Get ready... Uthas of the Benothi giants stands near the cauldron. He can feel it calling to him. His shieldman Salach tells him that their queen, Nemain, is asking for him. He climbs the tower to where she waits near a woman writhing on a bed in the middle of the room as Balur One-Eye holds her hand. Uthas tells Nemain of the humans’ movements. They are fighting each other, now would be a good time for the Benothi to strike and take back what was once theirs. But Nemain reminds Uthas that they do not have the numbers for that, and that the cauldron must be protected at all costs. The woman on the bed, Ethlinn, wakes up. She tells them that the Kadoshim draw closer. The Black Sun is coming for the cauldron. Cywen wakes up to chaos. She remembers going over the wall with Conall, but not much else. Around her, bodies are being piled up. She can tell that the fortress has fallen. She makes her way inside the keep. She sees Owain, Nathair, Conall, and Nathair’s shieldman Sumur - but none of her people. Then she hears a growl which leads her to Buddai. He’s guarding her father’s dead body. She leads Buddai away before he is also killed, running into Rafe. His leg is injured, which he blames on Corban. He tells her that her people have escaped, leaving her behind, but they will be found and killed soon enough. She knees him in the groin, then makes herself scarce before she draws any more attention to herself. She takes Buddai back to her house where she sees that her family is really is gone. She cries as Buddai curls around her. Veradis waits outside of the tunnel where Calidus and Alcyon followed Romar’s men. He does not like what he thinks will happen in the tunnel and worries about his friends Kastell and Maquin, but he has orders not to interfere with Calidus, who controls the Jehar. He’s proud of the way his men fought though. They turned the tide of battle, Braster’s and Romar’s forces would have stood no chance against the Hunen giants if not for his men. A scout says that he found a hidden doorway from which he heard voices. Veradis opens it to find a couple of giants guarding giant children. One of the adults attacks and is killed, but Veradis tells the other that he will not hurt her or the children if they do not attack first. As the giants exit the tunnel, Calidus and Alcyon approach from behind Veradis. Calidus says they all must be killed; they will not always be children. The giantess sees the weapon that Alcyon is carrying and attacks him. The Jehar start to kill the children. Veradis does not want any part of this, and it seems that Alcyon feels the same way. He hits the giantess hard but then steps back, telling her to drop her weapon. Calidus steps forward and cuts off her head - ignoring Alcyon’s screams to stop. Once the children are all slaughtered, Calidus tells Veradis that the Hunen are broken and they’ve taken the starstone axe for Nathair. That is the weapon Alcyon carries, made of dark wood with a black double blade. One of the Seven Treasures. Romar died in the tunnel with all of his men. Braster, though wounded, survived. That evening, Calidus tells Veradis that they will leave the next morning to join Nathair in Ardan. They will travel with Jael to Isiltir before separating. Veradis does not like Jael and makes a comment about how all of Romar’s men were killed except Jael and his men, who plan to travel to Isiltir to claim Romar’s throne - with Nathair’s support. He wonders aloud whose hand killed Romar. Calidus assures him that a giant that killed Romar. Later, Veradis asks Akar if he saw Romar die. Akar, who leads the Jehar who are not with Sumur, tells Veradis that Calidus did not lie. A giant did kill Romar - one wielding a black bladed battle axe: Alcyon. Maquin wakes up. During the battle when it was clear they had been betrayed, Orgull had tried to drag Maquin into hiding but had to knock him out because Maquin fought back. Kasteel and all the others are dead. Jael killed Kas, Maquin can remember now. Orgull suspects that Jael plans to claim Isiltir’s throne. He’s distantly related to Romar and with Kas out of the way, Jael has a real chance - especially if he eliminates Romar’s young son. Maquin wants to kill Jael for what he’s done but Orgull makes him a deal. They warn Isiltir first. Then, they will find Jael together. But first, they must find a way out of the tunnel. They find one more of the Gadrai alive - a young man named Tahir. The flames on the walls flicker with a slight breeze, they follow it to a set of stairs leading toward the surface. That’s when a giant creature with a hard carapace attacks. It bites Tahir’s leg before it’s killed. Maquin moves the stone at the top of the stairs as Orgull helps Tahir walk out. Maquin can see soldier’s fires in the distance and suspects that Jael is with them. But he follows his sword-brothers into the forest. Corban travels with Gwenith, Gar, his friends Farrell and Dath, their dad Anwarth and Mordwyr, Princess Edana, her guard Halion, her cousin Marrock, Marrock’s friends Camlin and Tarben, the elders Brina and Heb, and the traitor’s son Vonn, as well as his wolven Storm. They decide to go to shore for some warmth and food before deciding on their next steps. They are no longer in Ardan - not that Ardan is safe anymore, but Cambren is even worse. While they eat, they discuss their plan to go to Domhain. Halion is the bastard son of Domhain’s king, Eremon. His and Conall’s mother was just one of Eremon’s mistresses who Eremon had children with. Eremon always treated them and their mother well. When he married Roisin to have a legitimate heir, Roisin also treated them well. Until she got pregnant and had her own child Lorcan. “Accidents” started to happen, one of which killed Halion’s mother. Conall confronted Roisin and their father told them they should leave for Ardan. He’d arranged sanctuary with King Brenin, who he held in high esteem. Halion believes that Eremon will give Edana sanctuary and may even give her men to fight with. Marrock isn’t sure they should’ve left Ardan. Though Corban’s dad and sister are dead, as well as Dath’s sister Bethan (who Vonn loved), Marrock’s wife Fion may still be alive. Edana decides that they will go to Domhain. She needs time to find a way to win Ardan back. Gwenith and Gar ask to speak to Corban alone. Though the others are going to Domhain, the three of them need to go to Drassil. The God-War is here, the Banished Lands are falling apart, and it is time to fight. Corban has a role to play; he was chosen by Elyon and has been hunted by Asroth for his whole life. In Drassil, he will be safe - for now. Corban thinks they’ve lost their minds. He will not break his oath to Brenin and will go to Domhain with the others. Orgull begins to swear. He must see Braster before he leaves. He and Braster are part of another brotherhood, and they swore to fight against Asroth and the Black Sun in the God-War. He must tell Braster what happened in the giants’ cave so that Braster can alert the others in case something happens to Orgull. Maquin agrees to accompany him, but Tahil is injured and will stay in the woods. They pinpoint Braster’s tent. Braster’s battle chief Lothar allows them to see Braster but stays with them as Orgull tells Braster everything. Braster declares that someone must tell Meical, but Braster will have to play dumb until he is away from Nathair’s army. He asks for Lothar’s opinion but instead of giving it, Lothar stabs Braster in the chest and kills him. Lothar loved his king, but Nathair is the future. He calls for guards, who believe the Gadrai killed Braster. Orgull and Maquin are able to fight their way out of the tent and run to the woods. Lykos, lord of the Vin Thalun is taken to shore by Deinon and Deinon’s brother Thaan to meet with Fidele, who rules in Nathair’s absence. There has been a problem getting certain types of wood he needs to build his ships; problems purposely being caused by some of Tenebral’s lords who do not like the Vin Thalun. Fidele points out that certain actions the Vin Thalun take is not making it easy for those in Tenebral to move past their animosity. The fighting pits, for example. If he shuts the pits down, Fidele can make sure he gets the supplies he needs. He agrees but is livid at having to take orders from a woman. He privately decides to keep the pits open, but they’ll need to hide them better. That evening, Jace is brought to see him. Fidele said something that made Lykos realize he had a traitor in his midst. He starts cutting Jace’s fingers off until Jace admits that he had spoken to Fidele. Lykos kills the boy. When he sleeps that night, Lykos has nightmares again - messages from Calidus. The Vin Thalun is wanted in Ardan. Evnis sits next to his wife’s grave, he can’t find Vonn. Conall says that Nathair wants to speak to him. Evnis believes it was to lure Conall to him using what he’s learned in the book he found, he has been indispensable. Nathair makes an offer to Evnis. He will be staying in Dun Careg for a while, but then he has a task to complete in the north. He is looking for men that will be loyal to him, and he thinks Evnis could be one of those men. He asks if Rhin was involved in this war between Narvon and Ardan. Evnis says she orchestrated the whole thing, tricking Owain to rid herself of Brenin since he was the only one strong enough to withstand her. Now she can kill Owain and take Ardan and Narvon both. Nathair asks about Corban and Gar, but Evnis doesn’t know much about them. He agrees to find Cywen so Nathair can speak to her. Finally, Nathair tells Evnis that he will go north to find the cauldron. Evnis happens to know where to find it. Nathair is delighted! Soon, Evnis accompanies Nathair to speak to Owain. Owain confirms that Ardan is his now. He will not rest till Edana is killed, but there has been no sightings of her. Owain is suspicious of Evnis - once a traitor always a traitor. Owain asks Evnis how he snuck his forces in and Evnis thinks of the tunnels. Vonn could have used them; he could still be there! But he does not tell Owain about the tunnels. Owain is approached by one of his men. Rhin just attacked and conquered his capital, Uthandun. Corban sleeps fitfully that night and is woken in the morning by Gar, who insists on training. Several people from the camp watch them. Halion who wants to know where Gar trained and how he knows Sumur. Gar refuses to answer before he has told this information to Corban first. Halion agrees but will be back for answers soon. Brina comes to Corban with questions as well, but Corban has questions of his own. She agrees to tell him about how she and Heb controlled the mist when he can answer her questions about Gar. They sail for several days, stopping in the evening for food and rest, and on the fifth day they see a bunch of small ships. They decide to get to shore quickly before they’re spotted. Camlin scouts to make sure no trouble is waiting. He sees a warband on the move. Tukul trains with the Jehar in Drassil with him. For fourteen years they’ve hid and waited patiently (for the most part). They are older now, and there are fewer of them, but they are still formidable. When Meical arrives, Tukul is told that Aquilas is dead (bad news) but Corban is well and Gar, Tukul’s son, has become an honorable man. Things are moving quickly and in unexpected ways, Meical thinks they need to change their plans. Meical advises Tukul to choose people to stay and protect the spear, the rest they will take to meet the Seren Disglair. Tukul smiles, the time has come. Cywen has been alone for four days. She believes that Corban, Gwenith, and Gar are still alive, though they left her behind. They probably thought she was dead, but it still hurts. She’s begun working in the stables again to keep busy and stay close to Corban’s horse Shield, plus it allows her to listen to the soldiers. She’s been finding any throwing knives her father made and getting them ready to use. Conall comes looking for her, Nathair wants to speak with her - it’s not exactly a request. Nathair is with Sumur and Evnis when she arrives with Buddai. They ask about Corban, and Gar, and Storm. Cywen tells them what she knows, stories that anyone would be able to tell them, before being overcome and attacking Evnis. She is pulled away and stops fighting when Buddai is threatened. She storms out, she can’t stand the sight of Evnis. Nathair and Conall like Cywen’s spirit, but Nathair wants her watched. He doesn’t want her disappearing. He asks about Rhin, who has taken Narvon’s capital and is now camped on the other side of the Darkwood waiting to strike at Owain. Evnis thinks she will attack before Owain has a chance to round up his soldiers scattered around Ardan squashing rebellions. Nathair wants to speak to Rhin without Owain’s knowledge, Evnis will do what he can to set it up, but he wonders what Rhin will do when she finds out he’s working for Nathair, about the connection between Gar and Sumur, and where Vonn is. He feels drawn toward the book he’s been studying, which happens more and more often. When he tries to retrieve the book from where it’s hidden, it’s gone. Camlin watches the warband for a moment before making a decision. He’s with Dath, Gar, Corban, and Storm. These soldiers are heading toward their encampment and there’s no time to run back. He and Dath will pick the soldiers off with their bows and arrows. The others will make sure none of the soldiers break free. It’s a short where one soldier nearly gets away, but Camlin is able to bring him down. They tie the horses up before running back to camp. After a brief explanation, their group packs up. They need to leave right away, and they’ll take their chances with the boats. But before they can shove off, Vonn and Farrell run in from shore. A boat full of warriors just landed. Fidele watches the Vin Thalun sail toward Ardan and thinks “good riddance”. She visits her husband’s grave. He shouldered so much when it came to the God-War. She wishes now he had been more open with her; she is not sure she is doing the right thing. Peritus finds her and takes her to the coast where a fisherman found Jace’s body tangled in his crab lines. This is how Lykos follows Fidele’s orders. Calidus is in a hurry to leave for Isiltir after hearing about Braster. Veradis doesn’t understand why the Gadrai would kill Braster, but Lothar claims to have seen it happen. As they ride, Calidus speaks to Veradis. Nathair needs Isiltir’s support. Jael needs to claim Romar’s throne before the Gadrai make it to Isiltir and warn Romar’s wife, who may try to take the throne instead with her ten-year-old son as heir. Calidus suggests that Veradis and his warband stay with Jael to lend him some strength but Veradis refuses. He needs to get to Nathair. A scout comes out saying he found a campfire. Jael and his