to take the Denovian Set because ruling here, in the western sovereign's way, was always your desire." He nodded. "Look at him," he ordered his men. "Our tribal leader looks more Valisar than Brennus ever did!" He laughed maliciously. "Although, brother, I was impressed with your early ruthlessness. And while you have become complacent over the last ten anni, I am also impressed with your ridding yourself of your ghastly encumbrance of a wife. I will enjoy killing her on behalf of Dara Negev."
"You can't see beyond the immediate, can you?" Loethar replied calmly. "Did you honestly believe my intention was to slaughter everyone and simply take over the land?"
"Yes."
"Then you are even more stupid than you look."
Stracker's eyes turned to slits as his mouth thinned with fury. "We have achieved nothing!"
"That's because you will always see yourself as a tribal yob, Stracker. You haven't evolved. Many of our people have matured and grown, they've become educated and eloquent. They speak two languages, sometimes three. It's not about us; it never was. It was always about generations to come. We have taken this land and infiltrated its people so that all people will benefit. Many of our children are half Set, half Steppes. A whole new generation is growing up, Stracker, and they are going to be stronger, cleverer, better than any of us could dream. They will do us proud. They will sail to new continents and discover amazing new cultures and practices that they will bring back here. That's how an empire and its people evolve and grow. But your idea of rule is to stay the same, to kill anyone who steps out of our primitive ways. Unhand me, you fools. This man will lead you and your families down the path to destruction. He has no plan. He is only happy with the smell of blood in his nostrils."
Stracker punched his half-brother. His expression showed how much he enjoyed the sensation. Loethar slipped to his knees, breathing hard.
"You were once happy with the smell of blood. I can remember when you ate kings," Stracker accused.
Loethar struggled to talk. He'd misread the fire in Stracker's belly to be rid of him; had thought that Stracker wouldn't even think of overthrow until Dara Negev no longer stood between them. But his half-brother had obviously been plotting for a long time. "I was happy for blood when the spilling of blood was necessary. We are in more sophisticated times, Stracker, that require diplomacy and tact and intelligence, all of which you sadly lack." He felt Stracker's fist connect with his jaw, a well-judged blow to make him black out only momentarily. When he regained his wits he could hear Stracker's jeers.
"You have turned us into soft-bellied, soft-witted Denovians. I think you want to be a Valisar, Loethar - is that why you ate Brennus?"
"No, you sad fool. I ate him for his magic, but I realize now that the Valisar magic doesn't work that way. You see, Stracker, I am capable of learning. You are not. Why don't you fight fairly? Let me draw my sword and we'll sort this out in the tribal way."
"No, I already accept your supremacy as a swordsman. We fought for kingship once before the tribal way and you won. Now I'm fighting for leadership the cowardly Valisar way...I'm using cunning. And it seems I've won."
"Do you truly believe people will follow you?"
"If they don't - "
"They'll die?" Loethar finished for him.
And Stracker laughed. "The Denovians will become our slaves, our workers."
"And what of the people who are tribal but have intermarried, have children who are half and half?"
"They can choose to die or become slaves too. There will be no mixed blood. The tribes must remain pure."
"You are mad."
"This was always my creed. I haven't changed."
"What would our father think?"
"My father hated that you pitied me."
Loethar knew this to be true. "And what would our mother think of your ambushing me as I bring you her ashes?"
"She always knew I would kill you. Surely she tried to warn you?"
Loethar spat blood out. "In her way, yes. But I never thought you would try anything with our mother still present," he said, glancing at the chest containing her ashes.
Stracker shrugged. "I'm not as sentimental as you are."
"I can tell."
The general grinned. "It's good to see you humbled like this, on your knees before me."
"Stracker, I'm not humbled. My mortal body crumples as anyone's would, but in my mind I laugh in your face at