°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
es¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡thing¡¡paused£»¡¡flickering¡¡and¡¡shifting¡£¡¡It¡¡seemed¡¡saggingly¡¡weary£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡butterfly¡¡newly¡¡emerged¡¡from¡¡a¡¡cocoon¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Pryrates¡¡took¡¡a¡¡step¡¡back¡¡and¡¡averted¡¡his¡¡face¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡have¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡have¡¡done¡¡what¡¡you¡¡asked£»¡¡mighty¡¡one¡£¡¨¡¡His¡¡smug¡¡grin¡¡was¡¡gone£º¡¡the¡¡priest¡¡had¡¡willingly¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡but¡¡what¡¡had¡¡entered¡¡shocked¡¡even¡¡him¡£¡¡He¡¡took¡¡a¡¡deep¡¡breath¡¡and¡¡appeared¡¡to¡¡find¡¡some¡¡core¡¡of¡¡strength¡£¡¡His¡¡face¡¡again¡¡became¡¡feral¡£¡¡¡¨The¡¡hour¡¡is¡¡e¡but¡¡it¡¡is¡¡not¡¡your¡¡hour£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡mine¡£¡¡How¡¡could¡¡I¡¡trust¡¡one¡¡who¡¡hated¡¡every¡¡living¡¡thing¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡its¡¡bargain£¿¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡once¡¡you¡¡had¡¡no¡¡need¡¡of¡¡me£»¡¡your¡¡promises¡¡would¡¡be¡¡wind¡¡in¡¡darkness¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡spread¡¡his¡¡wide¡sleeved¡¡arms¡£¡¡¡¨Mortal¡¡I¡¡may¡¡be£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡am¡¡no¡¡fool¡£¡¡You¡¡gave¡¡me¡¡the¡¡Words¡¡of¡¡Changing£»¡¡thinking¡¡them¡¡a¡¡toy¡¡that¡¡would¡¡keep¡¡me¡¡childishly¡¡amused¡¡as¡¡I¡¡did¡¡your¡¡bidding¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡have¡¡learned£»¡¡too¡£¡¡Those¡¡Words¡¡will¡¡bee¡¡your¡¡cage£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡you¡¡will¡¡be¡¡my¡¡servant¡£¡¡All¡¡creation¡¡will¡¡bend¡¡to¡¡you¡but¡¡you¡¡will¡¡bow¡¡to¡¡me£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡unstable¡¡thing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡room's¡¡center¡¡eddied¡¡like¡¡blown¡¡smoke£»¡¡but¡¡its¡¡black£»¡¡scarlet¡streaming¡¡heart¡¡remained¡¡solid¡£¡¡Pryrates¡¡began¡¡to¡¡chant¡¡loudly¡¡in¡¡something¡¡only¡¡recognizable¡¡as¡¡language¡¡because¡¡of¡¡the¡¡empty¡¡spaces¡¡between¡¡noises¡£¡¡The¡¡alchemist¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡change£»¡¡reeling¡¡in¡¡the¡¡red¡shot¡¡darkness¡¡that¡¡surrounded¡¡the¡¡king¡¡like¡¡a¡¡fog£»¡¡his¡¡limbs¡¡curled¡¡and¡¡snapped¡¡in¡¡a¡¡ghastly£»¡¡serpentine¡¡way£»¡¡then¡¡he¡¡faded¡¡into¡¡a¡¡coiling¡¡shadow£»¡¡a¡¡wide¡¡rope¡¡of¡¡blackness¡¡that¡¡drifted¡¡around¡¡the¡¡place¡¡where¡¡the¡¡king¡¡or¡¡whatever¡¡had¡¡devoured¡¡him¡¡now¡¡stood¡£¡¡The¡¡shadowy¡¡coils¡¡tightened¡¡around¡¡the¡¡smoldering¡¡heart¡£¡¡The¡¡world¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡bend¡¡farther¡¡inward£»¡¡distorting¡¡the¡¡two¡¡shapes¡¡until¡¡only¡¡flame¡¡and¡¡steam¡¡and¡¡darkness¡¡pulsed¡¡at¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