evil bunch; half of ’em would cut a man’s throat for lookin’ funny at him, so they’ll bloody jump at the bounty you’re offerin’. Piety’ll be the least o’ my problems.’
‘Good. Keep them in close teams and have them led by men with sense, preferably your huntsmen. We want this done properly, and that means covering your tracks and ensuring any suspicion is directed elsewhere. If you need to kill rival priests, the bounty will be paid on them too.’
Styrax raised a warning finger to Chade. ‘I want it made damned clear: they follow orders and be careful, and they’ll be rewarded the rest of their days. If they’re sloppy or lazy there’ll be a bounty on their heads big enough that even the mothers who bore them will be eager to claim it.’
‘What about the Mortal-Aspect?’ Gaur said. ‘He can’t be ignored.’
‘Agreed. We need a Raylin to deal with the problem, and a powerful one at that. Aracnan would have been my first choice, but it appears he’s no longer an option.’
‘Aye, he’s dead, that’un,’ said Chade eagerly, ‘or leastways as far as our use goes, and if he survives, he won’t be the man he once were. Smart money is on a slow an’ painful march to the Herald’s hall for that’un.’
‘Then the Poisonblade is our best alternative, don’t you agree?’
General Gaur’s tusks rasped through the bristles on his cheeks. He hated all Elves, instinctively, down at the very basest level, for no reason he could explain. Styrax had told him his own private theory: that Gaur’s ancestry included some of the warrior races created to fight in the Great War. ‘What will be his price?’ the general said at last.
‘I think we can safely assume it will be high. Offer him Lord Chalat’s sword. It’s one of his race’s ancient relics, after all. I’m sure Major Amber will understand; I will provide compensation for the loss of his spoils.’
‘I will instruct Larim to begin negotiations.’ Gaur finished his wine before adding, ‘So: our goal is to have severely diminished numbers in the Circle City, the Chetse lands, the southwestern states and the Farlan lands by the coming winter.’
‘By which point,’ Styrax went on, ‘we should be getting established in Narkang territory, with the aim of implementing Apotheosis there some time the following summer. ’
‘But we do nothing about the Farlan Army?’ Gaur asked. ‘We gave them a mauling, but they’re a long way from beaten, and not pressing the advantage for a whole year gives them time to regroup, recover and rebuild numbers - more than we can deal with if Narkang isn’t beaten by winter.’
‘We can stir trouble up there with minimal effort. They’re currently leaderless; that’s means they’re likely to be arguing amongst themselves all the time we’re hunting in the west. We’ll buy some suzerains and that’ll help to further undermine Farlan unity. But you do have a point; perhaps we should send a peace envoy now, to give them one more thing to disagree about, and stall them further? I’ve a long way to go before I complete my collection; there’s no rush here.’ His hand went to a pouch hanging from his sword belt. It held something the size of a man’s fist.
‘Is that why we’re going west?’ Gaur asked, surprised. ‘All because of dodgy intelligence provided by some low-grade necromancer that King Emin has the Skull of Ruling?’
Styrax shook his head. ‘The conquest comes first, although it won’t hurt to see if we can prise it from him. When we do move, ensure a messenger has gone to speak to the king in advance - perhaps he’ll barter it away since he’s no mage himself.’
Gaur felt sceptical, but it would cost them nothing to try. ‘There’s one more for the taking, much closer,’ he pointed out.
‘Aracnan, yes,’ Styrax said, ‘but let’s not move yet. Zhia and Koezh will doubtless be watching him carefully. They know I have several Skulls already, and if I look too keen to kill Aracnan they will feel threatened for their own.’ He gave a humourless snort. ‘Besides, right now I have a dragon to kill. Aracnan can be next week’s problem.’
Knight-Cardinal Horel Certinse, head of the Knights of the Temples, glowered and paced restlessly as he demanded, ‘What news of the other quarters, Captain?’ He’d been unable to concentrate or sit still all day.
Captain Perforren reported, ‘Nothing of great interest, sir. Akell has seen more of note than anywhere else today.’ The tall soldier glanced nervously