well, he assured himself. Midwinter’s Eve, and the great sacrifice. Power will flow into me, the gift of Chaos will be mine. Then I shall demand Kesa Khan’s death. Tomorrow the Ventrian King will be dead. His troops will turn to the Brotherhood for leadership, as will the Drenai soldiers. Galen was not the only loyal knight among them. Asten would die, as the Emperor would die.
Three empires become one.
Not for me the petty titles of King or Emperor. With the crystal in my hands I shall be the Divine Zhu Chao, Lord of All, King of Kings. The thought pleased him. He glanced at the nearest wall, watching the soldiers marching along the parapet. Strong men. Faithful. Loyal. I am safe, he told himself once more.
He glanced up at the mock tower to the left. The soldier there was sitting with his back to the outside. Sleeping! Irritation flared. Zhu Chao pulsed a command to him, but the man did not move. The sorcerer mentally summoned Casta, the Captain of the Guard.
‘Yes, Lord,’ came the response.
“The guard on the eastern tower. Have him brought to the courtyard and flogged. He is sleeping.’
‘At once, Lord.’
Safe? How safe can I be with men such as these guarding me? ‘And Casta!’
‘Yes, Lord.’
‘After he is flogged, cut his throat.’ Turning on his heel Zhu Chao returned to his apartments, his good mood in tatters. He felt the need of wine, but held back. Tonight the sacrifice must be conducted without error. He thought of Karnak in chains, the curved sacrificial knife slowly slicing into the Drenai’s chest. His mood brightened.
This is my last day as the servant of others, he thought. From tomorrow’s dawn I shall be the Lord of Three Empires.
No, not until the crystal is in your power. For only then will you know immortality. Only then will you be whole again. A muscle at his jaw twitched and he saw again the unholy fire and the sharp little dagger in Kesa Khan’s hand. Hate suffused him, and shame rose like acid in his throat.
‘You will watch your people die, Kesa Khan,’ he hissed. ‘Every man, woman and babe. And you will know who is to blame. That is the price for what you stole from me!’
His memories echoed the remembered pain, and the months of terrible suffering that followed the mutilation. But the crystal would change everything. The Third Grimoire told of it. An ancient knight had been carried into the chamber, his arm cut away by a weapon of light. They had laid him upon a bed, and unleashed the power of the crystal. Within two days a new arm had sprouted from the severed limb.