by a mighty fleet. They are said to have worshipped nameless gods and displayed such savage habits that the other tribes of the era fled before them in terror. In time they settled on the Iron Steppe, mined metal from the tors and became known to the people of the south as the Steel Horde. The Stahlhast, you see, are just as ancient a people as we are.”
“So they teach more than fighting at the Temple of Spears.”
“A great deal more. ‘Not even a butcher wields a blade unguided by knowledge.’ That was Kuan-Shi.” Tsai Lin’s mouth formed the faintest curve but it faded quickly, eyes darkening with guilt. “I didn’t like my men, Lord Vaelin. I thought them brutish and ignorant. But they gave their lives for my father without hesitation. Their example shames me.”
“Men are not well led by shameful leaders, and there are other men here in sore need of leadership. In the morning you will form a fresh regiment from the remnants of those destroyed today.”
“Only a captain can command a regiment.”
“True.” Vaelin took a small metal star enamelled in silver from his belt and handed it to Tsai Lin. “Your father’s order. Congratulations, Dai Shin. You’ll need to come up with a name and a banner,” he went on as Tsai Lin stared at the star in his hand. “Soldiers need such things . . .”
He trailed off at the sound of a bowl shattering on the stone floor of the shrine, turning to see Ahm Lin on his feet. The mason’s features were blank with shock, eyes wide as they snapped to Vaelin.
“It couldn’t see him before now,” he said. “The song . . . he was hidden from it. I don’t think he knew . . .”
“Who?” Vaelin said, striding towards Ahm Lin.
The mason blinked and Vaelin saw a terrible resignation creep over his features, a certainty of imminent catastrophe. “The stonebreaker,” he said, shaking his head, voice dropping to a whisper as he repeated, “I don’t think he knew.”
* * *
◆ ◆ ◆
“Where is Varij?” Vaelin demanded, the two Gifted women outside the door to Luralyn’s chamber exchanging baffled glances as he advanced towards them.
“He still hasn’t returned,” Eresa said. “What is . . . ?”
Vaelin stepped past her and delivered a hard kick to the door, stepping inside to find Luralyn on a narrow bed. His alarm quickened at the sight of her slack, open-mouthed face, but a touch to her chest confirmed she was alive, although her breathing was shallow and she uttered no sound as he shook her.
“This is not the True Dream,” Eresa said, moving to press a hand to Luralyn’s forehead. Her next words were choked with a mingling of bafflement and fear. “She’s been drugged.”
“Take her to Sherin,” Vaelin said. “Tell her to do everything she can to wake her. Go with them,” he added to Sehmon and Alum. “Tell the general to rouse the entire garrison.”
He went outside, looking to Ahm Lin for guidance. “There,” he said, pointing to the southern stretch of wall. Vaelin noted that the doom-laden expression remained on his face.
“Dai Shin Tsai, take charge of the Skulls,” Vaelin told Tsai Lin. “Bring them and every spare man to the south-facing wall.”
He told Ahm Lin to stay with Alum and started off at a run for the wall with Ellese and Nortah following close behind, bows ready. He heard no shouts from the battlement as they approached the wall, indicating no approaching enemy on the other side, but he had learned appearances meant nothing where the Darkblade was concerned.
“There,” Nortah said, bow raised to point at a solitary figure at the base of the wall. Varij stood staring at the stonework with his hands at his sides, showing no sign of having heard their approach.
“Varij,” Vaelin called out. “Step back from the wall.”
The Gifted turned his head slightly, Vaelin glimpsing a piteous smile before he returned his gaze to the stone. “The Thief of Names,” he said. “I had hoped for a death at more worthy hands.”
“Step back from the wall,” Vaelin repeated. Both Nortah and Ellese had their bows levelled at the Gifted, poison-coated arrowheads gleaming in the moonlight.
“Why do you seek to spare me, Thief of Names?” Varij asked, this time turning to face them. His expression was one of mild curiosity, but Vaelin saw a familiar cast to his eyes. He had seen it in the face of every Redeemer he had fought. Varij belonged to the Darkblade. “Is