men are shown the campfire site with Alcyon and Veradis, believing the Gadrai are near. Veradis asks if the axe is really a Treasure (it is) and says he didn’t know giants had children. Alcyon says they’re not as common as human babies, which is why giant children are so cherished - and so many of them died at Haldis. Alcyon looks distraught at the thought. They find the Gadrai’s trail, but it’s Veradis who finds them first. He does not alert the others. Maquin tells Veradis told that Kastell was killed by Jael and that Braster was actually killed by Lothar. Veradis warns the Gadrai that they’re being hunted, but Maquin says something before the Gadrai leave. When he and Kastell went into the tunnel, Veradis warned them to think about what side they chose to fight on. He urges Veradis to take his own advice. Evnis looks through the casket, but he does not find the book, but the necklace is still there undisturbed. Evnis decides to search the tunnels for the book, and Vonn. He’s decided this must’ve been how Corban’s group disappeared and they may still be there hiding. But he finds neither Vonn nor the book, nor any of the others. He does find the body of a wyrm, so he knows they must have been in the tunnels. He focuses on arranging the meeting between Nathair and Rhin and decides he will make it happen using knowledge from the book, he’s pretty sure he remembers how. Using blood from his prisoner, he pours the blood into a cauldron and calls to Rhin. A portrait of her face rises from the blood and speaks to a Evnis. Marrock and Camlin sneak down watch the soldiers while Halion and the others hide. When Marrock and Camlin return, the news is not good – their boat has been set on fire. They need to leave immediately and decide to steal the warriors’ boat. They try to sneak, but they’re spotted right away. Corban’s group fights hard, but the warriors begin to push their boat out to sea. Marrock and Mordwyr run toward the boat, but Mordwyr is stabbed in the neck, and the boat begins to sail away. They cannot allow any warriors to escape with their location. Camlin uses the fire from their own boat to light his arrows on fire and shoots at the retreating boat, setting the warriors’ boat ablaze. Marrock helps Dath and Corban pull Mordwyr to shore, but Mordwyr is already dead. One of the warriors makes it from the burning ship back to shore and they question the man. He is one of Rhin’s men, led by Morcant. Rhin has already taken Narvon, and they are heading to conquer Ardan as well. Most of Rhin’s warriors have already sailed, Morcant with them, but there are two to three hundred of them still to sail. They thought Corban’s group were Owain’s spies. Once they get the information, Camlin slits the man’s throat. The warrior couldn’t be allowed to live but Marrock chastises Camlin - he cannot act without orders. Camlin understands. Marrock thinks they should try to steal another ship, but Halion thinks they should try to make it to Domhain on land, Camlin agrees with Halion. They have a few horses from the group of warriors they killed and there are places on the coast where they could steal more - and horses are a lot easier to steal than a boat. Cywen has noticed Conall has been following her. She bides her time: doing chores, cleaning out the garden, working in the stables. Tonight, she decides to go looking for her family. She’s hoping they used the tunnels and are still hiding down there. She slips over the back wall of her garden unnoticed by Conall. She doesn’t find her family in the tunnels, but she notices that Dath’s boat is gone. They must have set sail. She goes back into the tunnel to sneak back to her house where Buddai waits for her, but she spots something she didn’t see before. A carving in the side of the tunnel of a huge, winged creature with long talons. Next to the carving is a dark spot in the wall, a branching tunnel she hadn’t noticed before. She can’t leave that uninvestigated. She finds a door that she forces open, which leads her to a cellar of some sort. There is a second locked door in the cellar. Behind it, someone is begging for a drink of water. Making a choice (and hoping it’s not a bad one), she uses a nearby axe to break the door’s lock. Inside, she finds Pendathran - bedraggled and very worse for wear, but alive. Maquin, Orgull, and Tahir reach Brikan, the home of the Gadrai, and rest. They will leave in the morning to find Romar’s estranged wife. While they have a moment of relative safety, Maquin asks Orgull about this brotherhood of his and Braster’s. When Orgull was young, a man named Meical had come to his village with a story of a God-War that had raged for millennia and would soon come to the Banished Lands. Orgull, as well as his father, vowed to fight on the side of the All-Father. The portents that Meical said to watch for are coming to fruition now, Orgull has seen them. Maquin brushes his story off, but it niggles at the back of his mind. Tahir asks about Romar’s wife. Gerda is headstrong, she will not let Jael take her son’s throne without a fight. She left Romar three years ago with their son Haelan, for Dun Kellan, where Gerda’s brother Varick is lord. On their way to Dun Kellan, the Gadrai passes Jael’s warband, marked with Jael’s new banner: the jagged lightning bolt of Isiltir but with a white snake coiled around it. The Gadrai double their efforts to warn Gerda before Jael gets there. When they arrive, they present Romar’s sword and explain what they know. They suspect that Jael will come and demand that Haelan become his ward, but Jael will kill the child eventually. Gerda believes them, and they begin to fortify the crumbling walls of the keep and to evacuate the people willing to leave. When Jael comes, Jael doesn’t offer Gerda any terms. He just throws a spear into Varick’s throat before leading his men forward. Cywen helps Pendathran into the tunnels. They slowly make their way to the beach where Cywen stows Pendathran in Dath’s cottage. They exchange what they know. There’s water and Cywen promises to bring food. She sneaks back to her own house where Buddai waits. Conall is still across the street but he’s now asleep. She’s tired, but she can’t rest. If she were to sleep all day, it would be suspicious. As it is, it won’t be long before they’re looking for Pendathran. That evening after working in the stables, Cywen climbs the keep wall and gives Evnis’ hounds a pile of meat. They won’t be hunting Pendathran that night, or ever - meat was poisoned. The majority of the hounds die; the remaining hounds are left weak and feeble. She sneaks Pendathran food afterward. He leaves that night, asking Cywen to come with him, but she can’t leave yet. Besides, she’d be followed. He promises her that he won’t forget what she’s done, and she wishes him well. She continues working in the stables. One of Owain’s warriors has started to demand the use of Shield, though Cywen doesn’t like it. She’s watching the warriors spar on the field when Nathair’s warships sail into port. Camlin takes Vonn and Anwarth with him because they’re good fighters, and Dath because he needs something to do. Marrock decides to come too - to learn about subterfuge and trickery. The others take the warriors’ horses and choose a spot to meet up. Camlin can tell that there is tension between Marrock and Halion now, Marrock believes the attack is proof they should have returned to Ardan. But it’s too late now. Camlin is struggling with himself and his nature to desert. He could just leave these people, but he doesn’t. He stays. He wonders if this is what loyalty feels like. They find a warrior standing guard outside a hut next to a field of horses. They’ll have to get tack for the horses too. Camlin approaches Dath. He explains that he knows Dath is capable, but he needs to be sure that Dath can do this now after losing his dad. Camlin explains that now, Dath’s kin is everyone else in their group. They are all they have now. Dath is scared but Camlin laughs. They’re all scared. Use the fear, let it make him better, don’t let it overcome him. Use it to avenge his father’s death. Dath nods and Camlin walks to the warrior standing guard. He pretends to be a fellow warrior, just coming to visit his horse out of boredom. There is only one other warrior inside the hut. They kill them both. It takes all night, but they tack enough horses for the whole group and ride to their meeting spot. As they prepare to leave, Camlin notices that Storm’s hackles are raised and looks around. They should hurry. There’s a line of soldiers far off but moving their way. Veradis, Calidus, and Alcyon make it to Dun Carreg. Veradis can’t help thinking about what Maquin said. Veradis is sure he’s in the right side, but then why does everything feel so wrong? Good thing they have Calidus to guide them. Veradis enters a meeting with Nathair’s closest advisors: Calidus, Alcyon, Lykos, and now Evnis. Lykos says that Fidele is ruling Tenebral in Nathair’s stead as well as she can. She claims in a letter to Nathair that Lykos has been causing problems. Lykos says the barons Marcelline and Lamar were causing supply issues delaying the ships being built - and Peritus has been seen with Marcellin. Nathair will have to consider how to react to this. He will not have anyone questioning his orders or giving his mother a hard time. His group decides to stay in Ardan for a bit before traveling into Benothi lands for the cauldron. Another of the Seven Treasures, the cauldron will allow them to bring the Ben-Elim into this world. It can only be destroyed if all of the treasures are gathered together. Good thing they also control the axe. They recap: Gundul is now King of Carnutan, under Nathair’s influence; Jael will soon be in charge of Isiltir, Nathair is thinking about sending Lykos to help him; and Lothar may soon be in charge of Helveth, also thanks to Nathair’s help. Of the western kingdoms of Cambren, Ardan, Narvon, Domhain, and Benoth, Owain has taken Ardan, but Rhin has taken Narvon and is coming for Ardan next. Nathair believes she will turn her sights to Domhain and Benoth (still ruled by giants) afterward to rule all the western Banished Lands. If they can get Rhin under Nathair’s umbrella, with Lykos’ Three Islands, Nathair will have most of the Banished Lands under his control. Veradis asks about Rauca and is told that he was killed when Owain took Dun Carreg by a man named Gar. Originally one of the Jehar, Gar’s father was the one that deceived the Hundred and led them away in search of the Seren Disglair - who fights for Elyon. Gar went with them. He now travels with a boy and the boy’s wolven called Storm. Calidus quotes a section of Halvor’s prophecy that he says references the Black Sun: “Before one, storm and shield shall stand…” Uthas chooses five giants to go with him to spy on Domhain. Other than Salach, they are all young and untested. Fech, a crow that Nemain sent with them to scout (and spy) tells them there are warriors nearby. Uthas reminds the other that they are only here to spy, but he is secretly pleased at their eagerness. They surround the warriors to watch the6m, but Uthas uses his elemental magic to make a twig snap and a grab a warrior’s attention. The giants are noticed and there’s a fight. The warriors are killed. One of the giants is wounded. Uthas tells him that his wound will kill him but the other giant already knows. He kneels so they can behead him and make his death quick. None of them realize that Uthas set them up. Years ago, Uthas and Salach were captured in Cambren and tortured. Then Rhin spoke to them and allowed them to talk to Asroth - who told them how he was betrayed and his plans to return to the Banished Lands. Of the rewards he will give those who help him. For eight days, Corban’s group follows the same schedule. Train with Gar in the morning (many of the group now take part), ride all day, walk with the horses to get more distance, rest. The whole time, Corban thinks about what Gar and Gwenith said. Finally, he approaches them and tells them he cannot leave the group, at least not right now. Gwenith respects his decision, they will wait until Corban’s mind is changed, but Gar avoids Corban’s eyes. That evening, Camlin scouts to see how close the pursuing warriors are. They aren’t too far away, and he counts about twenty of them. Time to scare them a little. Halion takes Camlin, Corban, Storm, and Vonn to circle behind the warriors. They find a camp with a couple guards standing watch. Corban and Gar wait with Storm, while the others kill all the guards except one who is running after Vonn. Vonn trips and falls, dropping something that he scrabbles to find. The warrior nearly kills him but is intercepted by Storm. As soon as Corban tells her the guard is a foe, she attacks and kills him. She howls into the dark night. Let the rest of the camp find that in the morning. Coralen cannot stand being around her mother for too long. It’s part of the reason she rides with Rath’s warband. Soon, Coralen is told they are riding out. She loves Rath almost like a father. She had started following him and her half-brothers around at six, never leaving them alone until Rath had begun to train her too. They ride out early because a patrol has not checked in as expected. They find the dismembered heads of the party displayed around a stone cairn, under which they find their body of a Benothi giant. Rath hates the Benothi, ever since the night Benothi giants killed his wife and children. They’re going to need to do something if giants are running loose in Domhain. Cywen is sleeping when Buddai wakes her with his growls. Conall is at her door with several people who want to talk to her. Nathair, Calidus, Alcyon, Veradis, and Lykos (they left Evnis behind). Calidus’ calm voice puts her at ease. They ask about Corban again and ask for one of his possessions. She gives them Corban’s apron from the forge. Calidus sings over it and announces that Corban is no longer in Ardan, giving the direction Corban is traveling in. She realizes that Calidus is an elemental, but she doesn’t know why they’re so interested in Corban. The next morning, she is ordered to bring horses from the pasture to be used by the warriors. When she delivers the horses, she watches the warriors spar. Rafe approaches her and, after she gives him a smart remark about losing to Corban, they watch Conall and Veradis fight on the field. Conall gets a sword to Veradis’ throat, but Veradis gets his own to Conall’s groin. Impressive, the only other person they’d seen come close to beating Corban was Halion. Rafe tells her that Rhin’s warriors are marching toward Owain. Toward them. The next morning, Corban confronts Vonn. He wants to know what Vonn dropped that was so important Vonn risked his life to retrieve it. Vonn doesn’t want to at first but then reveals it is