ForJesandWhiteDwarf127forstartingmeonthePath.

Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhis

inexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousandsoulsaresacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychic

manifestationoftheEmperor’swill.Vastarmiesgivebattleinhisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongstHissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesinarmsare

legion:theImperialGuardandcountlessplanetarydefenceforces,theever-vigilantInquisitionandthetech-priestsoftheAdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdoffthe

ever-presentthreatfromaliens,heretics,mutants-andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,forinthegrimdarkfuture

thereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

‘Life is tousas theMazeofLinnianwas toUlthanesh, itsmysterious corridors leading towondrousvistasandnightmarishencountersinequalmeasure.Eachofusmustwalkthemazealone,treadinginthefootstepsofthosethatcamebeforebutalsoforgingnewroutesthroughthelabyrinthofexistence.

Intimespastweweredrawntothedarkestsecretsandranwildaboutthemaze,seekingtoexperienceallthatithadtooffer.Asindividualsandasacivilisationwelostourwayandindoingsocreatedthemeansforourdoom;unfetteredexplorationleadingtothedarknessoftheFall.

Intheemptinessthatfollowed,anewwaywasrevealedtous:thePath.ThroughthewisdomofthePathwespendour lives exploring themeaning of existence,moving from one part of themaze to anotherwith discipline andguidancesothatweneverbecomelostagain.OnthePathweexperiencethefullpotentialofloveandhate,jogandwoe, lustandpurify, fillingour liveswithexperienceand fulfillmentbutnever succumbing to the shadows thatlurkwithinourthoughts.

Butlikealljourneys,thePathisdifferentforeachofus.Somewanderforalongwhileinoneplace;somespreadtheirtravelswideandvisitmanyplacesforashorttimewhileothersremainforalongtimetoexploreeverynookand turn; some ofus lose ourwayand leave thePath for a time or forever; and some ofus finddead-endsandbecometrapped.’

–KysadurastheAnchorite,forewordtoIntrospectionsuponPerfection

Prologue

Abluesunreflectedfromthestillwatersofthelakewhileitsyellowcompanionpeekedjustabovethered-leavedtreesthatsurroundedtheedgeofthewater.Redandblackbirdsskimmedabovethelakewithwingsbuzzing,theirlongbeakssnappingatinsects,theirchatteringcallstheonlysoundtobreakthequiet.

Awhitestonebuildingborderedthewater,itslongcolonnadedverandastretchingoverthelakeonthickpiles.Beyondtheportico,itrearedupamongstthetrees,squareinshape,turretedtowersateachcorner.Thinsmokeseepedlazilyfromventsinthewall,thebreezecarryingitawayacrosstheforests.Narrowwindows shutteredwith red-paintedwood broke the upper storeys, small balconies juttingfromthewallbeneatheachone.

Armedfiguresstoodguardat thehighdoorwaysandpatrolledwalkwaysrunningalongthered-tiledroofs.Themenweredressedinlooseblacktrouserstuckedintoknee-highboots,withbulkyredjacketsbuttonedandbraidedwithgold.Theirheadswerecoveredbyblackhoods,withtintedgogglestoprotect their eyes fromthe strange lightof the local stars.Theywalked their roundsandchattedwitheachother,thinkingnothingwasamiss.

Causingbarely a ripple, fivegreen-armoured figures slid from thewater, silverydroplets fallingfromtheoverlappingcurvedplatesoftheirsuits.Theycarriedpistolsandsaw-toothedchainswords.Makingnosound,theeldarwarriorspulledthemselvesuptotheverandaandstoppedintheshadowsofthepillars,invisibletothegroupofguardsatthedoorway.

Patiently,theycrouchedinthedarknessandwaited.

Therewas a flash of light through the sky and amassive explosion rocked the front of themanorhouse, shards of stone and cracked tiles thrown high into the air by the impact. A moment later,anotherblastseareddownthroughthecloudsanddetonated,destroyingoneoftheturretsinacloudofdust,spillingmangledbodiestotheclose-cutlawnbesidethemansion.

At the far end of the gardens, black-armoured figures appeared at the tree line, long missilelaunchersunderslungfromtheirarms.Aripplingburstoffiresentavolleyofprojectilestowardstheroofofthehousewhileotherwarriorsdashedacrossflower-filledbedsandvaultedoverstonebenchesandranthroughbubblingfountains.

Kenainath,exarchoftheDeadlyShadowshrinemotionedforhisStrikingScorpionstostayinthe

shadowsofthelakesideporch,hiseyesfixedonthesoldiersatthedoor.Aspredicted,themenunslungtheir rifles and dashed from their post, heading towards the attack across the gardens. Kenainathpouncedas theypassed,hisenergy-coveredpowerclawripping throughthebackof theskullof theclosesthuman.

Hiswarriorsfollowedhim,pistolsspittinghailsofmolecule-thindiscs,theirchainswordspurring.Caught by surprise, the soldiers stood no chance and were cut down in moments, dismembered,disembowelledorbeheadedbythebladesoftheStrikingScorpions.

Kenainath crouched amongst the dead soldiers, red-lensed eyes scanning for signs of danger.Othereldarwarriors—DireAvengersinarmourofblueandgold—leaptovertheverandaandjoinedthesquad.Togethertheyheadedtowardsthebackdoors.

AcreakandasmallmovementinoneofthegroundfloorshuttersalertedKenainathtodanger.Hedivedtowardsthecoverofaplantholderastheshuttersswungopen,hiswarriorsreactinginstantlytofollowhim.

The wide barrel of an automatic weapon crashed through the windowpanes and muzzle flarebathedtheportico.BulletswhinedandricochetedaroundtheStrikingScorpionssendingupshardsofstoneandrippingsplintersfromtheplantcontainer.TherewasashoutofpainfromIniatherinjustbehindtheexarch.TheDireAvengersreturnedfire,unleashingastormfromtheirshurikencatapultsthroughthewindow.Hisbodyshreddedbythefusillade,themanwithinfellbackwithalongshriek.

Kenainath glanced over his shoulder to see Iniatherin sprawled across thewhite stone, armourpiercedbyalongshardofbrokenwood,brightbloodpumpingfromagashtohisthroat.Inmomentsthewarriorwasdead,histwitchingbodyfallingstillasthepoolofredspreadaroundhim.

MoreexplosionsrattledthewindowsastheeldarforcedtheirwayintothebuildingtoKenainath’sright.Throughtheshatteredwindowtheexarchsaw lithe,bone-coloured figuresboundingacrossahallway,theairsplitwithpiercingwailsfromtheHowlingBanshees’masks.

Signallingforhissquadtomovetowardsthedooragain,Kenainathsparedanotherglanceforhisfallenwarrior.He felt no sorrow; itwas impossible for him to feel guilt or remorse.Deathwas nostrangertothosethattrodthePathoftheWarrior.Kenainath’ssquadwaslessenedbytheloss,butashelookeddownattheawkwardlysplayedbodyheknewthatthediminishingoftheDeadlyShadow’sstrengthwouldnotbeforlong.

The universe strained for harmony and balance and, as the philosophers claimed, abhorred avacuum.AnotherwouldtakeIniatherin’splace.

PARTONE

ARTIST

Friendship

In the time before theWar inHeaven, Eldanesh, spear-carrier, hawk-friend, lord of the eldar, faced thearmies of theHresh-selain.Eldaneshwas the greatest of the eldar, his spear the finestweapon forged bymortals,yetthekingoftheHresh-selainhadmanywarriors.Thoughhewaslordoftheeldarandknewittobehisburdenalonetoprotectthem,Eldaneshknewalsohecouldnotgainvictorybyhimself.HeturnedtoUlthanesh,secondgreatestwarrioroftheeldar,sword-bearer,raven-friend,andaskedforhisaidinbattlingtheHresh-selain.TogetherEldaneshandUlthaneshfought,andagainsttheirskillandstrengththeHresh-selainhadnodefence.“Evershallitbethus,”saidEldanesh,“thatwhenwearemostsorelytested,ourfriendsshallstandbyourside.”

Astarwasdying.TotheeldarshewasMirianathir,MotheroftheDesertWinds.Shehunginthedarkfirmament,a

deeporange,hersurfacetorturedbyfreneticburstsoffusionandrampagingelectromagneticwinds.Particles streamed from her body and fronds of energy lapped at the closest planets, scourgingMirianathir’schildrenwiththeirdeadlytouch.Theyhungbarrenaroundher.Foramillionyearsshehadbeendyingandforamillionmoreshewouldcontinuetodie.

Yetinherdeaththerewaslifeforothers.Fortheeldar.BathedintheradioactiveglowofMirianathir’sdeaththroes,acraftworldfloateduponthestellar

winds;anartificial,disc-likecontinentofglowingdomesandsilveryenergysails,arcingbridgesandglitteringtowers.Wingsunfurled,thecraftworldsoakedinlife-givingenergy,aninorganicplantwithmirrored leaves a hundred kilometres long. Surrounded by the ruddy light of the dying star,Craftworld Alaitoc absorbed all that Mirianathir had to offer, capturing every particle and stellarbreeze, feeding it through the spirits of its infinity circuit to sustain the craftworld for a thousandmoreyears.

ThespacearoundAlaitocwasasfullofmovementandenergyasthestaruponwhichitfed.Shipswhirledandswerved,tackingacrossthestellarwinds,refuellingtheirownenergystores.Thewebwaygate behind the craftworld swirled and ebbed, a shimmering portal into the space between thematerial and immaterial. Trade shipswith long fluted hulls slipped into and out of the gate; sleekdestroyers with night-blue hulls prowled through the traffic, weapons batteries armed, torpedoesloaded; slender yachts darted amongst the shoal of vessels;majestic battleships eased along stately

pathsthroughtheorderedcommotion.Withafluctuationofgoldenlight,thewebwayportaldilatedforamomentandwheretherehad

beenvacuumnowdriftedLacontiran,abird-liketradingschoonerjustreturnedfromherlongvoyagetothestarsoftheEndlessValley.Trimminghersolarsails,sheturnedeasilyalongthestarsiderimofthecraftworldandfollowedacoursethatledhertotheTowerofEternalWelcomes.

Thedocktowerstretchedfivekilometresoutfromtheplaneofthecraftworld,encasedinabluishaurathatkeptatbaytheraveningemptinessofspace.Likeanarwhal’shorn,thetowerspiralledintothedarkness,hundredsoffiguresalongitslength,liningtheelegantgantriesandcurvingwalkways.EldarofallPathshadcome togreet their long-travelledship:poets, engineers,autarchs,gardeners,farseers,AspectWarriors,stylistsandchartmakers.Anyandallwalksoflifewerethere,dressedinthefineries of heavy robes, or glittering skin-tight suits, or flowing tunics in a riot of colours. Scarvesspilledlikeyellowandredwavesandhigh-crestedhelmsroseaboveaseaofdelicatelycoiffuredheads.Jewelsof every colour shone in theglowof the craftworld alongside sparklingbandsand rings andnecklacesofsilverandgoldandplatinum.

Withoutconsciousthought, theeldarmadetheirwayaroundeachother:embracingoldfriends;exchangingpleasantrieswithnewacquaintances;steeringaprivatecourse,neverencroachingupontheprivatespaceofanother.Theirvoicesrosetogether,inasymphonyofsoundasliketothebabblingofacrowdasafullorchestraistothemurmuringsofachild.Theytalkedtoandaroundandovereachother,theirvoiceslyric,everyintonationanoteperfected,everygesturemeasuredandprecise.Somedidnottalkatall,theirpostureconveyingtheirthoughts;theslightestraisingofabrow,thequiverofaliportremblingofafingerdisplayingagitationorexcitement,happinessoranxiety.

InthemidstofthiskaleidoscopeofcraftworldlifestoodKorlandril.Hisslenderframewasdrapedin an open-fronted robe of shining silk-like gold, his neck and wrists adorned with hundreds ofmolecule-thinchainsineverycolourofthespectrumsothatitseemedhishandsandfacewerewoundwithminiaturerainbows.Hislongblackhairwasboundintoacomplicatedbraidthathungacrosshisleft shoulder,kept inplacewithholo-bands thatconstantlychangedfromsapphires todiamonds toemeraldsandeveryotherbeautifulstoneknowntotheeldar.HehadtakenmuchtimetostylehimselfupontheaestheticsofArestheina,andhadconsideredlongtheresultsinamirrorfield,knowingthathiscompanionwaspartialtotheancientartist’sworks.

She,Thirianna,wasdressed inmore simple attire: awhite ankle-lengthdresspleatedbelow theknee, delicately embroidered with thread just the slightest shade greyer than the cloth, like theshadowsofacloud;sleevelesstorevealpalearmspaintedwithwavingpatternsofhenna.Sheworeadiaphanousscarfabouthershoulders, itsredandwhitegossamercoils lappingacrossherarmsandchest.Herwhitehair,dyedtomatchherdress,wascolouredwithtwoazurestreaksthatframedhernarrowface,accentuatingthedarkblueofhereyes.Herwaystonewasalsoadeepblue,ensconcedinasurroundofwhitemeresilver,hunguponafinechainofthesamemetal.

Korlandril looked at Thirianna, while all other eyes were turned towards the starship nowgracefullyslidingintoplacebesidetheuncoilingwalkwayofthequay.Ithadbeenfifteencyclessincehehadlastseenher.Fifteencyclestoomany—toolongtobeawayfromherbeautyandherpassion,her smile that stirred the soul. He nurtured the hope that she would notice the attention he had

laboureduponhisappearance,butasyetshehadmadenoremarkuponit.Hesawtheintensityinhereyesasshelookedupontheapproachingstarship,thefaintestglistenof

moisturethere,anddetectedanexcitedtremblethroughoutherbody.Hedidnotknowwhetheritwassimply theoccasion thatgenerated suchanticipation—thegala atmospherewas very infectious—orwhethertherewassomemorepersonal,deeperjoythatstirredThirianna’sheart.Perhapsherfeelingsfor Aradryan’s return were more than Korlandril would like. The notion stirred something withinKorlandril’sbreast,aserpentuncoiling.Heknewhis jealousywasunjustified,andthathehadmadeno claim to keep Thirianna for himself, but still the precision of his thoughts failed to quell theemotionsthatloiteredwithin.

Setwithinagoldensurround,theopalovalofKorlandril’swaystonegrewwarmuponhischest,itsheat passing through the material of his robe. Like a warning light upon a craft’s display thewaystone’sagitationcausedKorlandriltopauseforamoment.Hisjealousywasnotonlymisplaced,itwasdangerous.Heallowedthesensationtodriftintotherecessesofhismind,closedwithinamentalvaulttoberemovedlaterwhenitwassafetodoso.

Thoughts of Aradryan reminded Korlandril why he was at the tower: to welcome back an oldfriend. If Thiriannahadwanted to bewithAradryan shewouldhave travelledwithhim.Korlandrildismissed his fears concerning Thirianna’s affections, finding himself equally eager to greet theirreturningcompanion.Theserpentwithinlowereditsheadandsleptagain,bidingitstime.

Adozengatewaysalong thehull ofLacontiran opened, releasingawaveof iridescent lightandahoney-scentedbreezealongthecurving lengthofthedock.Fromthehigharchwayspassengersandcrewdisembarkedinwinding lines.Thiriannastretchedtoherfullheight,poisedeffortlesslyonthetipsofherboots,tolookovertheheadsoftheeldarinfront,onehandslightlytoonesidetomaintainherbalance.

ItwasKorlandril’ssharpeyesthatcaughtsightofAradryanfirst,whichgavehimasmallthrillofpleasure;avictorywonthoughnocompetitionhadbeenagreedbetweenthem.

“Thereheis,ourwandererreturnedtouslikeAnthemionwiththeGoldenHarp,”saidKorlandril,pointingtoawalkwaytotheirleft,lettinghisfingersrestuponThirianna’sbarearmfortheslightestofmomentstoattractherattention.

ThoughKorlandrilhadrecognisedhimimmediately,Aradryanlookedverydifferentfromwhenhehad left. Only by his sharp cheeks and thin lips had Korlandril known him. His hair was cutbarbaricallyshortontheleftside,almosttothescalp,andhunginunkemptwavestotheright,neitherboundnorstyled.Hehaddarkmake-upuponhiseyelids,givinghimaskull-like,sunkenglare,andhewasdressedindeepbluesandblack,wrappedinlongribbonsoftwilight.Hisbrightyellowwaystonewasworn as a brooch,mostly hidden by the folds of his robe. Aradryan’s forbidding eyes fell uponKorlandril and thenThirianna, their sinister edgedisappearingwith aglintofhappiness.Aradryanwavedahand ingreetingandwovehiswayeffortlessly through the throng to stand in frontof thepair.

“A felicitous return!” declared Korlandril, opening his arms in welcome, palms angled towardsAradryan’sface.“Andahappyreunion.”

Thiriannadispensedwithwordsaltogether,brushingthebackofherhandacrossAradryan’scheek

for amoment, before laying her slender fingers upon his shoulder. Aradryan returned the gesture,sparkingaflareofjealousannoyanceinKorlandril,whichhefoughthardnottoshow.Theserpentinhisgutopenedoneinterestedeye,butKorlandrilforceditbackintosubservience.ThemomentpassedandAradryansteppedawayfromThirianna,layinghishandsontothoseofKorlandril,awrysmileonhislips.

“Wellmet,andmanythanksforthewelcome,”saidAradryan.Korlandrilsearchedhisfriend’sface,seekingtheimpishdelightthathadoncelurkedbehindtheeyes,theready,contagioussmirkthathadnestled in everymovementofhis lips.Theywereno longer there.Aradryan radiated solemnity andsincerity,warmtheven,butKorlandrildetectedabarrier;Aradryan’sfacewasturnedeversoslightlytowardsThirianna,hisbackarchedjustthemerestfractionawayfromKorlandril.

Even amongst the eldar such subtle differences might have been missed, but Korlandril wasdedicated to thePath of theArtist andhadhonedhis observation and attention to detail to a levelbordering on themicroscopic.He noticed everything, remembered every nuance and facet, and heknewfromhisdeepstudies thateverythinghadameaning,whether intendedornot.Therewasnosuchthingasaninnocentsmile,orameaninglessblink.Everymotionbetrayedamotive,anditwasAradryan’ssubtlereticencethatnownaggedatKorlandril’sthoughts.

Korlandril held Aradryan’s hands for a moment longer than was necessary, hoping that theextendedphysicalityofthegreetingmightremindhisfriendoftheirbond.Ifitdid,Aradryangavenosign.Withthesameslightsmile,hewithdrewhisgraspandclaspedhishandsbehindhisback,raisinghiseyebrowsinquisitively.

“Tellme,dearestandmosthappily-metofmyfriends,whathaveImissed?”

The trio walked along the Avenue of Dreams, a silver passageway that passed beneath a thousandcrystalarchwaysintotheheartofAlaitoc.ThedimlightofMirianathirwascaughtinthevaultedroof,captured and radiated by the intricately faceted crystal to shine down upon the pedestrians below,glowingwithdelicateorangesandpinks.

KorlandrilhadofferedtodriveAradryantohisquarters,buthisfriendhaddeclined,preferringtosavour thesensationofhis returnandthecasualcrowdsofeldar;Korlandrilguessed fromthe littleAradryan said that his had been amostly solitary journey aboard theLacontiran. Korlandril glancedwithalittleenvyasslenderanti-gravcraftslippedbyeffortlessly,carryingtheirpassengersquicklytotheirdestinations.A youngerKorlandrilwouldhavebeenhorrifiedby the indolence thatheld swayoverKorlandriltheSculptor,hisabstractthoughtsdistractedbymundanelabourofphysicalactivity.Such introspection was impossible though; he had put aside self-consciousness in his desire toembrace every outside influence, every experience not of his own body and mind. Such were thethoughtsof theartist, elevatedbeyond thepractical,dancingupon thestarlightofpureobservationandimagination.

ItwasthisdriveforsensationthatledKorlandriltoconductmostofthetalking.Hespokeatlength

ofhisworks,andof thecomings-and-goingsof thecraftworldsinceAradryanhad left.Forhispart,Aradryan kept his comments and answers direct and without flourish, starving Korlandril ofinspiration,frustratinghisartisticthirst.

WhenThiriannaspoke,Korlandrilnoted,Aradryanbecamemoreeloquent,andseemedkeenertospeakaboutherthanhimself.

“IsensethatyounolongerwalkintheshadowofKhaine,”saidAradryan,noddinginapprovalashelookedatThirianna.

“ItistruethatthePathoftheWarriorhasendedforme,”shereplied,thoughtful,hereyesneverstrayingfromAradryan. “Theaspectof theDireAvengerhassatedmyanger,enoughforahundredlifetimes. Iwritepoetry, influencedby theUriathillinschoolofverse. I find ithascomplexities thatstimulateboththeintellectualandtheemotionalinequalmeasure.”

“I would like to know Thirianna the Poet, and perhaps your verse will introduce me,” saidAradryan.“Iwouldverymuchliketoseeaperformance,asyouseefit.”

“AswouldI,”saidKorlandril.“Thiriannarefusestoshareherworkwithme,thoughmanytimesIhavesuggestedthatwecollaborateonapiecethatcombinesherwordswithmysculpture.”

“Myverse is formyself,andnoother,”Thiriannasaidquietly. “It isnotforperformance,norforeyesthatarenotmine.”

ShecastaglanceofannoyancetowardsKorlandril.“Whilesomecreatetheirarttoexpressthemselvestotheworld,mypoemsareinnersecrets,forme

tounderstandtheirmeaning,todivinemyownfearsandwishes.”Admonished,Korlandrilfellsilentforamoment,buthewasquicklyuncomfortablewiththequiet

andgavevoicetoaquestionthathadscratchedathissubconscioussincehehadheardthatAradryanwasreturning.

“HaveyoucomebacktoAlaitoctostay?”heasked.“Isyourtimeasasteersmancomplete,orwillyoubereturningtoLacontiran?”

“Ihaveonlyjustarrived,areyousoeagerthatIshouldleaveoncemore?”repliedAradryan.Korlandril opened his mouth to protest but the words drifted away as he caught, just for a

moment,ahintoftheoldwitofAradryan.KorlandrilsmiledinappreciationofthejokeandbowedhisheadinacknowledgementofhisownpartasthefoilforAradryan’shumour.

“Idonotyetknow,”Aradryancontinuedwithathoughtfulexpression.“IhavelearnedallthatIcanlearnasasteersmanandIfeelcomplete.Goneistheturbulencethatonceplaguedmythoughts.Thereisnothinglikeguidingashipalongthebuffetingwavesofanebulaoralongtheswirlingchannelsofthewebway to foster control and focus. I have seenmany great,manywondrous things out in thestars,butIfeelthatthereissomuchmoreouttheretofind;totouchandhearandexperience.Imayreturntothestarships,Imaynot.And,ofcourse,Iwouldliketospendalittletimewithmyfriendsandfamily,toknowagainthelifeofAlaitoc,toseewhetherIwishtowanderagainorcanbecontenthere.”

Thirianna nodded in agreement at this wise course of action, and even Korlandril, whooccasionallysuccumbedtorashimpulse,couldseethemeritsofweighingsuchadecisionwell.

“Your return is most timely, Aradryan,” he said, again feeling the need to fill the vacuum of

conversation.“Mylatestpieceisnearingcompletion.Inafewcycles’timeIamhostinganunveiling.Itwouldbeapleasureandanhonourifbothofyoucouldattend.”

“Iwouldhavecomeevenifyouhadnotinvitedme!”laughedThirianna,herenthusiasmsendingathrill of excitement through Korlandril. “I hear your namementioned quite often, and withmuchpraiseattached, and therearehighexpectations for thisnewwork. Itwouldnotbe seemlyat all tomisssuchaneventifoneistobeconsideredasapersonpossessinganydegreeoftaste.”

Aradryandidnotreplyforamoment,andKorlandrilcoulddiscernnothingofhisfriend’sthoughtsfromhisexpression.Itwasasifablankmaskhadbeenplaceduponhisface.

“Yes, I toowould be delighted to attend,” Aradryan said eventually, animation returning. “I amafraidthatmytastesmayhavebeenleftbehindcomparedtoyours,butIlookforwardtoseeingwhatKorlandriltheSculptorhascreatedinmyabsence.”

Masterpiece

Inthefirstdaysoftheeldar,AsuryangrantedEldaneshandhis followersthegiftof life.Hebreathedintotheirbodiesallthattheyweretobecome.Yettherewasnootherthingupontheworld.Allwasbarrenandnotaleafnorfishnorbirdnoranimalgreworswamorfleworwalkedbesidethem.Eldaneshwasforlornattheinfertility of his home, and its emptinessmade in hima greater emptiness. Seeing his distress, Ishawasovercomewithagriefofherown.Ishashedatearfortheeldarandletitdropupontheworld.Whereitfell,therecamenewlife.Fromhersorrowcamejoy,fortheworldoftheeldarwasfilledwithwondrousthingsandEldanesh’semptinesswasnomore,andhegavethankstoIshaforherlove.

AsnarloffrustrationroseinKorlandril’sthroatandhefoughttostifleitbeforeitcameintobeing.Heglaredatthedropletofbloodwellingupfromthetinypunctureinhisthumb,seeingaminisculeredreflectionofhisownangryfeatures.Hesmearedthebloodbetweenthumbandfingerandturnedhisireuponthesmallbarbthathadappearedintheghoststone,tippedwithafleckofcrimson.

Itwasanaffronttoeverysensibilityhehaddeveloped,thattinysplinter.Itbrokethepreciselineofthearcingarmofhissculpture,anaberrationintheotherwiseperfectflowoforganicandinorganic.ItwasnotmeanttobeandKorlandrildidnotknowhowithadcometobe.

Ithadbeenlikethisforthelasttwocycles.Wheneverhelaidhisfingersupontheghoststone,toteaseitintotheformssorealinhismind,itrefusedtobeheldswaybyhisthoughts.Ithadtakenhimallofthelastcyclejusttogetthreefingersperfect,andatthispacethepiecewouldbefarfromreadywhentheunveilingwastobeheldinjusttwomorecycles.

Thepaleochreoftheghoststonesatunmoving,dormantwithouthiscaress,buttoKorlandril ithad developed a life of its own. It rebelled against his desires, twisting away from the shapes hewanted, forming hard edges where soft curves should be, growing diminutive thorns and spikeswheneverhismindstrayedeventheslightest.

Heknewtheghoststonewasnotatfault.Itwaspossessedofnowill,nospirit.Itmerelyreactedtohisinput,shapingitselfunderhisgentlepsychicmanipulation.Itwasinertnow,butKorlandrilsensedacertainsmugnessinitsunwillingnesstocooperate,evenasanotherpartofhismindtoldhimthathewassimplyprojectinghisfrustrationsontoaninanimateobject.

