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In heavy chains, Harok is forced to his knees before the dais. He looks up at Lymok, sprawled on his throne. He snarls low in his throat.

Inside him Diazuul is laughing. Harok curses himself. He should have known that the demon would not make this easy. Diazuul uses his cruel power to influence the Solwen of Urynwud by using their deepest desires. Lymok, the bitter son of the Irgo that Harok killed, would have been a gift to Diazuul. But Harok never saw it.

You never thought, did you, that I had plans beyond you?

You think I did not know what you and your vile mother were planning for me?

Even as you tried so hard not to speak of it or even think of it. You are a fool to think you could keep anything from me.

Diazuul’s voice in Harok’s head is stronger than ever and full of glee.

And what better way to prevent Harok from completing his plan than to have Lymok move to do what he most desired?

Harok looks around the hall. He knows there was always dissent among the Solwen about Harok’s decision not to make peace with the Exceli, only ever to go on fighting them. But he is surprised how many of his subjects are not on their knees. Harok is sure those men who are kneeling prisoners will die. Lymok is not so foolish he would keep any loyal to Harok alive.

Suskara is shoved onto his knees beside Harok. He shuffles close, his leg touches Harok’s body and the feel of his kushir’s skin is soothing. “Will Lymok kill you?” Suskara hisses.

Kill you? He cannot kill you.

“He would be making a mistake if he does not.”

“But Diazuul won’t let you die?”

“No.”

No.

“So what will happen?”

Harok shrugs. “I do not know. But…” He takes a heavy breath. He can feel it. Like a great wave on the horizon, rushing to shore. Unstoppable. He is not strong enough.

“But what?” says Suskara, eyes going wide.

“It may not come to that. He is close to gaining control of me. You saw how easily I slayed those men in the bedchamber. That was Diazuul. He knew what I wanted and he took the chance to control me. I must be careful. If I try to fight again, Diazuul will take me and I am not sure I will be able to regain myself.”

“Diazuul will take you completely?” Suskara says, voice low and shaky.

Harok nods, “Sho, Suskara.” He smiles a small smile. “Yes. The Exceli will have their wish. Diazuul will be returned to them. And not as a demon trapped below Susal-ur-Bellan. Diazuul will be here, in the halls of Urynwud. Unbound. Able to do as he wishes. The Exceli want their God back. And they will have him.”

Does that prospect please him? He isn’t sure. Perhaps a little. A shame that he wouldn’t even get to see it.

Or would he? What manner of creature will he be when Diazuul takes him. As he must now. Suskara was his only chance and Suskara failed.

When Diazuul takes him, will he be as a dead man? Or will he remain inside his body? Watching helpless, as Diazuul takes back the world in the name of the Bellator.

Suskara says, “And you will leave them to their fate?”

“I will have no choice. If Diazuul takes me completely I will have no way to stop it.”

Suskara shivers. “And me, what will happen to me?”

Harok swallows. Because that is the worst of it. He can only hope that in the chaos of Diazuul’s ascension, Suskara will be able to flee. “You will likely have one chance,” he says, heavily, hoping this is the truth. “You have the advantage over Lymok and the Exceli because you are ready for what will happen. You must take your first chance to get away from here. Get away from me. You must run, use all the skills I know you have. Whether Diazuul has taken me or not, when you have a chance, you run.”

“I do not know if I can.” Suskara’s voice is thick.

“Be brave,” Harok says softly, leaning his body towards Suskara’s. “Be my brave, beast tamer. Be brave and leave me. Your Irgorye is gone.“

On the dais, Lymok announces, “Harok, Heretic Irgo,” which makes Harok look up. “Twenty years ago,” he continues, “you were named by the Blood Priests as sacrifice. You were meant to be given to Diazuul. But you escaped the pit beneath Susal-ur-Bellan, claiming to have killed the Great Diazuul. You killed my father, Irgo Vahul, and all the Blood Priests and demanded that the pit beneath Susal-ur-Bellan was sealed and that Diazuul would no longer be worshipped in the Forests of Amber. The greatest act of heresy ever committed by a Solwen.” He leaves a pause and the Exceli and Solwen traitors in the room all make jeering sounds. “But now, your filthy reign is over. That pit will open again for the Blood Sacrifices. And the first one cast into it will be you.” Lymok pauses again, this time for cheers.