Evnis’ treasured book. Vonn took it to spite his dad the day he and Evnis had fought about Bethan, but he doesn’t know what’s in it. Heb and Brina agree to look it and tell the others what they find. As they ride that day. Brina and Heb come to ride on either side of Corban. The book explains how to use elemental magic, and they want to use the book to teach Corban. He readily agrees. That evening when they stop to rest, Camlin tells them the warriors following them have dropped far behind. It’s time for Gar to tell them who he is, Corban nods his consent. Gar says that his name is Garisan ben Tukul, and he was born as a member of the Jehar in Telassar. Sumur is also Jehar. Brina asks what he is doing so far from Telassar, and he tells them there is a prophecy about the God-War written by the giant Haldor around the time of the Scourging. It speaks of when the God-War will come to the Burning Lands and the portents to look for. All of those portents have now happened. Each god will have a champion: the Black Sun for Asroth and the Bright Star for Elyon. Since the moment he was born, his life was dedicated to serving Elyon. He was given the honor of protecting the Bright Star. So he protects Corban. Ever since finding the body of Jace, Peritus has been a bloodhound sniffing out the Vin Thalun’s activities. Today, he and Fidele investigate a tip from Baron Lamar. They are met by Lamar’s son and Veradis’ elder brother, Krelis. They find the old fortress Balara of the Kurgan giants. It has been cleared and the Vin Thalun are now inside. After a brief skirmish during which several of the Vin Thalun are killed, Fidele goes inside the fortress and finds fighting pits. Veradis felt slow when he fought Conall, he’s too used to fighting in the shield wall. He will need to alter his training to cover both styles more evenly. That evening, Nathair speaks to his trusted advisors except Lykos, who has already sailed to Isiltir with about half of his ships. Calidus is concerned that Evnis can’t be trusted. Nathair disagrees, but he tells Calidus to watch him - he may be able to learn something from Evnis. They also need to keep watching Cywen in case her brother comes for her. Veradis asks why Corban is so important and is told that Calidus believes he is the Black Sun. If that’s true, it will give Veradis the chance to kill his companion Gar and avenge Rauca. Owain has decided to meet Rhin on the field and has asked Nathair for aid, agreeing to join Nathair’s cause. After some discussion, Nathair agreed. When they ride out, Veradis rides with Alcyon and Bos. Nathair is on his draig, surrounded by Jehar. Evnis is with his shieldmen, including Conall. Cywen rides next to Conall, Buddai by her side. Veradis will have to keep an eye on her. She hates Evnis and he has been tasked with keeping Evnis alive. He is warned by Calidus to watch Owain’s back flank. Owain is desperate and may act erratically. After five days, they are within sight distance of Rhin’s forces. She has six and a half thousand men while they have double that - but Veradis doesn’t discount the Queen. She’s tricky. Uthas has brought the giants as close as he can to Dun Taras, the old Benothi stronghold where Eremon now sits. He asks Fech to find out what Eremon is doing and then he sleeps. Uthas was young during the Scourging. He drank from the starstone cup like Nemain did, though she is older than even him. The cup gave them long lives and health. The Benothi had once claimed three of the Seven Treasures: the cup, the necklace, and the cauldron. They still have the cauldron, but the necklace was hidden in Dun Carreg when the Benothi lost the stronghold, and the cup was lost in a swamp in Domhain. It still hasn’t been found. Nemain wastes her life protecting the cauldron when she could be using it to make the Benothi strong again. Uthas has tried to get her to be more aggressive, to no avail. Soon he will turn Eremon’s attention to the giants in the north so when Rhin has claimed Ardan and Narvon, she will find Domhain easy to conquer. Then, when the Black Sun comes, Uthas will lead him to the cauldron. Fech soon comes back saying that Eremon is old and idle, mostly interested in watching women, but Rath has found the dead they left and is coming for them. Corban and Gar train the next morning, then Corban trains with Heb and Brina. They are also learning as they go. They know a small amount of elemental magic, but they’ve never had anything like this book. They explain that long ago, everyone was an Elemental. Much like how everyone can swing a sword, but some were more talented than others. It seems some bloodlines are stronger than others, but there are other ways to become strong that they aren’t going to discuss. Basically, to manipulate the elements you need to a) believe you can do it and b) say the correct words in the first language. Meaning Corban will have to learn the first language. And the magic is dependent on your surroundings. You would not be able to call mist in a desert, for example. They stop talking when they see Halion and Camlin rushing towards them, holding up Marrock. They went back to harass their pursuers in the night and one of the hounds got Marrock. His arm is in tatters and they were followed. Camlin and Dath get their bows and horses and ride off as Brina quickly bandages Marrock’s arm. They all mount, pushing Marrock into his saddle, and they ride away as quickly as they can. They stop in the late afternoon when Marrock falls from his saddle. Camlin and Dath have still not returned. Maquin, Orgull, and Tahir fight until Jael halts his warriors. Gerda has impressed him - never leaving the wall and constantly trying to keep morale up among her men, even fighting when necessary. Jael calls up and wants to speak with someone important; Gerda responds to his call. Jael announces he has more men coming and if they do not give up Gerda and her son, he will kill every person inside. Not just the warriors but the women and children too. This shakes the warriors. But Gerda speaks to Maquin, they both think Jael is lying. She has men in the outlying areas mustering to support them. They will wait and fight until those men arrive. This gives their warriors some courage. They fight again, this time pushing ladders down as Jael’s men try to gain the wall. Jael’s men start lighting fires in sections of the stronghold’s walls that were patched up with wood. Gerda knows the walls will not hold for long. She orders a few men, Maquin and the Gadrai volunteer, to stay on the walls and give the illusion that they intend to keep fighting. When Jael’s men breach the walls, they are to retreat back to the keep where everyone else will already be. Camlin and Dath hope to slow the pursuing warriors down some, but when the hounds pick up their trail, they ride hard back to their group. They’re surprised to see the group already stopped, but they’re told that Marrock’s wound has begun to fester. They will have to amputate his hand. With Corban’s help, Brina prepares her tools. She cannot cut the hand off herself with the tools she has, so Gar does it fast and clean with his sword. Marrock passes out, which is best for him. Brina and Corban go about cleaning the wound and drawing out the infection. Once that’s done, they prop Marrock in front of Halion and they ride far enough to be out of the open. In case Marrock lives through the night, Camlin makes a litter for him to ride in. He wonders why everyone he likes dies. The next day, Marrock still has his fever, but the infection looks like it’s fading. He rides in the litter behind his horse. Camlin rides in the rear to watch for their pursuers but there isn’t much visibility and it makes him nervous. Brina asks Camlin why he’s so antsy and sends Craf to scout further. Anwarth speaks to Camlin, thanking him for helping Dath after his father’s death. Camlin talks to Halion. Visibility will be much the same until they get into the mountains where there is a path. It’s usually guarded by a token guard, but Halion hopes that Rhin took them to Ardan. When Craf returns, he says the hunters are close. Cywen looks down at the battlefield next to Conall, who will not leave her side. She doesn’t really know why she’s here. She tried to ride Shield, but Owain’s warrior Drust claimed the horse for himself. She wonders why Rhin arrived first but allowed Owain the high ground. Conall wonders the same thing. Owain rides forward and speaks to Evnis. He is allowing Evnis to lead the charge against Rhin, calling it a huge honor as a reward for his service at Dun Carreg. Evnis cannot say no. He instructs Conall to take Cywen to the back and Cywen prepares to watch Evnis die. She can’t wait. Evnis knows that Owain expects to get rid of Evnis and take down some of Rhin’s warriors in one fell swoop, but Rhin has surprises waiting for Owain. As he and his warband charge, Evnis unfurls the first of the surprises. He holds Rhin’s banner above his head as her warriors allow his warband to join their forces. They all turn against Owain and the fight begins. Owain’s warriors eventually reach Evnis’ men and Evnis believes for a moment that he’s done for. Then he hears a voice in his head that has plans for Evnis. It commands him to kill Owain and Evnis fights harder. When Owain spots Evnis and comes right for him, it’s time for Rhin’s second surprise. Veradis watches the battle from the hill. It is his job with his shield wall to prevent Owain from fortifying his rear guard. Akar and the Jehar block a different route, which will force Owain to choose either Veradis’ wall or Rhin’s warriors. Owain chooses the shield wall. Soon enough, Owain’s men turn around. The only place for them to go is into the woods to the west. Owain goes with them. Cywen watches as Drust rides into the woods on Shield’s back. She must get Shield. She cuts Conall’s saddle girth and rides away fast. In the woods, she finds Owain’s warriors being picked off by men hidden in the trees. She recognizes Braith as one of them. But then, amazingly, Shield comes to her. Drust is still on his back but both horse and rider have been shot by an arrow. Cywen gives Drust some water and tells him to take the mare she was riding to go south. Owain is as good as dead now, but Pendathran is leading a resistance against Rhin - Drust can join him. She plans to go south as well, as soon as she gets the arrow out of Shield. Drust leaves and Cywen turns to Shield. Before she figures out how to remove the arrow, Conall finds her. Buddai attacks him and she throws a knife, but he’s too fast and deflects it from his chest, it hits his arm instead. He tackles Cywen and puts a knife to her throat. She’s tried to kill him one too many times! Veradis grabs Conall’s arm and stops him. Conall doesn’t look like he cares what Veradis wants, but he releases the knife when he sees Alcyon behind Veradis. Four days after Marrock’s hand was removed, the infection seems to be gone so they see the wound up. Marrock is angry. A huntsman is no good if he can’t shoot a bow, and Marrock blames Halion for this. Corban defends Halion. Halion chose to protect Edana over his own brother. Marrock knows that’s true, but Brina says a Marrock will have many dark days coming up. In the last four days, Corban has learned a few words of the old giant language for elemental magic, but today he tries to start a fire. Nothing happens. Repeatedly. The group continues moving, the warriors pursuing them getting closer every day. When they reach the bridge to Domhain, which usually has a small guard, it is brimming with warriors, and they are forced to go further up the mountain. Soon the path is too steep to ride and they lead their horses. Camlin suspects there is wolven pack nearby. They send Craf out to scout the warriors, they’re closer than ever and moving fast. They’ll need to make a choice. Marrock decides to stay and hold the warriors off for a while - his life is over anyway. But several people volunteer to stand with him and finally, Edana says they will all fight. They choose their position and send Craf back out, this time to look for wolven. When the warriors come out, they fight for their lives. Craf returns and tries unsuccessfully to get Brina’s attention. It’s too dark to see who’s winning so Heb uses his newfound ability to call fire and light a branch. Just then, Corban realizes that Craf is repeating the word wolven. When the branch lights and they can see again, the first wolven leaps out. Fidele has a meeting with Lamar and his sons, Krelis and Ektor, and Peritus. Peritus wants to know what they’ll do about the Vin Thalun but there’s nothing to do at the moment. The men at the pits have already been punished, they will have to wait for Lykos to return to do anything else. In the meantime, Fidele asks if Lamar’s men are being trained in the shield wall. They are, but most don’t like it. Fidele calls for Peritus to speak. He’s seen the shield wall work. When he and Veradis fought together, he lost five hundred men while Veradis and the shield wall only lost thirty. Fidele says they will need that help in the God-War. Ektor perks up at that. Nathair and Veradis had also mentioned the God-War. He’d like to see the prophecy, but Fidele can’t show it to him. Meical had it and he hasn’t been seen since Aquilus was killed. Ektor is a scholar and he keeps mumbling that he needs to see that book. He thinks he knows what Meical is. Rath, Coralen, and their band track the giants. The giants are heading toward the pass into Cambren; they’ll catch up to them within the next day. She sees a crow flying alone and acting strangely. She pulls her bow to shoot it, but the crow turns around and flies away. Uthas watches as Rath’s group gets ever closer. They need to make it to Cambren; Rath wouldn’t dare follow them there. They break for a while, and he calls Rhin in the fire to speak. Her head shows up and tells Uthas it’s a bad time, but he needs to speak right now. Fech the crow sees him speaking to Rhin and takes wing - Uthas cannot let Nemain find out about this. He throws a dagger at the crow, but Rhin is already gone when Uthas turns back around. Gerda calls Maquin and the other Gadrai in for a meeting. Her reinforcements are expected soon. The reinforcements will come from behind while those in the keep hit Jael from the front. He will either flee or die (probably the former). But just in case, she asks the Gadrai to promise to take her son Haelan and flee if things go poorly. Maquin already made an oath to Orgull to speak to Braster and then warn Isiltir. He has fulfilled both and now only wants to avenge Kastell. Besides, the last person he swore to protect was Kastell and look at how that turned out. But when he looks at Haelan, the boy resembles Kas and Maquin can’t say no. When the reinforcements arrive, the Gadrai’s only plan