Hisminddivided,allconcentrationnowgone,Korlandrilsteppedbackandlookedaway,ashamedathisfailing.Theshimmeringoftheholofieldaroundhim,erectedtoconcealtheworkfromadmirersuntil it was unveiled in its finished glory, played a corona of colours into Korlandril’s eyes. For a

moment he was lost gazing at the undulating view of the forest dome beyond the shimmeringholofield,thedistortedvistasendingaflurryofinspirationthroughhismind.

“I almost dare not ask,” said a voice behindKorlandril.He turned to see hismentor, Abrahasil,gazingintentlyatthestatue.

“Youneednotaskanything,”saidKorlandril.“ItisAradryan’sreturnthatperturbsme,butIknownotwhy.Iamhappythatmyfriendisonceagainwithus.”

“AndwhatofyourthoughtsofAradryaninrelationtoyourwork?”“Ihavenone,”repliedKorlandril.“ThispiecewasstartedlongbeforeIknewofhisreturn.”“Andyetprogresshasbeenslowsinceyoulearntofit,andalmostnon-existentsinceithappened,”

saidAbrahasil.“Theeffectisclear,thoughthecauseremainsobscuredtoyou.PerhapsImighthelp?”KorlandrilshruggedhisindifferenceandthenfeltastabofcontritionatAbrahasil’sdisappointed

sigh.“Ofcourse,Iwouldappreciateanyguidanceyoucangiveme,”saidKorlandril,forcinghimselfto

lookatthestatue.“Iseeitclearly,allofit,everylineandarc,asyoutaughtme.Iallowthepeaceandthepiecetobecomeonewithinme,asyoutaughtme.Idirectmythoughtsandmymotiontowardsitscreation, as you taughtme.Nothing I do has changed, and yet the ghost stone is rebellious tomydemands.”

Abrahasilraisedanarrowfingeratthislastcomment.“Demands,Korlandril?Itisdesirenotdemandthatshapestheghoststone.Ademandisanactof

aggression;adesireisanactofsubmission.Thethoughtshapestheactwhichshapestheform.Whyhasdesirechangedtodemand?”

Korlandrildidnotansweratfirst,startledthathehadnotbeenawareofsuchasimpledistinction,subtle as it was. He repeated the question to himself, searching his thoughts, sifting through hismentalprocessesuntilhecouldlocatethepointatwhichdesirehadbecomedemand.

“Iwish to impress otherswithmywork, and I feel thepressureof expectation,”Korlandril saideventually,pleasedthathefoundananswer.

“Thatisnotwhatiswrong,”saidAbrahasilwiththeslightestpursingofhislips,spearingthroughKorlandril’sbubbleofself-congratulation.“Alwayshasyourworkbeenexpressive,intendedtoimposeyour insight upon others. That has not changed. Remember something more specific. SomethingrelatedtoAradryan.”

Again Korlandril drifted within his ownmemories and emotions, massaging his thoughts intoorder justashemanipulatedtheghoststoneinto itsflowingshapes.Hefoundwhathewas lookingfor,visualisedthemomentoftransitionandgaveaquietgaspofrealisation.

He looked at Abrahasil and hesitated, reluctant to share his discovery with another. Abrahasilwaitedpatiently,eyesfixednotonKorlandrilbutonthestatue.Korlandrilknewthat ifheaskedhismentor to leave, he would do so without complaint, but until then Abrahasil would await a reply.AbrahasildidnotneedtoremindKorlandrilthathecouldbetrusted,thatthebondbetweenmentorand student was inviolate; that in order to explore and engage the passions and fears Korlandrilneeded to express himself as an artist, anything he told Abrahasil was in the strictest confidence.Abrahasilhadnoneedtosaysuchthings,hispatientwaitingandtheunderstandingbetweenthetwo

ofthemwasallthecommunicationneeded.“I wish to impress Thirianna out of competition with Aradryan,” Korlandril said eventually,

relieved at unburdening himself of sole knowledge of this revelation. He had never spoken of hisfeeling towards Thirianna, not even with Abrahasil, though he suspected hismentor sawmuch ofKorlandril’s thoughts that he did not comment on. After all, Abrahasil had observed them bothtogetheronmanyoccasionsandKorlandrilknewhewouldnothavebeenabletoconcealeverysignofaffectionfromhismentor’sstudiedgaze.“Thereisafearwithinme,andangerthatIfeelsuchafear.Aradryanisafriend.Notarival.”

Abrahasilturnedhisheadandsmiled.Korlandrilfeltanotherlayerofconnectionfallingintoplacebetweenthem,asifhehadsteppedacrossathresholdthathehadbeenpoiseduponforalongtime.

“Thatisgood,”saidthementor.“Andhowwillyoucontrolthatfear,thatanger?”NowitwasKorlandril’sturntosmile.“Thatissimple,”hesaid.“ThissculptureisnotforThirianna,butforme.Mynextpiece…thatwill

beforher.Thesethoughtshavenoplaceinthiscreation,buttheywillbetheinspirationforanother.Icanputthemasideuntilthen.”

Abrahasil laidahanduponKorlandril’s arm in reassuranceandKorlandril gavehima look thatconveyed his deep appreciation. Abrahasil stepped out of the holofield without further word andKorlandrilwatchedhiswaveringformdisappearintothemiasmicvistaoftrees.

Feelingrefreshedandinvigorated,Korlandrilapproachedthesculpture.Helaidhishandupontheraisedarmhehadbeenworkingon,delicately runninghis fingertipsalong theaccentuated flowofmuscletoneandjoint,rebuildinghismentalvisionofthepiece.

Underhistouch,thebarbflowedbackintotheghoststoneandwasnomore.

TherewasanairofexcitementandanticipationintheDomeoftheMidnightForests.Acrossmeadowsofbluegrassandbetweenthepalesilvertrunksof lianderintrees,manyeldargatheredtoawaittheunveiling of Korlandril’s latest creation. Through the invisible force field enclosing the orderedgardens,theruddytwilightofMirianathirglowed.Theliltoflaughterandthechimeofcrystalgobletsdriftedonanartificialbreezethatsetthejadeleavesofthetreesrustling;aperfectaccompanimenttotheswishofgrassandthesoftconversationofKorlandril’sguests.

Somethreehundredeldarhadgatheredfortheunveiling,dressedfortheoccasionintheirmostfashionable attire. Korlandril mingled with the crowd, remarking upon an elegant brooch orparticularlypleasingcutofskirtorrobe.Forhisgrandmoment,hehaddecidedtodresshimselfinanoutfitthatwaselegantbutaustere,outofadesirenottoupstagehissculpture.Heworeaplainbluerobe,fastenedfromwaisttothroatwithsilverbuckles,andhishairwassweptbackwithasilverbandornamented with a single blue skystone at his brow. He kept his conversation short, eluding anyquestionsconcerningthenatureofthepieceuntilhewasreadytorevealall.

Ashewanderedamongsttheguests,Korlandrilfeltathrillrunningthroughhim.Witheachbeatofhishearthiswaystonereciprocated,thedouble-pulsequiveringinhischest.Heabsorbedexcitementfromtheguestsandprojecteditbacktothem.Hewaspleasedwiththeattention,asalvetohisprideafterthetribulationshehadfacedcompletingthesculpture.

Exchangingpleasantries,KorlandrilscannedthecrowdforThiriannaandspiedherwithagroupof three other eldar in one of the lianderin groves not far from where the shimmering holofieldconcealedKorlandril’sexhibit.

Korlandril allowed himself a moment to admire her beauty from a distance, delightingintellectuallyandemotionallyintheclose-fittingsuitofredandblackshewore.Thecurvesofherarmsandlegsmirroredthoseofthebranchesaboveher,anaturaleleganceaccentuatedbyherdelicatepoiseandpreciseposture.Herhair,pigmentedadeepyellow,fellinatumbleofcoilsdownherback,woventhroughwithredribbonsthathungtoherwaist.

As she stepped to one side, Korlandril saw Aradryan. He was smiling, in the deliberate waymaintainedbythosenotentirelycomfortablewiththeirsurrounds.Korlandrilfelttheserpentofenvyquivereversoslightlywithinhim,whichdisturbedhim.Hethoughthehadputasidethathauntingdoubt,thatfearlingeringattheveryedgeofhisawareness.SeeingAradryanwithThiriannabroughthisconcernsintostarkviewandKorlandril’spulsequickenedandhisthoughtsracedforamoment.

Korlandrildirectedhisgazeawayashewalkedacrossthemeadow,allowingthecalmofthegardendometostilltheturbulenceinhisthoughts.Lianderinblossomwasjustbeginningtobud,likegoldenstarsinadeepgreennight,andthescentofthegrassroseupfrombeneathhistread,cleansingandpure.Bythetimehereachedthegroup,Korlandrilwascomposedoncemore,genuinelyhappytoseehisfriendsinattendance.

AradryanextendedapalmingreetingandKorlandrillaidhishanduponhisfriend’sinreturn.Thewelcomewas repeatedwith Thirianna, her touch cool and reassuring. As he pulled back his hand,Korlandrilallowedhis fingertips tobrushgentlyover thoseofThirianna,andheallowedhiseyes tomeethersforaheartbeatlongerthanwasnormal.

“Weareallquiveringwithanticipation,”saidoneofthegroup,anothersculptorcalledYdraethir.He wore a half-gown of deep purple across his waist and left shoulder, cut short on the thighs,exposingskinthathadbeenbleachedalmostpurewhite.YdraethirfollowedtheschoolofHithrinair,whichsawthesculptorasmuchapartoftheworkasthesculptureitself.Korlandrilhaddabbledwithitsaestheticforafewcyclesbuthadquicklyfoundhimselftobeadullsubjectandpreferredtoexpresshimself through his work at a distance. Korlandril searched for a hint of irony or rivalry in hiscompanion’scommentandpose,butconcludedthatYdraethirwasbeingsincere.

“It ismyhope that suchexpectation iswarranted,” repliedKorlandrilwithagratefulbowof thehead.Heturnedandgreetedthefourtheldar,therenownedbonesingerKirandrin.“Iamverygratefulfortheinterestandenthusiasmyouhaveallshowninmywork.”

“I have watched your development closely since I first came upon one of your early works,”Kirandrinsaid.“IbelieveitwasTheBlessingofAsurmen,alife-sizepiecedisplayedintheatriumoftheToweroftheEveningMelodies.”

“Mysecondeverpiece,”saidKorlandrilwithawarmsmileofremembrance.“IamstillprivilegedthatAbrahasilsawfittoshowmyworkssoearlyoninmytimeuponthePath.Ihavekindregardforthatparticularsculpture,thoughmyworkhasmovedsofarbeyondsuchsimplisticformulaenow,itfeelsasifitmighthavebeencreatedbysomeoneelse!”

“Is not that the purpose of thePath?” saidYdraethir. “Thatwe change and grow, and shed that

whichwasbeforeandtransformintosomethingnewandbetter?”“Indeeditis,”saidKorlandril.“Tostrivefortheperfectionofbodyandspirit,craftandmind,that

iswhatwealldesire.”“Butisitnotthecasethatwealsolosesomeofwhoweare?”saidAradryan,histoneoneofmild

dissent.“IfweareforevermovingforwardonthePath,whendowestoptoadmiretheview?Ithinkthatsometimeswearetookeentodiscardthatwhichmadeusasweare.”

Silence greeted Aradryan’s remarks. He looked at the other eldar, his face betraying a smallmeasureofconfusion.

“ForgivemeifIhavesaidsomethingoutofplace,”Aradryansaidquietly.“Itwasnotmyintenttoquestionyouropinions,buttomerelyvoicemyown.PerhapsmymannershavestrayedalittlewhileIwasawayfromAlaitocandthenicetiesofcivilsociety.”

“Not at all,” Kirandrin said smoothly, laying a hand upon Aradryan’s arm in a gesture ofreassurance.“Itissimplythatsuchquestionsare…rare.”

“Andtheanswersfartoolongtobeaddressedhere,”Korlandriladdedquickly.“Weshallcontinuethisdiscussionatalatertime.Atthismoment,Imustmakemygrandunveiling.”

“Ofcourse,”saidKirandrin.Aradryangaveaslow,shallownodanddippedhiseyelidsinagestureofapology.

Korlandril smiled his appreciation before crossing quickly to the holofield and steppingwithin.Obscured from view, he let out a long breath, releasing the tension that had unexpectedly built upwithin. There had been something aboutAradryan’smanner that hadunnervedKorlandril.HehadagainfeltthatothernesshehadencounteredwhenAradryanhadfirstreturned—asubtledesiretobeelsewhere. Sheltered within the holofield, Korlandril’s waystone was again warm to the touch,reflectinginnerassuranceratherthanangerorembarrassment.

Thedistractionhad taxedKorlandril andwitha stabofguilthe realisedhehad saidnothing toThirianna. He had all but ignored her. He wondered for a moment if he should apologise for hisoffhandbehaviourbutquicklydismissedtheidea.Thiriannaprobablyhadnotnoticedanydeficienciesinhisattentionanditmightbeunwisetohighlightthemtoher.Ifshehadrecognisedanyaffrontatall,shewouldsurelyunderstandthemanydemandsconflictingforhisattentiononanoccasionsuchas this.Korlandril resolvedthathewouldseekoutThiriannaafter theunveilingand lavishasmuchattentionaspossibleuponher.

His mind upon Thirianna, Korlandril’s thoughts were awhirl in many different directions, hisheartracing,hisskintingling.Ideasflashedacrosshismind,crashingagainsttheexcitementhefeltattheunveiling,blendingwiththedisturbancecausedbyAradryan,collidingwiththeapprehensionthathadbeenbuildingsincehehadcompletedthesculpture.

Korlandrilwhisperedafewcalmingmantras.Ashedidso,heorderedhisthoughts,pushingsomeaside for later reflection, drawing on others to reassure himself, focussing on his confidence andexperiencestosteadyhisworries.Hestoodinsilentreposeforsometime,untilhewassurehewasreadytoaddressthecrowd.

Whenthementalmaelstromhadbecomeastillpool,Korlandrilsteppedoutoftheholofieldtofindthathisguestshadgatheredintheclearingoutside.Mostofthefaceswerefamiliar,afewwerenot.All

seemedeagertoseewhatKorlandrilhadcreated.“I am deeply honoured that you have all come to witness the unveiling of my latest piece,”

Korlandril began, keeping his voice steady, projecting his words to the back of the crowd withouteffort.“ManyknowthatIdrawgreatinspirationfromthetimebeforetheWarinHeaven.Ilooktoourgoldenagenotwithregretofaparadiselost,norwithsadnessthatsuchtimeshavepassed.InthefirstageofourpeopleIseeaworld,auniverse,thatwecanallaspiretorecreate.Thoughthegodsaregone,itisuptoustomakerealtheirworks,andthroughourdesiretorebuildheavenbringaboutthepeacethatwe all deserve.Our civilisation is not lostwhilstwe still sing and paint—and sculpt—of thosetimesthatnoneofusnowremembersaveinmyth.Weallknowthatlegendcanbecometruth;thatthelinebetweenmythandrealityisnotclearlydefined.Iwouldtakemythandmakeitreality.”

Korlandril continued at some length, citing his influences and dreams, expounding upon theschoolsofthoughtandaestheticthathadledhimtocreatehissculpture.Hespokesmoothlyandwithpassion,givingwordstothethoughtsthathadbeenstreamlinedandrefinedthroughthelongprocessofsculpting.Hetalkedofthecomplexitiesoftheorganicandtheinorganic,thejuxtapositionoflineandcurve,thecontrastofsolidandliquid.

Hiseyesrovedfreelyoverthecrowdashespoke,gaugingtheirreactionandmood.Mostwereheldraptbyhisoration,theireyesfixeduponKorlandril,theirmindsdevouringeverysyllable.Afewstoodwithexpressionsofpoliteattendance,andKorlandrilfeltamomentofdismaywhenherealisedthatone such viewerwasAradryan.Korlandril didnot falter inhisdelivery, sweeping awayhis concernwithhisenthusiasmevenashesearchedforThirianna.Hesawheratthefrontofthecrowd,eagerandexpectant,hereyesconstantlyflickingbetweenAradryanandtheholofieldthatshieldedhiswork.

Whenhewas finished,Korlandril allowedhimself a dramatic pause, savouring the anticipationthanhehadcreatedinhisaudience.Hewalkedtoasmalltablethathadbeensettooneside,circularandstooduponaspiralledleg,asinglecrystalgobletofdeepredwinesetinitscentre.Hesippedatthedrink, relishing itswarmthonhis lips, thespiceonhis tongueandasweetnoteofaftertaste inhisthroat,evenasherelishedthehushedcalmthathaddescendedinthewakeofhisspeech.

Asheplacedtheglassbackuponthetable,Korlandrilslippedathinwaferfromhisbeltandlethisthumbrunovertheruneuponitssilverysurface.Athistouch,theholofielddisappeared,revealingthestatueinallofitsglory.

“IpresentTheGiftsofLovingIsha,”heannouncedwithasmile.There were a few gasps of enjoyment and a spontaneous ripple of applause from all present.

Korlandril turned to look at his creation and allowed himself to admire his work fully since itscompletion.

Thestatuewasbathedinagoldenglowandtingedwithsunsetredsandpurplesfromthedyingstarabove.ItdepictedanimpressionisticIshainabstract,herbodyandlimbsflowingfromthetrunkofalianderintree,herwave-liketressesentwinedwithindarkgreenleavesinitsupreachingbranches.Herfacewasbowed,hiddenintheshadowcastbytreeandhair.Fromthedarknessaslowtrickleofsilverliquidspilledfromhereyesintoagoldencupheldaloftbyanancienteldarwarriorkneelingather feet: Eldanesh. Light glittered from the chalice on his alabaster face, his armour a stylisedarrangementoforganicgeometry,hisfaceblankexceptforaslendernoseandthemerestdepression

ofeye sockets.Frombeneathhim,ablack-petalled rose coiledup Isha’s legsandconnected the twotogetherinitsthornyembrace.

Itwas—Korlandrilbelieved—breathtaking.Mostoftheguestsmovedforwardtoexaminethepiecemoreclosely,whileKirandrinandafew

otherssurroundedKorlandril,offeringpraiseandcongratulations.AmongstthemwasAbrahasil,whomusthaveremainedoutofsightduringKorlandril’saddress.Mentorandstudentembracedwarmly.

“Youhavenurturedafinetalent,”saidKirandrin. “It isamasterlywork,andonethatgracesthedomewithitsexistence.”

“Itismyprivilegetoguidesuchahandinitswork,”saidAbrahasil.“IamveryproudofKorlandril.”Hismentor’swordsbroughtaflushofhappinesstoKorlandrilandaconcomitantthrobfromhis

waystone,andheacceptedtheplauditsofhispeerswithagraciousbow.“Ifmyhandshavecreatedwonders,itisbecauseothershaveopenedmyeyestoseethem,”hesaid.

“Pleaseexcuseme. Imustattend tomyotherguests. I amsurewewillhavemanycycles to furtherdiscussmywork.”

Receivingsmilesofassent,KorlandrilsoughtoutAradryanandThirianna.Theywerestoodside-by-sideinaknotofeldaradmiringthestatuefromashortdistanceaway,themajesticIshatoweringabovethem.

“Sheissoserene,”Thiriannawassaying.“Suchcalmandbeauty.”Aradryanmadea small gestureofdissent andKorlandril stopped, stayinga littledistance away

fromthepairtolistentowhattheysaid.“It is self-referential,” Aradryan explained and at hiswords the serpentwithinKorlandril coiled

aroundhisheartandgrippedittight.“Itisaworkofremarkableskillanddelicacy,certainly.YetIfindit somewhat… staid. It adds nothing to my experience of the myth, merely represents physicallysomethingthat is felt.It isametaphor in itsmostdirectform.Beautiful,butmerelyreflectingbackuponitsmakerratherthanawidertruth.”

“But is not that the point of art, to create representations for those thoughts, memories andemotionsthatcannotbeconveyeddirectly?”

“PerhapsIambeingunfair,”saidAradryan.“Outinthestars,Ihaveseensuchwondrouscreationsofnature that the artifices ofmortals seempetty, even those that explore suchmomentous themessuchasthis.”

“Staid?”snappedKorlandril,steppingforward.“Self-referential?”ThiriannalookedinhorroratKorlandril’sappearance,butAradryanseemedunperturbed.“Mywords were not intended to cause offence, Korlandril,” he said, offering a placating palm.

“Theyarebutmyopinion,andanill-educatedoneatthat.Perhapsyoufindmysentimentalitygauche.”In the face of suchhonesty and self-deprecation,Korlandril’s angerwavered.A raremoment of

humilityflutteredinhisbreast,butthentheserpenttighteneditscoilsandthesensationdisappeared.“Youarerighttothinkyouropinionill-informed,”saidKorlandril,hiswordsasvenomousasthe

snake laying siege to his heart. “While you gazed naively at glittering stars and swirling nebulae, Istudied the works of Aethyril and Ildrintharir, learnt the disciplines of ghost stone weaving andinorganicsymbiosis.IfyouhavenotthewittoextractthemeaningfromthatwhichIhavepresented

toyou,perhapsyoushouldconsideryourwordsmorecarefully.”“And if you have not the skill to convey your meaning from your work, perhaps you need to

continuestudying,”Aradryansnarledback.“Itisnotfromthepastmastersthatyoushouldlearnyourart,but fromtheheavensandyourheart.Your technique is flawless,butyourmessage isparochial.HowmanystatuesofIshamightIseeifItravelledacrossthecraftworld?Adozen?More?HowmanymorestatuesofIshaexistonothercraftworlds?YouhavetakennothingfromthePathsavetheabilitytoindulgeyourselfinthisspectacle.Youhavelearntnothingofyourself,ofthedarknessandthelightthatbattleswithinyou.Thereisintellectaloneinyourwork,andnothingofyourself.Itmightbethatyoushouldexpandyourtermsofreference.”

“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”“Get away from this place, from Alaitoc,” Aradryan said patiently, his anger dissipated by his

outburst.Nowhewasthepictureofsincerity,hishandhalf-reachingtowardsKorlandril.“Whystifleyourartbyseekinginspirationonlyfromthehallsanddomesyouhaveseensincechildhood?Ratherthantryingtolookuponoldsightswithfresheyes,whynotturnyouroldeyesuponfreshsights?”

Korlandrilwantedtoargue,tosnatchwordsfromtheairthatwouldmockAradryan’sopinion,butjustas theserpentwithinstifledhisheart, it strangledhis throat.Hesatisfiedhimselfwitha fierceglareatAradryan,conveyingallthecontemptandangerhefeltinthatsimplelook,andstormedawaythroughthebluegrass,scatteringguestsinhisflight.

Fate

AtthestartoftheWarinHeaven,all-seeingAsuryanaskedthecronegoddessMorai-hegwhatwouldbethefateofthegods.ThecronetoldAsuryanthatshewouldlookacrossthetangledskeinofthefuturetodiscernwhatwouldbecomeofthegods.Longshefollowedtheoverlappingthreads,followingeachoneonitscoursetotheendingoftheuniverse,andyetshecouldfindnoanswerforthelordoflords.Allpathstookthecrowladyintoaplaceoffireanddeathwhereshecouldnotventurefurther.Tofindtheanswershesought,thecronefollowedKhainethebloody-handedkillerwhowouldwagewarontheothergodsandthemortals,andtookfromhimathimblefulofhisfieryblood.Returningtoherlair,Morai-hegsettheburningbloodofthewargoduponherbalance.UpontheothersideofherscalesshecoiledupthethreadoffatebelongingtoEldanesh.

Allwasequal.ThecronereturnedtoAsuryanandhedemandedtheanswertohisquestion.Morai-hegtoldthelordoflordsthatthefateofthegodswasnothistoknow.ThemortalEldaneshandhispeoplewoulddecideifthegodssurvivedornot.

Rose-coloured water lapped at the white sands, each ripple leaving a sweeping curve along theshoreline. Korlandril followed the ebb and flow, mesmerised; every part of his mind was directedtowardsmemorisingeverysparkle,everysplash,everygrain.Sunwingsflashedabovethewaters,dartsofyellowskimmingthesurface,bobbingandweavingaroundeachother.Korlandrilabsorbedeveryflightpath,everydippedwing,everyextendedfeatherandsnappingbluebeak.

Asounddisturbedhisconcentration.Avoice.Heallowedpartofhisconsciousnesstodepartthesceneandrecallwhathadbeensaid.Herememberedhimselfatthesametime,sittingcrossed-leggedonthegoldengrassofthelawnsintheGardensofTranquilReflection,listeningtohiscompanion.

“IamleavingAlaitoc,”Aradryansaid.Shocked,Korlandrilturnedallofhisattentionuponhisfriend;sea,sand,sunwingsallputasidein

amoment.Aradryanwas sat just anarm’s lengthaway fromKorlandril, loungingon thegrass in aloose-fittingrobeofjadegreen.Helayonhisback,armsbehindhishead,whilehisbaretoes,seemingpossessed of a life of their own, drew circular designs in the air just out of reach of the lake’s palewaters.

“YouareleavingAlaitoc?”saidKorlandril.“Whateverfor?”“Tobecomeasteersman,”repliedAradryan.Hedidnot lookatKorlandril,hisgazedirectedover

thewaterstotheshiningsilvertowersoftheirhomes,andbeyondeventhat,tosomevistathatonlyhecouldsee.“ItistimethatImovedonwards.IamfilledwithacuriositythatAlaitoccannotsatisfy.Itis

likeahungergrowingwithinme,thatnosightorsoundofthisplacecansate.IhavetakenmyfillofAlaitoc, andmany splendid feasts shehas offeredme, but I findmyplatenowempty. Iwish to gofurther thanthe forceshieldsanddomesthathaveprotectedme. I feelcoddlednotsafe,stiflednotenriched.”

“Howsoonwillyouleave?”saidKorlandril,standingup.“Soon,”saidAradryan,hiseyesstilldistant.“Lacontiran leavesfortheEndlessValleyintwocycles’

time.”“Lacontiranwill be gone formore than twentypasses,” saidKorlandril, alarmed. “Whymust you

leaveforsolong?”“She sails on her own, far from Alaitoc,” replied Aradryan. “I wish for solitude so that Imight

reflectonmychoicessofar,andperhapsdivinesomethingofwhereIshouldheadnext.”“Whatofourfriendship?Iamata losswithoutyourcompanionship,”saidKorlandril,crouching

besideAradryan, an imploringhand reachingout. “Youknow that Iwouldbe adriftwithout you tosteerme.”

