‘As they have me on many occasions. But it was worth it to see the days of Ulric.’
‘Ulric?’
‘The Uniter,’ said Kesa Khan.
‘Ah yes, the First Uniter. I am afraid I spent little time observing him. I was more interested in the Second. An unusual man, don’t you think? Despite his mixed blood and his torn loyalties he still drew the Nadir together and accomplished all that Ulric failed to do.’
Kesa Khan said nothing for a moment. ‘Can you show me this man?’
Dardalion’s eyes narrowed. ‘But you have seen him, surely? He is the Uniter you spoke of.’
‘No, he is not.’
Dardalion sighed. ‘Take my hand, Kesa Khan, and share my memories.’ The shaman reached out, gripping hard to Dardalion’s palm. He shuddered, and his mind swam. Dardalion summoned his concentration, and together they witnessed the rise of Ulric Khan, the merging of the tribes, the great hordes sweeping across the steppes, the sacking of Gulgothir and the first siege of Dros Delnoch.
They watched the Earl of Bronze turn back the Nadir host, and saw the signing of the peace treaty, and the honouring of the terms; the marriage between the Earl’s son and one of Ulric’s daughters, and the birth of the child, Tenaka Khan, the Prince of Shadows, the King Beyond the Gate.
Dardalion felt Kesa Khan’s pride swell, followed immediately by a sense of despair. The separation was swift, and brought a groan from the Drenai. He opened his eyes and saw the fear on Kesa Khan’s face. ‘What is it? What is wrong?’
‘The woman, Miriel. From her will come the line of men leading to this Earl of Bronze?’
‘Yes -1 thought you understood that? You knew that a child would be conceived here.’
‘But not to her, Drenai! I did not know about her! The line of Ulric begins here also.’
‘So?’
Kesa Khan’s breathing was shallow, his face distorted. ‘I … I believed Ulric was the Uniter. And that Miriel’s descendants would seek to thwart him. I. . she …’
‘Out with it, man!’
‘There are beasts guarding the crystal. There were three, but their hunger was great and they turned upon one another. Now there is only one. They were men sent by Zhu Chao to kill me. Karnak’s son, Bodalen, was one of them. The crystal merged them.’
‘You could breach the power all along! What treachery is this?’ stormed Dardalion.
‘The girl will die down there. It is written!’ The shaman’s face was pale and stricken. ‘I have destroyed the line of the Uniter.’
‘Not yet,’ said Dardalion, surging to his feet.
Kesa Khan lunged out, grabbing the priest’s arm. ‘You don’t understand! I have made a pact with Shemak. She will die. Nothing can alter it now.’
Dardalion tore himself clear of Kesa Khan’s grip. ‘Nothing is inalterable. And no demon will hold sway over me!’
‘If I could change it I would,’ wailed Kesa Khan. ‘The Uniter is everything to me! But there must be a death. You cannot stop it!’
Dardalion ran from the room, down the winding stair to the hall, and on to the deep stairwell leading to the subterranean chambers. Just as he was entering the darkness Vishna pulsed to him from the ramparts. ‘The Brotherhood are attacking, brother. We need you!’
‘I cannot!’
‘Without you we are lost! The castle will fall!’
Dardalion reeled back from the doorway, his mind whirling. Hundreds of women and children would be slain if he deserted his post. Yet if he did not, then Miriel was doomed. He fell to his knees in the doorway, desperately seeking the path of prayer, but his mind was lost in thoughts of the coming chaos. A hand touched his shoulder. He looked up. It was the scarred, ugly gladiator.
‘Are you ill?’ asked the man. Dardalion rose and took a deep breath. Then he told all to Angel. The man’s face was grim as he listened. ‘A death, you say? But not necessarily Miriel’s?’
‘I don’t know. But I am needed on the wall. I cannot go to her.’
‘I can,’ said Angel, drawing his sword.
19
Zhu Chao stood on the balcony, leaning on the gilded rail and staring at the battlements of his palace. There were no vulgar crenellations here, but sweeping flutes and curves as befitted a Chiatze nobleman. The gardens below were filled with fragrant flowers and trees, with elaborate walkways curving around ponds and artificial streams. It was a place of quiet, tranquil beauty.