is to find Jael and kill him. The fight is going well, and they head toward the paddocks - assuming that Jael will be trying to run. They’re right, he’s already on a horse. They steal some horses too and are in pursuit. Maquin can taste victory, he’s nearly there, when he sees ships sailing in. The Vin Thalun have arrived and Jael acts as if he’s already won. Lykos is happy to do some fighting. Deinon and Thaan stick close to him as they wade into the fray. Their opponents don’t have enough time to regroup before the Vin Thalun are on them. Lykos sees Gerda fighting with her shieldmen around her and decides to take them out. Before he can, the Gadrai ride in. Thaan is killed by Orgull’s giant axe and Lykos is knocked down the riverbank. When he gets back up the bank, the Gadrai and Gerda are gone and a rearguard has formed to fight the Vin Thalun. Jael appears, happy to see Lykos - who wonders how Jael will rule if he can’t even win his own fights. Lykos says the Vin Thalun will scale the keep’s walls - he doesn’t have time for a siege, and he needs slaves to come back with him for the fighting pits, so they need to be taken alive. The Gadrai make it back to the keep with Gerda and her battlechief, who is responsible for the rearguard. But their warriors are now very outnumbered, and Gerda tells the Gadrai to take Haelan and go. Gerda’s huntsman will lead them to a secret tunnel under the keep. Maquin is disappointed that he was not able to kill Jael, but he will not break his oath. They follow the huntsman with the boy in the middle of their group. The Vin Thalun are scaling the tower walls. Maquin is told that there are paths that lead from the towers to this tunnel. They can hear footsteps behind them. The huntsman opens the secret door just as the Vin Thalun come into sight and the huntsman is killed. Orgull tells the others to take Haelan and run, but Maquin will not leave him. He tells Tahir to keep Haelan safe and keep the Gadrai’s oath. He turns to face his enemy. He doesn’t think he’ll be leaving this tunnel today, but he will be taking some of the Vin Thalun out with him. He wishes he could have avenged Kastell, but at least Haelan is out of the keep. Lykos is watching Jael torture Gerda, but she won’t tell him where her son is. One of his men come up and tell him that two men are barricading the tunnels. This gets Gerda’s attention. Lykos and Jael go down to find Orgull and Maquin protecting a dead end. Deinon wants to kill Orgull himself to avenge Thaan, so Lykos uses his grapple rope to pull Maquin forward. Deinon disarms Maquin and holds a dagger to his throat. They tell Orgull not to move. Deinon cuts off Maquin’s ear. They can keep chipping bits off, or Orgull can drop the axe. Everywhere Corban looks, there are wolven turning the already crazy scene into absolute chaos. He kills a wolven attacking Storm and faces off against another. Anwarth is attacked and doesn’t get back up. Finally, Brina and Heb (his arm hanging at his side) call down lightning. The trees catch fire and the wolven flee. So do any attacking warriors that are still alive. Camlin grabs Edana’s hand and says they need to leave now. The wolven will be back, but Farrell won’t leave his father’s body. He carries Anwarth with him. Corban thinks of how, not long ago, Camlin was fighting for Braith. I’d not for him they’d have died several times already - including in Brenin’s hall. When Corban thanks him, Camlin says he might’ve finally used up all his luck. But Corban doesn’t believe in luck. Just his sword, Storm, and the people that are with him. Veradis watches as Rhin sits next to her battlechief Geraint. He sits next to Cywen, who he has taken custody of from Conall (everyone thinks this is for the best). Based on the men around her and her battle chief, Rhin likes handsome younger men. Soon, Owain is captured and brought from the woods by Braith and Morcant. Evnis rides behind them, still alive. Rhin offers Owain mercy, she will allow him to live and lead under her rule but does confirm that she commanded Evnis to kill Owain’s son. Brenin had nothing to do with it. Owain chooses to die instead and is promptly beheaded. When Veradis turns, Cywen is gone. She’s stalking toward Rhin, pulling a knife from her boot. Both Veradis and Morcant think she’s going for Rhin, but Cywen doesn’t want Rhin - she’s going for Morcant. She throws her knife into his shoulder and then jumps on top of him. Veradis arrives just in time to save her from Morcant’s sword. He’s trying to pull Cywen back (she’s fighting him) while staving Morcant off as well. Finally, Alcyon and Nathair come close enough that Veradis can push Cywen towards them and Nathair pronounces Cywen under his protection. The chaos calms down. Veradis tells Cywen that she really needs to stop trying to kill people - Evnis (more than once), Conall (more than once), Morcant (just once… so far) and she just glares at him. As they all prepare to eat, Conall steps out of the shadows and challenges Morcant to be Rhin’s First-Sword. Corban’s group runs as far as possible, Farrell refusing to put his father down. Craf warns them that there are more wolven. They must be on the bluffs above them, too far for the wolven to jump. The path evens out and then finally starts descending. The wolven finally attack. The group tries to fight the wolven off as they run. Suddenly a bird falls from the sky. It’s not Craf but another talking bird, who clearly tells them to “get off”. Brina wraps the bird in a cloth and carries it with her. They run right into a group of giants. Camlin was right about his luck. The giants attack, Farrell hits one of them with the war hammer. Soon, the wolven are back and Corban’s group is stuck fighting both. Uthas thinks at first that Corban and the others are Rath’s group, then he is taken when Storm attacks with them - followed by even more wolven. The glade is a mess. He watches the young giants he has groomed for his cause die. Salach tells him the battle is lost. Uthas grabs Eisa, the only young giant likely to live, and pulls her toward the trees. Then he feels someone use earth magic. He turns and strides back into the glade. They will die for that. Corban stands next to Gwenith, who is on the ground after being attacked by a wolven. Halion protects Edana from two more wolven. Heb and Brina light some sticks on fire and Heb uses one as a weapon, brandishing it at the wolven threatening Edana. Corban watches as Uthas storms toward Heb and says something that makes Heb’s fire go out. Uthas is going to attack Heb, Corban panics. He reaches out and says the old word. Heb’s stick catches back on fire and Heb uses it to hit Uthas, but Uthas stabs Heb in the shoulder. Suddenly Brina is protecting Heb, her dagger in the giant’s leg. Uthas stabs Heb in the stomach and turns to do the same to Brina when Craf flies up and hits him in the face. This gives Corban enough time to step up to Uthas, but he is blocked by a second giant while a third starts to pull Uthas towards the woods. All three giants turn to run as another group of riders enters the glade. The riders chase the giants into the woods as Gar confirms that Gwenith is still alive. There is one young giant left in the glade, surrounded by Farrell, Marrock, and Halion. The giant sends them flying. One of the new riders comes forward and kills the giant. When they remove their helmet, Corban is surprised to see that it’s a woman. Halion shouts in joy and hugs her. It’s his sister, Coralen. Evnis watches Conall challenge Morcant. It will be disappointing to lose Conall: either to Rhin or because he dies in this fight. The two warriors are well matched and Conall has seen some of Morcant’s tricks already - he’s ready for them. It’s a tough fight but Conall beats Morcant. But he does not kill Morcnt, Rhin gives leniency to Morcant for serving her so well (if you know what I mean). Evnis wonders if Conall really knows what he’s in for. The next morning, Rhin meets Evnis. She will be giving Ardan to Evnis to oversee. She plans to turn toward Domhain now and needs someone to watch over Narvon for her and put down any rebel groups. Evnis will do this too, she will leave Morcant to help him. Evnis is not thrilled. Nathair comes with his core advisors to speak to Rhin. He plans to go north to Benothi giant territory, Rhin agrees to give him guides and safe passage through her lands. When told that she plans to go to Domhain, Nathair offers to let her use his remaining ships and to take Veradis. She agrees easily; that will make the journey much shorter. Even with the ships though, it will be a winter war. Nathair asks for one more thing. They’re searching for a boy traveling with a white wolven, possibly with Edana too. Rhin received word of such a person from her warriors just that morning. They will keep an eye out for Corban’s group. Nathair appreciates that. When Nathair leaves, Rhin tells Evnis that she spoke to Uthas that morning. He had a run in with Corban and Storm, and it did not go well. She calls for Braith. He is to take whatever men, weapons, and money he needs to find Corban. Bring Corban back in chains. As for the rest, kill them all - especially Edana. Rhin asks what Evnis thinks of Nathair since she has agreed to ally with him. Rhin and Evnis both believe that Nathair is the Black Sun, but Rhin is not sure that Nathair knows he is the Black Sun. She reminds Evnis that the Black Sun is not Asroth, who they pledged their loyalty to. Do not follow him blindly. As soon as Orgull laid down his axe, both he and Maquin were bound. Maquin has not seen Orgull since. Now he sits on a boat with a bunch of other captive men. Around them are severed heads on spikes. Gerda is up there, but not Haelan. Maybe he and Tahir got away. When Jael boards the ship, he goads Maquin. Maquin challenges him to the Court of Swords, but Jael says no. Of course he does - he’s a coward. He has to have Nathair’s men win wars for him. And Maquin knows that Jael stabbed Kasteel in the back, too much a coward to do it face to face. Jael accepts Maquin’s challenge, but Lykos comes out, followed by a man leading Orgull on a chain. Maquin is his now, Jael won’t be fighting anyone. When an older warrior greets Halion, he’s introduced as Rath. Rath’s group goes after the giants who fled as Corban’s group takes stock. Vonn has a broken ankle, but Gwenith is sitting up and drinking water. Brina cries over Heb’s dead body. They decide to build a cairn for Heb and Anwarth. As they do it, the second bird falls from Brina’s cloth and tries to peck anyone who comes close. Edana chastises the bird. It won’t get its hurt wing fixed if it keeps acting like that. The bird thinks, then hangs its head and apologizes. Soon Rath and his group return, the giants escaped into Cambren. Coralen asks where Conall is and is told only that he died, and not honorably. This angers her - she and Conall have the same temper. Storm growls at her. Coralen says that Storm would make a good cloak but is told to stand down. They will hear the rest of Con’s story later, after escorting Edana to Eremon. Corban assures them that Storm will not attack unless her pack is threatened, but the cloak comment gives him an idea. Rhin’s people ride out and Veradis and his men will leave on the ships of the Vin Thalun soon. But before that, Veradis wants to speak with Nathair. Nathair is only just returning to his own tent from staying the night in Rhin’s. Veradis is grossed out. Once they’re alone, Veradis tells Nathair his concerns. He considers certain things that have been done dishonorable, plus he doesn’t like Jael. Nathair agrees. But they have Calidus to guide them and they know what Calidus is. They’ve seen his wings themselves. They may not like it, but everything they’re doing is for the greater good. Knowing that Nathair has the same qualms makes Veradis feel a bit better and he leaves on good terms. The Vin Thalun will take his warriors to Cambren in two trips, Veradis is in the first one with Bos and Cywen. Rafe is also coming with them, since he will recognize Corban. And Cywen. Veradis has promised to let Cywen keep Shield, who was healed by the Jehar, if she behaves herself. So far, she hasn’t tried to escape again (she made four attempts the night after Owain was killed) nor has she tried to kill anyone. But when Veradis sees Morcant board, he tells Cywen not to get any ideas. Cywen retorts that he killed the man she was going to marry. She will never give up. Veradis believes her. He’s happy she has no vendetta against him. Ektor leads Fidele to the library in Ripa. This area was once ruled by the Kurgan, one of the five giant clans that survived the Scourging. The Kurgan spoke often of Halvor, the giant who wrote the prophecy of the God-War. Ektor explains that many giants are very long lived but some, like Halvor or Nemain, have exceptionally long lives. Both giants and men were immortal before, but Elyon stripped that gift from them all as punishment when Dagda killed his brother King Skald - the first murder. Nemain was Skald’s Queen and she still rules the Benothi today. Something must’ve given her that lifespan. Something like the Seven Treasures. The cup or chalice supposedly gives unnaturally long life. The axe, spear, and dagger never break or get dull. The cauldron cures ill health. He can’t remember what the necklace or the torc does now, he will look into it later. But he pulls a tome that discusses Halvor’s prophecy. It mentions the Firstborn, the Faithful and the Fallen, strange eyed men - one Ben-Elim and one Kadoshim. It calls one the “Lightbearer’s servant, Black Heart, Spider that spins the web, High King’s Counsel” and one “Guide of the Hundred, Outcast, messenger of dread.” Riddles that worry Fidele. Aquilus was high king with Meical as his counsel but now Nathair has taken that title and a new counselor. She doesn’t feel good about this. She asks Ektor to figure out the riddle. Camlin walks in the back of their group. It now includes those surviving from their original group, Rath’s group of warriors - including Coralen (who all the boys are trying to impress) and Baird (who is legendary in his own right, though second to Rath’s fame), a wolven, and two talking birds. The new one still can’t fly but has taken a liking to Edana and chatters away at her. They are on their way to Dun Taras and are safer than they have been since leaving Ardan, yet Camlin feels suspicious. Maybe it’s because he no longer feels certain of his role in this group. They no longer need him to stay alive. He spots a trader walking toward them. Corban recognizes the trader as one who used to come to Ardan, Ventos. Camlin recognizes him too, Ventos uses to pay Braith for safe passage through the Darkwood. As they get closer to Dun Taras, Edana approaches Camlin. She recognizes that he could have