“Youwill need to find another to guide you,”Aradryan said softly. “Mymindwanders all of thetime. I cannot be trusted to watch over you while you dream anymore. I cannot walk the Path ofDreamingwithyouanylonger.Iamtiredoflivingwithinmyself.”

Korlandril could say nothing, lost as hewas in his thoughts. As he dreamt, as hewandered thepathsofhissubconscious,itwasAradryanthatprovidedhisanchor;areassuringpresenceattheedgeofhismind,awarmthtowhichhecouldreturnwhenhecameuponthechillanddarkplacesinthecornersofhisspirit.

“Youwillfindanotherdream-watcher,”Aradryanassuredhim,noticinghisdistress.Hestoodandtook Korlandril’s arm, pulling him upright. Now he directed his eyes upon his friend, filled withconcern.“PerhapsThiriannawilljoinyouonthePathofDreaming?”

“ThiriannatheWarrior?”repliedKorlandril,aghastatthethought.“Ispoketoheryesterday,”saidAradryan.“Shefeelsthetimeisapproachingwhenshewillchange

Paths.Youshouldspeaktoher.”AgentlechimebrokeKorlandril’sreverieandheopenedhiseyestoseeawindingroadofsilverfar

belowhim,cuttingthroughgentlysculptedterraces.Thesoftestofbreezesbrushedacrosshisskinandteasedhishair.Foramomenthethoughthewasfloatingfarabovethelandscape.Slidingcompletelyfrommemedreamtoreality,herecognisedhimselfonthebalconyoutsidehischambers,bathedinthedying glow of a constructed twilight. He was leaning on a fluted balustrade, looking down at thevineyardsthatsurroundedtheTowerofStarlightMajesty.

Ittookhimalittlelongertofullyrecoverhisbodilycontrol;blinkingrapidly,stretchinghislimbs,quickeninghispulsetoeasebloodbackintonumbedfingersandtoes.Hefeltalingeringstiffnessandwonderedhowlonghehadspentexploringhismemories,walkingbackalongthePathofDreaming.Hefeltanedgeofthirstandlickedhislipsinstinctivelythoughtherewasnomoistureinhismouth.

Recalling the alert chime that had roused him, Korlandril turned slowly and reached out hisfingertips to a grey, slate-like panel on the wall beside the archway that led into his home. At themomentofcontactwiththechillslabhefeltthepresenceofAbrahasiloutsidehischambersandwitha

briefpsychicimpulsebidhimtoenter.Breakingcontactwiththeinfinitylink,Korlandrilsteppedintotheshadowyloungeareainsidethe

archway.Itwasverymuchlikebeinginsideanegg.Thewallwasabluish-white,gentlyspeckledwithpalegreen.Curvingcoucheswithhighbackswerearrangedfacingthecentreoftheroom,andunderhisfeethefeltthethickplyofaheavilywovenmat.Sculptures,byKorlandril’shandandothers,stoodonplinths around thewall. As he looked at each in turnKorlandril felt a flicker of recognition, hismindstilltiedtotheprocessesofhismemedreaming:memoriesofhowtheyweremadeoracquired;of conversations concerning them; of moods he had felt whilst looking at them. As each thoughtbobbedtothesurfaceofhismindhepushedthemback,awayfromdirectcontemplation.Movingtoanotherinfinityterminal,hethoughtthelightsintoasoftblueandraisedthetemperaturealittle;hefeltstrangelychilled.

“Perhaps someclotheswouldwarmyouquicker,” saidAbrahasil, entering the roomthrough thearchfromthemainfoyer.

ItwasonlyAbrahasil’sobservationthatallowedKorlandriltorealisethathewasnaked.Hisnuditycausedhimnoself-consciousness;inhiscurrentstateofinternalawareness—orratherhisutterlackofit—suchthoughtswereimpossible.

“Yes,thatwouldprobablybeforthebest,”saidKorlandrilwithanod.Hegesturedthroughanotherarchtothediningarea.“Pleasetakewhateverrefreshmentsyoudesire,Ishallreturnswiftly.”

Korlandrilstrodeintohisrobingchamber,stillsomewhatout-of-synchwithhimselffollowinghislongdreaming.Heabsent-mindedlytouchedahandtoapanelonthewall.Adoorslidaside,revealinga wide selection of attire, from skin-tight bodysuits with glittering metallic sheens to voluminousshirtsandlonggowns.Korlandrilchoseagreenrobe,tightatthewaistandflaredattheshoulders.Heselectedabroadbeltwithoutthought,hisaestheticinstinctguidinghishandstoachoicethatmatchedhisrobe.Ashecincheditaroundhiswaist,hewalkedbarefootacrosstherugsoftheloungeareaandjoinedAbrahasilinthediningquarters.

“Sixcycles,”AbrahasilsaidasKorlandrilentered.Theroomwasdominatedbyalong,narrowtableextrudingfromonewall,betweeneightsingle-leggedstoolsinarowoneitherside.Abrahasilsatatthefarend.Korlandrilsawthathehadtakennothingtoeatordrink.

“Sixcyclesofwhat?”askedKorlandril,openingacrystal-windowedcabinetdoor.Fromwithinhepulledoutabluebottleandtwosilveredgoblets.

“No, drink for me, thank you,” said Abrahasil. Korlandril brought both cups to the tablenonetheless, in case his mentor had a change of mind. He poured himself a generous helping oficevinejuice,keenlyawareofthedrynessofhismouthandthroat.

“Six cycles have passed since the unveiling,” Abrahasil explained. “I was worried. You left in ahurry.ThiriannaexplainedthatyouhadadisagreementwithAradryan.”

Korlandril sippedhis drink, his thoughts ofAradryan fixed ondistantmemory, another part ofhimsavouringthetasteoftheicevinewithitsimmediatetangandwarmafterglow,whileyetanotherpart of his consciousness watched Abrahasil carefully. Korlandril shifted the focus of his memory,replayingevents fromwhenAradryanhadreturned, remindinghimselfofwhathadoccurred.Afterremembering the argument,Korlandril felt the serpent inhis gutwrithingwith anger, hissing and

spittingatAradryan’swords.“Calmyourself!”warnedAbrahasil.“Itwastocalmmyself thatIwent intomydreams,”Korlandrilrepliedwithannoyance.“Dreams

youhavedisrupted.”“Sixcyclesistoolongtowanderinyourmind,”saidAbrahasil.“Itisdangeroustoindulgeinsuch

self-contemplationwhentreadingthePathoftheArtist.Itcanleadtoclasheswithinyourspirit—over-analysis of self, confliction between real observation and imagined memory. I have told you thisbefore.”

“Icouldnotthinkofanyothermeanstoholdbackthepain,excepttoreturntothosetimeswithAradryanthatweremorepleasant.”

“You are an artist now, youmust express your thoughts, not conceal them!” said Abrahasil.Heleanedalongthetableandpouredhimselfadrink.“Whatisthepointofcreatingsuchgreatworksasyouarecapableofifyouarenotgoingtolearnthelessonsthatunderpinthem.ThePathoftheArtistisnot about painting or sculpting, it is about controlling yourmeans of expression, of filtering yourinfluencesandobservationssothatyoucanavoidfallingpreytounfortunatestimuli.ThisargumentwithAradryanisafineexampleofwhatyoumustlearntodealwith.Youcannotjustwanderintoyourdreamsandforgettherealuniverse.”

“YouthinkIamjuvenile?”saidKorlandril,dispensingwithallmemoriesofAradryanashefinishedthecupoficevinejuice.

“Not juvenile, justrash,”saidAbrahasil. “IhavenottrodthePathofDreaming,soIdonotknowwhatsolaceitbringstoyou.IknowthatinretreatingfromyourobservationsyouaresteppingbackfromthePathoftheArtist.Thatcannotbehealthybyanyconsideration.”

KorlandrilcontemplatedAbrahasil’swarningashepouredhimselfmoredrink.TheagitatedsnakewithinwrithedandclamouredforKorlandril’sattentionandhewashedawayitsnaggingwithmoreicevine, foramoment tuningevery fibreofhisspirit towardssavouringthedrink,drivingawayhisdarkerthoughtswithatideofstimuli.

“Ineedtoengagemyselfinanotherwork,”saidKorlandril.“IfImustexpungethesefeelingswithexpression,itisbestthatInotallowmyselftodwellonthemforlong.”

“Thatwouldbegood,”saidAbrahasil.“IshouldseekoutAradryan,andlistentohimsothatImightextractwhatitisthatcontinuesto

plaguemeabouthispresence.”“Be careful, Korlandril,” said the mentor. “You may find Aradryan in an uncertain state, a

destabilising influence on your psyche. I sense that you are at a critical stage upon thePath of theArtist.Itismyjoytoguideyoufurther,butthesenextstepsmustbetakenwithcaution.Youareonthecusp of realising the full potential of expression, but you must choose wisely those emotions youchoosetoputondisplay.”

Korlandrilsmiled,calmedbyAbrahasil’sgentletone.Asuretysettledinhismind,asifalighthadsprungintolifetoshowhimthewayforward.Undertheglareofthatlight,thedeviousserpentofhisjealousyshrankbackintotheshadows,cowedforthetimebeing.

Nowfullyrecoveredfromhisdreamingsession,Korlandrilwasfilledwithpurposeoncemore,his

thoughtsfixedfirmlyuponwhatwastobe,thepasthiddenawaywhereitcoulddonomoredamage.ChoosingtoforgethisdisagreementwithAradryan,Korlandrillingeredforamomentonthehappiermemoriesandthenallowedthosetodriftintoshadowaswell,leavinghimnothingbutthepresentandthefuture.

Korlandriltookaskyrunneracrossthedome,delightingintherushofairagainsthisskin,theflashofterraceandtreebeneaththeone-pilotcraftasitsoareduponthewinds,itswingsanglingandcurvingintunewithhisthoughts.Forashortwhileheallowedhimselffreerein,forgettinghisintenttoseeAradryan. Powered by his psychic urging, the dart-like vehicle climbed rapidly, wings tilted back,Korlandril laughingwith exhilaration. Inhismindhis path sculpted a complexweb of interleavingarcsandloopsandtheskyrunnerresponded,twirlingandswoopingathiswhim.

Asthesensationrecededandhereturnedtheskyrunnertoastableflight,Korlandrilcapturedtheessenceofhisexperienceandstoreditaway.Hebrieflyimaginedcreatingaworkofartoutofairandfluid,apieceofconstantmotionilluminatedfromwithin,heldinslowlyuncoilingstasis.

ThinkingofhisartbroughtKorlandrilbacktohiscurrenterrand.Thethoughtwavesculpturewasafine idea, but it couldwait.He needed to unburden his spirit of the passion roused by Aradryan’sreturn,andsoheangled the skyrunnerdown towards the silver ribbonof the road, swervingdownbetween the red-leafed icevines on the terraces, darting beneath other craft that zipped to and froacrossthedome’sartificialsky.

AnticipationgrewwithinKorlandrilashespedthroughtheconnectinghubbetweentheDomeofNewSunsandoutintotheAvenueofStarlightSecrets.Heretherewasmoretraffic.ItwasoneofthemainthoroughfaresofAlaitocwherehundredsofeldarmovedbetweenthemanydomesandplateausthatmadeupthebulkofthecraftworld.Somestrolledlanguidlybythemselvesorwithfriends,othersonskyrunners likeKorlandril,manyondriftingplatformsthateasedserenely fromoneplaceto thenextguidedbythegroupdesiresofthoseonboard.

Korlandrilallowedhimselfa littleamazementat thescene.Rather,notat thescene itself,butatAradryan’sincomprehensionoftheinherentbeautyandintricacyofthecraftworld.Aradryandidnotlook upon the same things as Korlandril with the eyes of the artist, and so perhaps missed theprecision of geometry at subtle odds with the inherent anarchy of a living system. He had notdeveloped the senses to appreciate the cadence of life, the ebb and flow of the living and theimmaterialandthosethingsthatlayin-between.

AhopesprangtomindandKorlandrilstudieditforamoment,slowingtheskyrunnerslightlysothatitsnavigationdemandedlessofhisattention.ItoccurredtothesculptorthathemightpersuadeAradryantojoinhimonthePathoftheArtist.IfAradryansoughtnewvistasofexperience,thennonecompared with opening up one’s mind to every sensation without hindrance. It bordered onintoxication forKorlandril, and the thought of sharing suchdelightswithAradryan filledhimwithenergy.

EnginespitchingtoaconstantnotethatsanginKorlandril’sheart,theskyrunnerspedonwards.Veering left, Korlandril cut into the Midnight Dome, plunging into near-blackness. His eyesimmediatelyadjustedtothelackoflight,seeingshadesofdarkpurpleandblueamongstthedeepgrey.

The laughter of lovers lilted above the song of the skyrunner but he ignored them, fearing that tocontemplatetheirmeaningwouldleadhimtowardsthoughtsofThirianna;thoughtshedidnotwanttoexploreatthatmoment.Heallowedthewhisperofthewindtocarryawaythetreacheroussoundandinsteaddweltonthesensationofmotionandtheblurofdarktreeswashingpast.

ExitingtheMidnightDomeintothetwilightoftheDomeofSighingWhispers,Korlandrilslowedoncemore, the engine of the skyrunner falling to a pleasant hum. In respectful quiet he skimmedbetweenthecolumnsthatsoareduptowardsthedomeroof.Whilehebankedleftandrightwithouteffort,heponderedhowhemightbroachthesubjectofAradryanjoininghimasanartist.

Slowingfurtherstill,KorlandrilallowedtheskyrunnertodroptogroundlevelandswerveddownatunnelwaythatleddeeperintoAlaitoc.Hereallpretenceofthenaturalwassetasideashefollowedthelong passage that led towards the docking towers. Oval in cross-section, the tunnel glowedwith awarm orange light, flutters of energy pulsing along infinity circuit conduits embedded within thematerialofthewall.Korlandrilfelttheirghostlypresenceallaroundhimashediveddeeperintothecraftworld’sinterior,thepsychicenergyofthecraftworld’sspiritsmerginganddividingaroundhim,whisperingathissubconscious.

ItwaswithsomereliefthatKorlandrilexitedthepassagewayintotheTowerofInfinitePatience,where Aradryan had taken quarters since his return. Leaving behind the psychic susurrance of theinfinitycircuit,Korlandrilbroughttheskyrunnertoahaltnotfarfromaspirallingrampthatledupintothetower.

Dismounting, he allowed the craft to slip away towards an empty mooring niche and withconsiderableeffortfocussedonhimself.Hesmoothedcrumplesinhisrobeandadjustedhisbelt,andwithaflickofhisfingerstamedhiswind-tossedhairintosomethinglessunruly.Satisfiedthathewaspresentable,heascendedthe towerramp,his long legscarryinghimswiftlyupto theeighthstorey,momentarilyrevellinginthephysicaleffortaftersomuchrecentinactivity.

FindingtheOpalSuites,Korlandriltouchedtheinfinityplatetoannouncehispresence.Hewaitedfor a moment and no response came. Allowing his fingers to linger longer on the psychicallyconductive slate, he sought for the presence of Aradryan but could not detect it. Only a residualimpressionofAradryanremainedinthisplace.

Adjustinghisthoughts,Korlandrilfoundthattheadjoiningapartmentwasoccupiedandhemadean inquiry to the eldar within. She appeared at the archway a little later. She was of considerableantiquity,surroundedbyanauraofwisdomandsolemnity.Fromthebriefcontacthehadsharedwithherontheinfinitycircuit,heknewthatshewasHerisianith,ashuttlepilot.

“HowmightIhelpyou,Korlandril?”sheasked, leaningashoulderagainstthearchway.HereyesrovedquicklyupanddownKorlandril,lookingathimthesamewayhelookedatothers.Atsomepointinherlonglife,Herisianithhadbeenanartist.

“I am seeking my friend, your neighbour, Aradryan,” said Korlandril. “He came back aboardLacontiranninecyclesago.”

“Yourfriendhasnotreturnedintwocycles,”Herisianithtoldhim.Korlandrildidnotknowwhyshehad used the past-sarcastic form of “friend”, though perhaps she had seen some tiny reflection ofdoubtinhismanner.“Hedepartedwithacompanion,Thirianna.SincethenIhavenotseenhimor

felthim.”“Didyouhaveanysenseofwheretheyweregoing?”Herisianith flicked a finger in dismissal, her turn of wrist indicating that she considered such

inquiry importune.Notwishing to imposeuponher longer,Korlandrilgaveanodofdepartingandturnedaway.Hewalkedslowlydowntheramp,wonderingwhatcouldhaveoccupiedAradryanfortwocycles.HadhespentallofthattimewithThirianna?

Korlandrilwasdrawnintoamemedream,asmallpartofhismindguidinghisbodytoacurvingbenchnotfarfromAradryan’squarterswhilethewakingvisionoccupiedtherestofhisthoughts.Hisway-stonethrobbeddully,butheignoreditsnagginganddelveddeeperintothedream.

Sineflowerperfumemingledwithmerecherryblossom.Chatterandlaughter.Thiriannastandingnexttoherfather,resplendentinalongdressofgoldandblack,herbronzehaircaughtupinafloatingnet of sapphire-blue air-jewels.Her eyeswere greenwith flecks of gold and fell uponKorlandril assoonasheenteredthedomedchamber.KorlandrilfeltthewarmthofAradryanbyhisside:physicallyand emotionally.His friendhadbeen correct, thedaughter ofWishseerAurentiunwas beautiful, aradiantstarinagalaxyoflight.

Aradryan introduced them. Thirianna smiled and Korlandril melted under her gaze. Shecomplimentedhimonhismoontigerpatternedcloak.Hemutteredareply,somethingstupidhehadchosentoforget.Theydanced,exchangingpartners,totheskirlofAradryan’sscythe-harp.Korlandrilplayedhis light-flute,dazzling thepartywith the soundandcolours conjuredbyhisnimble fingersandplayfulmind.

Ahotcyclefollowed,thethreeofthemenjoyingtheartificialsunandlilacbeachesoftheDomeofRisingHope.Korlandrilrevelledintheirinnocence,relivingtheunabashedjoytheyhadshared.Eachofthemmusicians,delightingandteasingeachotherwiththeirmelodies,comingtogetherupontherhythmoftheirthoughtsandfeelings.

Theserpentintrudedoncemore,tearingKorlandrilfromhisreverie.HadThiriannaandAradryanever been more than just good companions? Quivering slightly from the shock of departing thememedreamso suddenly,Korlandril reappliedhimself tohis currentpurpose. Itwouldbe easier tofindThirianna thanAradryan, and if hiswayward friendwasnot actuallywith her shemight havesomebetterideawherehemightbefound.

Korlandrilfoundaninfinityterminalinasmallgroveofwhisperleafnotfarfromtheapartments.Hemadeagentle inquiry, seekingThirianna.Shehadbeenon thecraftworld longer thanAradryanandherpresenceinthepsychicmatrixthatpoweredAlaitocwasstronger.KorlandrilconcentratedonThiriannaandfelttheafter-shadowofherspiritmovingaroundthecraftworldovertheprevioustwocycles:here,whereshemetAradryan,hisspiritalsoregisteringstrongly;theBoulevardofSplitMoons,along thearcadesof the fashion-sellersand jewelsmiths;herownquarters—alone,Korlandrilnotedwithsomesatisfaction—forhalfacycle; thento theBayofDepartingSorrows,whereAradryanwaspresentagain,hispresence lingeringalongsidehersfor just theshortest time.Nowshewasback inherquarters,silent,perhapsmeditatingorcomposing.

KorlandrilvoicedthoughtsofcompanionshipanddirectedthemtowardsThirianna.Hewaitedforhertorespond.Heallowedthebackgroundvibrationsoftheinfinitycircuittooccupyhim:celebration

intheDomeoftheLastSunrise,adisturbingdarknessemanatingfromtheShrineoftheEndingVeil.AtthisKorlandrilwithdrew,repelledbythetasteleftinhismouthfromtheAspectWarriorshrine.

Hehadlittletodowithwarmakers,buttheEndingVeilwashometooneoftheDarkReapersects;hisfriends Arthuis andMaerthuin counted amongst their number. He did not paymuch attention tomilitarymatters,findingitadisagreeableinfluenceonhiscreations.Therewasnoplaceforbloody-handedKaelaMenshaKhaineinhiswork.ThathisfriendsmightbeinvolveddidinteresthimandhepassedonhisobservationstothedormantThirianna.

She roused almost immediately, sending him a vision of his Isha statue. The scene was animaginationofthetwoofthemstandingbeneathit:aninvitation.KorlandrilreflectedthevisionbacktoThirianna,withaslightadjustment.Thenightshieldswereactive,dimmingthelightofthedyingstartothetwilightofearlyevening.Thiriannarespondedinkindandtherendezvouswasagreed.

Korlandrilbroke fromthe infinitycircuit, satisfiedwithhimself.Hereturned to theOpalSuitesandtookanotherskyrunnerbacktohischambers.Hisexuberancewasmutedonhisreturnjourney,thelackofAradryan’stouchupontheinfinitycircuitpreyingonhisthoughts.

Thiriannawasatthestatue,sittingatoneendofacurvingbench,hereyesdirectedtothedimglowbeyondthedome.KorlandrilcrossedthegrassquicklyandThiriannaturnedathisapproach,asmilehoveringonherlipsforjustamoment.

“AradryanhasleftAlaitoc,”ThiriannasaidquietlywhenKorlandrilwasseatedbesideher.Korlandrilwastakenabackandittookhimamomenttoreadjusthisthoughts;hehadbeenready

to open the conversationwith an inquiry about Thirianna’swellbeing. A flurry of emotionswarredwithinKorlandril:shock,disappointmentand,worryingly,asmalldegreeofsatisfaction.

“Idonotunderstand,”saidthesculptor.“Iknowthatwehadadisagreement,butIthoughtthatheplannedtoremainonAlaitocforsometimeyet.”

“He did not depart on your account,” said Thirianna, though an unconscious asymmetric blinkbetrayedconflict inher thoughts.Shewasnot lying,butneitherwas shewholly convinced that shespokethetruth.

“Why would he not come to see me before he left?” Korlandril asked. “It is obvious that somedistancehadgrownbetweenus,butIdidnotthinkhisopinionofmehadsunksolow.”

“Itwasnotyou,”Thiriannasaid,hertoneandhalf-closedeyesindicatingthatshebelieveditwasherfaulttheirfriendhadfledthecraftworld.

“What happened?” asked Korlandril, trying hard to keep any tone of accusation from his voice.“WhendidAradryanleave?”

“HetookaboardIrdirislastcycle,afterwespentsometimetogether.”Korlandrilhadheardthenameoftheshipinpassingbutcouldnotplaceitimmediately.Thirianna

readthelookofquestioningonhisface.“Irdirisisafar-runner,destinedfortheExoditesonElan-ShemareshandthentotheWintervoidof

Meios,”sheexplained.“Aradryan wishes to become a… ranger?” Incredulity and distaste vied with each other in

Korlandril’sthoughts.Hestrokedhisbottomlipwithaslenderfinger,stillinghisthoughts.“Ihadno

ideahewassodissatisfiedwithAlaitoc.”“Neither did I, andperhaps that iswhyhe left so soon,” confessedThirianna. “I believe I spoke

hastily and with insensitivity and drove him to a swifter departure than hemight otherwise haveconsidered.”

“Iamsurethatyouareno—”beganKorlandrilbutThiriannacuthimoffwithanagitatedtwitchofherfinger.

“Idonotwishtospeakofit,”wasalltheexplanationshewouldoffer.Thatsat insilenceforawhile longer,while littlewingsdartedamongst thebranchesof thetrees

above them, trilling to one another.Deepwithin thewoods a breezemaker stirred into life and theleavesbegantorustlegently:acalmingbackdrop.

“TherewassomethingelseaboutwhichIwishtospeaktoyou,”saidKorlandril,havingputasidehisthoughtsonAradryan.“Ihaveaproposaltomake.”

Interest flared inThirianna’s jadeeyes.She indicatedwitharaisingofherchinthattheyshouldstand.

“Weshoulddiscussthisinmychambers,withsomethingtodrink,perhaps?”“Thatwouldbemostagreeable,”saidKorlandrilasthetwothemmadetheirwaytowardsthedome

entrance.Neitherspokeastheycrossedthedome.Theywalkedalittlewayapart,thedistanceacompromise

betweencompanionshipanddecency.Korlandril’sheartbeatalittlebitfasterthanusual.Hetriedtocontendwith amounting excitement, having not expected such an accommodating response fromThirianna.

It took some time to reach thedomeentranceon foot and thenight cyclewasmidway throughwhentheycameuponthesilveredarchwaythatledintothemainthoroughfarearoundtherimofthecraftworld.Heretwilightwasalsoineffect,thedarknessbrokenonlybyafaintredreflectionfromthedyingstarandthewill-o’-the-wispsoftheinfinitycircuitaroundthem.

The wide passage was quiet; they passed perhaps a dozen other eldar before they reached theturningtowardsThirianna’sapartments.Shehadtakenuproomsinapoet’scommuneintheTowerofDormantWitnesses.Itwasaplacenotedforitscontemplativeatmosphere,withviewsouttothestarsandbackacrossthewholeofAlaitoc.

Theywereabouttostepontotheslidingwalkwayuptothetowerswhena largegroupappearedfrom the gloom ahead. Sensing something dark, Thirianna strayed closer to Korlandril, who put aprotectivehanduponhershoulderevenashisownmooddropped,filledwithforeboding.

ThegroupwereAspectWarriors,andanauraofdeathhungaboutthemaspalpableasastench.Theywerecladinplatesofoverlappingarmourofpurpleandblack,theirheavytreadthunderousinthestilltwilight.Korlandrilcouldfeeltheirmenacegrowingstrongerastheyapproached,waystonesglowing likeeyesofblood.Theyhad takenoff theirwar-helmsandcarried themhookedupon theirbelts,leavingtheirhandsfreetocarryslendermissilelaunchers.

DarkReapers:possessedoftheWarGodinhisAspectofDestroyer.Thoughtheirhelmetswereremoved,theystillboretheruneoftheDarkReaperpaintedinblood

upontheirfaces.ThiriannaandKorlandrilshrankclosertotheedgeofthepassagewayastheAspect

Warriors passed, seeking the faces of their friends. Korlandril realised he had inadvertently pulledThiriannainfrontofhimalittleandtherealisationbroughtasmallwoundtohispride.Forherpart,Thiriannawascalmbutapprehensive.Korlandrilcouldfeelhertremblingunderhispalm.Itwasnotfear,itwassomethingthrilling.ShehadwalkedthePathoftheWarrior,didKhaineevennowcallouttoher?Did thepresenceof theAspectWarriors resonatewith somepartofherburiedbeneath thelayersofcivilisationtheeldarworkedsohardtomaintain?