bellchamber¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡whole¡¡of¡¡creation¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡collapse¡¡in¡¡on¡¡this¡¡place£»¡¡on¡¡this¡¡moment¡£¡¡Simon¡¡fell¡¡his¡¡own¡¡terror¡¡surge¡¡out£»¡¡crackling¡¡through¡¡his¡¡arms£»¡¡through¡¡Bright¡Nail¡¡and¡¡into¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡the¡¡clotted¡¡dark¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡blackness¡¡bulged¡£¡¡Tiny¡¡arcs¡¡of¡¡lightning¡¡flickered¡¡about¡¡the¡¡room¡£¡¡Somewhere¡¡outside£»¡¡Simon¡¡knew£»¡¡the¡¡Asu'a¡¡of¡¡five¡¡centuries¡¡before¡¡was¡¡burning£»¡¡its¡¡inhabitants¡¡dying¡¡at¡¡the¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡Fingil's¡¡long¡dead¡¡army¡£¡¡And¡¡what¡¡of¡¡everyone¡¡else£¿¡¡Was¡¡all¡¡Simon¡¡knew¡¡gone£»¡¡borne¡¡away¡¡by¡¡Time's¡¡circling¡¡wheel£¿
The¡¡lightnings¡¡jittered¡¡about¡¡the¡¡chamber¡£¡¡Something¡¡pulsed¡¡at¡¡the¡¡center£»¡¡a¡¡storm¡¡of¡¡fire¡¡and¡¡thunderheads¡¡that¡¡suddenly¡¡gaped£»¡¡filling¡¡the¡¡room¡¡with¡¡blinding¡¡light¡£¡¡Pryrates£»¡¡his¡¡real¡¡form¡¡restored£»¡¡staggered¡¡backward¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡beating¡¡radiance£»¡¡which¡¡promptly¡¡collapsed¡¡back¡¡into¡¡shadow¡£¡¡For¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡the¡¡priest¡¡raised¡¡his¡¡arms¡¡triumphantly¡¡over¡¡his¡¡head£»¡¡then¡¡he¡¡teetered¡¡and¡¡dropped¡¡to¡¡his¡¡knees¡£¡¡A¡¡vaguely¡¡manlike¡¡form¡¡coalesced¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡darkness¡¡and¡¡stood¡¡over¡¡him£»¡¡a¡¡scarlet¡¡suggestion¡¡of¡¡a¡¡face¡¡fluttering¡¡atop¡¡its¡¡misshapen¡¡head¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Pryrates¡¡shuddered¡¡and¡¡wept¡£¡¡¡¨Forgive¡¡me£¡¡¡Forgive¡¡my¡¡arrogance£»¡¡my¡¡foolishness£¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡please¡£¡¡Master£»¡¡forgive¡¡me£¡¡¨¡¡He¡¡crawled¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡thing£»¡¡banging¡¡his¡¡forehead¡¡against¡¡the¡¡almost¡¡invisible¡¡floor¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡can¡¡still¡¡do¡¡you¡¡great¡¡service£¡¡¡Remember¡¡what¡¡you¡¡promised¡¡me¡£¡¡Lord¡that¡¡if¡¡I¡¡served¡¡you¡¡well¡¡I¡¡would¡¡be¡¡first¡¡among¡¡mortals¡£¡¨
The¡¡thing¡¡retained¡¡its¡¡grip¡¡on¡¡shifting¡¡Sorrow£»¡¡but¡¡extended¡¡its¡¡other¡¡blackened¡¡hand¡¡until¡¡it¡¡touched¡¡the¡¡alchemist¡£¡¡The¡¡fingers¡¡cupped¡¡his¡¡smooth¡¡wet¡¡head¡£¡¡A¡¡voice¡¡more¡¡powerful¡¡than¡¡the¡¡bell£»¡¡as¡¡ragged¡¡and¡¡deadly¡¡as¡¡the¡¡hiss¡¡of¡¡freezing¡¡wind£»¡¡scraped¡¡through¡¡the¡¡darkness¡£¡¡Despite¡¡everything¡¡else¡¡that¡¡had¡¡happened£»¡¡Simon's¡¡eyes¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡frightened¡¡tears¡¡at¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡it¡£
