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I love you, Tobi thinks. But he does not say it. He cannot.

Harok nods solemnly. “But I will have Solwen visit this place when traders next go to Attar. They will bring you a report on your mother.”

“Thank you,” says Tobi. “I would like that. And then perhaps I can visit her with you.”

Harok looks at Tobi. His expression is strange. “We will see, Suskara. There is still much danger in the forest. The Exceli have been growing very strong with their Azurian steel. We believe the empire is also giving them coin and food. They wish to help them take Urynwud. And you would be a great prize to the Exceli. Not only because the empire wish the Exceli to ensure you die in this forest, to take my kushir would be a signal that I am no strong Irgo.”

Tobi nods. “Do you think the Exceli will be able to take Urynwud from you? If they have Azurian support.”

“No. I am Unkillable Irgo, Demon Slayer,” Harok says bluntly.

Unkillable, Tobi thinks. “Are you truly unkillable? You will never die.” He touches the sigil on Harok’s chest. “Because of this?”

Harok nods. “It has great power.”

“Did it hurt, when your mother cut that into you? Was it to protect you from Vahul killing you?”

Harok shakes his head. “No. She did it later. After I killed Vahul. But I am strong Irgo. Always strong Irgo.”

Tobi tips his head to one side and looks at Harok. He is strong. Tobi knows it. Tobi delights in that strength. But there is more to Harok than his strength. ”You don’t always have to be the strong Irgo,” he says, reaching up and trailing a finger down Harok’s cheek. “No one is always strong.”

“What Suskara mean?” Harok says.

“Strong people can still make mistakes. You can be strong but you do not have to be cruel. Lymok told me he left and joined the Exceli because you refused to make a pact with them. Perhaps there is still a way to bring peace without fighting. Perhaps you could let them worship Diazuul again and make peace.”

“And let them make sacrifices into pit?”

Tobi shakes his head. “No. But maybe they could leave offerings under Susal-ur-Bellan. The anks.”

Harok shakes his head. “No, Suskara. This is not for a kushir. You want me to forgive Exceli?”

“I forgave you.”

“The Exceli are different. I cannot make peace with them”

25

LYR

The White Watch’s journey had taken its crew around the Southern Mortingale Sea, to Vashti, to begin a journey overland along the banks of the three lakes and through Hevel Forest to Attar. A long route, but the only way they could travel to Attar undetected.

Damon was sorry to leave his beloved ship in the hands of Opeth and Razelii, but there was no way to take a ship, especially a ship so closely bound to Damon, any nearer to the heart of Azuria.

Trysta and Lyr had been heartbroken to leave Opeth and Razelii. Lyr feels a deep pang of regret that he has spent so much of the past year in Damon’s bed and not spending time with his friends.

Opeth and Razelii had been with him in Blackstone Castle. The only people from his old life. People who knew what had been done to him. Who knew life under King Ramel and knew Jareleezi. They had made the same strange journey with him to Azuria.

But he has Trysta still. Trysta chose not to stay with the ship and return to Pluma-Ferris, although Lyr knows Damon suggested it. But her loyalty to Damon means she would not have found it a hard choice.

The journey overland is made more pleasant by Lukas’s abilities as a forager. His years living as an outlaw mean he seems to always be able to find wild herbs and sweet berries in hedgerows. He teaches Lyr how to make a rough, but functional, bow and a set of arrows from green wood and Lyr grows quite skilled at finding meat for their pot.

One night, in Vashti, Elric had gone out to Redstone alone to try and find out news from Attar. He had come back with his eyes shining, clearly he had discovered something truly thrilling.

Sitting on the floor of the old stable where they were staying for the night, like the outlaw vagabonds they were, Elric had announced, “I met some merchants from Attar. Apparently Tobi is the talk of the Rose Court.”

Damon frowns, “Tobi? Is he in Attar?”

“Far from it.” Elric shakes his head. “Although, he has left the Copperhead Circus.”