Thirianna pointed, directing Korlandril’s attention to Maerthuin. Arthuis walked a little waybehind.ThebrothersstoppedandturnedtheireyesuponThiriannaandKorlandril.Theirgazeswereempty,devoidofanythingbut theremotestrecognition.Korlandril repressedashudderashesmeltthebloodupontheirfaces.

“Youarewell?”askedThirianna,hervoicequietandrespectful.Arthuisnoddedslowly.“Victorywasours,”intonedMaerthuin.“WewillmeetyouattheCrescentoftheDawningAges,”saidArthuis.“Atthestartofthenextcycle,”addedMaerthuin.KorlandrilandThiriannabothnoddedtheiragreementandthetwowarriorsmovedon.Thirianna

relaxed and Korlandril gave a sigh of relief, glad to be free of their friends’ blank yet strangelypenetratinggazes.

“It is inconceivable tome thatone should indulge in suchhorror,” saidKorlandril as the twoofthemsteppeduponthemovingwalkway,stillfeelingasmallaftercurrentoffearfromtheencounter.

Theymadeaspirallingascent, languidlyturninguponitselfastheslidingramprosearoundtheTower ofDormantWitnesses. Korlandril felt a thrill as they emerged into the starlight-bathed sky,nothingmorebetweenhimandthevoidthananinvisibleshieldofenergy.ForamomenthethoughtheunderstoodsomethingofthelureofthestarsthatsoenamouredAradryan.

“Itisnotanindulgence,”saidThirianna.“Whatisnotanindulgence?”“ThePathoftheWarriorisnotanindulgence,”sherepeated.“Onecannotsimplyleaveangerinthe

darkness,tofesterandgrowunseen.Soonerorlateritmightfindvent.”“What is there tobe so angry about?” laughedKorlandril. “Perhaps ifwewereBiel-Tan,with all

their talk of reclaiming the old empire, thenwemight have a use for all of this sword-waving andgunfire.Itisanuncivilisedwaytobehave.”

“Youignorethepassionsthatruleyou,”snappedThirianna.Korlandrilfeltaspearofguiltandembarrassment.“Imeantnooffence,”hesaid.“Theintentionisnotimportant,”saidThirianna,hereyesnarrowed,lipsthin.“Perhapsyouwould

caretoridiculetheotherPathsonwhichIhavetrodden?”“Ididnotmean…”Korlandril trailedoff,unsurewhathedidactuallymean,hisglibnessburned

awaybyThirianna’ssuddenscorn.“Iamsorry.”“ThePathofDreaming,thePathofAwakening,thePathoftheArtist,”saidThirianna.“Alwaysself-

indulgent,alwaysaboutyourneeds,nosenseofdutyordedicationtoothers.”

Korlandrilshrugged,afulsomegestureemployingthefulluseofbotharms.“IsimplydonotunderstandthisdesiresomeofusfeeltosateabloodlustIdonotfeel,”hesaid.“Andthat iswhat isdangerousaboutyou,”saidThirianna. “Wheredoyouput thatrageyoufeel

whensomeoneangersyou?Whatdoyoudowiththehatredthatburnsinsidewhenyouthinkuponallthatwehave lost?Youhavenot learnt to control these feelings,merely ignore them.BecomingonewithKhaine,assumingoneofHisAspectsisnotaboutconfrontinganenemy,itisaboutconfrontingourselves.Weshouldalldoitatsometimeinourlives.”

Korlandrilshookhishead.“Onlythosethatdesirewar,makeit,”hesaid.“Findrueir’sPropheciesofInterrogation,”saidThirianna,lipstwistedinasneer,browfurrowed.“Yes,

I’vereadittoo,donotlooksosurprised.However,IreaditaftertreadingthePathoftheWarrior.Anaesthetewhowroteaboutmattersshehadneverexperienced.Hypocrisyatitsworst.”

“AndalsooneofIyanden’sforemostphilosophers.”“Aradicalwindbagwithnotruecauseandagyrinxfetish.”Korlandrillaughedandreceivedafrowninreply.“Forgiveme,”hesaid.“Ihopethatisnotanexampleofyourpoetry!”Thiriannavacillatedbetweenannoyanceandhumourbeforebreakingintoasmile.“Listentous!Galleryphilosophers,thepair!Whatdoweknow?”“Littleenough,”agreedKorlandrilwithanod.“AndIsupposethatcanbeadangerousthing.”

Korlandril stood attentively beside Thirianna while she mixed her preferred cocktail of juices andgroundice.ShepassedaslenderglasstoKorlandrilandwavedhimtowardsoneofthecushionsthatserved as seats in her reception chamber. She had rearranged and recoloured her rooms sinceKorlandril had last visited.Gonewas the holographic representation of Illuduran’sMonument to theGlories of Impudence and the pastel blue scheme. All was white and light grey, with only the hardcushionsasfurniture.Korlandrillookedpointedlyaroundtheroom.

“It’satriflepost-Herethiunminimalist,isitnot?”hesaid,recliningasbesthecould.“Youhadaproposal?”saidThirianna,ignoringtheimpliedaccusation.Korlandril hesitated. The mood did not feel right. Though they had made up their differences

beforearrivingatthechambers,thecomforthehadsharedwithThiriannainthegardendomehadallbutgone.Heneededhertobereceptivetohisidea.Hewouldstartbyfindingsomecommonground:Aradryan’sdeparture.

“IamsorrythatAradryanhasleftusagain,”hesaid,meaningitsincerely.“IhadhopedthatIcouldhavepersuadedhimtojoinmeonthePathoftheArtist.PerhapswemighthaverekindledsomethingofwhatwesharedonthePathofDreaming.”

Thiriannagaveaflickofherhair,amomentarygestureofannoyance.“Whatissowrongwiththat?”Korlandrilasked.“ItwasnotforAradryan’sbenefitthatyouwished,”saidThirianna,sittingoppositethesculptor.

“Asever,itwasbecauseyouwanthimtobecomeanartist,notbecauseitwouldbethebestthingforhim.”

“He is directionless and lonely,” argued Korlandril. “I thought that if he could learn to see theuniverseasIdo,withtheeyesof theArtist,hemight learntoappreciatewhatthecraftworldhastoofferhim.”

“You are still annoyed that he didn’t like your sculpture!” Thiriannawas half-amused and half-scornful. She sighed in exasperation. “You think that if he learnt to ‘see’ things the properway hewouldappreciateyourgeniusallthebetter.Youthinkhiscriticismsareinvalidsimplybecausehehasnotsharedthesameeducationasyou.”

“Perhapsthatisthecase,”Korlandrilsaidinaconciliatorytone,realisinghehadchosenthewrongtack.“IdonotwantustobedividedbyAradryan’sabsence.Hewillreturnoneday,ofthatIamsure.Wehavebothcopedwithouthim,andwewilldosoagain.Ifwestayclosetoeachother,thatis.”

“Your friendship has been important to me,” said Thirianna, warming Korlandril’s hopes. Hepressedon.

“Ihaveanewpieceofsculpture inmind,somethingverydifferent frommypreviousworks,”heannounced.

“Thatisgoodtohear.Ithinkthatifyoucanfindsomethingtooccupyyourmind,youwilldwelllessonthesituationwithAradryan.”

“Yes, that isvery true! I’mgoingtodelve intoportraiture.Asculptural testament todevotion, infact.”

“Soundsintriguing,”saidThirianna.“Perhapssomethingalittlemoregroundedinrealitywouldbegoodforyourdevelopment.”

“Letusnotgettoocarriedaway,”saidKorlandrilwithasmile.“Ithinktheremaybesomeabstractelementsincorporatedintothedesign.Afterall,howdoesonetrulyreplicateloveandcompanionshipinfeaturesalone?”

“Iamsurprised.Iunderstandifyoudonotwishtotellme,butwhatinspiressuchapieceofwork?”Korlandril thought she was being coy for a moment, but a quick reading of her expression

confirmed that she had not the slightest idea that she was to be the subject. That serpent inKorlandril’s gut, hissing with annoyance, uncoiled itself. What had been the point of all of hisovertures?Hehadnotbeenobviousinhisaffections,butneitherhadhebeentoosubtleinhisintent.Wassheplayingsomegamewithhim,wantinghimtosayaloudwhattheybothunderstoodtobetrue?

“Youaremyinspiration,”Korlandrilsaidquietly,eyesfixedonThirianna.“ItisyouthatIwishtofashionasalikenessofdedicationandardour.”

Thiriannablinked,andthenblinkedagain.Hereyebrowsroseinshock.“I…You…”Shelookedaway.“Idonotthinkthatiswarranted.”“Warranted?Itisanexpressionofmyfeelings,thereisnothingthatneedswarrantingotherthan

tovisualisemydesiresanddreams.Youaremydesireandadream.”Thirianna did not reply. She stood and took a couple of paces away before turning to face

Korlandril,herfaceserious.“Thisisnotagoodidea,myfriend,”shesaidgently.“Idoappreciatethesentiment,andperhaps

sometimeagoIwouldnotonlybeflatteredbutIwouldbedelighted.”TheserpentsankitsfangsintoKorlandril’sheart.

“Butnotnow?”heasked,hesitant,scaredoftheanswer.Sheshookherhead.“Aradryan’sarrivalanddeparturehavemademerealisesomethingthathasbeenamisswithmy

life for several passes now,” she said. Korlandril reached out a hand in a half-hearted gesture,beckoningher tocomecloser.Thiriannasatnext tohimand tookhishand inhers. “Iamchangingagain.ThePathofthePoetisspentforme.IhavegrievedandIhaverejoicedthroughmyverse,andIfeelexpungedoftheburdensIfelt.Ifeelanothercallingisgrowinginsideme.”

Korlandrilsnatchedhishandaway.“YouaregoingtojoinAradryan!”hesnapped.“Iknewthetwoofyouwerekeepingsomethingfrom

me.”“Don’tberidiculous,”Thiriannarasped inreturn. “It isbecauseI toldhimwhatIamtellingyou

thatheleft.”“So,hedidmakeadvancesonyou!”Korlandrilstoodandangrilywipedahandacrosshisbrowand

pointedaccusinglyathisfriend.“Itistrue!Denyitifyoudare!”Sheslappedawayhishand.“Whatrightdoyouhavetomakeanyclaimonme?Ifyoumustknow,Ihaveneverentertainedany

thoughtsofbeingwithAradryan,evenbeforeheleft,andcertainlynotsincehisreturn.Iamsimplynotreadyforalife-companion.Infact,thatiswhyIcannotbeyourinspiration.”

Thiriannatookastepcloser,handsopeninfriendship.“ItistosaveyoufromafutureheartachethatIdeclineyourattentionsnow,”shecontinued.“Ihave

spokentoFarseerAlaiteirandheagreesthatIamreadytobeginthePathoftheSeer.”“Aseer?”scoffedKorlandril.“Youcompletelyfailtodivinemyromanticintentsandyetthinkyou

mightbecomeaseer?”“Idivinedyourintentandignoredit,”saidThirianna,layingahandonhisarm.“Ididnotwishto

encourage you; to admit your feelings for me would be to bring them to the light and that wassomethingIwishedtoavoid,forthesakeofbothofus.”

Korlandrilwavedawayherarguments,pullinghisarmfromhergrasp.“If you have not the same feelings forme, then simply say so. Do not sparemy pride for your

comfort.DonothidebehindthisexcuseofchangingPaths.”“Itistrue,itisnotanexcuse!YouloveThiriannathePoet.Wearealikeenoughatthemoment,our

Paths different yet moving in the same general direction. When I become a Seer, I will not beThiriannathePoet.Youwillnotlovethatperson.”

“Whydenymetherighttofindout?Whoareyoutojudgewhatwillorwillnotbe?YouarenotevenonthePathandnowyouthinkyoucanclaimthepowersoftheSeer?”

“If it is true that you feel the same when I have become a Seer, and I feel the same too, thenwhateverwillhappenwillcometopass.”

Korlandrilcaughtanangryreplybeforeitemerged,hismindcatchingupwithThirianna’swords.Hopeblossomed,brightflowersstiflingtheangryserpent.

“Ifyoufeelthesame?Youadmitthatyouhavefeelingsforme.”“ThiriannathePoethasfeelingsforyou,shealwayshas,”Thiriannaadmitted.

“Thenwhydowenotembracethissharedfeeling?”Korlandrilasked,steppingforwardandtakingThirianna’shandsinhis.Nowitwasherturntopullaway.Shecouldnotbringherselftolookathimwhenshespoke.

“IfIindulgethispassionwithyou,itwouldholdmeback,perhapstrapmehereasthePoet,foreverwritingmyversesofloveinsecret.”

“Thenwestaytogether,PoetandArtist!Whatissowrongwiththat?”“Itisnothealthy!Youknowthatitisunwisetobecometrappedinourselves.Ourlivesmustbein

constantmotion,movingfromonePathtothenext,developingoursensesofselfandtheuniverse.Toover-indulge leads to the darkness that came before. It attracts the attention of… Her. She WhoThirsts.”

Korlandril shuddered at the mention of the Eldar’s Bane, even by euphemism. His waystonequiveredwith him, becoming chill to the touch. All that Thirianna saidwas true, enshrined in theteachings of the craftworlds; the whole structure of their society created to avoid a return to thedebaucheryandexcessesthatledtotheFall.

ButKorlandrildidnotcare.ItwasstupidthatheandThiriannashouldbedeniedtheirhappiness.“What we feel is not wrong! Since the founding of the craftworlds our people have loved and

survived.Whyshouldwebeanydifferent?”“YouusethesameargumentsasAradryan,”Thiriannaadmitted,turningonKorlandril.“Heasked

metoforgetthePathandjoinhim.EvenifIhadlovedhimIcouldnotdothat.Icannotdothatwithyou.ThoughIhavedeepfeelingsforyou,IwouldnomoreriskmyeternalspiritforyouthanIwouldstepoutintothevoidofspaceandhopetobreathe.”

Thereweretearsinhereyes,keptincheckuntilnow.“Pleaseleave.”Korlandril’s anguish was all-consuming. Fear and wrath in equal measure tore through him,

burningalonghisveins,churninginhismind.Droppingbeneathitallwasadeeppitofshadowanddespair, down which he felt himself falling. Korlandril wanted to faint but held himself upright,forcinghimselftobreathedeeply.Theserpentinsidehimwounditselftightaroundeveryorganandbone,crushingthelifefromhim,fillinghimwithaphysicalpain.

“I cannot help you,” Thirianna said, staring with misery at the anguish being played out inKorlandril’sactions.“Iknowyouareinpain,butitwillpass.”

“Pain?”spatKorlandril.“Whatdoyouknowofmypain?”His whole psyche screamed in torment, honed by his practice as an Artist, thrashing for

expression.Therewasnooutletforallofthepent-upfrustration;passesuponpassesofsuppressinghis emotions for Thirianna threatened to erupt. Korlandril was simply not mentally equipped tounleashthetorrentofragethatwhirledinsidehim.Therewasnodreamhecouldgotoforsolace;nosculpture he could create to excise the pain; no physical sensation he could indulge to replace theagonythatwrackedhisspirit.Incandescent,hiswaystonewaswhitehotonhischest.

Violence welled up inside Korlandril. He wanted to strike Thirianna for being so selfish andshortsighted.

Hewantedtodrawblood,tolethispainflowoutofdeepwoundsandwashawaytheanger.Mostofallhewantedsomethingelsetofeeltheagony,toshareinthedevastation.

Wordless,Korlandril fled, his anger swept aroundby a vortex of fear atwhathehadunleashedwithin himself. He stumbled out onto the walkway and stared up into the endless heavens, tearsstreamingdownhisface,hisheartthundering.

Heneededhelp.Helptoquenchthefirethatwasnowraginginhismind.

Rejection

InthetimebeforetheWarinHeaven,beforeeventhecomingoftheeldar,thegodsschemedtheirschemesandplannedtheirplans,engaging inaneternalgameofdeceitand love, treacheryandteasing.Kurnous,Lord of theHunt, was the lover of Lileath of theMoon, and they enjoyed both the blessing of AlmightyAsuryanandthefriendshipoftheothergods;saveforKaelaMenshaKhaine,theBloody-HandedOne,whodesiredLileathforhimself.Hecravedhernotforherbeauty,whichwasimmortal,norforherplayfulwit,whichmadefriendsofalltheothergods.KhainedesiredtheMoonGoddesssimplybecauseshehadchosenKurnous. Khaine endeavoured to impress her with his martial skills, but Lileath was unimpressed. Hecomposedodestowooherbuthispoemswereevercrude,filledwiththedesiretoconquerandpossess.

Lileath would not be owned by any other. Frustrated, Khaine went to Asuryan and demanded thatLileathbegiventohim.AsuryantoldKhainethathecouldnottakeLileathbyforce,andthatifhecouldnotwinherhearthecouldnothaveher.Enraged,KhainevowedthatifhecouldnotpossessLileaththennootherwould.Khaine tookuphis sword, theWidowmaker, theSlayer ofWorlds, and cuta rent in the void.HesnatchedupLileathbytheankleandcastherintotheriftinthestars,whereherlightcouldnolongershine.ForathousanddaystheheavensweredarkuntilKurnous,braveandresourceful,daredtheblacknessoftheriftandrescuedLileathsothatherlightwouldreturntotheuniverse.

IttooksometimeforKorlandriltorestoreasmallmeasureofequilibrium.Ashamedanddesperate,hehid himself amongst the trees of the Dome of Midnight Forests, no longer weeping or growling.Korlandril detached himself from his physical processes, allowing them to continue without hisintervention, losingallsenseofsightandtouch,smellandhearing.Toisolatehimself insuchawaywasalegacyofthePathofDreaming,shutoffentirelyfromoutsidestimuli.Hewaslockedupwithhisown thoughts with no distraction, but resisted the urge to plunge into a memedream and forgeteverything.OnthePathofAwakeninghehadlearnttodividehisattentionintheoppositedirection,lockingawayconsciousthought,concentratingpurelyonsensationandresponse.

The two Paths had complemented well his choice to become an Artist, but now they left himvulnerable.Hisexperienceasanadulthadbeendirectedtowardscompartmentalisingandcontrollinghis interactionwith theworld; later, as Korlandril the Sculptor, he had been a conduit for creativeexpression, turning thought intodeed.Nowhis thoughtswerebleak,bloodyeven,andhecouldnotexpressthem.

Sorting through his impressions and memories, Korlandril tried to make sense of what had

happened. He did not understand what had broken the emotional dam that had kept his darkerfeelings in check.He couldnot find an answer.Disturbed, hewasnot surewhat questionsneededanswering.Heknewthathecouldnot let thesethoughtsrunrampant,norcouldheactuponthem.ThatwouldbetoembracethemayhemandindulgencethathadbroughtabouttheFall.

Korlandril thought for a moment of finding an infinity terminal and contacting Abrahasil. Hedismissed the notion.Hewas in no state to be interactingwith the infinity circuit. His emotionalinstabilitywouldbesuretoattractattentionofthewrongkind,ifitdidn’tdoanyactualharmtohimorthecircuit.Evenifhecouldmusterenoughself-controltonavigatethecircuitproperly,Abrahasilwould not be able to help him. This was not some dilemma of form or sensation, or even one ofexpression.Korlandrilsimplycouldnotcomprehendwhyhehadbecomesodistressed,andwhythatdistresswasmanifestingitselfinsuchadestructivemanner.

Amidst themaelstromofhis thoughts,Korlandril’sattentionwasbrought toasmallmatter thatneeded resolving. A thought-cycle demandedhis attention, a future-memory yet to be experienced.Korlandril analysed it and was reminded of the appointment he had made with Arthuis andMaerthuin.Helinkedthereminderwithamemoryandcycledthemtogetherwithhiscurrentfeelings.Heencounteredashockofrecognition,drawingonwhathehadseen,orrathernotseen,intheblankstaresofhis friendswhile theyhadbeenwearing theirwar-masks.Thedeadness thatwas there,anexpressiondevoidofshock,guilt,shameorremorse.

Ifanybodycouldhelphimunderstandtheturbulencethatsounbalancedhimnow,itwouldbetheAspectWarriors.

TheCrescentoftheDawningAgescurvedoutfromthestarwardrimofAlaitoc,bathedintheglowofMirianathir.Thekilometres-longbalconywascoveredbyanarchingvaultofsubtlymirroredmaterialthatdimlyreflectedthepatronsbelow,blendingtheirvisualsimulacrawiththeruddylightofthestartopaintanever-movingsceneacrosstheheavens.

Thenewcyclewasjustbeginningandthereweremanyeldarsatatthetablesalongthebalconyormovingbetween themand the foodbarson the inwardside.Theyate fruits fromtheorchardsandbreakfastedonspicedmeatsbroughtbackby traderswith theExoditeworlds.Drinksofall colours,someluminescent,otherseffervescent,weredispensedfromtall,slenderurnsorarrangedinrowsofglitteringbottles,regularlyreplenishedbythosewalkingthePathofService.Adampeningfieldkeptthe conversation quiet, though there were thousands of voices raised in greeting and debate,departureandconciliation.

Oneareawassparselypopulated,theothereldarleavinganindistinctbutnoticeablegapbetweenthemselvesandthepatronsthatsatatthelongbenchesthere.HereweretheAspectWarriors,shornoftheirwarpaint,togetherinquietcontemplation.

Korlandrilapproachedcautiously.Evenaftermuchmeditationandcalmingmantras,hewasstilljitteryfromhisrecentexperience.Hisnervousnesswasnothelpedbythestaresoftheothereldarashecrossedthepalebluefloor,headingtowardstheAspectWarriors.

Hestoppedandpouredhimselfaglassofdawn-waterandleanedagainstthecurvingcountertopashescannedtheassembledAspectWarriorslookingforhisfriends.

A hand was raised in welcome and Korlandril recognised Arthuis. On his left sat Maerthuin.AroundthemwereseveralothereldarthatKorlandrildidnotknow.Theysatwiththinplattersontheirlaps,pickingatfingerfood,theirvoicesquiet.SpacewasmadeonthebenchoppositehisfriendsandKorlandrilsatdown,agitatedbythepresenceofsomanywarriors.

“Greetingsofthenewcycletoyou,”saidMaerthuin.“Areyounothungry?”“I’dskinandeatanarboarifIcould,”saidArthuis.Hisplatewasheapedwithfoodandhebrokeoff

speakingtocramahandfulofscentedgrainsintohismouth.“ThisisElissanadrin,”saidMaerthuin,indicatingthefemaleeldarsattohisleft.Shewasperhaps

eightyorninetypassesold,almost twiceKorlandril’sage.Hercheekswereprominent,angular,andhernosethinandpointed.WhensheturnedandsmiledatKorlandril,hermovementswereprecise,every gesture clearly defined and a little abrupt. She paused as she sensed the identity of thenewcomer.

“Pleasedtomakeyouracquaintance,KorlandriltheSculptor,”Elissanadrinsaid.Hertonewasasclippedashermotion.

Korlandrilopenedapalmingreeting.Otherintroductionsweremade:Fiarithin,amalejustoutofpuberty;Sellisarin,a tall,oldereldarmale;otherswhosenamesandfeaturesKorlandrilstoredawayforfuturereference.

“There is something different about you,Korlandril,” said Arthuis, placing his empty plate on ashelfunderneaththebench.“Isensesomethingaggrievesyou.”

“Itishardnottofeelyouragitation,”addedMaerthuin.“Perhapsyouareuncomfortablewithyourcompany.”

Korlandril lookedaroundattheAspectWarriors.Onthefaceofit,theyappearednodifferenttoany other eldar. Without their war-masks on, they were each individual. Some were obviouslydistressed,othersanimated,mostthoughtful.

“Idonotwishtointrude,”saidKorlandril.Hiseyesstrayedtooneofthewarriors,anoldfemalewhosatweeping,comfortedbyhercompanions.“Iknowthatrecentlytherewasabattle.”

ArthuisfollowedKorlandril’sgazeandshookhisheaddisconsolately.“Severalofuswerelost.Wemourntheirpassing,buttheirspiritsweresaved,”saidElissanadrin.

Therewereapprovingnodsfromothersatthebenches.“Ishallcomposeaversetocommemoratetheirtimewithus,”saidArthuis.“IweptlikeababewhenIunmasked,”Maerthuinadmittedwithalopsidedsmile.“IthinkIshall

missNeamoriunthemost.Hewasagoodfriendandagiftedsinger.”ThenameflickeredwithrecognitionandKorlandrilrememberedattendingaconcertintheDome

ofEnchantingEchoes.“Isawhimperform,”saidKorlandril,wishingtoaddsomethingtotheconversation.“Hesangthe

LayofUlthanesh!”“Thatwashisfavourite,”Arthuischuckled.“ItisnosurprisethathejoinedtheFireDragons,sofull

ofenergyandexcitableoftemperament.”“ItwasonlylastpassthatIsawhim,IdidnotrealisehewasaFireDragon,”saidKorlandril.“Onecannotfightallofthetime,”saidMaerthuin.Thisappearedtoremindhimofsomethingand

helookedatKorlandril.“IamsorrythatImissedtheunveilingofyourstatue.Iwillvisitit laterthiscycle.”

A flicker of agitation disturbed Korlandril as he recalled his memories of the event, hisdisagreementwithAradryanmarringanotherwiseperfectevening.Theotherssensedhisdisquiet.

“Iwasright,somethingisamiss,”saidArthuis.“Icannotthinkthatyourworkwasanythingotherthanspectacular.”

“Ihadafriendwhothoughtotherwise.”Therewerewhispers of concern and Korlandril realised he had used not only the past form of

friend, but one used to refer to those that were dead. It was a slip of the tongue, but betrayedsomethingdeeper.Korlandrilwasquicktocorrecthimself.

“He has left Alaitoc to become a ranger,” he said, making a reassuring gesture. “It has beendifficult,Isawhimonlybriefly.Heisstillwithus,thoughIdonotthinkourfriendshiphassurvived.”