¡¨YES¡£¡¡YOU¡¡WILL¡¡BE¡¡FIRST¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jets¡¡of¡¡steam¡¡lifted¡¡from¡¡beneath¡¡the¡¡king's¡¡fingers¡£¡¡Pryrates¡¡shrieked¡¡and¡¡threw¡¡up¡¡his¡¡arms£»¡¡grabbing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡hand£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡king¡¡did¡¡not¡¡move¡¡and¡¡Pryrates¡¡could¡¡not¡¡free¡¡himself¡£¡¡Runnels¡¡of¡¡flame¡¡sped¡¡down¡¡the¡¡alchemist's¡¡robe¡£¡¡Above¡¡him£»¡¡the¡¡king's¡¡face¡¡was¡¡an¡¡indistinct¡¡lump¡¡of¡¡darkness£»¡¡but¡¡eyes¡¡and¡¡ragged¡¡mouth¡¡blazed¡¡scarlet¡£¡¡The¡¡priest's¡¡scream¡¡was¡¡a¡¡sound¡¡no¡¡human¡¡throat¡¡should¡¡have¡¡loosed¡£¡¡Vapors¡¡enveloped¡¡him£»¡¡but¡¡Simon¡¡saw¡¡his¡¡threshing¡¡arms¡¡steaming£»¡¡cracking£»¡¡shriveling¡¡into¡¡wag¡¡¡gling¡¡things¡¡like¡¡tree¡¡limbs¡£¡¡After¡¡a¡¡long¡¡moment£»¡¡the¡¡priest£»¡¡all¡¡bones¡¡and¡¡burning¡¡tatters£»¡¡fell¡¡to¡¡the¡¡floor¡¡and¡¡twitched¡¡like¡¡a¡¡smashed¡¡cricket¡£¡¡The¡¡jerking¡¡movements¡¡slowed£»¡¡then¡¡stopped¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡thing¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡Elias¡¡slumped£»¡¡head¡¡down£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡nothing¡¡could¡¡be¡¡seen¡¡of¡¡it¡¡but¡¡shadow¡£¡¡Still£»¡¡Simon¡¡could¡¡feel¡¡it¡¡drinking¡¡the¡¡energies¡¡that¡¡raced¡¡through¡¡Bright¡Nail£»¡¡Thorn£»¡¡and¡¡Sorrow£»¡¡regaining¡¡the¡¡strength¡¡to¡¡control¡¡its¡¡stolen¡¡body¡£¡¡Pryrates¡¡had¡¡hurt¡¡it£»¡¡somehow£»¡¡but¡¡Simon¡¡could¡¡sense¡¡that¡¡it¡¡would¡¡be¡¡only¡¡the¡¡work¡¡of¡¡moments¡¡before¡¡it¡¡recovered¡£¡¡He¡¡felt¡¡a¡¡tiny¡¡flutter¡¡of¡¡hope£»¡¡and¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡let¡¡go¡¡of¡¡his¡¡sword¡¡hilt£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡as¡¡much¡¡a¡¡part¡¡of¡¡him¡¡as¡¡his¡¡arm¡£¡¡There¡¡was¡¡no¡¡escape¡£
As¡¡though¡¡it¡¡sensed¡¡his¡¡attempt¡¡to¡¡break¡¡free£»¡¡the¡¡black¡¡thing¡¡looked¡¡up¡¡at¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡even¡¡as¡¡his¡¡heart¡¡stumbled¡¡and¡¡almost¡¡failed£»¡¡he¡¡could¡¡glean¡¡its¡¡implacable¡¡thought¡£¡¡It¡¡had¡¡smashed¡¡Time¡¡itself¡¡to¡¡return¡£¡¡Even¡¡the¡¡mortal¡¡priest£»¡¡no¡¡matter¡¡what¡¡powers¡¡he¡¡had¡¡wielded£»¡¡would¡¡not¡¡have¡¡been¡¡allowed¡¡to¡¡close¡¡the¡¡door¡¡again¡what¡¡possible¡¡chance¡¡could¡¡Simon¡¡have£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡this¡¡moment¡¡of¡¡horror£»¡¡Simon¡¡suddenly¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡shock¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dragon¡¡blood¡¡that¡¡had¡¡once¡¡scorched¡¡his¡¡flesh¡¡and¡¡changed¡¡him¡£¡¡He¡¡stared¡¡at¡¡the¡¡unsteady¡¡black¡¡shape¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡Elias£»¡¡the¡¡ruined¡¡husk¡¡and¡¡its¡¡fiery¡¡occupant£»¡¡and¡¡felt¡¡an¡¡answering¡¡stab¡¡of¡¡pain¡¡where¡¡the¡¡dragon's¡¡black¡¡essence¡¡had¡¡scarred¡¡him¡£¡¡Through¡¡the¡¡pulsing¡¡unlight¡¡that¡¡moved¡¡between¡¡Bright¡Nail¡¡and¡¡Sorrow£»¡¡Simon¡¡felt¡¡not¡¡only¡¡the¡¡all¡consuming¡¡hatred¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡the¡¡blood¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Storm¡¡King's¡¡deathly¡¡exile£»¡¡but¡¡also¡¡Ineluki's¡¡terrible£»¡¡mad¡¡loneliness¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡loved¡¡his¡¡people£»¡¡Simon¡¡thought¡£¡¡He¡¡gave¡¡his¡¡life¡¡for¡¡them¡¡but¡¡did¡¡not¡¡die¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Staring¡¡helplessly¡¡across¡¡the¡¡short¡¡distance¡¡between¡¡them£»¡¡watching¡¡as¡¡the¡¡thing¡¡regathered¡¡its¡¡strength£»¡¡Simon¡¡remembered¡¡the¡¡vision¡¡Leieth¡¡had¡¡shown¡¡him¡¡of¡¡Ineluki¡¡beside¡¡the¡¡great¡¡pool¡£¡¡Such¡¡shattering¡¡unhappiness¡¡had¡¡been¡¡in¡¡that¡¡face£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡determination¡¡had¡¡been¡¡a¡¡mirror¡¡of¡¡Eahlstan's¡¡as¡¡he¡¡had¡¡sat¡¡in¡¡his¡¡chair¡¡and¡¡waited¡¡for¡¡the¡¡terrible¡¡worm¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡he¡¡must¡¡meet£»¡¡the¡¡dragon¡¡that¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡would¡¡slay¡¡him¡£¡¡They¡¡were¡¡somehow¡¡the¡¡same£»¡¡Ineluki¡¡and¡¡Eahlstan£»¡¡doing¡¡what¡¡must¡¡be¡¡done£»¡¡though¡¡life¡¡itself¡¡was¡¡the¡¡price¡£¡¡And¡¡Simon¡¡was¡¡no¡¡different¡£
Sorrow¡£¡¡His¡¡thoughts¡¡flittered¡¡and¡¡died¡¡like¡¡moths¡¡in¡¡a¡¡flame£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡clung¡¡to¡¡this¡¡one¡£¡¡Ineluki¡¡named¡¡his¡¡sword¡¡Sorrow¡£¡¡Why¡¡did¡¡she¡¡show¡¡me¡¡that£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Something¡¡was¡¡moving¡¡af¡¡the¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡his¡¡vision¡£¡¡Binabik¡¡and¡¡Miriamele£»¡¡freed¡¡by¡¡Pryrates'¡¡death£»¡¡reeled¡¡a¡¡few¡¡steps¡¡forward¡£¡¡Miriamele¡¡fell¡¡to¡¡her¡¡knees¡£¡¡Binabik¡¡staggered¡¡closer£»¡¡head¡¡held¡¡low¡¡as¡¡though¡¡he¡¡walked¡¡into¡¡a¡¡powerful¡¡wind¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡will¡¡destroy¡¡this¡¡world£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡troll¡¡gasped¡£¡¡Although¡¡his¡¡mouth¡¡was¡¡stretched¡¡wide£»¡¡his¡¡words¡¡seemed¡¡quiet¡¡as¡¡the¡¡whir¡¡of¡¡velvety¡¡wings¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡have¡¡lost¡¡your¡¡belonging£»¡¡Ineluki¡£¡¡There¡¡will¡¡be¡¡nothing¡¡for¡¡your¡¡governing¡£¡¡You¡¡do¡¡not¡¡belong¡¡here£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡clot¡¡of¡¡darkness¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡look¡¡at¡¡him£»¡¡then¡¡raised¡¡a¡¡flickering¡¡hand¡£¡¡Simon£»¡¡seeing¡¡Binabik¡¡quail¡¡before¡¡the¡¡destroying¡¡touch£»¡¡felt¡¡his¡¡fear¡¡and¡¡hatred¡¡rise¡¡anew¡£¡¡He¡¡fought¡¡against¡¡that¡¡surge¡¡of¡¡loathing£»¡¡although¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡know¡¡why¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hatred¡¡kept¡¡him¡¡alive¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡places¡£¡¡Five¡¡centuries£»¡¡burning¡¡in¡¡emptiness¡£¡¡Haired¡¡is¡¡all¡¡he¡¡has¡£¡¡And¡¡I¡¡have¡¡hated£