left them at any time but didn’t. She wants to know why. He doesn’t really have a good answer. He guesses it’s because he wants to be with them. That’s what she hoped to hear. She promises when she wins her throne back, those who were loyal to her even in the darkest of times will be rewarded, but Camlin says they’ll worry about that later. Edana has a job for him. Dun Taras may be just as dangerous as the road they’ve been walking since the young, clever, and ambitious queen, Roisin, is rising in power. Eremon leans more on her every day. Edana asks Camlin to find out what he can about Roisin. It just may save their lives. Camlin smiles. It’s good to have a place. Maquin rows. He’s still alive though many around him have died from fever, from being whipped, from exhaustion. His rage at the smug look of Jael’s face keeps Maquin alive. Orgull is still alive. Deinon singles him out to be whipped at least once a day. Once they’re at sea, Lykos brands Maquin. The fever comes upon him and Maquin almost dies, but not quite. They make it to the island of Panos, one of the three Vin Thalun islands. Once there, Lykos makes an offer to Maquin: fight in the pits and one day he may be free again. Cywen rides mostly with Bos, who has the job of keeping her in line. They mostly keep her hands unbound since she hasn’t caused any problems. There’s no one here she wants to kill that badly. Plus, if Calidus is right, they’re taking her toward her family. One day she asks Veradis about how Calidus could tell where Corban was with just his old apron, but Veradis doesn’t know. Alcyon says Calidus can do even more with a strand of hair and Veradis laughs. Don’t let him near you with shears! Something strange passes over the giant’s face - sadness, maybe anger. Calidus already has some of his hair. Later, Veradis joins Cywen and Bos at the fire. Buddai lies at her feet. He tells them a strange story he heard of a group of spies. They traveled with a wolven and were aided by even more wolven when Rhin’s warriors attacked them. Of fifty, only three of Rhin’s men got away. Veradis says it’s likely not true, but Cywen thinks it’s Corban and Storm. Veradis asks her about her brother. He doesn’t look like he’s scheming, so she tells him the truth. Corban is annoying, knows how to work in a forge, can make a poultice, is good with a sword - maybe even good enough to beat Veradis. He’s good, and loyal, and loved by many - including her. Veradis just nods. Soon, they meet with Uthas and his two remaining giants. Tukul and Meical ride with the rest of the Hundred toward Gramm’s land. Though they are still called the Hundred, their number is fewer that that now. But Gramm should still have horses for all of them. They left their horses in his stead when they started living in Drassil and gave him permission to breed them. He’s made quite a living from it. One line he left pure blooded and the other line he bred with a hearty northern horse, and the offspring are highly coveted. Tukul’s people eat with Gramm’s family, including his oldest son Wulf. Dinner is interrupted by some of Gramm’s guards. They have found a boy and his guard. The boy says his mom sent him to speak to Gramm only. He is Haelan, rightful King of Isiltir, and he is asking for sanctuary. Corban’s group has been in Domhain for about ten days, rooming together near the outside of the keep so Storm can stay with them. Corban sits with Dath and Farrell, they’ve all lost their fathers now. Dath tells Farrell that though Anwarth had been labeled a coward, he didn’t act like one. But he, Dath, is a coward. He’s always scared. But Corban says it isn’t lack of fear that makes you a coward or a hero, but what you do when you feel it. Corban and Gar continue to train, even Rath’s group watches now. Coralen challenges Corban after his training one day. She fights with a sword in one hand and a knife in the other, like Conall. Halion says that she was abandoned by her mother as a child and raised by their uncle Rath, surrounded by his warriors. It made her hard, on the outside at least. She always looked up to Conall the most. She and Corban are well matched, but she fights to win, when they both have blades at the other’s throat she trips him. Corban is called to see Eremon. Roisin will be there, so Halion warns him to think before he speaks. Edana is hoping that Corban and Storm’s story will appeal to Eremon’s younger self, who was a bit wild, and Eremon will officially offer help to Edana. But even after telling his story, help is not given. Storm considers Edana pack (like the rest of her group) and sits at her feet while Fech sits on the arm of her chair. She explains that Rhin will come for Domhain next but Roisin retorts. Of course she would say that. Their own intel is soon to arrive. Before the meeting is done, a scout comes to tell them that Rhin has killed Owain and is marching toward Domhain. Roisin blanches. It’s not long before Maquin is thrown into the fighting pits. The fighters are told they will fight and live - or they will die. They throw four daggers into the pit for nine men. Maquin doesn’t grab a knife. One of the Vin Thalun throws a torch into the pit. One of the other fighters runs at a Maquin. Turns out, Maquin doesn’t want to fight, but he doesn’t want to die either. He uses the torch to burn the man, grabbing a knife as the man falls. Another man comes at him, and Maquin kills him too. He’s ashamed, dishonored, and he cries when it’s done. But he’s not ready to die, or to give up his dream of revenge. Fidele plans to visit the Vin Thalun shipyard and invites Krelis to bring his warband along. The man in charge of the shipyard tells them there was only one fighting pit and Fidele already destroyed it. But when the shipyard is searched, slaves are found in terrible shape and say they received their injuries in the pits. Fidele frees them and has them taken to Ripa, swearing to kill Lykos if he ever returns to Tenebral. Corban has a dream of a black flying creature falling to the ground, killed by men with white feathered wings. He joins the others in his group and Edana gives them news. She has come to an agreement with Eremon (and Roisin). They had thought about trading Edana to Rhin, so Edana has agreed to marry their son so they can ally together. No one is overjoyed by the news. They go to the hall where everyone is eating, drinking, and getting loud before Rhin is upon them. Corban sees the trader Ventos again. Ventos says he may stay around for a bit; war is good for business. He still has his dog and his bird, though his bird is often off for days doing her own thing. Corban has continued sparring with Coralen and more often than not, it ends in a draw now. Farrell says he’d like to marry Coralen, but Corban thinks Coralen hates him. Brina points out that love is so close to hate and Dath points out it’s like her and Heb. She gets upset and leaves, Corban follows her. They find Vonn not inside with the rest of them but sitting next to a fire. When he sees them, he leaves to be alone. Corban thinks someone should follow him, but no one does. Corban asks Brina if they are going to continue elemental training but she doesn’t know. She doesn’t have the energy for much of anything right now. Veradis rides with Alcyon, Rafe, and several others to scout and find out if the group with the wolven is Corban’s. They find the cairn and Rafe recognizes Anwarth and Heb. Then they are chased out of Domhain. Now they know that Corban is in Domhain. It’s as far west as he can go. Corban, Cywen’s brother. Cywen, who Veradis has begun seeking out, who makes him laugh. When they return, he seeks Cywen right away and tells her what they found. She’s sad about the dead but relieved to know it was not her mom or brother. Then Veradis tells Nathair. Nathair is torn, should he pursue Corban to Domhain himself or go to Murias for the cauldron. Calidus urges him to go for the cauldron. Nathair begrudgingly decides he will go to Murias but leaves Veradis to keep an eye on Rhin. And kill Corban if he can. Coralen fights Corban and this time, he uses her own trick against her - tripping her so she lands on her back. That doesn’t happen often. She walks through the keep with Baird. Unlike Halion, Coralen is not well liked and she hates Dun Taras. She sees their half-sister Maeve flirting with Corban and she gets irritated. It reminds Coralen too much of her mother. When they reach the hall, Quinn (Eremon’s first-sword) sits with Lorcan. He pats his knee in an invitation for Coralen to sit. Coralen hates the way he looks at her. She goes to Halion instead and asks to finally hear what happened to Conall. He’s sitting with Marrock and the two tell her there was a battle and Conall fell from the wall. It’s a long fall; he couldn’t have survived. She can tell there’s something they aren’t telling her. After two nights at Gramm’s, the Hundred are given their choice of horses and provisions (Wulf gives Tukul an axe), and they ride out. Meical leads them toward Ardan for two months, toward the Seren Disglair and Tukul’s son. But when they arrive, something is wrong. They notice too late that the warriors are wearing Rhin’s colors. When Meical is told that Evnis is in charge now, they have to fight their way out of the keep. Once they’re safely away, Meical decides to go to the otherworld. He doesn’t go often since Asroth searches for him, and he doesn’t want to lead Asroth to the Bright Star, but Meical decides it’s needed. He needs to find Corban right away. He lays down to sleep and Tukul takes the chance to rest as well. Soon Meical is waking him to go to Domhain. Cywen is getting ready to leave, but no one told Veradis she would be going north with Nathair into Benothi land. Alcyon says Calidus wants her nearby. Veradis tells her to stay safe. He’s worried about her. He tells Alcyon to protect Nathair and Cywen. Alcyon tells Veradis to be careful as well, calling Veradis ‘True-Heart’. He says it’s Veradis’ name. Cywen realizes that she will miss Veradis. Corban and Farrell commandeer a forge for the day, making fifteen daggers with curved blades. His mom helps finish them and they’re done by the end of the day. They march toward Rhin tomorrow and tonight, everyone’s getting a bit crazy in the hall. Marrock is there. He seems better, but Corban thinks his anger is just buried a little deeper now. Farrell is taking any challengers (and beating them) in arm wrestling while Coralen simultaneously challenges him to a drinking contest. Farrell thinks this will impress her. When Quinn walks in, Corban goes on alert. He doesn’t like Quinn. Quinn pulls Farrell’s current challenger away and when the man pushes him back, Quinn has the man held while he punches him, knocking him unconscious. Quinn challenges Farrell. Farrell nearly beats him, but the alcohol does him dirty and Quinn wins. Quinn grabs Coralen and kisses her on the mouth. Farrell demands that Quinn let her go, Quinn punches him in the head. Corban jumps over the table, pushing Cora behind him. He and Quinn face off and Shield jumps in the middle of them. Finally, Rath comes and puts an end to the fight. Maeve, Coralen and Halion’s half-sister, kisses Corban as a reward (unexpected by him) but then Cora smacks him. She can fight her own fights. He indicates to his friends, who had come to stand behind him when he fought Quinn: Gar, Dath, Halion, Vonn. They protect each other and she’s one of them now. He thought that was obvious. She sneers at him, telling him to enjoy his reward as she looks at Maeve. Maquin is gathered with the other winners of the fighting pits. Orgull is also there, but Maquin can’t meet his eye. Herak introduces himself; he will train them. He teaches them to run, to fight hand to hand, to fight with a dagger, that there is no honor in the pits. When all else fails, go for the groin. After weeks, Maquin feels stronger than ever. They sail for another of the islands, Nerin, to fight Nerin’s pit fighters. Camlin marches with Eremon’s warband. Adena marches with them, she stays near Rath. Marrock now has a buckler that straps onto his arm that no longer has a hand. It has a spike protruding from it. Corban and Farrell find Camlin, both with large sacks on their back. Gar is, as always, with Corban. Corban has an idea he and Farrell are going to talk to Rath about; some of his warriors scouting ahead. Corban asks Camlin and Dath to join him. Veradis looks at Eremon’s ten thousand men, but he thinks about Cywen. His warband will be in the rear. Rhin has traveled north with Nathair, though she won’t be going to Benothi territory with them. She’s left Geraint in charge of her warriors. Geraint wants the front and the glory. They stop to camp, and Veradis thinks it’s a good spot for an ambush. A wolven howls, spooking the men. Corban and Farrell empty their sacks. They have five cured wolven pelts, made into cloaks with hoods, and gauntlets with three blades a piece to look like claws. Enough for five people. Corban heard that Rhin’s people have been talking about shape changers and men who run with wolven. He wants to stoke the fire. They sneak into the enemy camp, kill a couple men each, maim a few more, and make sure they’re seen. He, Farrell, Baird, Coralen, and Rath wear the wolven outfits while others shoot arrows from the trees - Camlin and Dath with them. When it’s time to go, they run into trouble. Coralen and another of Rath’s men fight against warriors. Corban and Gar help them but then Corban sees the shield wall. He recognizes Nathair’s men. He screams Nathair’s name, challenging him. But Veradis comes forward instead. He calls Corban the Black Sun and says Nathair is not there, but he is happy to fight. The shield wall is moving forward so Corban only says to pass a message to Nathair. He will kill him one day. He hears a dog howl as they run away. Veradis should have killed Corban, he feels like he betrayed Nathair. But he saw Cywen when he looked at the boy. Bos approaches him. The shield wall defended Veradis against his explicit orders and Bos apologizes for going against orders. Veradis will dismiss them if they do it again. They will meet with Eremon’s warriors today, but several of Rhin’s men deserted in the night. The others are already afraid. Corban tracks Coralen down in the morning. He tells her the truth about Conall, how he betrayed Brenin and killed Cywen. Coralen is angry, but she believes him. Cora is going to the woods to make sure none of Rhin’s warriors try to skirt the battle. Corban had planned on fighting, but Rath has asked him to sit out. So, Corban helps Brina. He’s surprised when Ventos helps too. Soon, Rath comes. Domhain is winning and he thinks Corban can help to end the battle now. He and the others suit up in their wolven suits, accompanied by Rath’s warband, Gar, Dath, Camlin, Marrock, Vonn, and