“ItisAradryanofwhomyouspeak?”askedMaerthuin.Korlandrilnodded.“IalwaysthoughtAradryanwasabitstrange,”confidedArthuis.“Ihalf-expectedtowakeeachcycle

anddiscoverthathehadtakenthestarwalk.”Korlandrilwasshocked.Tosuggestthatanothereldarwouldtaketheirlifewasoneofthecrudest

notionshehadheard.ArthuislaughedatKorlandril’sdistaste.“I know that he was your friend, but he was always far too distant,” said Arthuis. “It does not

surprisemeatallthathe’sbecomearanger.Ihavealwayssensedsomethingoftheradicalabouthim.”“Iknewhimwellandsensednosuchthing,”arguedKorlandril.“Sometimesthethingsthatareclosesttousarethehardesttosee,”saidMaerthuin.“Icansense

thatyouwouldprefernottotalkaboutit,sowewillchangethesubject.HowisThirianna,Iseeshehasnotcomewithyou?”

TheglassshatteredintosplintersinKorlandril’shand.Asone,manyoftheAspectWarriorsturnedtheirattentiontohim,asuddensilencedescendingastheysensedawaveofangerflowingfromthesculptor.Therewasconcernintheeyesofseveral.

“Have you hurt yourself?” asked Elissanadrin, leaning forward to look at Korlandril’s hand. Heexaminedhisfingersandpalmandfoundnoblood.

“Iamunhurt,”hesaidstifflyandmadetostand.Arthuisgentlybut insistentlygrabbedhiswristandpulledhimbackdown.

“Youaretrembling,”saidtheAspectWarriorandKorlandrilrealiseditwastrue.Hefeltaticunderhisrighteyeandhishandswereclenchedinfists.

“Iam…”Korlandrilbegan,buthecouldnotfinishthesentence.Hedidnotknowwhathewas.Hewasfrustrated.Hewassaddened.Mostofall,hewasangry.

“Ourfriendisirritable,itwouldseem,”saidMaerthuin.“IsthereaproblemwithThirianna?”Korlandrilcouldnotreply.EverytimeheturnedhismindtoThiriannahisthoughtsfoldedinon

themselves,sendinghimcrashingbackintothepitofangerthathadswallowedhim.Thesnakewithinhadcoileditselfthrougheverypartofhisbodyandwouldnotletgo,nomatterhowhardhetriedtopushitback.

“ItisKhaine’scurse,”saidSellisarin,intrigued.HereachedoutahandtowardsKorlandril’sbrow,

butthesculptorpulledback.“Don’ttouchme!”Korlandrilsnarled.Sellisarinmadesoothingsoundsandmovedcloser,meetingKorlandril’sgaze.“Thereisnothingtobeafraidof,”saidtheAspectWarrior,againreachingouthishand.Korlandrilwrithedastheserpentwhippedandwriggledinside,urginghimtolashout.Heraised

hishandsdefensivelyinstead,wardingawaySellisarin’sattention.“Leavemeinpeace,”hesobbed.“I’ll…I’lldealwiththisinmyownway.”“Youcannot findpeaceonyourown,”saidElissanadrin, sittingnext toKorlandril. “Thehandof

Khainehasreachedintoyouandawokenthatwhichdwellswithinallofus.Youcannotignorethis.Ifitdoesnotdestroyyou,itcouldharmothers.”

Korlandril looked pleadingly at Maerthuin. His friend nodded silently, affirming whatElissanadrinhadsaid.

“This ispartofyou,partofeveryeldar,”saidArthuis. “It isnota judgement,notsomethingthatbringsyoushame.”

“Whynow?”moanedKorlandril.“Whyhasthishappenednow?”“You must learn to understand your fear and your anger before you can control them,” said

Maerthuin.“Alwaystheyhavebeenwithyou,butwehidethemsowell.Nowyoumustbringthemintothelightandconfrontthem.Yourrageisgrowinginpoweroveryou.Itisnotsomethingyoucanfight,forsuchdesiresfuelthemselves.Norcanyouexpungethemfromyourspirit,nomorethanyoucanstopbreathing.Itispartofyouandalwayswillbe.Allyoucandonowisfindthemeansbywhichyoucancontainit,turnitsenergyelsewhere.”

“Andkeepitcontainedwhenitisnotneeded,”addedArthuis.Shuddering, Korlandril took a deep breath and looked at the faces around him. They showed

concern,notfear.Hewassurroundedbybloody-handedmurderers,whonotmorethanafewcyclesagohadslainandmutilatedothercreatures.Yethewastheonethatwasweigheddownbyhisanger;hewastheonewhofeltabottomlesshatred.Howwasitthattheycouldindulgethatdarkpartoftheirnatureandyetstaysane?

“Idonotknowwhattodo,”saidKorlandril,slumpingforwardswithhisheadinhishands.“Yesyoudo,butyouareafraidtoadmitit,”saidArthuis.Korlandrillookedathisfriend,notdaring

tospeak.“YoumustcometotermswithKhaine’slegacy.”“Icannotbecomeawarrior,”saidKorlandril.“IamanArtist.Icreate,Idonotdestroy.”“Andthatisgood,”saidSellisarin.“Itisthedivisionofcreationanddestructionthatyouneed,the

splitbetweenpeaceandwar,lifeanddeath.Lookaroundyou.Arewenotpeacefulnow,wewhohavekilledsomany?ThePathoftheWarrioristhepathofouterwarandinnerpeace.”

“The alternative is exile,” saidMaerthuin. A sly smirk twisted his lips. “You could always followAradryan,fleefromAlaitoc.”

The thought appalledKorlandril. To abandonAlaitocwas to abandonall civilization.Heneededstability and guidance, not unfettered freedom. His spirit could no more survive without theprotectionofAlaitocthancouldhisbody.Anotherthoughtcametohim.ToleavethecraftworldwouldmeanpartingfromThirianna—inshame,hislastacttowardsheroneofanger.

“WhatmustIdo?”heaskedquietly,resigninghimselftohisfate.Helookedatthewarriors.Eachhadchosenaspecificaspectof theBloody-HandedGodtobecome:DarkReaper,HowlingBanshee,ShiningSpear.HowdidoneknowwhichAspectthrivedwithin?“Idonotknowwheretogo.”

ItwasElissanadrinthatspoke.ShecrouchedinfrontofKorlandrilandheldhishandinhers.“Whatdoyoufeel,atthismoment?”sheasked.“I justwant tohide, tobeaway fromall of this,”Korlandril replied, eyes closed. “I amscaredof

whatIhavebecome.”TheAspectWarriorsexchangedglancesandElissanadrinnodded.“Then it is in hiding, in secrecy, in the shadows that youwill find your way,” she said, pulling

Korlandriltohisfeet.“Comewithme.”Korlandrilfollowedhermutelyastheothereldarpartedforthem.Hecouldfeeltheirstaresupon

hisbackandcringedattheirattention.Somuchhadchangedsoquickly.Acycleagohehadcravedtheinterestofothers,nowhecouldnotbeartheirscrutiny.

“Where arewe going?” he asked Elissanadrinwhen they had passed out of the Crescent of theDawningAges.

“In thedarknessyouwill findstrength. In theaspectof theStrikingScorpionyouwill turn fearfromenemytoally.WegototheplacewhereIalsolearnttohide:theShrineoftheDeadlyShadow.”

Quiet but agitated, Korlandril allowed Elissanadrin to lead him to the shuttle vault beneath theCrescent of theDawningAges. Thewideplatformwas almost empty, only a handful of other eldarwaiting for thecross-hub transport.Korlandril satonabenchnext toElissanadrinbut the twosaidnothingastheywaitedfortheshuttle.

Asofthumheraldeditsarrival,pulsingfromthetunnelwaytotheleftamomentbeforetheshuttlewhispered alongside the platform and came to a standstill, a chain of bullet-shaped compartmentshoveringjustabovetheanti-gravrail.

Thepairfoundanemptycarriagetowardsthefrontoftheshuttleandsatoppositeeachother.“Itisnotwrongtobeafraid,”saidElissanadrin.“Wemustlearntolivewithourfearsasmuchas

ourhopesanddreamsandtalents.”Korlandrilsaidnothingas theshuttleaccelerated,plunging intoablue-lit tunnel.Foramoment

theswiftly-passedlightsdappledthroughthewindowsuntiltheybecameaconstantstreamofcolour,blurredtogetherbythespeedoftheshuttle.

Korlandriltriedtorelax,tofindadreamtotakehimawayfromwhatwashappening,buthisfistsgrippedthemouldedarmsofthechairandeverymuscleinhisbodywastense.Closinghiseyesdidnothelp.Theonlymemory thatcametohimwasa realdream,anightmarebattle thathadplaguedhissleepthenight-cyclebeforeAradryan’sreturn.

“Doyoudreamofwar?”heaskedsuddenly.Elissanadrinshookherhead.“It is so thatwedonotdream thatwe learn todonourwar-masks,” she replied. “Combat is an

immediate,visceralactandshouldnotberemembered.”HeransweronlyincreasedKorlandril’sanxiety,whiletheshuttleracedon,headingfortheValeof

Khaine,speedinghimtowardshisfate.

Korlandril stood in front of the last of the three gates that led to the shrine.He could see nothingbeyondthewhiteportalandwasalone.Elissanadrinhadlefthimbetweenthefirstandsecondgatesand takenanother route.The entrancewaywasphysicallyunassuming, identifiedby a solitary runeabovetheouterdoor.TheyhadpassedseveralsuchAspectshrinesontheshortwalkfromtheshuttlestation,alongdesertedcorridorsandthroughemptypassageways.

Though theVale ofKhaine looked little different to any other part of Alaitoc—visually bland inKorlandril’s opinion—it certainly had its own feel. As soon as he had stepped off the transport,Korlandrilhadfeltit,anoppressiveairthatfilledthespacebetweenthecurvedwallswithapressurethatnaggedatone’smind.

FearflutteredinKorlandril’sheartashestoodthere,notknowingwhat laybeyondthedoorway.TheAspectWarriorsneverspokeoftheirshrinesandnoeldarwenttothemunlesstheyweredestinedto join.He could barely feel the infinity circuit in thewalls around him, subdued and distant. Thespiritswithinitscrystallinematrixavoidedthisplace.

Takingadeepbreath,Korlandrilsteppedforwardandthedoorpeeledapartinfrontofhim.The first sensationwas cloyingheat andhumidity. Itwashed overKorlandril, sweeping around

himwithawetembrace.Hisskinwasslickwithinmoments,asheenofdropletsonhisbarearmsandlegs.Theplainwhitetunicheworewassoddenbeforehehadtakenastepforwards.

Dimmistdriftedout,swallowinghimwithinitsgloom.Hecouldbarelyseethecontortedtrunksanddroopingbranchesoftrees,overhangingapathahead.Steppingacrossthethresholdhisbootedfootcameuponspongyground,hisfeetsinkingslightlyintothesoftmire.Afterthreemorepacesthedoorssilentlyshutbehindhim.Korlandrilfeltclosedoff.Suddenlypanicked,hewheeledaroundandsteppedtowardstheportal,butthegatewouldnotopen.

Therewasnoturningback.Thepathitselfwoundameanderingtrackbetweendarkpoolsofthickliquidthatgleamedwithan

oily sheen. Creepers hung down from the branches overhead, sometimes so many of them thatKorlandrilhadtopawhiswayforwards,theirwettendrilsslappingathisfaceandshoulders.

Not only vinespopulated the trees. Serpentswithglisteninggreenbodies slitheredbetween thelargefronds,theirredeyesdeadofallexpression.Insectswithwingsaslargeashishandsburredandbuzzedaroundhim, skimmingover thepoolsor clinging to the smooth tree trunks,gently fanningtheirbrightly-patternedwings.

The only sounds were the patter of drips on the leaves and the trickle of water through themangroveroots;andthehammeringofhisheart.Nobreezestirredthetreesandtheheatgrewmoreoppressiveashefollowedthesnakingpatharoundmoss-coveredboles.Lookingback,allwasobscuredbyheavymist,theonlysignofhispassingthecoilingwispsleftintheair.

Hehadnosenseofhowfarthechamberstretched.Thoughhehadbeenwalkingforsometimehisroutehadneverbeenstraightandhewonderedifhehadbeencirclingaimlessly,onestretchofpathlookingmuchlikeanyother.HecouldnotfeelthepulseofAlaitoc;theinorganichadgivenwaytothisartificialwilderness.Therewasnoechoandabovehimtheskywasadistantochrehaze.

ForawhileKorlandrilfoundhimselfatpeacewiththisplace.Itssombreatmospheresoothedhisturbulent thoughts. There was a melancholy air, a primordial stillness that made his anger seemirrelevant.Thetwistedtreesgrewlargerandlarger,almostasoldasthecraftworlditself.Hehadnoideahowmanyothershadpassedalongthispathbeforehim;hundredsoftheAlaitociihadcomethiswayseekingtheanswersheldwithintheshrine.

AdoubtcreptintoKorlandril’sthoughts.Perhapstheyhadnotcomethiswayatall?Perhapshewaslost?His fear returned. Every flitting shadow startled him, every hanging vine a snake in disguisewaitingtostrike.Hequickenedhispace,eagertopushontowhateverawaitedhisjourney’send.Inhishastehisfootcaughtatwiningrootandhestumbledtoaknee.Korlandrilthoughttheroothadmoved,deliberatelytrippinghim.Withfreshdreadhestaredaroundatthetrees,feelingthemcomingcloser.

Hebrokeintoarun.Thefasterhewent,themorethepathwoundtoandfro,theslickerunderfootit became. He thrashed through the creepers, panting wildly, eyes wide, alert for any sign of hisdestination.

All his other thoughts were put aside, all of his considerable mental powers concentrated onescaping thismorass.He flinchedateverymovement in theshadows, recoiledwheneverhestrayedfromthepathandhisfootsankintothemire.Whirling,hefellbackagainstatree,hishandcomingagainstsomethingsoftandwet.Lookingdown,hesawa large-eyedtoadleapaway,droppingintoapoolwithaheavyplop.Hewipedhishandonhistunic,whichwasnownotonlymuchstainedbutalsotatteredinplaces.

Hefeltraggedandalone,hismindfrayinglikehisclothes.Hisbootsfeltfartootightandherippedthem off, casting them into themist. Barefoot he squelched along the path again, this timemoredeliberately,scanningthegroundforanysignthathewasgoingintherightdirection.

Hefeltthegrounddippingandhepressedonwards,movingdownatree-shroudedslope.Thepathstraightenedinfrontofhimandhecameupontwothinpillarscarvedfromagreystoneflankinghisroute,crustedwithdarkbluelichen.Stopping,hesweptasideapatchandsawrunesinscribedintothecolumns,soage-wornhecouldbarelyseethem.Heranhishandsovertheroughsurfaceofthe left-handpillar,usinghisartist’sfingertipstoreadwhatwaswrittenthere.

Theshadowscallandthosewhoanswercomehere.Ontheothercolumnhefoundmoreengraving:Eventhedeepestshadowscannothideusfromourselves.Korlandrilstoodbetweenthepillarsandlookedahead.Hesawsomethingconcealedinthemists,

half-hiddenbymossandcreepers.Approachingcloserhecouldmakeouttheroughoutlineofalargeziggurat,madeofthesamegreystoneasthepillars.Treesgrewuponitslevels,maskingitwiththeirleaves.Lichenandvinescriss-crosseditsblocks,anaturalcamouflagethathadgrownoveranage.

Thepath ledintoadarkopening.Korlandrilcouldseenothingoftheinterior.Beyondtheportalwasutterblackness.Hestoppedjustbeforesteppingacrossthethreshold.Thedarknesswasnotjusttheabsenceof light, itwas somethingelse.Therewasnogradualdimming fromthegloomto totalblackness, a stark plane of utter shadow marked the boundary. Hands held out in front of him,Korlandrilplungedin.

Inthedarkness itwascool.Comparedto theheatoutside, the insideof theshrinewas icycoldandKorlandril’s skin prickled. Stretching to either side, Korlandril ran his fingertips across a smoothsurface.Itwasalsocoldandhesnatchedbackhisfingers.Hewasinapassagewayjustalittlenarrowerthan his outstretched hands. Pressing on, occasionally hewould come to an opening on the left orright.Therewasnosightorsoundthatguidedhimandsohekeptmovingstraightahead.Hisfootfallsweremuffled,barefeetpaddingonahardsurface.

Korlandril felthimselfstep intoa largerchamber.Therewasno lessening inthe intensityof theshadowbuthecouldsensethewallsweremoredistant,hisfingersstrokingnothingbutair.Hestoodmotionless,headturningleftandright,seekingsomethingtofixupon.

TherewasasoftrustletohisleftandKorlandrilturnedhisheadsharply.Hecouldseenothing.Thenasoundcamefromtheright,arapidbutbarelyaudibledrumthatlastedforafewheartbeats

andthenfellsilent.Hecouldseenothinginthatdirectioneither.Two lights flared into life ahead of him, pinpricks of yellow that grew quickly in brightness to

revealgoldeneye-shapes.Theyilluminatednothing,castingnoshadow.Avoicecametohim,frombehindthoseglowingeyes.Itwasquiet,adeepwhisper.“WhatisthisIsee,awandererperhaps,lostandallalone?”“IamKorlandril.IseektheShrineoftheDeadlyShadow.”“Andyouhavefoundit,seekerofthedarkanswer,childtouchedbyKhaine’shand.”Korlandrilwasnotsurewhattosayandanunnervingsilencedescended.Hedroppedhishandsto

hissideandlookedattheyelloweyes.Theywerelenses,ofthathewassure.“WhomdoIaddress?”heasked.“IamKenainath,theDeadlyShadowExarch,keeperofthisshrine.”“Iwish you to teachme theways of the Striking Scorpion.My fear and anger eats atme from

within,Imustfindreleaseforit.”“Whatmakesyouafraid,darknessandshadowsperhaps,thatwhichishidden?Whatmakesyou

angry,afriend’sdeathorlover’sscorn,thatdrivesyoutohate?”Korlandrildidnotanswer,ashamed.Nowthathewasstoodhere,inthisdarkplace,itseemedsuch

atrivialthing.“Yougivenoanswer,perhapsyoudonotknowit,thatwhichdestroysyou.”“Ihavebeenspurned,byoneIcalledfriendandonethatIloved.”Asinisterlaughcameinreply.“Donotmockme!” snarledKorlandril, taking apace towards thoseunmoving eyes. “Mypain is

real!”“Weallhaveourpain,whicheatsawayatourhearts,turnsourlovetohate.Butwhereispainnow,

whenangercomessoeasy,thatyouwouldstrikeme?”Korlandrilgrittedhis teeth, sensing thathewasbeing teased.He took severaldeepbreathsand

stilledhiswhirlingthoughts,preferringtosaynothing.“Donotfightthisurge,theneedtounleashyourire,embraceitinstead.”“Idonotwishtohurtyou,”Korlandrilsaid,andwasagainlaughedat.

“Youdonotscareme,Iamthemasteroffear,StrikingScorpion.It isyouthatfears, thatwhichconsumesyouinside,feedingyourdesire.Youcannotharmme,youhavenottheskillorstrength,northewilltohurt.”

Atthat,theshadowsrecededslightly,revealinganarmouredfigurecroucheduponastep.Itsfacewasaheavymask,withaserratedgrilleforamouth,flankedbybulbouspods,framedwithsegmentedfinger-thickblackcablesforhair,whichmovedwithalifeoftheirown.Greenandgoldenplatesslidacrosseachotherasitstood,fullyaheadtallerthanKorlandril.TheringofitsarmouredbootechoedaroundKorlandrilastheexarchtookastepforward.

Itlifteditsrighthand,glovedinaheavyclawthatshimmeredwithanenergyfield.“Icouldbreakyounow,tearyoulimbfromlimbwithease,aworkofmoments,”saidKenainath,

histonelowandmenacing.Korlandrilshrankbackandtookastepawayfromtheexarchashestrodeforward,thoseglowing

eyesunwavering.TerrorgrippedKorlandril,floodingthroughhimlikeachill.Hefelltohisknees,eyesfixedonthemaskoftheexarch,unabletobreakfromthatlifelessgaze.

“Iamsorry,Iamnotworthy,”Korlandrilsobbed.Self-loathingmixedwithhisdread;hehadfailed,he could not control his fear or master his anger. Kenainath loomed over him, his deadly eyesimplacable.“Idonotwishtodie,butIcannotlivelikethis!”

Theexarchstraightenedandtookastepback,extendinghisotherhandtowardsKorlandril.“Thenyouarewelcome.Awarrior should feardeath,but cannot crave life.StandupKorlandril,

StrikingScorpionatheart,Khaine’sdeadlyshadow.”

PARTTWO

WARRIOR

Focus

In the time before theWar inHeaven, it came to pass that the ambitions of Ulthanesh and the will ofEldaneshwereatodds.Eldaneshwasgreatestoftheeldar,andwouldbrooknodiscord.UlthaneshcouldnotkeephisdesiresboundwithinandEldaneshbanishedhisfriend,sendinghimoutintothedesert.UlthaneshwaswearyfromhisargumentswithEldaneshandsatuponarock.HesatforalongtimecontemplatingthewrongsoftheuniverseandthedishonourvisiteduponhimbyEldanesh.SeeingUlthaneshsodistraughtthewargodKhainesensedanopportunityforstrife.Hebrokethetipfromoneofhisironfingersandcastitintotheshadowsbeneaththerock,wherethefingertipbecameascorpion.Thescorpionstoleoutofthedarknessand stungUlthanesh on thehand.Thepoison consumedUlthaneshand for countlessdaysandnightshewrithed in thesandsburningwith fever.YetUlthaneshwasstrongandin timethevenomwasconqueredandthefeverpassed.Whenheawokefromhispoison-tormenteddreams,Ulthaneshfoundhimselfatpeace.He had survived on his own with no aid from Eldanesh. Ulthanesh realised he had strength enough inhimselfandnolongerneededEldanesh’sprotection.ThuswastheHouseofUlthaneshfoundedandthestrifeoftheeldarbegan.

KorlandrilagainremindedhimselfthattreadingthePathoftheWarriorwouldeasehistorment.Hewas,headmitted,atalosstoworkoutquitehowstandingononeleginaswampwouldbringaboutthischange.Kenainathsquattedonabranchabovehim,divestedofhisarmourandclad inaclose-fittingbodysuit of pale green andgolden yellow.Or at leastKorlandril thought the exarchwas stillwatching him; the last time he had glanced up to check he had been on the end of a sternadmonishment from themaster of the shrine.Korlandril kepthis gaze firmly ahead, focussedon aknotinthehunchedboleofatreeonthefarsideofthepool.

Thewarrior-to-be controlledhis posturewith precision, carefully controlling everymuscle so asnottolosebalanceforamoment.Hestoodonhisleftfoot,toessinkingintothemud,leaningforwardasfaraspossiblewithoutfalling,onehandraisedinfrontofhisthroatinaguardposition,theotherstretchedbehindhimtooffsethisforwardlean.

ItwastheseventhcyclesincehistraininghadbegunandtheonlyothereldarhehadseeninthattimehadbeenKenainath.OfElissanadrinandtheotherStrikingScorpions,therehadbeennosign.Forsevencycles—andKorlandrilwasconvincedthedurationofthecycleswerelongerherethanintherestofAlaitoc—Kenainathhadwokenhispupilearlyandbroughthimoutintothemiresurroundingtheshrine.Thefirstcyclehadbeenspentlearningtobreathe—longandlowbreathsthatbarelystirred

theair.Thatwasall,awholecyclespentbreathing.Forthesecondcycle,KenainathhadcommandedKorlandriltohangfromabranchbyhisknees,untilhewasquitedizzyfromthebloodinhishead,andthen led him on a run along the twisting mangrove paths that left the former artist panting anddishevelled.Andsoonhaditcontinued,eachcyclebringingsomenewyetfaciletorturetobevisiteduponhim.

“Ihavenodoubtthatyourmethodshavebeensuccessful inbringingmanyontothepathoftheStriking Scorpion, exarch,” Korlandril said quietly, barelymoving his lips for fear of upsetting hisdelicatestateofbalance. “YetIhavenotyetseenaweaponnorascrapofarmour.IamquitesureIhavenoideahowthisteachesmehowtocontrolmyanger.”

“Areyouangrynow,myyoungwarrior-to-be,standinginthemud?”theexarchreplied,hisvoiceaslightrelieftoKorlandrilwhothoughtthatperhapshehadbeenleftaloneassomekindofmockery.“Areyoufrustrated,tobetreatedinthisway,dirtyanddowncast?”

Korlandril thought about this for a moment and realised that he wasn’t angry, nor was heparticularlyfrustrated;notinthesamewaythatthoughtsofAradryanandThiriannafrustratedhim.Ifanything,hewasbored.Thephysicalexertionwasconsiderable—areminderthateventheeldarbodyhad its limits of endurance, speed and strength—but the mental occupation was non-existent.Kenainathhadforbiddenhisstudentfromenteringamemedreamoranyotherdistraction,insistingthatKorlandrilbefullyattentivetoeverypartofhisbodyandsurroundings.

“Youwish tohavepeace, to escape the rageandhate, yet also crave it,” saidKenainath,withoutwaitingforananswerfromKorlandril.“Youmustlearntwoways,thepathstobothwarandpeace,inequalmeasure.Thatwhichweunleash,thefaceofbattlewewear,isasawar-mask.Youmustputiton,withinyourspiritalone,andthentakeitoff.Peacemustbethegoal,warhelpsusachievethispeace,and thenbalancecomes. Itmustbea choice, shunningwaranddeathandblood, choosing lifeandhope.Youmustmakethatchoice,ineverypartoflife,sothatyouarefree.Warisanotastate,itisanabsenceofpeace,apassingnightmare.Weawakefromit,notrememberingitscurse,divorcedfromitstaint.Wemustbecomedeath,toprotectandtosurvive,butdonotlovedeath.”

Korlandril allowed the words to resonate through his thoughts, glad of something to occupyhimself. Something occurred to him, a question, but hewas hesitant to ask. The exarchmust havesensedsomethingofKorlandril’sunease.

“Weareherefortruth,tofindtheansweryouseek,noquestioniswrong.”“Youspeakofpeace,yetyouareanexarch.Whatcanyouknowofpeace,whocannotleaveKhaine’s

embrace?”TherewasaslightcreakandasubtleswishofleavesasKenainathshiftedhisweightonthebranch

above.Korlandrilwonderedifhisquestionhadbeeninappropriate.“Freedomisnotmine, towander fromthis temple,outwith theothers,” theexarchsaidquietly.