»¡¡too¡£¡¡I¡¡have¡¡felt¡¡like¡¡him¡£¡¡We¡¡are¡¡the¡¡same¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Simon¡¡struggled¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡the¡¡image¡¡of¡¡the¡¡living¡¡Ineluki's¡¡suffering¡¡face¡¡before¡¡him¡£¡¡That¡¡was¡¡the¡¡truth¡¡beneath¡¡this¡¡horrible£»¡¡burning¡¡thing¡£¡¡No¡¡creature¡¡in¡¡all¡¡the¡¡cosmos¡¡deserved¡¡what¡¡had¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Storm¡¡King¡£
¡¨I'm¡¡sorry£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡whispered¡¡to¡¡the¡¡face¡¡in¡¡his¡¡memory¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡should¡¡not¡¡have¡¡suffered¡¡so¡£¡¨
The¡¡surge¡¡of¡¡energy¡¡from¡¡Bright¡Nail¡¡suddenly¡¡grew¡¡less¡£¡¡The¡¡thing¡¡that¡¡held¡¡Sorrow¡¡turned¡¡back¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡waves¡¡of¡¡terror¡¡broke¡¡over¡¡Simon¡¡again¡£¡¡His¡¡heart¡¡was¡¡being¡¡crushed¡£
¡¨No£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡gasped£»¡¡and¡¡groped¡¡inside¡¡himself¡¡for¡¡a¡¡solid¡¡place¡¡to¡¡stand¡¡and¡¡live¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡will¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡fear¡¡you£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡will¡¡not¡¡hate¡¡you¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡came¡¡a¡¡still¡¡instant¡¡that¡¡seemed¡¡like¡¡years¡£¡¡Then¡¡Sir¡¡Camaris¡¡rose¡¡slowly¡¡from¡¡his¡¡knees¡¡and¡¡stood£»¡¡swaying¡£¡¡In¡¡his¡¡hands£»¡¡Thorn¡¡still¡¡throbbed¡¡with¡¡blackness£»¡¡but¡¡Simon¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡drain¡¡of¡¡its¡¡forces¡¡weaken£»¡¡as¡¡though¡¡what¡¡he¡¡himself¡¡felt¡¡had¡¡somehow¡¡run¡¡down¡¡through¡¡the¡¡point¡¡of¡¡connection¡¡into¡¡Camaris¡¡as¡¡well¡£
¡¨Forgiven¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¨¡¡the¡¡old¡¡knight¡¡croaked¡£¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¡Let¡¡all¡¡be¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¨
There¡¡was¡¡a¡¡wavering¡¡at¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡the¡¡darkness¡¡that¡¡was¡¡the¡¡Storm¡¡King¡£¡¡For¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡the¡¡scarlet¡¡light¡¡grew¡¡less£»¡¡then¡¡died¡£¡¡A¡¡glowing¡¡red¡¡haze¡¡leaked¡¡free£»¡¡agitated¡¡as¡¡a¡¡swarm¡¡of¡¡bees¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡the¡¡shadows£»¡¡wreathed¡¡in¡¡smoke£»¡¡the¡¡pale¡¡visage¡¡of¡¡King¡¡Elias¡¡shimmered¡¡into¡¡existence£»¡¡his¡¡face¡¡contorted¡¡in¡¡pain¡£¡¡Wisps¡¡of¡¡smoke¡¡curled¡¡from¡¡his¡¡hair¡£¡¡Flames¡¡darted¡¡on¡¡his¡¡cape¡¡and¡¡shirt¡£