Gwenith - who refuses to be left behind. At dusk, they attack Rhin’s warband. The warriors begin to run. Rath tells them to fall back; they cheer as Rhin’s warriors flee. Rath sends his warband to search for deserters and raiders. Coralen is happy to keep busy, though she still thinks about Conall. She knows, even though she doesn’t like it, that Corban told her the truth. She likes him, the way he talks to her. He doesn’t hide things. She finds evidence of hounds, not just one but many, and it looks like someone tried to cover it up. Then a young warrior steps out of the trees, surprised to see her there. She uses it to her advantage, putting a dagger to his throat and taking him prisoner. Corban sits with Dath and Farrell (who has already been celebrating) when they see Coralen and the rest of Rath’s warband moving prisoners. Farrell decides to profess his love to Coralen, but she’s a bit busy right now. Corban looks at the line of prisoners and notices one in particular who won’t look up. It’s Rafe. Lykos leaves the islands for Tenebral. On Calidus’ orders, he was to return and watch over Fidele - lead her so she doesn’t go astray. He sent Lykos a box, use diplomacy if possible and what is in the box if it’s not. He’s met by his shipwright who tells him that the pits were found, men killed and taken prisoner, slaves freed. One of the Tenebral warriors tells Lykos that Fidele wants to speak with him. Corban, Farrell, and Dath take Rafe to Edana, who is with Halion, Marrock, and Vonn. Rafe angrily tells them what has happened. Evnis is in charge now, while Nathair and Rhin ride north with Conall and Cywen. Other prisoners verify his story - they know Conall’s name and they can describe Cywen. Corban, Gwenith, and Gar decide to go after Cywen. They’ve almost beat Rhin’s warband now, the battle will likely be over the next day, so Corban isn’t needed. Edana encourages Corban to go and wishes she could come with him. She does arrange to have Cora act as a guide going north and their group is also joined by Farrell, Dath, and Brina with her crow Craf. After their severe losses, Veradis visited Geraint. Geraint agrees to let Veradis’ shield wall lead the charge the next morning, with Geraint’s men on the sides and behind. Veradis’ warband fights and wins the day, Domhain’s warriors retreat. He wonders if Corban is among those who are already dead. He hopes not. He wants to speak to the boy, ask him questions. To decide for himself if Corban is the Black Sun. And he wants to see Cywen again. With Domhain’s warband on the run, Rhin’s warriors continue Dun Taras - Veradis and his shield wall in front. Maquin doesn’t let himself get too close to the other prisoners. They are told they will fight the men from Panos and Nerin. They will all wear iron rings. To differentiate the groups, they wear the rings around their necks, Nerin around their wrists, and Panos on their ankle. The last group standing will win. That night, Orgull finds Maquin. They will fight together like they used to; they are still sword-brothers. In the pit, Maquin is able to find a knife quickly. He fights, though he doesn’t want to. But his hatred for Jael and his need for revenge keep him going - there’s only one way out of the pits. He finds Orgull and they fight back-to-back. Orgull begins to call the others to them as well. Soon twelve of them are grouped together in a circle and they cut the other men down. Coralen leads Corban’s group. Corban asks her if she is coming to try to see Conall. She’s happy to know that Conall is alive but is wary of the falling out between him and Halion. The two of them were so close. Then she realizes that he’s asking because he doesn’t trust her and she gets angry. She stops the group eventually, she thinks they’re being followed. Dath thinks he sees it too, but he’s looking in the wrong direction. When Cora points it out, he does see something. Brina sends Craf to investigate and he comes back scared. A bird tried to eat him! But he tells them a hound and a man are behind them. They pull off the road and hide. When the man rides into view, it’s Ventos. Lykos tells Fidele news of Nathair and she tells him she knows of the fighting pits. He has done things that she will not allow to go unpunished. He tosses her a scroll. Nathair wants Lykos to take over the regency. Something doesn’t feel right and Fidele tears the scroll up. He was worried about that. He attacks, but not Fidele. He attacks her guard instead. Once the guard is down, Lykos holds his gift from Calidus in his hand. Fidele can feel him choking her. He uses the clay object, which contains her hair, to bring her to him. With the object, she agrees to follow his commands and to rule Tenebral together. Then he forces her to lay down on the table and he rapes her. Ventos tells the group that he’d seen them head toward the mountains. When Domhain’s forces started retreating, he left his wagon, cut his loses, and followed Corban. They ask specific questions about the fate of their friends. He thinks that Rath is still alive, but he doesn’t know about the others. That night, Corban is woken as Ventos sneaks out of the camp. He watches as Ventos writes a missive and sends it on the leg of his bird. When Corban confronts him, Ventos says he’s sending the letter to someone interested in Corban. Then he attacks. His dog attacks too, but Storm followed Corban and jumps at the dog. Ventos ends up stabbed in the ribs and Corban leaves him, not knowing if he’s dead or alive, as Storm and the dog roll over a ledge into the river. Corban tries to follow the river and find Storm, but there are more dogs and more men. Braith grabs him. He’s taking Corban to someone who wants to speak to him, but not the same person that Ventos was writing to. Corban assumes Braith is going to Rhin. Braith says they have a good lead on Corban’s group and now that Storm is dead, she won’t be able to track them. Just then, a wolven begins to howl. Cywen rides with the others toward Dun Vaner, Rhin’s stronghold. Alcyon is her new guard and he doesn’t talk much, but he sits with her to eat - away from everyone else. He does not like Uthas or the other giants. When Cywen asks why, he says Uthas should be with his kin, not here. As for Alcyon, he doesn’t have a choice where to be. He originally comes from Arcona on the eastern coast, but he is Calidus’ servant and must go where Calidus goes. He looks sad as he says it. Plus, there is a blood feud between the Benothi and the Kurgan giants. They reach the stronghold, but they ride out the next day, leaving Rhin. After some time, Buddai starts to whine and Cywen begins to pay more attention. She can hear a wolven howl. Edana rides back to Dun Taras with her honor guard: Marrock, Halion, Vonn, and Camlin. They go with Rath to tell Eremon and Roisin about the battle. Even Rath is unsure of how to fight the shield wall. Roisin blames Edana for bringing Rhin to their doorstep but is reminded that Rhin has aspirations far above just killing Edana. She is there for the throne, and it doesn’t matter who gets in her way. She stays to speak with Eremon as her guard leaves, discussing how to beat the shield wall. Camlin has an idea. They can’t beat the shield wall open areas, but in close quarters the shield wall wouldn’t have room to form. Camlin is a genius. Halion prepares to speak to Rath, but Roisin comes in with her son and Quinn before he can leave the room. She accuses Halion of coming for Lorcan’s throne and weaseling his way into Eremon’s good graces. Halion insists he’s not there to take the throne, and he’s not there to accuse Roisin of killing his own mother either. There’s no point, everyone knows she did it. He’s moved past it. Roisin would do better to at the oncoming army and remember who her actual enemies are. Twelve of the men survive the fighting pits, but two die from a fever. They are plied with food and drinks and women sometimes, but Maquin refuses to be swayed by any of it. He has no honor after what he’s done, but he wants to stay alive to kill Jael. He can tell that Orgull feels the same way. They are told that the next time they fight, they will go against each other one on one. After about a month, Herak tells them that they’re going to Tenebral. Corban counts fifteen men and two dogs in Braith’s group. He keeps hearing the wolven, he believes that it is Storm. He can’t believe anything else. As they get closer to Dun Vaner, he notices that the rear guard doesn’t return to the group. Braith also notices and they ride faster. It’s not fast enough, Storm attacks followed by two other wolven (one is holding a war hammer). As Corban’s friends and Storm fight to free him, Braith forces him to run. Corban tries to fight back. His friends are winning this battle, they are close to Dun Vaner, Corban hears hoofbeats behind him. He turns to see Rhin’s warriors coming straight for him. They knock Corban out, heave him into a saddle, and ride him into the stronghold where the gates close behind them. Meical leads Tukul and the Hundred through Ardan, through Narvon, and into Cambren. They ride towards Domhain, but when Meical searches for Corban again, he’s riding further north. They follow. Meical and Tukul discuss how they’ve both made decisions they would change now. Tukul would’ve killed Sumur, now that he knows Sumur leads the Jehar for Nathair. Meical made plans for when the God-War was upon them, but he was too conservative. That night when they break and make camp, Meical searches for Corban again. Corban is chained to a wall with his hands above his head. Rhin comes in with Conall and tells him that Cywen is not there - she is heading north to Murias. Rhin wants to know everything about Corban. And she instructs Conall to beat it out of him. But Corban stays strong and doesn’t give her any of the information she wants. He does pass out though. When he wakes back up, there is a cauldron simmering nearby. Rhin comes back in soon. She throws something in the cauldron and has the whole cauldron brought over to Corban. They place it under his nose until he breathes in the smoke, it is some sort of truth serum. He tells her everything she wants to know. She asks why he is so important and he tells her that Gar thinks he is the Seren Disglair. There’s only one way to know for sure. Rhin leaves the room and comes back with something new she throws in the cauldron. She tells her guards that she and Corban will sleep for a while. When they force him to breathe over the cauldron again, he wakes up somewhere new with a rope tying him to Rhin. She tugs him toward a building, and he sees the black-winged, flying figures from his dreams. He knows he’s in the otherworld. Rhin takes him before a throne where he sees a man who he has seen before. It is the same man who visited him at the giant-stone. It is Asroth. Asroth agrees that Corban is the Seren Disglair. He tells Rhin to go back to the physical world and kill Corban while he keeps Corban’s spirit in the otherworld. Rhin turns to leave, but before she can get far, the ceiling opens and new winged creatures fly in. These ones have white wings and they fight for Corban. They free him from the rope and fight the black-winged creatures. Finally, one of them grabs Corban and flies him away. Corban thinks the winged man almost looks familiar. Coralen stares at the walls of Dun Vaner. They do not want to foolishly rush in and get Corban killed so they sent Craf in to find him. As they wait, Cora studies the people that she is riding with. There is a camaraderie here that goes deeper than anything Coralen has ever experienced. Soon, Craf returns to them. Corban is alive and Craf will lead them to him. Meical wakes from searching for Corban with a start and tells Tukul that they must leave immediately. It may already be too late, but they have to try. He points to Dun Vaner, that is where Corban is. They decide that since Rhin’s warriors know that the Jehar are riding with Nathair, they will present Meical as a prisoner sent to Rhin from Nathair to be questioned. They wait at the gate for a while but are eventually allowed in. Once they get through and into the keep, Tukul and the Hundred attack. It’s barely a battle. They keep one alive to lead them to the dungeons. They fight several times on their way to the dungeons, but they dispatch their enemies quickly and easily for the most part. Then they hear fighting behind them and they watch the hall. Tukul sees Gar fight a warrior, dispatch him, and then look up. Their eyes meet and it takes a moment, but Gar recognizes his dad. He walks forward to wrap him in a hug. Corban wakes up before Rhin. He needs to find a way out of his chains before she wakes up. She’s already starting to come to, mumbling in her sleep, but neither Braith nor Conall understands what she’s saying. They start to hear noises of war in the hallway. Conall locks the door and opens up the hidden secret door that Rhin used. He needs to get Rhin to safety. Before he can move her, Rhin wakes up and tells them to kill Corban. Braith carries Rhin into the secret passage while Conall advances on Corban. Farrell busts down the door. He fights Conall with his war hammer, but Conall eventually lands Farrell on his back with Conall’s knife to Farrell’s throat. Cora yells at Conall to stop. He is stunned and looks up to see his sister. She begs him not to do it, Conall leaves Farrell behind to follow Rhin into the passageway. Cora runs after him, but he closes the door and does not answer her calls. Cora turns around and hugs Corban, who is still chained to the wall. Gwyneth comes in and does the same. They search one of the dead guards for keys and release Corban from his chains. Gwyneth says that they need to find Gar, he fell back to protect the rest of them when they were chased. But Gar walks in and says there’s no need for that. Next to him is a man who looks very similar to Gar. Gar introduces the man as Tukul, Lord of the Jehar. Tukul drops to his knees and pledges his sword, his heart, and his strength to Corban. Then Corban sees another man walk into the room - the man who saved him in the otherworld. Over the course of months, Lykos has taken control of Jerolin, the capital of Tenebral. The rest of Tenebral will soon be under his control as well. He is building a giant arena for pit fighting, which he has already reinstated on a smaller scale. He has been using Fidele and her body however he wants. He noticed when Peritus returned to the city, knowing that Peritus would request to see Fidele. Now he and Deinon stand in Fidele’s room with other Vin Thalun hidden near the walls. Armatus comes in with Peritus, who can tell that something is wrong - but he doesn’t know what. Fidele tells him that Lykos is trusted by Nathair, and so she has chosen to trust Lykos as well. They need to move forward, the