“Youdonotseeme,singinganddancingoutside,writingpoetry.Istayinthisshrine,wheremycursecannot harm you, forever trapped here. Though I wear no paint, my war-mask remains inside,cloudingallmythoughts.Hadyouangeredme,thatfirstdayyoucametome,Imighthavekilledyou.EvennowIhate,filledwithmyangeralways,butIdonotstrike.Itisnotmadness,notuncontrollableire,whichmywar-maskbrings.Itisanurging,toreleasewhatisinside,fightingtogetout.Istruggle

withit,butIamitstruemaster,exertingmywill.Itisnofrenzy,nobloodlustthatwouldswampme,butaperspective.Iseethingsunseen,painandmiserybeneath,whichothershidefrom.Itismyduty,thecovenantofexarchs,toprepareyourmind.Youwillseehorror,witnessdeathandagony,andmustconfrontit.Thisismycalling,toleadyouonthatdarkpath,whereothersrecoil.”

Korlandril’slimbsweretremblingfromfatigueandhefoughttoremainbalanced.Thethoughtoffallingintothemud,humiliatedinfrontofKenainath,stiffenedhisresolveandhedugdeeperintohisspiritforstrength.

“Itisverygood,myyoungbutkeendisciple,thatyoudonotfall.Lookintoyourself,tellmewhatitisyousee,whatyouusedtosee.”

Korlandril sifted his thoughts, parting a section of his consciousness to keep himself balancedwhilehedancedthroughhismind.Hesetasidethephysicaldiscomfortandexaminedhisemotionalstate.Hewascalm.Hehadn’tbeenthiscalmsince…

AssoonasKorlandril’sthoughtsturnedtoThirianna,theserpentofjealousyreared,spittingandhissing.ForaninstantKorlandril’swholebodywasonfire.Everynervetingledwithvibrant life.HesawthecoloursoftheswampwithaclarityhehadnotwitnessedevenasanArtist.Everyrippleshoneinhismind;everychirrup,scratchandburrofinsectsoundeddistinctinhisears.Thefaintestbreezeon his flesh, the feel of the mud between his toes and the coolness of the water on his skin. Hiswaystonewaslikeawhite-hotcoaloverhisheart.EverythingstoodoutinsharpcontrastandforthatmomentKorlandril feltanurgetodestroy itall.Theneedtowreakhavoc,shedblood, take life,wasoverwhelming.Hecouldnottakeanotherbreathwithoutstrikingout.

Hefellsplashingintothemuddypool,hislossofbalancesounexpectedthathelandedfacefirst,unabletobreakhisfall.Spluttering,herosefromthemurk,filthdrippingfromhair,browandchin.

“Atrick?”hesnarled,whirlingaround,stillawashwithafter-eddiesfromthewaveofperfectangerthathadsweptacrosshim.

Theexarchwasnolongeronthebranch.Korlandrilcastaroundforasignofhimbutsawnothing,heardnothing.Buthecouldsensetheexarch’spresencecloseathand,subtlymingledwiththeessenceof the swamp.With a shock, Korlandril realised how attuned he had become to his surroundings,unconsciouslyabsorbingitspresence,analysingeverysmellandsoundandsightwithouteffort.Therewastheslightestofdisturbancestohisleftandheturnedsharply.

Therewasnothing;nomovement,notevenaflickerofshadow.“Whereisyouranger,whereistheragefromwithin,whichyoufelt justnow?”Kenainath’svoice

wasadistant, echoingwhisper, seeming to come fromeverydirectionandnone, like several voicesspeakingatonce.Korlandrilcalmed,everyfibrerelaxing,evenhisheartquieteningashemadehimselfsilentinanefforttoattainthesensorystatehehadbrieflyachieved.

“It was your anger, bringing heightened awareness, which you felt just now. Our hate is ourstrength,notsomeweaknesstobepurged,ifweuseitwell.”

Korlandril understood the exarch and tried to bring back the moment of pure rage he hadexperiencedafterfalling,butallhefeltwasfrustration.

“Donothaveoutbursts,lettingyourangerflywild,anunfetteredbeast.Youmustlearncontrol,tostrikelikethescorpion,notthefiredragon.Whenyoucandothat,whenyourangerservesyourwill,

youhaveyourwar-mask.”

Slowly,cycle-by-cycle,Korlandrilexertedevergreatercontroloverhismindandbody.Thetwobecameasone;thephysicaleffortofmaintainingthestrenuousStrikingScorpionfightingposesnarrowedhisfocus, concentratinghis thoughts toa singlepoint.Wheneverhedeviated fromthe routines set forhimbyKenainath,Korlandrilstruggledandlosthisbalance,physicallyandmentally.

Forall thatheunderstoodKenainath’s teachings,Korlandrilbecameevermore frustratedbyhisinabilitytounleashthatmomentofprimalragehehadfeltearlier.Hefearedthatallhewasdoingwassuppressingfurtherandfurthertheangerthathadfirstpropelledhimtowardstheshrine.

ForfortycyclesKenainathkeptKorlandrilapartfromtheotherStrikingScorpions,traininghimalonewithin the gloomof the shrine and its dismal surrounds.Korlandril longed to see the rest ofAlaitoc again. Though it painedhim every timehe thought of Thirianna, he couldnot suppress hiscuriosityandlongedtoknowhowshefared.HadshestarteduponthePathoftheSeer?Didsheevenknowwhathadbecomeofhim?Howdid she feel aboutherpart inhisdecision to take thePathofKhaine?

Asthefirstglimmeroftheforty-firstcyclecreptthroughthenarrowwindowsoftheupperlevelsoftheshrine,Kenainathappearedasusual.Theexarchwascladinhisdarkgreenrobe,sleeveless,openat the front, adeepyellowbodysuitbeneath,hisdark redwaystone fixed to the centreofhis chest.Korlandrillookedattheovalofthewaystone,noticingtheshimmeringofitscolour,aflickeringinitsdepthsasofmanylightsfaraway.

“Itistimeagain,tolearntheFallingStormpose,comeoutsidewithme,”saidKenainath.“No.”Korlandrilcrossedhisarms,legsbracedapart.“Idonotwanttotraintoday.I’msickofthis

gloomyswamp.IwanttoseeThirianna.”MovingsoswiftlythatKorlandrilbarelysawhim,Kenainathsteppedforwardandflickedahand

towardsKorlandril’sear.Theblowwaslightenough,butstungquickly.Korlandrillunged,aimingthetipsofhisfingersknife-liketowardstheexarch’sthroat,finishinginthestanceknownasStingFromShadow.Kenainathswayedawayandretreatedwithseveralquicksteps.

“Itwillnotbesafe,youcannotyetcontrolthehate,andcouldblindlystrikeout.”Korlandril shuddered with the shock of realisation. He had tried to harm Kenainath. He had

wantedtocausehiminjury.Evenkillhim.Hehadactedwithoutconsciousthought,buthecouldfeelthedesiretoinflicthurtthathaddriventhereflex.Ifhehaddonesuchathingtoanyonebutanotherwarrior,hewouldhavemurderedthem.

“Nowyouunderstand,thatwhichwearecreating,safehereintheshrine,”Kenainathsaidsoftly.“Whywouldyoudothistome?”demandedKorlandril.“WhyturnmeintothisbeforeIcancontrol

it?”“Thisisyourwar-mask,expandingfromwithinyou,consumingyourmind.”Theexarch’stonewas

unforgiving,withnohintofshameorcomfort.“Itisforbattle,whereyoucannothesitate,butactorreact.Donotbeworried,youwilllearntoremovethemask,Iwillteachyouhow.”

“Youhavedonethistotrapmehere,becauseyoucannotleave,”saidKorlandril.“Untilyouwearit,youcannotremovethemask,itisstillhidden.Intimeyouwilllearn,befreeof

themask’s control, and then you can leave.” There was no sympathy in Kenainath’s voice, but hisdeterminedtoneeasedKorlandril’sfearsalittle.“Nowyouhaveagoal,toleavebehindyourwar-mask,togainyourfreedom.”

Korlandrildidnotknowwhetheritwasthementalforcesbeingunleashedbytheexarch’straining,ortheexarchhimself,buthedespisedKenainathevenmore.Heallowedhisangertosimmerinsideashefollowedtheexarchoutintotheswamponceagain.Theprospectoffinishinghistrainingseemedadistantdream.Yettheexarch’swordshadstruckachord.IfKorlandriltrulywantedtobefreeofthisplace,hehadtoridhimselfofthecauseforhisbeinghere—hisanger.Kenainath’smethodsseemedcounterproductive,buthehadtrainedmanyStrikingScorpionsandKorlandrilhadtoputhistrustinthat.

Resignedmorethanhopeful,KorlandriltrailedafterKenainathintothegloom.

“Peaceisasitis,unwaveringandendless,aconstantoflife.”Theexarch’swordswerehushed.“Angerisfleeting,amomentaryrelapse,whenwillslipsaway.”

Korlandril barely heard Kenainath, a whisper on the edge of consciousness. He stood upon abranchofastoopingtree,agreenishpoolbelowhimmottledwithleavesandalgae.Amoment’slossofconcentrationandhewouldfallintothewater.

“TheWhisperofDeath,andthenintoSurgingWave,endwithRisingClaw,”instructedKenainath.Korlandrilshiftedpositionwithcontrolledslowness,bendingalmostdoublewhileheeasedhisleft

footforwardyetkepthisweightonhisbackleg,leftarmraisedabovehishead,rightarmcrookedbyhisside.Takingapaceforward,heshiftedhisbalance,thrustingforwardwithhisrightarm,sweepingoutwardswiththelefthand.Tofinish,hestraightened,leftarmcurvingupinfrontofhim,rightarmheldback.

TheexarchcontinuedandKorlandrilobeyed,movingforwardsandbackwardsalongthebranchasdictatedbyKenainath,makingmockstrikesanddefencesashedidso.Themotionswereeffortless,remembered by instinct rather than conscious thought. Korlandril moved gracefully through alltwenty-seven basic poses. The branch buckled and swayed beneath him, but his balance remainedperfect.

Evenashisbodymoved,Korlandril’smindwasstill.SeventycyclesnowhadpassedandKorlandrilcould barely recall his life before coming to the shrine. He knew there were memories insidesomewhere, but no longer knewwhere to look for them.Hewas littlemore than a physical vesselmovingalongabranch,waitingtobefilledbysomethingelse.

Whentheexercisewascomplete,KenainathsignalledforKorlandriltofollowhim.Korlandrilhidhissurpriseasheleaptlithelydowntothepathbesidethepool.Itwasearlyyetinthecycleanditwasunexpectedtotakeabreaksoearly.

Kenainath offered no explanation as he turned back up the creeper-crossed path and headedtowards the shrine. Korlandril followed close behind, intrigued by this change of routine. The pairplunged into the cool shadows of the temple and then took a turn to the left, down a passageKorlandrilhadnevertrodbefore.Itbroughtthemintoalonggallery,highandnarrow.Alongeachwallstoodfivesuitsofaspectarmour,fashionedfrommanyoverlappingplatesofdeepgreenedgedwith

gold,theredlensesofthehelmetsdullandlifeless.Besidefourofthesuitsstoodtheotherwarriorsoftheshrine.KorlandrilrecognisedElissanadrinandshesmiled inreplytohisquizzicalglance.Theothershe

hadseenaroundthecraftworld,butdidnotknowtheirnames.“Now to make your choice, to meet your companions, Striking Scorpion,” Kenainath intoned

solemnly,takinghisplaceatthefarendofthegalleryinfrontofthemuchheavierexarcharmourhehadbeenwearingwhenKorlandrilhadfirstarrived.

Korlandril lookedaround,wonderingwhichsuittopick.Atfirsttheyseemedidentical,butthereweresubtledifferences;intheplacementofgems,thehangofthehair-likesensoryantenna-crestsofthehelmets,thebrightlycolouredribbonstiedaboutthearmouredlimbs.

HisfirstinstinctwastostandbesideElissanadrin,seekingthefamiliar,buthedismissedtheurge.Itwaschangeandrenewalthatheneeded,notthecomfortable.Outofthecornerofhiseye,Korlandrilthoughthesawamomentaryglitterintheeyesofonesuit.Heturnedtowardsit.Therewasnothingtodistinguishitfromtheothers,butsomethingaboutittuggedatKorlandril.

“Thisone,”hesaid,stridingtowardsthearmour.Hestoodbesideitandturnedtofacetheexarch.“Thatisawisechoice,anoblesuityouhavepicked,whichhasserveduswell,”saidKenainath.“You

arenowready,inbodyifnotinmind,todonyourarmour.”A thrill of elation shivered throughKorlandril. For the first time since coming to the shrine he

sensedamomentofachievement.Hehadbeendimlyawareoftheprogresshehadbeenmaking,sosubtlehadbeenthechangeswroughtinhimbyKenainath.Nowthathewasstoodbesidehisarmour,Korlandrillookedonwhathadpassedwithfresheyes.Justashehadlearnedtocontroltheghoststoneas a sculptor, now he controlled every muscle and fibre of his body. It was an instrument whollysubservienttohiswillandwhim.

ThedonningofhisarmourwasnotasstraightforwardasKorlandrilhadimagineditmightbe.Justaswiththefightingposes,everystageofarmouringwasprecise,eachstanceandmovementstrictlydefined by Kenainath. With each stage came a mantra from the exarch, which resounded inKorlandril’smindastheStrikingScorpionsrepeatedthewords.

Firsthestrippednaked,castinghisrobeasideasifthrowingawayapartofhimself.Hetookhiswaystoneon its silver chainandplaced it carefully inaniche in thewall.He feltaquiverof fearatbeingseparatedfromhisspirit-saviour.Itwasperhapshisimagining,butKorlandrilfeltamomentofscrutiny,asifdetectingeyessuddenlyuponhim,regardinghimfromagreatdistance.Hedismissedhisunease,knowingthatnothingcouldbefallhimintheshrine.

“Thepeaceisbroken,harmonyfallstodiscord,onlywarremains.”Korlandril followed the lead of the others, taking the bodysuit thatwas folded on a small ledge

behindthearmour.“Nowweclotheourselves,withbloodyKhaine’sownraiment,asawarrior.”Korlandrilsteppedintothelegsofthebodysuit.Itwaslargeandsaggedonhislimbsandgathered

inunsightlybulgesbetweenhislegsandunderhisarms,itsfingertipsdanglinguselessly.“InKhaine’sironskin,wecladourselvesforbattle,whilefireburnswithin.”Korlandril’sheartquickened. Inhisgut, theserpentofhisangerstretchedslowly.Heplacedhis

palmstogetherinfrontofhisface,copyingthemovementsoftheotherAspectWarriors.Inresponse,thebodysuittightened.Asthefabricofthesuitshrankagainsthistautmuscles,dormantpadsbeganto thicken, forming rigid areas across his chest and stomach and along the bulge of his thighs,stiffeningalonghisspine.

“ThespiritofKhaine,fromwhichwedrawourresolve,strengthenswithinus.”KorlandrilkepthiseyeonElissanadrin, followinghermotions.Reachingbehind thearmour,he

undid the fastenings along its back, letting the lower portion of the torso fall free in his hands.Wrapping it abouthis stomachand lowerback,hisnimble fingersworked the fasteningsback intoplace.Itsstiffpresencearoundhismidsectionwasreassuring,supportinghisback,squeezingagainsthissidesinafirmembrace.

“Warcomesuponus,wemustbearitsdarkburden,uponourshoulders.”Followingtheleadoftheothers,Korlandrilundidtheclaspsfixingtheupperpartofthearmourto

itsstand.Helifteditabovehishead,solidbutnotheavy.Withcarefulmovementshelowereditontohis shoulders.Theplatesgripped the surfaceof theundersuit, extendingdownhisupperarms; theroundedbulgeofthepowergeneratorslippedeasilyacrosshisshoulderblades.Asbefore,hereturnedtoa stanceof repose and the suit shifted slightlywith a life of its own, adjusting itself tohis body.When ithadstoppedmoving,he tightened theclasps, fixing thearmour inplace.He felt top-heavyandadjustedhisbacktostandstraighter.

AmomentoffearmadeKorlandriltrembleasthebodysuitextendeduptowardshisface,enclosinghisthroatandneck,thetouchofripplingridgesinsistentbutgentle.Themomentpassedassoonasitstoppedjustbelowhischin.Hetookadeepbreathtosteadyhimself.

“WestandbeforeKhaine,unyieldinginourcalling,freeofdoubtandfear.”Theupper legarmourcamenext, fittingtoKorlandrilassnuglyastherestofthesuit.Hefound

thatifheflexedinacertainway,theplatesinterlockeddelicately,strengtheninghisstance,offsettingthe imbalance of the powerpack.Korlandril’s pulsewas almost feverish, burning along his arteries,hissinginhisears.

“Wedonotfleedeath,wewalkintheshadeofKhaine,proudandunafraid.”Thelowerlegswereeachprotectedbyasingleboot-greavepiece,whichKorlandrilslippedoverhis

feet and knees.He fastened these to the thigh armour, fully encasing his legs. Threads ofmaterialgrewrigidaroundhisankles,addingadditionalsupport,whilethebootsshortenedthemselvestofithisfeet.Asensationofsolidity,ofunmovingpermanence,filledKorlandril.

“Westrikefromthedark,asswiftasthescorpion,withadeadlytouch.”The vambrace-gauntlets connected to the upper armour, more clasps linking the two as one.

Korlandril flexedhisarms, feelingcartilage-liketendrils tighteningagainsthis flesh,reinforcinghiswristsandelbows.Nowfullycladsaveforhisface,Korlandrilfeltincredible,filledwithaheatthatdidnotwaver.Hisarmourwashisskin;itpulsedalongwithhisthunderingheart,drawinglifefromhimandreturningitsstrength.

Hisnextactwastoretrievehiswaystonefromitsniche,detachingitfromthesilversurroundofthenecklace.Itrespondedtohistouch,warminggently,suffusinghimwithdelicatereassurance.Heplacedthewaystoneintotheapertureofthechestplate.Itsettledhomewithasoftclick.Hisarmour

felt thewaystone’s presence asmuch asKorlandril, giving a brief, almost imperceptible quiver andthenfallingstillagain.

“Thatisallfornow,thereisnoneedofthemask,wearenotatwar.”With the donning of the armour complete, Kenainath gestured for the Striking Scorpions to

assemblebeforehim.Korlandriltookastepforward,themovementfeelingawkwardinthearmour;itsweightwas evenly spread across him, but its bulk restrictednormalmovement. In response, hechanged the nature of his stride, his body remembering the motions he had learnt whileunencumbered.Asstrangeandstylisedastheyhadfeltinhisrobe,theywerenaturalwhenarmour-clad.

Thewarriorsstoodinasingleline,ashortdistanceapart,facingtheexarch.Kenainathledthemthrough the ritual stances and the Striking Scorpions moved together, each replicating his poseswithouthesitationorvariation.Almostlikeautomatonstheymirroredtheexarch’sthrustsandparries,likemarionettesallcontrolledbythesamestrings.

Korlandrilfeltasenseofbelonginghehadnotknownforalongtime,inperfectsynchronisationwithhisfellowwarriors.Hewasasthem,andtheywereashe;ofonemindandonefunction.Everystance brought a fresh thrill, as he learnt anew their purpose. The armourmadehim complete, hisbodynowperfected.

Formostofthecycletheypractisedtheirritualstances.SomeweregenuinelynewtoKorlandril,impossible to attain without the support of the armour. He learnt them without effort, swiftlyadapting to each challenge. As the session progressed, the stance changes came more swiftly, thetempoofKenainath’sactionsincreasingwitheachroundofmoves.

Theexarchspokerarely,onlytoreinforcehispreviousteachingsandaddingnewinsightsintothewayoftheStrikingScorpion.

“Withbalancewestrike,notacrobaticBanshees,flailingandscreaming.Withstrengthofmotion,strikewithsureanddeadlygrace,powerfrombalance.”

ThroughouttheexercisesthehottemperthathadfilledKorlandrilcontinuedtoburn.Hebegantovisualise a foe, formless and shadowy,whichheguttedanddecapitated, counteredandeluded.Hisimaginary opponent had eyes that burned with a red fire, but was otherwise featureless; ananonymousconglomerationofthosewhohadwrongedhim,anincarnationformedofhisangerandfears. Instrikingat thisapparition,Korlandrildrewgreatstrength, feedingonhispowertodestroythatwhichhadtriedtodestroyhim.

Invigorated,Korlandrilwas somewhatdisappointedwhenKenainath signalled for them to stop,returningtothestanceofrepose,palmstouching,legsslightlyapart,headsbowed.

Korlandril stood there for awhile, expecting somenew instruction. Footfalls alertedhim to theothersmovingbacktotheirarmour-standsandhedidthesame.Kenainathhadleftwithoutword.

Reversing the same series ofmotions theyhadused toput on the armour, theAspectWarriorsdivestedthemselvesoftheirbattlegear.Asheremovedeachcomponent,Korlandrilfeltalighteninginhisspiritaswellasonhisbody.Thoughhehadfeltrelaxedthroughoutthepractice,herealisedhehadbeen functioning at a far higher state of awareness than normal. Colours seemed a little blander,soundsmoremutedashebroughthimselfdownfromthepeakofphysicalattentivenessandassumed

amorerelaxeddemeanour.“WelcometotheShrineoftheDeadlyShadow,”saidElissanadrin,extendingherpalmingreeting.

Sheworeatight-fittingbodysuitwithapearlescentquality,gleamingwithtonesofwhiteandivory.Korlandrillaidhishandbrieflyonhersinreply.

“Let me introduce you to your companions-in-arms,” she said, turning slightly, open handgesturingtowardstheothers.

“Beknown toArhulesh,” she continued, indicating awarrior a little shorter thanKorlandril, hislongblackhairtiedintobraidswithslenderdarkredribbons.

“Greetings Korlandril,” Arhulesh said with a lopsided smile. “I would have liked to make youracquaintanceearlier,butKenainathissuchasticklerforhisroutines.Imustadmit,Igreatlyenjoyedyourexhibition,TheRisingoftheHeavens.DidIdetectaslightmockeryofKhaineinyourpieces?”

Korlandril frowned.He couldbarely remember the sculptureshehad created.Theywere lockedawayinhismemoriessomewhere,butitwasasifhehadlostthemapandcouldnotfindthem.

“Oh, Kenainath has drawn you inmost conclusively,” Arhulesh said with a raised eyebrow. Heturnedtotheothers.“Careful,wehavearealdevoteeonourhands!Iwonderjustwhat,orwho,itisthatyou’rehidingfrom,Korlandril.”

“Hush,Arhu,”cut inElissanadrinwithadismissivewaveofherhand.“Youknowthatwedonotspeakofourlivesbefore,unlesswewishto.”

ArhuleshdirectedanodofapologytowardsKorlandril,whonotedaslighttwisttotheinclination,atinygestureofsarcasm.ElissanadrinlaidahanduponKorlandril’selbowandledhimtowardsthenextStrikingScorpion,aserious-facedeldarwithgauntfeaturesandstarkwhitehaircroppedintoascalplock.Hewasattendingfastidiouslytohisarmour,usingasilk-likeclothtowipeawayeveryspeckandsmearonitssurface.

“Speakingofsilence,thisisBechareth.”ThenamestartledKorlandril,foritmeantSpiritontheWind;anappellationgiventothosewhose

true identity was not known, usually a stranger. It was also a euphemism for those that had diedwithouttheprotectionofawaystone,theirspiritslosttotheclutchesofSheWhoThirsts.

“Hedoesn’t,orcan’t,speak,”explainedElissanadrin.“Kenainathbroughthimtouswiththatname,andneitherhas toldus anything else.Donotbe fooledbyhis silence,he is a capablewarrior.” Shepauseduncomfortablybeforecontinuing.“Iowehimmylife.”

Becharethstoodandofferedhisrighthandingreeting;vertical,palmtowardsKorlandril,agestureof equality that was rarely used in Alaitoc society except to greet those from other craftworlds.Korlandrilraisedhislefthandinmirrorofthegesture,indicatingtrust,andreceivedaslowblinkofgratitudefromthewarrior.Hisdarkeyesglitteredwithamusement,andKorlandrilfelthimselfdrawntothemysteriouseldardespitehisoutlandishbehaviour.

“Mithrainn,” said Elissanadrin, nodding towards the last of the four. He was of venerable age,probablyfivehundredpassesolderormore,withasharpbrowandaquilinenose.

“CallmeMin,” he said, eliciting a laugh fromKorlandril. The nicknamewas from themyths ofVaul,aftertheweaklinkinthechainthathadboundthesmith-godtohisanvil.

“It is good to meet you… Min,” said Korlandril, touching palms with the elder. “Forgive my

impudence, but I would have thought the Path of the Warrior was more suited to those of lessexperience.”

“YoumeanthatyouthinkI’mtoooldforthissneakingaboutandrunningaround!”Mindeclaredwithagrin.Hethumpedhishandtohischest.“Theheartofayouthstillbeatswithinmybreast.”

“Powered by the mind of an infant,” added Elissanadrin, rolling her eyes. “He makes up forBechareth’s silence with his volume. I still think he has some Biel-Tan stock in him, despite hisprotestationstobepurebloodAlaitocii.”

“Youmaysaythat,Lissa,butyouhaveyettocatchmeintheswamp.”Elissanadrinconcededthisobscurepointwithareluctantnodandapursingofthelips.Shesmiled

whenshesawKorlandril’sconfusion.“Whenyouhavemasteredtheartsofthefightingposes,youwilljoinusonourhunts.Wegoout

intothesurroundsoftheshrineandtrytosneakuponeachother.TheStrikingScorpionisstealthaswellasstrength.”

Korlandrilnoddedinunderstanding.“AndhowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforeIjoinyou?”“How long is a star’s life?” quippedArhulesh frombehindKorlandril. “Kenainathhas awhimof

iron.Itcouldbenextcycle,itcouldbenotforanothertwoorthreepasses.”“Twoorthreepasses?”Korlandrilwastakenaback.“Surelymyprogresshasbeenswifterthanthat.”“Whimofiron,remember,whimofiron,”saidArhulesh,shruggingshallowly.“IsthatbeforeorafterIgetmywar-mask?”“Nonecansaywhenyouwill findyourwar-mask,” saidMin. “Forsome itnevercomesand they

leavewithouttrulytreadingthePath.Forothers,theywearitfromthestart.”BecharethsteppedcloserandlookedintentlyintoKorlandril’seyes,studyingeverydetail.Heheld

upathumbandforefinger,alittlewayapart.Hismeaningwasclear:ashorttime.Thegestureturnedtoanupraisedfingerofwarning.

“He’sright,”saidElissanadrin.“Youshouldn’tchaseafteryourwar-mask,notuntilyou’rereadytotakeitoff.”

“I’m not quite sure I still understand what this war-mask is,” confessed Korlandril. “I mean,Kenainathwouldn’tletuswearourhelmetstoday.Idon’tunderstandtheconnection.”