¡¨Father£¡¡¨¡¡Miriamele's¡¡entire¡¡being¡¡seemed¡¡in¡¡her¡¡cry¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡king¡¡turned¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡to¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¨Ah£»¡¡God£»¡¡Miriamele£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡breathed¡£¡¡His¡¡voice¡¡was¡¡not¡¡entirely¡¡human¡£¡¡¡¨He¡¡has¡¡waited¡¡too¡¡long¡¡for¡¡this¡£¡¡He¡¡will¡¡not¡¡let¡¡me¡¡go¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡a¡¡fool£»¡¡and¡¡now¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡am¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡repaid¡£¡¡I¡¡am¡¡sorry¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡daughter¡£¡¡¡¨¡¡He¡¡convulsed£»¡¡and¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡blazed¡¡red£»¡¡though¡¡his¡¡knotted¡¡features¡¡still¡¡remained¡£¡¡¡¨He¡¡is¡¡too¡¡strong¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡£¡¡his¡¡hate¡¡is¡¡too¡¡strong¡£¡¡He¡¡will¡£¡¡¡£¡£¡¡not¡£¡£¡¡¡£¡¡let¡¡me¡¡¡£¡£¡£go¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
His¡¡head¡¡began¡¡to¡¡sag¡£¡¡Emberlight¡¡bloomed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡cavern¡¡of¡¡his¡¡mouth¡£
Miriamele¡¡shouted¡¡wordlessly¡¡and¡¡lifted¡¡her¡¡arms¡£¡¡Simon¡¡felt¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡saw¡¡some¡¡fleeting¡¡thing¡¡snap¡¡past¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡A¡¡feathered¡¡white¡¡shaft¡¡sprouted¡¡from¡¡Elias'¡¡breast¡£¡¡For¡¡a¡¡heartbeat¡¡the¡¡king's¡¡eyes¡¡were¡¡his¡¡own¡¡once¡¡more¡¡and¡¡his¡¡gaze¡¡locked¡¡with¡¡Miriamele's¡£¡¡Then¡¡his¡¡features¡¡twisted¡£¡¡A¡¡roar¡¡louder¡¡than¡¡thunder¡¡tore¡¡from¡¡the¡¡king's¡¡gaping¡¡mouth¡¡and¡¡Elias¡¡toppled¡¡backward¡¡into¡¡shadow¡£¡¡The¡¡roar¡¡became¡¡an¡¡echoing£»¡¡impossibly¡¡loud¡¡shriek¡¡that¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡no¡¡ending¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡a¡¡fleeting¡¡instant¡¡Simon¡¡felt¡¡an¡¡impossibly¡¡cold¡¡something¡¡scrabbling¡¡at¡¡the¡¡place¡¡where¡¡the¡¡dragon's¡¡blood¡¡had¡¡entered¡¡his¡¡heart£»¡¡seeking¡¡to¡¡find¡¡refuge¡¡in¡¡him¡¡if¡¡its¡¡other¡¡host¡¡was¡¡denied¡¡to¡¡it¡£¡¡The¡¡thing's¡¡hunger¡¡was¡¡all¡swallowing¡¡and¡¡desperate¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡£¡¡You¡¡do¡¡not¡¡belong¡¡here¡£¡¡Simon's¡¡thought¡¡echoed¡¡Binabik's¡¡words¡£
The¡¡clawing¡¡thing¡¡fell¡¡away£»¡¡shrieking¡¡soundlessly¡£
Flames¡¡climbed¡¡up¡¡and¡¡outward¡¡where¡¡the¡¡king¡¡had¡¡stood£»¡¡mushrooming¡¡beneath¡¡the¡¡roof¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bellchamber¡£¡¡A¡¡terrible¡¡cold¡¡blackness¡¡was¡¡at¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡Simon¡¡watched¡¡in¡¡shattered¡¡awe£»¡¡it¡¡began¡¡to¡¡fragment¡¡into¡¡darting¡¡shadows¡£¡¡The¡¡world¡¡tipped¡¡again£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡tower¡¡shuddered¡£¡¡Bright¡Nail¡¡throbbed¡¡in¡¡his¡¡grip£»¡¡then¡¡dissolved¡¡in¡¡a¡¡whirl¡¡of¡¡black£»¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡later£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡holding¡¡only¡¡dust¡£¡¡He¡¡lifted¡¡his¡¡trembling¡¡hand¡¡near¡¡his¡¡face¡¡to¡¡stare¡¡at¡¡the¡¡sifting¡¡powder£»¡¡then¡¡stopped£»¡¡astonished¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡could¡¡move¡¡again£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡chunk¡¡of¡¡stone¡¡from¡¡the¡¡ceiling¡¡overhead¡¡crashed¡¡down¡¡beside¡¡him£»¡¡spattering¡¡him¡¡with¡¡sharp¡¡fragments¡£¡¡Simon¡¡took¡¡a¡¡reeling¡¡step¡£¡¡The¡¡chamber¡¡was¡¡afire£»¡¡as¡¡though¡¡the¡¡stones¡¡themselves¡¡were¡¡burning¡£¡¡One¡¡of¡¡the¡¡blackened¡¡bells¡¡tumbled¡¡from¡¡the¡¡cluster¡¡at¡¡the¡¡ceiling¡¡and¡¡crashed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡floor£»¡¡smashing¡¡a¡¡crater¡¡in¡¡the¡¡stone¡¡tiles¡£¡¡Shadowy¡¡figures¡¡moved¡¡around¡¡him£»¡¡their¡¡motions¡¡distorted¡¡by¡¡the¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡flame¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡voice¡¡was¡¡calling¡¡his¡¡name£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡stood¡¡at¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡fiery¡¡chaos¡¡and¡¡saw¡¡no¡¡direction¡¡in¡¡which¡¡to¡¡turn¡£¡¡The¡¡swirling¡¡sky¡¡appeared¡¡in¡¡a¡¡jagged¡¡opening¡¡above¡¡his¡¡head¡¡as¡¡more¡¡stone¡¡fell¡£¡¡Something¡¡struck¡¡him¡£
33
Hidden¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Stars
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tiamak¡¡stood¡¡awkwardly£»¡¡waiting¡£¡¡The¡¡duke¡¡listened¡¡patiently¡¡to¡¡the¡¡two¡¡Thrithings¡men£»¡¡then¡¡nodded¡¡and¡¡replied£»¡¡they¡¡turned¡¡and¡¡walked¡¡through¡¡the¡¡melting¡¡snow¡¡toward¡¡their¡¡horses£»¡¡leaving¡¡the¡¡duke¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Wrannaman¡¡alone¡¡beside¡¡the¡¡fire¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡looked¡¡up¡¡and¡¡saw¡¡his¡¡visitor£»¡¡he¡¡did¡¡his¡¡best¡¡to¡¡smile¡£¡¡'Tiamak£»¡¡what¡¡are¡¡you¡¡doing¡¡standing¡¡there£¿¡¡Aedon's¡¡Mercy£»¡¡man£»¡¡sit¡¡down¡£¡¡Warm¡¡yourself¡£¡¨¡¡The¡¡duke¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡beckon£»¡¡but¡¡his¡¡arm¡¡sling¡¡prevented¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tiamak¡¡limped¡¡over¡¡and¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡on¡¡the¡¡log¡£¡¡For¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡he¡¡held¡¡his¡¡hands¡¡before¡¡the¡¡flames¡¡without¡¡speaking£»¡¡then¡¡said£º¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡so¡¡sorry¡¡about¡¡Isorn¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡turned¡¡his¡¡red¡rimmed¡¡eyes¡¡away¡¡and¡¡stared¡¡across¡¡the¡¡foggy¡¡headland¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡Kynslagh¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡long¡¡time¡¡before¡¡he¡¡spoke¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡know¡¡how¡¡I¡¡will¡¡tell¡¡my¡¡Gutrun¡£¡¡She¡¡will¡¡be¡¡heartbroken¡£¡¨
The¡¡silence¡¡stretched¡£¡¡Tiamak¡¡waited£»¡¡unsure¡¡whether¡¡he¡¡should¡¡say¡¡more¡£¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡far¡¡better¡¡than¡¡he¡¡had¡¡known¡¡the¡¡duke's