alliance with the Vin Thalun is vital. To honor their alliance, games are going to be held. That is what the arena is being built for. Peritus asks if Fidele is not in her right mind, or if she is under a spell of some sort. Fidele is very strong-minded and fights Lykos every step of the way. She shutters and jerks when Peritus mentions a spell. Before Lykos even knows what’s happening, Armatus draws his sword and holds it to Lykos’ chest. Peritus is able to claim the regency as battle chief, he will take over until Fidele recovers her senses. But the hidden Vin Thalun attack him and soon have Peritus on his knees. Armatus is unsure what to do. Peritus tells him to kill Lykos, but Armatus delays a second too long and Deinon has his own sword pointed at Armatus. Lykos asks Fidele what the punishment for treason is. Execution. Corban and the others fight their way out of the keep and see Rhin and her warriors. Dath tries to take them down with arrows, and Storm takes one out as well, before Corban calls to her. She’s delighted to see him. With those warriors gone, the keep is deserted. The majority of Rhin’s warriors are fighting in Domhain. They decide to stay in the keep for the evening. Corban’s friends explain how they found him and how they broke into the stronghold (they used a rope to go over the wall). Corban sits with his friends and feels so thankful to have friends that would come to save him while he is in the middle of an enemy stronghold. Then he sees Michael looking at him. The time has come to tell his mother what he saw. Rhin took him to the otherworld. He knows now that what Gar said must be true. Meical wants to know what their next move will be. He recommends they go to Drassil because that is where the prophecy says the resistance against Asroth will gather, but they will go where Corban decides. He is going to Murias to save Cywen. Meical thinks about this. That is where Nathan is going, and they’re probably hoping Cywen will lure Corban in. But the cauldron is also there. Although the cauldron was originally made for good, the cauldron as part of Asroth’s evil plan in the War of Treasures. He wanted to use it to kill every living thing that Elyon had created. He wasn’t able to do it because Elyon unleashed his Scourging on the world. That won’t happen this time. It would be better if they could stop Nathair from getting to the cauldron. Meical is not sure that they will be able to do that, but Nemain and the other giants in Murias will also protect the cauldron. Many of them saw when the cauldron was used before and they will not willingly allow the cauldron to be used again. But Nathair has the Jehar, so his chances are better than they would be with anyone else. Coralen says they will have to fight their way through Cambren to get to Murias. But she will be able to lead them. She’s been in sight of Murias before. So, they plan to gather supplies for mountain travel and leave at dawn. With everything that has happened on this day, the one thing that Corban can’t stop thinking about is Cora hugging him. Veradis sits outside of Val Taras as the siege stretches past a month long. Geraint had wanted to attack the stronghold as soon as it had been surrounded and Veradis had tried to talk him out of it. Geraint did it anyway, failed to get in, and lost a thousand men in the process. Now they wait. Veradis does not expect to see a small warband riding towards them with Rhin at the head. Veradis’ thoughts go to Nathair, if he has the cauldron, and if Cywen is safe. Rhin explains that she had Corban, but he was rescued. She’s already sent a large force after him and now wants to talk about Domhain instead. Roisin is not well liked, Eremon is liked only a bit more, and after having no new food incoming Rhin wonders if the people inside might be amenable to a different option for king. Like Eremon’s son Conall. Maquin fights in the pits of Tenebral. He’s been to the capital before, but it didn’t look like this. He doesn’t understand how Lykos gained control so quickly. He kills the group of new fighters he was put against and goes back to the waiting area. He watches as Lykos and Fidele come out, followed by Armatus and Peritus, several Vin Thalun, and then Orgull and the man he is set to fight, Pallas. Fidele announces that Armatus and Peritus tried to kill her and take the throne. There will be an exhibition fight between Orgull and Pallas, whomever wins will get the honor of executing the traitors. Both fighters are given their weapon of choice, meaning Orgull gets his axe. He wins the fight, beheading Pallas and then marching over to the traitors. But he doesn’t kill them, he cuts their chains with his axe. Several men from the crowd jump into the pit to protect Armatus and Peritus, ferrying them and Orgull toward the exit. But there are too many Vin Thalun. Orgull and one of the prisoners are dragged back and Lykos beheads the prisoner. But before he can do the same to Orgull, Deinon intercepts Lykos and says something to make Lykos drag Orgull out of the pit instead. Cywen is cold. She is sitting near Alcyon at a fire when Calidus comes holding a letter. They’re soon joined by Nathair, Sumur, and Uthas. Cywen shrinks back into the shadow and pretends to sleep. They discuss their plan: Uthas will ride ahead with his giants to make sure the gate to Murias is open for them, but he will not kill his brethren. Nathair will need to ensure that any loyal to Uthas are not harmed, the others are fair game. Nathair agrees. When Uthas leaves, Nathair says that he hopes Elyon watches over Uthas in this venture, but Uthas calls Elyon the absent god as he turns away. This makes Sumur frown. Once the others leave, Calidus tells Alcyon that Corban is only a few days behind them - a group of six people and a wolven. He instructs Alcyon to take a few of the Jehar and meet Corban on the road. Kill them all. Camlin stands with Edana and her guard as a Cambren detail approaches the gates under a white flag. Rhin wants to speak to Edana. It’s been three months and the people of Domhain are starving. Rhin can wait until they’re all dead and take the city, or they can give it up. Eremon points out that his people would not like Rhin as their leader, but she has a compromise. They would like who she would leave as regent. He’s young, strong, and has the blood of kings in his veins. Eremon’s blood to be precise. When Conall steps forward, Camlin hears Conall’s name echoing around the keep. Edana’s people quickly go to their own rooms. The streets feel too tense to be out. Edana asks Fech what he would do and the bird says to kill Rhin. Good idea, even from a bird, but how. Halion is struggling. It used to be so easy: him and Conall against the world. But Conall always had a seed of darkness in him that Rhin and Evnis have fostered and grown. Halion doesn’t even know who Conall is anymore. Vonn tells him that Conall is their enemy now, that’s all that’s important. He’s talking about his dad too, though he doesn’t say it. They’re called before Eremon. He has already arranged transport for Edana and her men. The boat will take them wherever they choose. They need to leave that night, because in the morning, Eremon’s men will ride out to fight. He would rather wait for Rhin to attack again but he doesn’t think his people will wait that long to act. His only request is for Edana to take Lorcan with her. They are technically betrothed, but should Eremon die she doesn’t have to honor her agreement. When he’s done talking, Maeve (who was serving them) pulls out a knife and stabs Eremon in the throat. Then she turns toward Edana. Rath is able to stop Maeve and asks her why. Maeve wants Conall as their king. Rath kills her, then cries as she dies in his arms. As Eremon’s daughter, Maeve was his niece. Roisin stands; this changes things. Edana and her men will still leave that night but Roisin, Lorcan, and their guard will go with them. Rath will not come. It will look less suspicious if he stays. They escape the keep through a hidden tunnel made by the giants. They sail for Dun Crin, where they’ve heard a rebellion is gathering. Halion thinks he was wrong; they should have gone to Dun Crin like Marrock suggested. But Marrock tells him not to be too hard on himself. He did what he thought was right and who knows what would have happened if they’d gone to Dun Crin. Maybe they’d be dead already. Before they sail, Edana tells Fech to find Corban and tell him where to find them. Coralen leads Corban’s group through the mountains and onto Benothi land. They’ll have to be careful, but Murias is not far. Corban thanks her for everything she’s done. It must’ve been hard to see Conall. She admits it was. Conall was always her favorite. He was the most fun to be around. It’s hard to get used to the Jehar riding with them. He’s begun talking to Meical but not about anything spiritual. It’s difficult to admit you might be a god’s avatar. More difficult still to admit it to a group of zealots. Maquin and the other fighters have not been moved since Orgull’s fight. Maquin doesn’t know what’s happened to him. They are summoned to speak to Lykos and on the way, his question about Orgull is answered. The man is alive, but barely. He’s chained to the wall, and he’s been tortured so badly Maquin can hardly bear to look at him. Lykos tells them that they have nearly won their freedom from the pits. They only have one more fight. If they win, they’ll get a bunch of gold and an offer to swear a blood oath to Lykos and join his crew. Lose and you die. But betray him and you end up like Orgull. The fighters are sent back to their cell but as they leave Orgull mouths something, asking Maquin to kill him. Veradis stands with Conall and Rhin as the gates of Eremon’s stronghold open to them. They enter, throwing bread to the starving people, but Veradis can see that not everybody wants them there. They’re attacked by a few warriors who are quickly dispatched. They enter the keep and soon find that the doors have been booby trapped. Veradis and his men hang back; this isn’t their fight anyway - no reason to die due a trap door. They’re careful as they search the keep but they find Rath and his Degad waiting for them inside a room. Bos is killed when they stab him in the throat. They fight hard. Many of the eagle guard are cut down. Then Veradis hears Conall screeching as he storms into the room. He wants to know where Eremon and Lorcan are. He tells Rath to give up, the fight is over. Rath tells Conall he’s always had it wrong. It’s not always about winning, sometimes it’s about how you lose. Conall attacks Rath and Veradis can see that Rath is the person who trained Conall. They fight the same. Rath trips him and almost has him, but Conall gets his dagger in Rath’s chest. The old warrior dies and the remaining Degad fall quickly after. They open the door the Degad were guarding and find Eremon’s corpse inside. He’s not newly dead. Rhin comes in with Rafe. He reveals that while he was in the dungeon, he saw some people run into a tunnel and never come back out. Edana and Lorcan were with them. They search the dungeons and find the tunnel, Conall goes after Edana. Veradis burns his dead and wonders why they are here, why they are fighting in this strange land. But then he remembers Nathair - that’s why. His oath to Nathair. Then his thoughts go to Cywen. Uthas enters Murias with Salach and Eisa, the only other giants to survive the trip. They see Balur One-Eye. He says that Ethlinn dreams more than she’s awake now. She says the Black Sun comes ever closer. Balur worries for Ethlinn - she is his weakness. Uthas will need to remember that. Afterward, Uthas is drawn again to the cauldron. He greets Morc, who cares for the white wyrms that guard the cauldron. He always liked Morc. Uthas gives his report to Nemain. What they’ve heard is true, Rhin marched on Domhain and though Eremon did not ride to meet her, Rath did. Uthas says he saw no sign of the Black Sun. Once Nemain leaves, Salach asks if Nemain suspects anything. Uthas doesn’t think so, and there’s no going back know. Tukul spars with Gar. He’s so proud of who his son has grown into. Guarding the Seren Disglair, a good combination of proud and humble, aware of the world and how to walk in it unlike the other Jehar who have been cloistered for so long. And Tukul sees how he has become a combination of father and brother to Corban - and how Gar’s eyes watch Gwenith. After training with Gar, Corban practices with Brina. He tries to call mist, but it doesn’t go well. He talks a bit about spirituality with Meical, which is an improvement. Then Coralen and the Jehar named Enkara come back from scouting with Storm. There is a group hiding in the woods around the road. They didn’t see Coralen, Storm scented them first, so they were able to get a look without being seen themselves. To avoid them would be to go leagues out of their way. So, they decide not to avoid them. But when Tukul sees that Jehar fight with Alcyon, he calls for everyone to halt. He tells Sumur’s Jehar that they have been misled and they almost listen. Then Alcyon nearly kills Farrell and Dath, succeeding in killing a Jehar. The spell is broken and the two groups fight. Alcyon’s group of Jehar are very outnumbered and the fight doesn’t last long, but Alcyon manages to get away. Fidele tries to write down that Lykos controls her, that her own words cannot be trusted, and ask for someone to kill Lykos. But just like her tongue, her hands will not obey her command. Lykos controls her too fully. She has even tried to kill herself but could not. At least Peritus escaped the pit. Armatus was killed, but Peritus has not been found. She hopes he went to his hometown in the mountains where Lykos will not find him. Lykos comes in. Great news, they’re going to be married in just over a week! Fidele wonders how he has the courage to do these things knowing that Nathair will return one day. Lykos doesn’t think Nathair will be the same person when he returns. Fidele may not even recognize him. Cywen rides next to Calidus. She asks if Alcyon is lying in wait to kill Corban and Calidus tells her that if she bugs him again, he will stab her in the eye. Alcyon returns to the camp soon after, bloody and pale. He kneels in front of Calidus. He has failed and his life is now forfeit, but Calidus retorts that Alcyon’s life is only forfeit when he has no more use for the giant. Alcyon says that Corban is only half a day behind them. Calidus decides they better get to Murias quickly. They ride on, Alcyon ties a rope around Cywen’s waist and hands. There will be fighting and he won’t be able to watch her all the time. And though he likes her, he certainly doesn’t trust her with a weapon of her own. She tells him that she’s glad Corban didn’t kill him. As they ride closer to Murias, a wolven