Arhuleshlaughedharshlybuthisfacewasserious.“Thewar-maskisnotathing,itisastateofmind.Youhavecomeclosetoit,oryouwouldnotbe

here.Youwillknowitwhenitcomes.Wecannottellyouwhatitwillbelike,foritisuniquetoeachofus.”

“Just know thatwe have all been through the same experience,” addedMin.He laid a hand onKorlandril’s shoulder.Korlandrilwas slightly uneasywith a gesture of such familiarity, having onlyjust been introduced.He resisted theurge topull awaybutMinmusthave sensedhis reaction.Hedrewhis handback. “When it comes, youwill sharewhatwe all share andmy touchwill not be sounwelcome.”

“Ididnotmeananyoff—”“Wedonotapologisetooneanother,”cutinElissanadrin.“Knowthatinthisplace,withmaskon

oroff,allisforgiven.Thepastisthepast,thefuturewillbewhateveritwillbe,andweshareonlythe

present. Perhaps it is regret that keeps you fromdiscovering yourmask. Leave it behind; it has noplaceinyourspirit.Asawarrior,regretwillkillyouassurelyasablade.”

Korlandrilponderedthissilently.TheothersturnedasonetowardstheexarcharmourattheheadofthehallandKorlandrillookedoverhisshouldertoseethatKenainathhadreturned.HehadmadenosoundthatKorlandrilhadheardandhewasatalosstoknowhowtheothershadbeenawareofhisarrival. Perhaps they had not been aware at all; the thought that the exarchmight have heard theconversationdisturbedKorlandril,thoughhewasnotsurewhy.

“Itistimeforustodepart,”saidElissanadrin.“Notyou,”MinsaidasKorlandriltookasteptowardsthedoorway.“Enjoyyourtraining,littlescorpion,”addedArhulesh,directingaglancetowardstheexarch,who

stoodwitharmsfoldedacrosshischest,lookingsternlyathisdisciples.Bechareth passed Korlandril last, giving a short bow in farewell before leavingwith the others.

Suppressingasigh,KorlandrilturnedtowardsKenainath.“Iamyourstoteach,”Korlandrilsaid,dippinghishead.“Thatiswellandgood,forthereisstillmuchtolearn,StrikingScorpion.”

Anger

Whentheeldarfirstrosefromthebosomoftheground,nourishedbythetearsofIsha,thegodscametothemand each offered them a gift. Asuryan, lord of lords, gave the eldar Wisdom, that they would knowthemselves.IshagavetheeldarLove,thattheywouldknowoneanother.VaulgavetheeldarArtifice, thatthey would make their dreams a reality. Lileath gave the eldar Joy, that they would know happiness.KurnousgavetheeldarDesire, thattheywouldknowprosperity.Morai-heggavetheeldarForesight, thattheywouldknow theirplace in theworld.Khainegave the eldarAnger, that theywouldprotectwhat thegodshadgiventhem.

The training continued as before; though now in armour and often in the company of the otherwarriorsoftheshrine.Kenainathalsoturnedhisattentiontointroducingthedisciplinesofstealthandambush,leadingKorlandrilthroughtheswampsassilentlyasabreeze.ThepairofthemtravelledtoplacesnewtoKorlandril—narrowgorges,windingrivuletsandshadow-shroudedcaves.Despite thebulk of the Striking Scorpion armour, Korlandril moved as soundlessly as if he were naked. SocontrolledandeffortlesswasKorlandril’smotion,soattunedwashe to theswayingof thebranchesandtheslightestrippleofwater,hewasabletoblendhismovementstothoseofhissurrounds.

Forthirty-eightcyclesthiscontinued.Korlandrilcoulddiscernnopatterntothe lessonssaveforsomeinnertimelinethatKenainathmaintainedforhimself.Hedidnotknowagainstwhichmarkhewas being judged or to what standard he might aspire, and so could only follow Kenainath’sinstructions without question. The exarch made no mention of any change in Korlandril’s skills,thoughheknewforhimselfthattheyweresteadilyimproving.

Inthecarefullychoreographedritualoftheshrine,Korlandrilcouldnowrespondsoquicklytotheexarch’s commands it was if he anticipated them.He kept pace with the other Striking Scorpionswithoutthought.Hisprogress,evenifunremarkedbytheothers,gavehimsomesatisfactionandhelookedforwardtotheunderlyingspiritofsharinghefeltwhenhepractisedalongsidetherestoftheshrine.Alwayshefeltinvigoratedwhenputtingonhisarmour,butnowhewasleftalsowithasenseoffulfilmentwhenhetookitoff.

Attherisingofthethirty-ninthcycle,Kenainath,cladinhisarmourbutwithouthishelmet,cametothebaredormitorywhereKorlandrilslept.HeinstructedKorlandriltodonhisownwargearandledhimintoanewchamber.HerewerearrangedtheweaponsoftheStrikingScorpions,hunguponthewallofthecircularroom.Tenslenderchainswordswerepairedwithmatchingshurikenpistols.

Not quite knowing how, Korlandril walked directly to the arms that he knew belonged to hisarmour. He ran his fingers along the cladding of the chainsword, able to feel the entwiningdecorationsthroughtheempathicconnectiontohisgauntletasifhetoucheditwithbareskin.

“Takeupyourweapon,letitbecomepartofyou,feelitinyourhand,”saidKenainath.Korlandrilclosedhisfingersaroundtheguardedhiltofthechainswordandliftediteasilyfromthe

curvedwallbracket.Likehisarmour,itwassurprisinglylightforitssize.Itfittedsnuglyintohispalm,likeanextensionofhisarm.Hetwistedhiswristandexaminedthenarrowblades,eachsharpenoughtoslicethroughfleshandbonewithasinglestroke.Hesawredreflectionsofhisownadmiringfaceinthejewelsalongitslength.

“HowdoIactivateit?”heasked.“Howdoesyourheartbeat,yourfingersmoveatyourwhim,thatistheanswer.”KorlandrilstalkedtothecentreofthechamberandtookupthestanceknownasSweepingBite,

hunchedforwardslightly.Hisrightfistwasraisedinfrontofhisleftshoulder,butnowhecouldseethat the lengthof thechainswordextendedhorizontally in frontofhis face, justbeloweye level.Herotated,slidingbackhisrightfoot,theweaponflashinginanarc,finishinginHiddenClaw.

Growinginconfidence,KorlandrilmovedthroughtheFirstRitualofAttack,pacingsteadilyacrossthe chamber, cutting back and forth with the chainsword. At the fifth stance—Rising Fang—thechainswordpurredintolifeofitsownaccord.

Shocked, Korlandril stumbled, the weapon almost falling from his grasp. Kenainath made astrange hissing sound andKorlandril turned, expecting to see scorn on the exarch’s bare face. Theoppositewastrue.ForthefirsttimesinceKorlandrilhadmethim,Kenainathwasquietlylaughing.

“Asitwaswithme,firsttime.Itookupablade,nowsolongago.”Kenainath’shumourdissipatedquicklyandhegesturedforKorlandriltocontinue.

Thechainswordhadfallenlifelessinhisgrasp.Regaininghisfocus,Korlandrilstartedafreshfromthefirststance,andalmostimmediatelythechainsword’steethwhirredintomotion,makingnomoresoundthanthebuzzingofalava-wing.Unperturbed,Korlandrilcontinued,cuttingandslashing,eachmoveincreasinginspeeduntilthebladewasagreenandgoldblurintheair.Hemadebackhandedcutsandroundedoverheadchops,advancingoninvisiblefoes.

Asheweavedthebladearoundhim,theshadowyfoehevisualisedduringhisroutinescameintosharperfocus.Itseyesstillburnedredbutittookonamoredistinctshape,narrowatthehip,broaderat theshoulder. In theeyeofKorlandril’smind,his foebobbedandducked,parriedandcountered,advancedandretreated.

Withanexplosionofbreath,Korlandrildeliveredakillingstrike,sweepingthebladeupbeneaththe chin of his imaginary adversary, to come to a perfect standstill in Claw of Balance. Drawing alungfulofair,Korlandrilsteppedback,assumingthestanceofrepose.HeturnedtowardsKenainath.

Theexarchbetrayednothingofhis thoughts.Therewasneitherpraisenorcondemnation inhisexpression.TheprideKorlandrilhadfeltinhisperformanceevaporatedquicklyunderthatinscrutablestare.

“Youhavenowbegun,thePathcontinuesonwards,youmustfollowit.”Korlandril dared a glance towards the shuriken pistol on thewall, and then looked back at the

exarch.KenainathgaveoneshakeoftheheadandpointedatthechainswordinKorlandril’shand.“Firstmastertheclaw,thevenomousbitecomesnext,thestingisthelast.”Korlandril lickedhisdry lipsandnodded.Hereturnedtothecentreofthechamberandtookup

Claw fromShadow. The chainsword responded to his urging before he had somuch as twitched amuscleandwithinmomentshewasmovingagain.

ForthefollowingcyclesKorlandril trainedinisolation,untilKenainathwasconvincedthathecouldsparwiththeotherStrikingScorpionswithoutunduedangertothemorhimself.Aftertwenty-threecycles, the exarch informed Korlandril that he was ready to train armed with the other warriors.Kenainathtookhiswarrior-acolytetoagrovenotfarfromtheshrineandgesturedforKorlandril toseathimselfonamoss-coveredlog.

“Whatofhistory,thetaleofthescorpion,canyoutelltome?”Kenainathasked.“Whatmythshaveyouheard,ofKarandrasandArhra,thefirstofourkind?”

Korlandrilrakedhisfingersthroughhishairasherememberedwhathecould.“Asurmenwasthefirst, thecreatorofthePathoftheWarrior,”hesaid.“Iguess itwasAsurmen

thatdiscoveredhowtodonthewar-mask.Hefoundedthefirstshrineandgathereddisciplestoteach,Arhraamongstthem,theFatherofScorpions.SomedarkfatebefellArhra,ofwhichIdonotknowthestory,andhisgreatestpupilKarandras tookupthemantleandspreadthe teachingsof theStrikingScorpion.”

“That is true enough, the briefest account of it, but you should knowmore,” repliedKenainath,crouchingoppositehispupil,hiseyesintent.“Arhrafellfromgrace,touchedbythedarkofChaos,andbetrayedhiskin.Heturnedontherest,broughtdaemonstotheFirstShrine,hungryforpower.TheAsurya,thefirstexarchsofthePath,foughtagainstArhra.Theylostthebattle,scatteredtothedistantstars,andArhraescaped.HestrayedfromthePath,consumedbyhisambition,andfoundnewpupils.Histeachingsarewrong,aperversionofthePath,theFallenPhoenix.Itisagreatwrong,onethatwecannotforgive,theworstbetrayal.Karandrashuntshim,acrossthestarsandwebway,forretribution.”

“Arhrastilllives?ThetaleoftheFallenPhoenixwasmixedupwiththeothermythsoftheFall.Noteventheeldarhadsuchlonglives.”

“Whocansayforsure,inthewarpandthewebway,timepassesstrangely.”Kenainathsighedandhisexpressionwassad,astarkchangefromhisusualindifferenceorhostility.“KeeptruetothePath,heedKarandras’teachings,remainKorlandril.”

“Havetherebeenothers?”Korlandrilaskedfearfully. “Warriors that followthePathof theFallenPhoenix?”

“Not frommy pupils, I have guided them all well, taught them properly,” said Kenainath as hestraightened quickly. The exarch’s familiar stern expression returned. “Go back to the shrine,tomorrowyoufightproper,tonightyoumustrest.”

Dismissed, Korlandril walked slowly back beneath the dismal bowers of the trees to the shrinebuildingwonderingwhytheexarchhadchosenthatmomenttorevealthetruthaboutthefoundingoftheStrikingScorpions.Asthelightsoftheshrinedimmedforthenightportionofthecycle,Korlandrillayawakeponderingwhatthefollowingcyclewouldbring.

Hewokeearly,fullofnervousenergy.Theshrinewasstillswathedintwilightandheswiftlypulledona loose robe and left his solitary dormitory, feeling confined by itswalls. In the gloomoutside, theswampwasquiet save for the first chatteringof the jade-toads.He tookadeepbreath, accustomednowtothehumidityandheat,thoughhewasfarfromthinkinghispresentenvironswerehishome.

Withthat,histhoughtsturnedtotherestofAlaitoc,astheyusuallydidwhenhewasleftwithtimetothink.ItwaswithonlyabarelyintellectualinterestthathethoughtofThirianna.ShewasprobablyuponthePathoftheSeerbynow.Thoughithadbeenashorttime,barelyablinkinthelifeofaneldar,thatmomentwhenhis innerangerhadbeenunleashedbyherdismissalseemeddistant. Irrelevant.HisstrugglewasnotwithThirianna,orAradryan,oranyothereldar.Itwaswithhimself.

Hisbodyandmindwerebeingperfectedforonething—toslayotherlivingcreatures.Thethoughtcausedhimtoshudder.TodayhewouldfaceoneoftheothermembersoftheDeadlyShadow,butitwouldnotbeafighttoadeath.Itwouldbecontrolled,disciplined,ritualistic.Thoughheknewnothingof realwar,he imagined it tobeadesperate,harrowingmaelstromofcourageand fear,actionandblood.Andinthatanarchyofbattlehewouldkill.Hedidnotknowwhen,orhow,butassurelyashehadnotbeenanArtistuntilhehadsculptedhis firstpiece,hewouldnot truly treadthePathof theWarrioruntilhekilledhisfirstfoe.

He did not knowhowhewould bring himself to do it.Would it be taken out of his hands? Aninstinct of defence to protect his life?Would it be coldblooded, a pre-meditated slaying of anothercreaturedefinedasanenemyoftheAlaitociibythefarseersandautarchs?

Korlandrilrealisedthatthiswasthewar-maskKenainathandtheresttalkedabout.Onlyononeoccasionhadhebeenreadytostrikeoutinanger,trulywishingharmonanotherindividual;thatcycleintheswamp,whenrageandhatehadcombinedintoamomentofpureaction.Hetriedtocapturethatinstanceagain,butallofhistricksofmemoryfailedhim.InthatheartbeathisentirebeinghadbeenfocussedonthatoneefforttohitKenainath,andnothingelse.

For some timehewandered thepathways around the shrine,not straying too far.Heknew thetwistingtrailsaswellasanyotherpartofAlaitoc,theirmysteriesunveiledtohimthroughKenainath.He no longer feared his surroundings. More importantly, he knew that in overcoming hisapprehensionofthisplacehehadsteeledhimselfagainstfuturedreadanddoubtswhenconfrontedbytheunknownandunknowable.Hewasself-awareenoughtounderstandtheprocessbeingawokeninhimbytheteachingsofKenainath,weavinglayersofthewar-maskthatwould,oneday,emergefromwithinhisspirit.

Thelightwasconsiderablybrighterwhenaresoundingchimesoundedwithintheshrine,callinghimback.

ItwasBechareth.Hewasarmouredsaveforhishelm,andcarriedhischainswordinaneasygripbyhisside.Therewasatightnesstohislips,andfireinhiseyes,whichspokeofhisenthusiasmfortheduelabouttocommence.Heappearedrelaxedinbody,buthiseyeswereattentive,floatingeasilybutwithfocusfromKenainathtoKorlandrilandbackagain.

Ashearmouredhimself,themantraofKenainathflowingthroughhisveins,Korlandril’sanxiety

slippedaway.WitheachstephebecameKorlandrilless,theAspectoftheStrikingScorpiontakinghisplace.Partofhismindwatchedtherestwithcolddetachment,remindinghimoftheSevenParryingSweeps and the Four Rising Attacks. He knew nothing of Bechareth, had only witnessed himperformingthepracticeritualswiththeothers.Wouldhebedefensiveoraggressive?Didhefavouraparticularstyleofattack?KorlandrilrealisedthathedidnotevenknowhowlongBecharethhadbeentreadingthePathoftheWarrior.Hemadetheseobservationscoolly,withoutjudgementorfear.

Hewas also unsure of his own strategy. ThatBecharethwasmore experienced seemed certain.WouldKorlandrildobettertoconfinehimselftofightcautiouslyuntilhehadmoreofameasureofhisopponent?Orwouldthathandtoomuchoftheinitiativetohisadversary?KorlandrilwonderedifhewouldreactwellenoughtowhateverattacksBecharethmade.Partofhimconsiderediftheduelwouldevenlastmorethanafewheartbeats.

Thatthoughtdidbringwithitareaction:astabofpride.Korlandrilhadworkedhardtolearnthefightingstancesandtheposesofattackanddefence.Nowwasthetimetodemonstratethathehadlearnedwell.Hewasdeterminedtogiveagoodaccountofhimself.

AtKenainath’swordlesssignal,thepairfell inbehindtheexarchasheledthemdownawindingramptoachamberdeepbelowthepyramidoftheshrine’supperstoreys.Theothersfollowedalittlewaybehindthethreeofthem,walkinginsinglefile,clothedonlyintheundersuitsoftheirarmour.

Thepassagewayshadarough,hard-workedsurfacethatseemedoddtoKorlandril.ThepartofhimthathadbeenanArtistrecogniseditfortheaffectationthatitwas;nothingonAlaitocwasanythingbutartificial.Yet thewarriorpartofKorlandril’smindrecognisedwhat thechange insurroundingsrepresented. It was tradition, a warrior code that stretched back to the time of the Fall. A shrinededicatedtotheteachingsoftheStrikingScorpion’sfounder;orrathertheteachingsofthefounder’sgreatestpupilafterhismasterfelltothedarkness.

Theambientlight,suchastherewasintheshrine,wasreplacedbynarrow,flickeringtubes.Therewaspretencehere,butone thatKorlandrilcouldunderstand.Thiswasareconstructionof that firstshrine,createdbyArhraafter learningunderthetuitionofAsurmen.TheDeadlyShadow,asall theothershrinesonAlaitocandthemanyothercraftworlds,wasnotpayinghomagetothebirthplaceofits traditions, but trying to recreate them.Everythingwasnow as itwas then.What itwas to be aStrikingScorpionhadnotchangedinthethousandsofpassesthathadgonebysincethatfounding.

AllofthisKorlandrilwasawareof,withthesmallcriticaleyeatthebackofhismind.Thegreaterpart of him, the bulk of his spirit that was now warrior, immersed itself in the atmosphere,heighteninghisanticipationforthecomingduel.

Theceilingwasintentionallylow,barringthetwoofthemfromleavingtheirfeetorswingingtheirswordstoohighoverhead.Thefloorwasetchedwithacircle,notmuchwiderthanthespacethetwoofthemoccupied,withtheruneoftheshrineatitscentre.Korlandrilknewthattheduellistswouldnotbeallowedtoleavethecircle.Thiswasacontestofskillatcloseconfines,ofcontrolandprecision,thefoundationoftheStrikingScorpionethos.

NoruleshadbeenexplainedtoKorlandril,butheknewthattherewouldbenoactualcontact,noriskofdrawingbloodordamagetothepreciousarmour.Hewasnotevensurethiswasacontest;heinferredassuchfromKenainath’snextwords.

“Thisisnotatest,aplacetoproveyourself,toyouortome,”intonedKenainath,signallingthetwowarriorsintothecentreoftheovalchamber.Theexarchnoddedforthemtobeginandsteppedbackintotheshadows.TheotherStrikingScorpionswatchedsilentlyfromclosetothewall.

The pair shifted instantly, Korlandril assuming Leaf that Cuts, a defensive posture. Becharethneedednoencouragementand stepped forwardsand tohis left, chainswordhumming towards thesideofKorlandril’shead,thewhirringbladesstoppingshortbyonlythespanofahand.

“Cut!”Thewordwasmuffledbythesmallchamber,comingfromthethroatsoftheothersatthesametime.

KorlandrilwastakenabackbythespeedofBechareth’sattack.Thetworeturnedtotheirpositionsofrepose,staringintoeachother’seyes.TherewasintensityinBechareth’sandKorlandrilimaginedhiswerethesame.Thiswasnowar-mask;haditbeen,the lastblowwouldhaveslicedoffthetopofKorlandril’sheadandBecharethwouldnothavethoughttwiceaboutit.

They stood immobile for some time, neitherwilling tomake the firstmove just yet. Korlandrilshifted quickly into Cloud Turning to Storm, feinting high and then spinning low and driving hischainsword towardBechareth’s stomach.His foe deflected the attack, flat of blade on flat of blade,knocking Korlandril sideways by a fraction. Through this miniscule opening, Bechareth steppedforwardsagain,thetipofhishummingbladeaimedatKorlandril’sthroat.

“Cut!”announcedtheonlookers.Becharethsteppedback,aflickerofasmileonhislips.Againandagainthesamepatternplayedout:Korlandrilcounteringorattemptinganattack,only

forBecharethtomanoeuvreintoakillingpositionwithinafewstrokes.Korlandrilshookhishead,rapidlylosingwhatconfidencehehad.Itwasonemattertoexecutethe

strikesanddefenceshehadlearntagainstthinair,anothertoperformthemagainstatargetthatwastrying everything to misdirect and unbalance him. His mind, which he had never thought of asparticularlyslow,seemedunabletoregisterBechareth’smovesquicklyenough;anyresponsehemightcomeupwithwasalwaystoolate.

As they paused before their seventh exchange, a sensation of movement, perhaps the slightestsoundofafootfallorabreath,causedKorlandriltowhirlaround,swordcuttingtheair.HestoppedthebladejustbeforeitstruckKenainath’soutstretchedarm.Theexarchworeapleasedexpression.HemovedhisgazefromthewhirringteethofthechainswordtoKorlandril’sstare.

“Donotconsider,actwithoutthoughtorfeeling,nohesitation.”Korlandrilunderstoodthelesson,butasheturnedtofaceBecharethagain,hewasunsurehowto

implementtheexarch’steaching.BecharethflickeduphisswordtowardsKorlandril’sthigh,thenovice’sbladesweepingdownand

stoppingitshort.Distracted,hehadreactedbetterthanwhenhehadbeenconcentrating.Itwasnotamatterofprocess,itwasamatterofinstinct.Hisbody,hisinnermind,knewbetterwhattodothanhisconsciousthoughts.

Korlandril focussed on his breathing, relaxing himself, while Bechareth launched a complexassault. At each strike, Korlandril’s sword rose to intercept his foe’s chainsword with a dull ring.Korlandrilcouldalmostseewithouthiseyes,hearwithouthisears.Asneverbefore,hefeltenmeshed

withhisarmour,thechainswordanextensionofhimselfandnotsomeforeignobjectgrippedinhisfist.

After threemore parries, Korlandril took the offensive, sliding a foot forward, lunging towardsBechareth’smidriff.BecharethknockedKorlandril’schainsworddownwardandflickedhiswrist,butKorlandrilhadalreadyresponded,duckingtohisleftwhilehisbladeflashedouttowardsBechareth’sshoulder. Again the blades met with a brief shudder of contact and then moved on, darting andprobing.Korlandrilfeltlikehewasstandingwiththeothers,simplywatchingtheduelfromadistance,amazedattheagilityandskillofhisbody.

“Cut!”ThebarkedwordbroketheflowofKorlandril’sconsciousness.Foramomenthefelttriumph,for

thecallhadcomeasheaimedathroat-slashingblow.ButBecharethwassmiling,hiseyesnarrowed.AglancedownrevealedBechareth’schainswordbarelya finger’swidth fromthe insideofKorlandril’sthigh—acutthatwouldhavetornthroughthearteryandcutdeepintohispelvis.

Kenainath steppedbetween them,hand raised tohalt theduel.Henoddedapprovingly towardsBechareth,who bowed slightly andwithdrew towards the others. The exarch turned onKorlandril,eyebrowraisedinquestion,headtiltedever-so-slightlytooneside.

“Thelessonislearnt,butyouarestillanovice,andmustpractisemore.”“Yes,”repliedKorlandril.Amoment’sreflectionandherealisedthathewasnotashamedofbeing

beaten,heheldhisheadhigh,hisshoulderssquare.HeponderedKenainath’squizzicalexpressionforamoment,andrealisedwhatwasexpectedofhim.“TheclawIwillmaster.Iamreadytolearnthewaysofthevenomousbite.”

Kenainathnoddedinagreement.

Korlandril found the shuriken pistol—the venomous bite of the Striking Scorpion—morestraightforwardtousethanthechainsword.Likehisblade,itrespondedtohisthoughts,firingavolleyof monomolecular-edged discs that could slice flesh with ease. Though it could be used at somedistance,theshurikenpistolinthehandsoftheStrikingScorpionwasmainlyaclosecombatweapon,complementing the cuts andparries of the chainsword. The sweepingmovementsKorlandrilmadewithhislefthandduringtheritualsbecameshortburstsoffire,todistractorincapacitatetheenemywhilstthechainsworddeliveredthekillingblow.

It was impossible to duel with loaded pistols without risking serious harm, and so Korlandrilcontinuedtofightwithchainswordaloneagainsttheothers.Hisskillsimprovedwitheachencounter,tothepointwherehewouldscoreacutalmostasoftenashisopponents.Despitethis,therewasnoword of praise from Kenainath, and of the other shrine members only Elissanadrin evercomplementedhimonhisgrowingskill.

Itwaswithamixtureoftrepidationandexcitementthat,seventy-eightcycleslater,KorlandrilfoundhimselfbackinthearmouringchamberwithKenainath,abouttoenterthefinalstageofhistraining—theScorpion’sSting.Hesuitedupashehaddonedozensoftimesbefore,butonthisoccasiontherewasafinallinetothemantraintonedbytheexarch.

“Seenotwiththeeyes,butallowangertoflow,letKhaine’sgiftguideyou.”Korlandrilliftedthehelmetabovehisheadandlowereditpurposefully,encasinghimselffullyfrom

toe to scalp.Withahissof air, the suit sealed itself.Hewasgrippedbya terrifyingclaustrophobia,trapped inside the helm. It was dark and stifling and he flailed to take it off again, dreadingsuffocation.

“Becalmwarrior,donot letyourfearstakehold,butextendyourwill.”Kenainath’svoicedriftedintoKorlandril’sconsciousness,histonesoothing,patient.

Korlandrilforcedhimselftoquellhishyperventilatingandtookadeepbreath,fearingitwouldbehislast.

“Seenotwiththeeyes,butallowangertoflow,letKhaine’sgiftguideyou,”Kenainathsaidagain.TheStrikingScorpionperformedamentaltwist, turninghisfear—defence—intoanger—attack.

Hewantedtomasterthehorrorcreepingupwithinhim,toslaytheslyserpentwrithinginhisgutthatthreatenedtostillhisheart.

