of law and be arrested, or they will make a move that will have to be condemned as treasonous by every other party involved. With you there, anything could happen, and likely as not it will involve more blood spilled.’
‘Their blood, not that of the Ghosts,’ Vesna promised with a scowl. ‘Without me they may not have the decisive force to end any skirmish before it heats up. Fighting on the streets doesn’t just happen; it takes time to fester, like a dog working itself up to violence.’
‘Now who’s the one to go looking for bloodshed?’ Lesarl demanded. ‘If — ’
Vesna cut the man off mid-sentence by wrenching his horse away, towards the barbican. ‘Unless the order is Lord Fernal’s, I go with the Ghosts. You do not know his mind as well as Lord Bahl; you do not yet give orders in his name.’
Lesarl hesitated. ‘That is easily rectified,’ he called, turning back towards the Great Hall.
‘Then do so. You’ll find me at the Brewer’s Gate!’
At Sir Cerse’s order, the columns of Palace Guard clattered to a halt. The officers on horseback looked over the heads and Swordmaster Pettir swore quietly, voicing the thoughts that were running through Vesna’s head too. There was a makeshift blockade across the street ahead, manned by a handful of penitents with bows. Their robes were grey with red hoods - Penitents of Karkarn - and they were led by a priest of the War God. More worrying still, they were accompanied by two liveried soldiers, sworn swords of Count Feers, most likely, both wearing scarlet sashes. It was not much of a guess to assume those sashes bore the Runesword of the Knights of the Temples, whether or not the Order was banned in Farlan territory.
‘Come no further,’ shouted one of the soldiers, walking a dozen yards from the barricade towards them. ‘If you attempt to interfere with the work of the Gods you will answer to Keness of the Spear!’
Vesna, his lion’s head faceplate raised, shared a grin with his comrades. ‘I’d like to see how that works out for you!’ he yelled back. He quietly told Sir Cerse to hold their position, then nudged his mount into motion and slowly began to make his way towards the barricade. A single knight was hard to interpret as great provocation by the archers, and whatever their masters said, the rank and file would be painfully aware of the law: killing a nobleman in cold blood was something the nobility frowned upon, and the punishment made the eventual hanging something of a mercy.
The priest of Karkarn advanced also, reaching the man who’d called out before bowing his head in prayer. Vesna felt the air swirl around above their heads as the priest, clearly a mage as well, called his Aspect-Guide forth. The bitter coppery taste of magic filled the air and Vesna felt a responding pulse of energy from the Crystal Skull moulded around the blade of his sword. The wind seemed to echo with the distant clash of steel and his horse slowed. Vesna urged it onwards.
The street, a wide avenue lined with shops, had been deserted when they arrived, and only a handful of nervous faces looked down from high windows out of the way of whatever was going to happen. The tensions of recent months had taught the locals to fear any potential confrontation; even the side-streets were empty.
Without warning a tall figure winked into existence beside the priest, as tall as Vesna atop his hunter, and carrying a cross-blade spear more than ten feet long. Keness of the Spear wore a shirt of chainmail, shining brass greaves and vambraces inscribed with prayers for safety in battle. The Aspect of Karkarn wore nothing on its head bar a knotted cord of red cloth like a circlet. It blinked and looked around, first at Vesna and then at the priest beside it.
‘This is a city,’ the Aspect rumbled, its words echoing around the street. It looked down at the priest beside it. ‘My place is the battlefield. Why do you call me here?’
The priest gaped at the minor God beside him, astonished by its reaction. Unfortunately the sworn sword beside him was not so tongue-tied.
‘They are heretics,’ he shouted, jabbing his finger in Vesna’s direction, ‘here to arrest priests and commit crimes against the Gods.’
The Aspect gave Vesna another look and nodded slightly in acknowledgement. It gave a flick of the wrist and levelled its spear so the tip was an inch