howls and Shield turns his head. Buddai runs into the woods and doesn’t return when called. Alcyon thinks that Buddai doesn’t want to go into Murias (he doesn’t blame the dog for it) but that Buddai will be waiting for Cywen when they come back out. Coralen and the others watch Nathair’s warband march toward Murias. Rescuing Cywen is their objective. There are too many men for them to fight, but if there’s an opportunity to kill either Nathair or Sumur, take it. Storm howls (they aren’t sure why) and then Fech finds them. He tells Corban that Domhain has fallen, Eremon is dead - killed by Maeve, and that Edana sails to Dun Crin. Everyone was alive when Fech left. Rhin has made Conall ruler of Domhain. Coralen groans and walks into the trees. It’s the day of Maquin’s last fight and he waits to enter the pit. When he does, his opponent is not yet there. He sees Lykos and Fidele in the stands - they are to be married that night. Maquin still doesn’t understand how Lykos has managed that. Tonight, Lykos looks like he’s holding something inside his cloak. Maquin’s opponent enters the pit. It’s Orgull. Corban finds Coralen crying in the woods. She doesn’t want anyone to see her like this, but she speaks to Corban for a moment. She’s about to tell him why she agreed to guide them to Murias when they’re interrupted by the sound of horns. They rush back to see that battle is about to begin in Murias. Then Storm takes off toward a brown shape heading directly for them. When she plays with the animal instead of attacking, Corban realizes that it’s Buddai. Buddai greets Corban and Gwenith like a puppy he’s so happy. They know for sure now that Cywen is down there. A wind blows and someone begins to scream in Murias. Uthas stands next to Nemain with her shield-maiden Sreng and Salach just behind them. Nathair approaches the gate and asks Nemain to help him as he is the Bright Star. But his arrival was not unexpected. Ethlinn had woken and said the Black Sun and the Black Heart were arriving. Morc hasn’t fed the wyrms since and all the Benothi are now gathered to protect the cauldron. Nemain says the sees the Black Heart riding next to him. She knows Nathair is not the Bright Star. Nathair is confused, but he is the Bright Star! Nemain sends her ravens to harass them, and the birds do a decent job with the Jehar though Calidus won’t allow them to touch him or Nathair. Uthas needs to stop the birds, but just as he is about to distract Nemain, a bird lands on her shoulder. Fech. Nemain’s eyes land on Uthas and she calls for Sreng. Salach attacks Sreng as Uthas goes for Nemain. Nemain fights with her elemental magic and almost wins, but Uthas is able to counter her attack. He grabs Nemain’s arms and Salach, who must’ve killed Sreng, stabs Nemain in the back. Unable to look at what he’s done, Uthas throws her body over the side of the keep. He collects Salach and they march inside the keep. He has loyal followers there, forty or fifty giants out of the five hundred who have come. Balur asks Uthas where Nemain is and Uthas says she’s dead. They can join him, or they can die with her. He opens the doors to Nathair. Cywen is forced to stay by Alcyon’s side as hundreds are killed by the ravens, who suddenly fly away just as the gates to the keep are opened. The fighting begins and Cywen watches as Balur falls, either dead or unconscious. Uthas points Nathair down the hall, Alcyon follows them closely with Cywen tied to his belt. Uthas tells them the cauldron is behind the next door, but it is protected. Nathair busts the door down and goes in still riding his draig. Maquin asks what Orgull is doing there. He shouldn’t be able to fight, not after what Maquin saw. Orgull says they’ve given him a pain killer. They want a show - two sword brothers facing off - only one can leave alive. Plus, Orgull wanted to talk to Maquin. He tells Maquin to win his own freedom and go kill Jael. When he is done, he asks that Maquin find Meical and tell him that Orgull was true to his vow until the very end. That Maquin killing him will be a mercy. They begin to fight; they need to make it convincing. After a bit, Orgull loses his axe and falls to the ground. Maquin is about to give him a quick death and Orgull smiles - he’s ready. But then Maquin drops his knives. He’s not killing Orgull. Not today and not ever. Meical reminds Corban’s group that Cywen is bait, so she will be kept near Nathair - who is seeking the cauldron. Find the cauldron, find Nathair, and find Cywen. Fech joins them again and he’s upset about Nemain’s death. They find Nemain’s body and Fech tells them that Uthas betrayed her. They should kill Uthas. Craf begins to comfort Fech. The group makes a deal with the raven. Fech will lead them to the cauldron to find Cywen and they will kill Uthas to avenge Nemain. Fech leads them into the keep and up a stairwell. Everyone around them is fighting and no one seems to notice them. Camlin and the others ride hard toward their ship. For three days, riders have been gaining on them. There have also been skirmishes within the group. Baird even punched Quinn, but Halion put an end to their bickering. Later, Camlin saw Quinn sharpen his blades and pour something on them, rubbing it into the steel. Poison, for an extra bite. Camlin doesn’t like that. Quinn says that honor is for children’s tales - he’s there to win. Vonn used to believe in honor, that the good needed to stand up to evil. He’s not so sure now. Now they’ve reached the ship. Edana, Roisin, and Lorcan have boarded with Quinn and several other warriors, but Camlin doesn’t think there’s any way the boat will hold them all. When Conall arrives, he announces that if they give up Lorcan and Roisin, he will let them return to Domhain - no questions asked. Halion steps up to him. Conall invites Halion to rule beside him. Why is he protecting Roisin anyway, the woman killed their mother! Halion says he made an oath to Brenin and he won’t break it. Conall spins and rides the other way instead of fighting his brother. There’s a scream from the ship and Camlin sees that Quinn has an unconscious Lorcan in his arms. He’s taking the boy off the ship. Quinn’s men face off against Baird and Edana’s guard - he remembers Quinn’s poisoned blade. Quinn throws Lorcan down to fight Halion, throwing a poisoned knife at Lorcan and missing. Quinn ends up dead. But when Halion turns around to usher everyone to the boat, Camlin sees the slice across his shoulder. Cywen dismounts from Shield just seconds before she is pulled into the chamber after Alcyon. Inside are wyrms and giants. For a moment it looks like Nathair’s draig will be brought down, but Calidus saves him. Cywen is literally dragged by Alcyon as he fights, then she is nearly killed by a wyrm herself, but Shield runs in and tramples it until it lets Cywen go. The draig isn’t dead yet and nearly attacks Shield, but Alcyon kills it. The battle is soon over and only the giants loyal to Uthas remain. The cauldron stands for the taking. Suddenly, Morc appears to attack Uthas but is cut down quickly by Salach. Calidus announces that they will perform the rite. They will open a gate for the Ben Elim without delay. With only the axe, the gate will be narrow, but it will be enough. He needs a heart that still beats and Alcyon, understanding what that means for Cywen, cuts her bindings while turning his body to hide her. Morc is not quite dead – he will do. Nathair sits shocked as Calidus slits Morc’s throat and throw him into the cauldron. The Jehar wait for the moment the Ben-Elim will appear but instead, streaks of black jolt from the cauldron into the chests of Sumur and others. Then two black birds fly in and attack Uthas, screaming “betrayer”. Maquin holds his hand out to Orgull, helping the man to his feet. Vin Thalun come at them, they fight with each other instead of against. Soon, there are others in the crowd fighting the Vin Thalun too. They walk over to the cages and free the other fighters. Maquin notices that Lykos is trying to escape with Fidele in tow. He leads the other fighters after them. Maquin kills Herak then turns to Lykos, as Orgull and Jevad fight Deinon. Lykos is faster than he looks, but he keeps one hand in his tunic as if he’s holding something. Maquin forces Lykos close to his body and Lykos drops whatever he is holding. Suddenly, Fidele comes to life - screaming and attacking Lykos. She stabs Lykos just below the ribs, he’s not wearing any armor since he was supposed to be married that night. Maquin turns to see Deinon kill Orgull, Jevad is already dead on the ground. Maquin runs over, killing Deinon and holding Orgull’s head as he dies. He places Orgull’s axe in his hands after he’s gone, turning around to find Lykos has disappeared. Maquin grabs Fidele’s hand and the two of them run. Camlin tries to convince Halion to run, telling him that the knife was poisoned and he needs treatment right away, but Halion won’t leave without facing Conall and trying to make Con see reason. Conall and his men are storming down the hills toward them; he won’t have long to wait. Camlin shoots but just misses Conall every time. He keeps trying to kill Conall and Halion keeps trying to convince Conall that he’s better than this, but neither of them is having any luck. Then Camlin gets shot in the shoulder himself. By Braith, who is storming toward him. Camlin watches as Halion grows weaker as he fights Conall’s men. Marrock and Baird are on the quay trying to keep the warriors away from the ship. Camlin stands over an unconscious Lorcan and meets Braith with his sword, arrow still in his shoulder. He won’t be able to keep this up for long, especially not after Braith grabs the arrow shaft sticking from Camlin’s arm and twists it. But then Cam sees the dagger Quinn threw at Lorcan. He lunges for it and throws the dagger at Braith; it goes into his shoulder. Luckily, the poison takes affect quickly. Camlin chops into Braith’s neck and the man falls into the water. He watches as Halion faces off with Conall and Conall punches Halion in the face. Marrock and Baird are running toward him, Baird grabs both Camlin and Lorcan and pulls them to the boat. Baird jumps into the ship with Lorcan. Vonn gets ahold of Camlin and pulls him over. Halion is overwhelmed by Conall’s men, they won’t be able to save him. And Marrock is still on the quay. He stayed to hold the warriors off and give the ship time to get away. Conall holds Marrock to his chest and gives Edana an ultimatum. Marrock, her cousin, for Lorcan. Going once, going twice… he tells Edana that she is to blame as he slits Marrock’s throat. His body falls into the water. Before getting to the cauldron chamber, Corban and his group ran into Balur, who Meical had met before (luckily). After a brief explanation of how he follows the Bright Star, that Nathair has Corban’s sister and Jehar who have been deceived, Meical invites the giants to fight with them. Balur agrees but doesn’t trust blindly and tells Meical to walk ahead. Fech and Craf lead them to the door, which they thrust open. They see corpses and the cauldron with a black cloud over it, tendrils jutting into the writhing Jehar who kneel around it. Then Corban sees Cywen and the giant standing in front of her. He and Gwenith make a beeline for Cywen, Buddai and Storm outpacing them, as Balur heads for Uthas. Meical yells that Alcyon has the starstone axe. Retrieve the axe and it will break the spell. Balur changes course. It takes a few giants to disarm Alcyon, but Balur finally takes the starstone axe. Meical tells Balur to get the axe as far away as he can. Balur does not need to be told twice - he runs. Meanwhile, Shield has noticed Corban and is delighted, but Cywen has not seen him yet. She runs to Alcyon to check if the giant is still alive. Then she turns to find Buddai, then Storm. She looks around and finds Corban and their mom. Cywen runs to them and finally they are together. They’re sorry, they thought she was dead. Calidus yells and Cywen looks up to see the black cloud wavering. It shutters and then explodes. She can feel that something bad is about to happen. they need to get out now. Gar touches Cywen’s face - it’s time to get out of there. Sumur and the other Jehar that touched the black tendrils begin to rise up. They are not the same as before. They turn and their eyes are completely black. The Jehar that had been further back shake off their brain fog but seem unchanged by the cauldron. Akar, who stands near Corban, recognizes Gar. Akar assumes that Gar has been following his misled father, but Gar points out what has happened to Sumur. It is not he who has been misled; Akar and the others have become the instruments of the Black Sun. Meical yells that those touched by the cauldron have been possessed by the Kadoshim. The Jehar begin to fight, the Hundred and the unpossessed Jehar on the same side against the Kadoshim. But the Kadoshim will not die. Several Jehar, Corban, Farrell, Dath, Gar, and Coralen all take on one single Kadoshim, but it is still not enough until Buddai and Storm join the fight. Storm manages to rip the Kadoshim’s head off – that’s they figure out how to kill the Kadoshim. A black cloud leaves the body before the cloud yells out in frustration and dissolves. The Jehar target the Kadoshim’s heads. Calidus has noticed Corban. He comes straight for him and Corban parries Calidus’ attack, but he is knocked back. Gar, Dath, Farrell, and Gwenith all attack Calidus. Calidus cuts Gwenith across the chest before Meical can get there. Meical fights Calidus, telling the others to get out. Gar picks Gwenith up and holds her body to his chest. Corban looks behind him before they run away, the remaining Jehar have formed a rearguard and are preparing to run as they fight what is left of the Kadoshim. Nathair sits on the dais next to the cauldron, looking stunned and confused. Corban’s group runs through the keep to find Balur and other giants waiting for them with horses. Grateful, they mount and ride out. They don’t pay attention at first to where they are headed, just that they are moving - a wolven, a hound, and two birds with them. Gwenith sits in front of Gar with her head against his chest as if she’s sleeping, but Gar hasn’t stopped weeping. Meical and the Jehar catch up the them. They find a place to camp and Corban looks around. Tukul’s Jehar, plus the untainted Jehar that once followed Sumur are there, plus Balur and about a dozen giants - a giantess and giant children included. Balur still holds the starstone axe. Gar takes Gwenith to the edge of the stream where Cywen cleans the blood from Gwenith’s face and they mourn her. Then they begin constructing a cairn. Corban, Cywen, and Gar at first, then their friends, the Jehar, and even Balur helps to place the stones. Corban cries, dropping to his knees. Calidus must be stopped.