Almost immediately therewas light,blinding in itsbrightness.Korlandril felt the tendrilsof thesuit’ssystemsreachingintohismind,probingforconnection.Hefoughttheurgetoresistandinsteadsurrenderedhimselftoitsgentlebutinsistentexploration.ThesensationwasdeeplyunpleasantastheAspect helmet sifted throughhismemories and thoughts, seekingpurchase. Flickers of past eventsstrobedthroughKorlandril’sconsciousness,eachtoobrieftorecognisebutasasumstirringuplong-deadfeelings.

With a shriek of anguish roaring fromKorlandril’s throat, thememory of Thirianna’s rejectionengulfedhim.Thatprimalscreambrought forthahailof spitting fire fromtheweaponsarraybuiltintothehelmet—themandiblastersforwhichtheStrikingScorpionswerefamedandfeared.

Plasmicenergycrackledalongthedischargeofconductiveneedlesfiredfromthehelmet-mountedweapons,sprayingacrossthearmingchamberinaburstoffury.TheangerloopedbetweenKorlandrilandthesuit,sendinghimstaggering,handsraisedtothehelmettodragitoff.Thesuitrefusedhim,pullinghimdownintoitsdarkembrace.

BlacknessswampedKorlandrilandhecollapsed,clatteringtothefloorinatwistedheap.

Memory,reality,hopeandfearspunwithkaleidoscopicchaoswithinKorlandril’smind.NotevenhisfirstDreaminghadbeenasterrifying.Hefeltlikeamoteofdustinahurricane,atinyspeckoflightamidstthefurnaceofastar.Oneimageburnedintohisspirit,white-hotinitsintensity,inescapableinitsmagnitude.TheruneoftheStrikingScorpionsearedintohismind.

|Lost|Alone|Pathless|Abandoned|Laughter—Korlandril dimly recognised it as Aradryan’s—turned from humour to taunt.

Thirianna’seyes—strangelygolden—lookedathimwithpityandscorn.Kenainath’smockingwords,his disdain. Korlandril was child-like, insecure, exposed to the overwhelming sensations of theuniverseagain.Therewasnowheretohide.Theshadowsbroughttheirownperils.

|Darkness|Rage|Hate|Death|Theneed todestroy—toeradicateanythingandeverything—suffusedKorlandril.Hewould tear

thethroatfromlaughingAradryan.HewouldplucktheschemingeyesfromThirianna.Hewouldslice

theheadfromKenainathandtake itasa trophy.Hewouldheapruinuponthosethathadwrongedhim,slurredhisreputationandscornedhisadvances.

|Light|Hope|Friendship|Love|Like thewatersof a tidalwave flowingdownawhirlpool, thedoubt and fear andanger swirled

away fromKorlandril.Heheard the joy inAradryan’s laughter.He saw the affection inThirianna’seyes.HefelttherespectinKenainath’swords.

His hand reached to the spirit stone at his breast, its coolness spreading to each part of him,throughhisskin,alonghisnerves,intoeveryorganandbone.

|Calm|Silence|Discipline|Peace|

Korlandrilawokeonhiscotinthedormitory,unarmoured.Hewasalone.Hecouldremembernothingsave an overwhelming sensation of contentment. The gloomwas a comforting embrace, devoid ofstimulitoconfoundanddistracthim.

Korlandrilclosedhiseyesandslept.Hedidnotdream.

IttooksixmoreattemptsforKorlandriltofinallymastertheScorpion’sSting.Witheachsession,hegraduallylearnedtointerfacewiththepsychicconnectionsofthearmouredsuitwithoutsufferingthecatastrophicfeedbackofhisfirstencounter.Whenhefinallystoodbeforetheothers,fullyarmedandarmoured,hewascalmandincontrol.

Becharethwasthefirsttocongratulatehim,bowingsincerelyanddeeply.Elissanadrincamenext.“Youhavebecomethatwhichyouneededtobecome,”shesaidsombrely,hermelodicvoicetainted

slightlyby the transmitterofhersuit. “Youhaveachieved thedivisionbetweenyourspiritandyourwar-mask.”

“Whichisgoodnewsforus,”saidArhulesh,joiningthepair.“Howso?”askedKorlandril.“Youwillbeableto joinusoutsidetheshrine,”Arhuleshsaid.“TheglassesoftheCrescentofthe

DawningAgeshavenothingmoretofearfromyou.”ItwaswithsomeshamethatKorlandrilrecalledtheincidentthathadpropelledhimtotheShrine

oftheDeadlyShadow.“Of course,”Arhulesh continued, “if you feel like smashing anything,make sure you finish your

drinkfirst.”TheimportofwhatArhuleshhadfirstsaidsankin.“Iwillbeabletoleavetheshrine?”saidKorlandril.Hisfirstreactionwastrepidation.Whatifthe

otherswerewrong?Whatifhisangerwasnotunderhiscontrol?Korlandril’ssecondthoughtwasofembarrassment.Forallthathehaddiscoveredabouthimselfasawarrior,hewasstillashamedofthejourneythathadbroughthimtotheshrine’sdoors.WhatifhemetThirianna?

“Wewillbewithyou,”saidMin,layingacomfortinghandonKorlandril’sarm.“AndifIguessyourdoubtscorrectly,youshouldrememberthatThiriannawasonceaDireAvenger.Infact,wasitnotyouthatjudgedthewarriormoreharshly?”

Korlandrilhadtoadmithehadconfessedasmuchtotheothersseveraltimes.Hisviewsweremore

conflictednow,buthestillfeltacertainunease.“IwouldliketotrainforalittlemoretimebeforeIventureout,”hesaid.“Nonsense!”declaredMin.“Youhavelearnttoowelltheartofstealthandsecrecy.Itistimetostep

backintothelightandenjoyAlaitocagain.”“Brooding here like Kenainath won’t help you,” said Arhulesh. “What you really need is the

companyofothers.”“Andacarafeortwoofsummervine!”Elissanadrinadded.ThesuggestionrousedinKorlandrila

desiretoindulgehimselfalittle,tolosehimselfintalkandwine.“Youareright,thisisatimeofcelebration,notmourning,”Korlandrilannounced,smilinginside

hishelm. “KhainecankeepKenainathhere,but I’m filledwith the teachingsofKurnous.Wineandsong,andperhapsImightevenvisitafewoldfriends.”

TheothersfellhushandKorlandrilfeltapresencebehindhim,aslightchillasifabreezedriftedoverhisneck.HeturnedtoseeKenainathstaringathim.

“I’msorry,Ididn’t…”“Noapologies,Iwouldnotwishyoutostay,whostillhasfreedom.Findhappinessnow,enjoyyour

lifewhileyoucan,youhaveearnedthatright.”KenainathswungawayandthenstoppedtodirectalongstareoverhisshoulderatKorlandril.“Donotforgetme,andnottheDeadlyShadow,whogaveyouthisgift.Apactyouhavemade,with

theBloody-HandedGod,heispartofyou.Livewellandtrainhard,heedtheshrillcalltobattle,andreturntome.”

Korlandrilbowedlow,humbledbytheexarch’swords.“Iwillreturnonthemorrow,andwewillcontinue.IcannotrejectKhaine’sgift,andsoI lookto

youtoguideme.”Theexarchnoddedonceandstrodeaway,swallowedbythedarkoftheshrine.

Fear

Before theWar inHeaven,Eldanesh, sword-brotherandhawk-friend, faced thenightmarishhordeof theAutochtiniiandhewasafraid.Countlessinnumberwerethefoeandtheeldarwerefew.NotforhimselfdidEldaneshfear,butforthelivesofhiswarriors.AsEldaneshgirdedhimselfforthebattletocometherewasagreattumultoffireintheair.Khainehimself,iron-skinnedandfire-blooded,arrivedwithspearandshieldandstoodbesidethemortalprince.ThoughKhainehatedEldaneshandEldaneshhadnoloveforKhaine,theBloody-HandedOnewouldprotecttheeldarfromtheirfoes.SoitwasthatEldanesh’sfearwasquashedbythepresenceofthewargodandtheeldarknewvictoryovertheAutochtinii.

Korlandril smoothed out a graceful curve from the ivory-coloured putty, shaping the thigh of thefigurinecomingtoshapeinhishands.Theoldpartofhim,theessenceoftheArtistthathadsurvivedintoKorlandriltheWarrior,knewittobeacrudeornament,butthefingersoftheStrikingScorpionstillrecalledthedexterityandskillofhisformerPath.

ThesculpturewasofIsha,aswerethefourothersthathehadaddedtohiscollectionsincehisfirstdeparturefromtheshrine.IthelpedhimtofocusonamomentofpuritywithThirianna.KorlandrilhadalsocometotermswiththeriftthathaderuptedbetweenhimandAradryan,andrecognisedthattheunveilinghadnotbeenthestartofthatdivision.

IthadbeenchildishnottoacceptthathisfriendhadchangedfromtheeldarhehadknownbeforeAradryan’svoyage.WiththepragmaticeyeoftheWarriorratherthantheidealisticgazeoftheArtist,KorlandrilcouldseethathehadchangedasmuchduringAradryan’sabsence.Helookedbackattheconceitedsculptorhehadbeenandwonderedwhyhehadsowishedtoclingtothepast.

ThedoorsignalchimedandKorlandrilstoodup,gesturingfortheportaltoopen.Hedidnotlookto seewhowasvisitinghimashecrossed into thecleansingchamber to remove thevestigesof theputtyfromhishand.ItwasprobablyMinorElissanadrin,bothhadvisitedhimregularly.

“Things change again.” The visitor’s voice was not Elissanadrin or Min, though it was oddlyfamiliar.Korlandrilturnedaroundtowelcomethearrival.

ItwasAradryan.Hewasdressedinatightsuitofshiftinggreensandblues,hisoutlineindistinct.Heworeabelt

andsashwithmanypouchesandpocketsandalongknifehungathiship.Thegarboftheranger.“Thingschangeagain,”agreedKorlandril.HerememberedhismannersandgesturedforAradryan

toseathimself.Therangerdeclinedwithaslightshakeofthehead.

“Ihavecomeoutofcourtesytothefriendshipweonceshared,”saidAradryan.“IthoughtitwrongtocomebacktoAlaitocandnotseeyou.”

“Iamgladthatyouhavecome,”saidKorlandril. “Ioweyouanapologyformybehaviourthe lasttimewemet.”

“Itwasneverthecasethatwewrongedeachotherintentionally,andneitherofusowestheotheranythingbutrespect.”

“Itrustyourtravelshavebeenfruitful?”Aradryansmiledandnodded.“IcannotdescribethesightsIhaveseen,thethrillofadventurethathascoursedthroughmyveins.

ThegalaxyhasbeensetoutbeforemeandIhaveexperiencedsuchatinyfractionofthedelightsanddarknessithastooffer.”

“Itoohavebeenonajourney,”saidKorlandril,cleaninghishands.“Ihaveheardthis,”saidAradryan.Korlandril lookedathimandraisedhiseyebrowsinquestion.

Aradryanwashesitant,quiet,whenhecontinued.“Thirianna.Imetwithherfirst.ShetoldmethatyouarenowanAspectWarrior.”

“AStrikingScorpionoftheDeadlyShadowshrine,”saidKorlandril.Hedelicatelyrinsedhishandsanddriedthemunderawarmventabovethesink.“ItdoesnotangermethatyousawThiriannafirst.Mypartingfromherisaneventofthepast,onewithwhichIhavewhollycometoterms.”

Aradryan’seyessweptthelivingquarters,takingintheIshastatuesarrangedaroundtheroom.HesmiledagainanddartedadoubtfullookatKorlandril.

“Well,perhapsnotwholly,”thewarrioradmittedwithashortlaugh.“ButItrulybearyounoill-willconcerningyourpart,unwittingasitwas,inthecircumstancesthatengulfedme.”

“Haveyouseenherrecently?”Korlandrilshookhishead.“Itwouldservenopurpose.IfIhappentocrossherpath,itwillbewell,butit isnotmyplaceto

seekhercompanyatthistime.SheandItraveltodifferentplaces,andwemakeourownjourneys.”“Someoneelse?”suggestedAradryan.Korlandril was about to deny such a thing but paused, his thoughts turning unbidden to

Elissanadrin.Hewasshockedanditmusthaveshownonhisface.“Aha!”laughedAradryan.“It is not like that,”Korlandril saidhurriedly. “She is a fellowwarrior at the shrine, itwould be

entirelyinappropriateforustoengageinanydeeperrelationship.”Aradryan’s face expressed his disagreementwith this notionmore than anywords, but he said

nothing.Thetwoofthemstoodinsilence,comfortableifnotpleasant,beforeAradryan’sexpressiontookonamoreseriouscast. “Ihavealsocome togiveyouadvancewarning thatyouwillbe shortlycalledtoyourshrine.”

“Howmightyouknowthis?”askedKorlandril,frowningfiercely.“HaveyouspokentoKenainath?”“IwouldnottreadfootinanAspectshrine!Andyourexarchdoesnotventureforth.No,itisfrom

first-handknowledge that Iamawareof this. Ihave just returned fromEileniliesh. It isanExoditeworldnot so far away.Orkshave come toEilenilieshandherpeople call onAlaitoc forhelp. Ihave

comebackastheirmessenger.Evennowtheautarchsandfarseersdebatethebestcourseofaction.Thereisnodoubtinmymindthattheywillissuethecalltowar.”

“AndIwillbereadytoanswerit,”saidKorlandril.“I have my own preparations to make,” said Aradryan, taking a step towards the door. “Other

rangersaregatheringheretosharewhattheyknowoftheenemy.Imustjointhem.”Korlandrilnoddedhisunderstanding.AradryanwasatthedoorbeforeKorlandrilspokeagain.“Iamgladthatyouarealiveandwell,myfriend.”“AsamIofyou,Korlandril.IdonotknowifIwillseeyouonEilenilieshorbeforeweleave.Ifnot,

thenIwishyougoodfortuneandprosperityuntilournextmeeting.”“Goodfortuneandprosperity,”echoedKorlandril.Hewatchedtherangerdepartandtheirisdoorclosebehindhim.Hewonderedwhethertohead

directlytotheshrineorawaitKenainath’scommand.Korlandrildecidedonthelattercourseofaction;hewasinnohastetoputonhiswar-mask.

Korlandril continued to sculpt into the twilight of the cycle, and still nomessage from Kenainatharrived.Hewasputtingthe finishingtouchesonthesandalsofhisminiaturegoddesswhenhehadcause to pause. Something had changed. He was not sure what had distracted him; a glimmer ofsensationatthebackofhismind.

Hedismissed it and returned to hiswork, only to be disturbed a fewmoments later by amorevigoroussenseofsomethinguntowardhappening.Itwasafeelingatthebaseofhisspineandinhisgut.Hisheartwasquickening,growingintempoalongwithhisbreathing.Perturbed,Korlandrilsatbackinhishigh-backedchairandconcentrated,seekingthesourceofhisdiscomfort.

It felt like tiny vibrations, running through his spirit rather than his body. Something wasawakeninghisnerveendings,stimulatingpartsofhismindhedidnotvisitoutsideoftheshrine.

For a fleetingheartbeathe thoughthe could smell burning andblood, and felt a prickle of heatwashoverhim.Heglancedaroundthechamberseeking thesourcebutcouldseenothing.Theheatwascomingfromwithinhim.

Unbidden, the apparition of his imaginary sparring partner flickered through hismind. Like acircuit being completed, the image touched off a chain reaction inKorlandril’smind and body.Heflushedwithasurgeofenergyevenashefeltatinglingbehindhiseyesashisnervessoughttoconnectwithsomethingthatwasnotthere.

Herealisedthathewasseekinghisarmour.Evenashethoughtoftheshrine,aghastlyroarechoedinthebackofhismind,blottingoutallothersensation.Korlandrilwasalmostknockedsenselessbythesuddenassaultof rageandhatredencapsulated in that feralbellow.Atonce,heknewwhatwashappening,andknewalsothathehadtogototheDeadlyShadowshrineasswiftlyaspossible.

WarhadcometoAlaitoc.TheAvatarofKaelaMenshaKhainewasawakening.

AsmallboxhadbeenleftatKorlandril’sdoor,asimplewhitecubenolargerthanthepalmofhishandwithoutwrapping ormessage. Korlandril bent his knee to pick it up and as his fingers neared thepackage he felt a sensation ofwarmth.He pulled back slightly, surprised by the feeling. It felt like

Thirianna,thoughtherewassomethingelsemixedinwiththestrangehintofpresencethatlingeredaroundthegift.

Hepickeditupandopenedthelid.Insidewasarune,shapedfromsilvery-greywish-stone.Herecogniseditimmediately,thesymbol

of theDireAvengers. Itwas themartial discipline of thiswarriorAspect that hadmergedwith thetender thoughtsofThirianna.Holding it inhispalm,Korlandril concentrated, teasing the thought-streamwithwhichtherunehadbeenimbued.

Hefeltmomentarysadnessandlonging;regretattheirparting;prideinhisactions.Mostofall,hefeltthesensationofunderstanding.Korlandrildivinedthemessage.ThiriannaherselfhadonceheardhercallofKhaineandsupportedhimonhiscurrentpath.Runningafingeralongthebarsoftherune,Korlandrilknewshehadtakenitasasouvenirfromherarmour,andnowshehadpassedittohimasatokenofherfriendship,onethathewouldbeabletounderstandfromonewarriortoanother.

Heclosedhisfingersaroundthegiftandsmiled.

ItwasthefirsttimeKorlandrilhadsuitedupwiththepurposeoftruebattle.Kenainathstoodbeforehimwithashallowbowl,asliverofabladeinhisrighthand.

“Wegiveofourblood,asKhaine’scallroarsaroundus,callingustowar.”The exarch took the knife andmade a cut in the palm of Korlandril’s right hand, allowing the

lifebloodofthewarriortodripintothebowlandminglewiththatoftheotherStrikingScorpions.Kenainaththenmovedaroundthesquad,inturnpaintingtheruneoftheStrikingScorpionupon

theirforeheads.Korlandrilwasthelastandwatchedwithsometrepidationashesawhiscompanions’eyesglazeover,theirmusclestwitchandtheirlipscurlbackfromtheirteethinsnarls.

Thenhefelttheblooduponhisownskin.Itfeltliketheexarchwascarvingtheruneintohisfleshwitha fierybrand, thepain flaring inKorlandril’smind.Thepain turnedtoanger,wellingup fromdeepwithinhim.Theangerdrewonthedeep-seatedfrustrationsandhumiliationsKorlandrilhadputaside,wakeningthoseforgottenemotions.

Quivering,Korlandrildidnothingasthewar-maskeruptedfromwithinhim.Hisbloodthunderedinhisearsandthecutonhispalmburnedsharply.Theaircrackledwithlifeandhisskincrawledwithenergy.LikeanobscenebirththewarriorspiritofKorlandrilburstforththroughthebarriershehaderected,seethingandhungry.

ThevoiceofKenainathcutthroughKorlandril’ssenses.“Thepeaceisbroken,harmonyfallstodiscord,onlywarremains.”Korlandrilbegantheritualofarming,followingeachstepwithoutthought.Itwasasifhewalked

towardsaburningfireandwaspreparingtopassthroughtheflames.Hesteadiedhimselfmentally,concentratingontheexarch’smantra.

“Nowweclotheourselves,withbloodyKhaine’sownraiment,asawarrior.”Korlandrilcouldnotfightbackhisexcitement.Thiswasthemomenthehaddreadedandlonged-

for since completinghis training.He felt amomentof shameathis ownbloodthirst but the regretsoondisappearedashecontinuedtoarmourhimself.

“InKhaine’sironskin,wecladourselvesforbattle,whilefireburnswithin.”

Likenoothertime,thearmourfeltapartofKorlandril.Hewasnotsimplyputtingonhissuit,hewasbecominghimself.Morethanputtingonplatesofarmour,hewasstrippingawaythepretensionsofcivilisationheusedtoconcealhiswrath.

“ThespiritofKhaine,fromwhichwedrawourresolve,strengthenswithinus.”Theruneuponhisforeheadwasnowicycold.Itsfreezingtouchspreadthroughhim,untilithad

almost stilled his heart.With its chilling fingers it brushed awayhis remorse andpity, crushedhiscompassionandguilt.

“Warcomesuponus,wemustbearitsdarkburden,uponourshoulders.”Khaine’s iron skin, indeed! Korlandril felt strong, stronger than ever before. He flexed his

shouldersandbunchedthemusclesinhischest,thearmourtighteningaroundhim,comfortinginitshardembrace.

“WestandbeforeKhaine,unyieldinginourcalling,freeofdoubtandfear.”Korlandril’sheartwas adrumbeat, endless,martial, drivinghimonwards.He curledhis fingers

intofistsandfeltthepowerinhisarms.Itfeltgood,tobesopowerful,tobesoalive.“Wedonotfleedeath,wewalkintheshadeofKhaine,proudandunafraid.”Thearmourmadeacreakingnoiseasitadjustedfurther.Asitknittedtogetherhefeltitbondingto

him, infusing his spirit with its own. He heard panting, dimly realising that it was he that wasbreathingsoquickly.Heclosedhiseyesandsawthefire-eyedapparitionofhisangerswirlingaroundhim,encasinghimassurelyasthearmouredsuit.

“Westrikefromthedark,asswiftasthescorpion,withadeadlytouch.”Korlandrilfelthishandsempty,andlongedforthefeelingofswordandpistol inhisfingers.He

flexedhisgauntletedhandsinanticipation.“Seenotwiththeeyes,butallowangertoflow,letKhaine’sgiftguideyou.”AsthedarknessofthehelmenvelopedKorlandril,hewasfrozeninspaceandtime.Theuniverse

paused,holdingitsbreath.Hestoodthereinthedarkness,savouringit,rememberingwithscornthefearhehadfeltwhenfirsthehadcometothisplace.Ithadmadehimwhole.

Something was placed in his right hand and he gripped it gently. Sharp blades hummed intomomentarylifeandthenfellstill.Withaclick,somethingwasaffixedtotherelaycordonhisleftarmandhishandcurledaroundapistol’sgrip.Thirianna’s runehung from it, a smalldecorationofhisown.

Thenhiswaystone,slidingintoplaceuponhischest,guardinghisspiritagainstdamnation.Itwashis last armour, his true protection against the thing he was becoming, the creature hewanted tobecome.

Thedarknesswas insidehimandoutsidehim, thefieryeyesstaringdirectlyoutofhishead.Hehadknownallalongtheshadowyfigurehehadbeenfighting,butonlynowtrulysawitforwhatitwas.Itwashimselfhehadfought.Hehadstrainedagainsttheurgesanddesiresthatlingeredwithinhisheart.Hehadtriedsohardtoquellthefeelingsofrage,buthehadfoughtoutofignorance.

Thedarknesswasnomore,savethatKorlandrilhadhiseyesclosed.Heopenedthemandlookedoutattheworldwithafreshviewthroughtheruby-tintedlensesofhishelmet.

Hetookacrouchedstepforward,easingintohisfightingstance.Nolongerwasheathingofflesh

andblood,amortalbeingfilledwithfalsehoodandcrudepassions.HewasaWarrior.HewaspartoftheBloody-HandedGod,anAspectofKaelaMenshaKhaine.

Korlandrilwasnomore.InhisplacestoodaStrikingScorpionoftheDeadlyShadow.

Themaingalleryofthewarshipwasanimmensehall,vaultedwithrib-likestructuresthatsplit intotall,narrowdoorways leadingto thesidechambers.Flickersofenergydancedalongthewraithbonecore, merging with hidden psychic circuitry behind walls of shifting, mottled blue and green. Thearchedshipchambersrangwithbootedfeet,thekeensoundofbladescuttingairandnowandthenanexplosion or blaze of laser fire as weapons were tested. Warriors from Alaitoc’s dozens of Aspectshrinespractisedtheirrituals,eachinaseparatehallthatbranchedfromthemainarterialpassage,themantrasoftheexarchsringingfromthehighceilingsinamulti-layeredsymphonyofwar.

Korlandril stood in line with the other Deadly Shadow warriors, hearing only the voice ofKenainathandthebeatingofhisheart.

The Avatar was aboard. The Bloody-Handed Godwalked among them. Korlandril could feel itspresence lingering on the edge of his senses. It quickened his pulse and filled every motion withgreater energy. His mind was fixed upon a single goal—the annihilation of the orks despoilingEileniliesh.

Thethoughtofbattlefilledhimwithexpectation.Forallthathisritualsasawarriorallowedhimtoseparate his anger from his daily life, it was in war that he would find release. The prospect ofbloodshed,thevisceralconflictoflifeanddeath,thrilledKorlandril.ItpromisedanintoxicationevengreaterandfulfillingthanthecompletionofasculptureortheclimaxofaDreaming,thoughhecouldrememberthesepreviousvictoriesonlydimly.

Whentheexerciseswerecomplete,Kenainathdismissedthem.Korlandrilhesitated,unsurewhatto donext. Elissanadrin approachedhim, removingher helmet.Korlandril’s eyeswere immediatelydrawntotheruneofdriedbloodonherforehead.Hisruby-tintedgazemovedtohereyesandhesawthedispassionatestarehenowrecognisedasthewar-mask.

Hesitantly, self-consciously,Korlandril took off his helmet, fearful that this actwould somehowremove his war-mask. Un-helmed, he felt no different. The rune upon his skin bound him to hismentalstate,ananchorofanger.

He followed theothersas they left the chamberand filedalong thecentralnaveof the starship,headingtowardsthestern.Nowandthenaglimmeroflightwouldpassalongthetranslucentwalls,abrightspeckamongstpaleorangeandyellowshimmering.Therewasnoinfinitycircuitontheship,thoughitswraithbonecorepulsedgentlywithpsychicenergy,playingupontheedgeofKorlandril’ssenses. It was almost overwhelmed with the far sharper, iron-and-blood-tainted presence of theAvatar.

Other squadswere likewise assembling, coming together along the arteries of the battleship onfoot and skimming platforms: Dark Reapers in their heavy black armour and vane-flanked helms;bone-colouredHowlingBanshees, themanesof theirhelmets flyingwithpsychicenergy;andmanyDireAvengers,blue-clad,theirexarchswearingbrightyellowandwhitegonfalonsontheirbackpacks.

Andmany others beside, each representing a facet of theWar God; each dedicated to a particularfightingstyle,broughttogetherinaharmonyofdestruction.

“ItwillbeeightcyclesbeforewereachEileniliesh,”saidMin,stoppinginhisenthusiasticstridetoallowElissanadrinandKorlandriltocatchhim.

Itseemedsuchalongtimetowaitbeforethebloodlettingwouldbegin,butKorlandrilknewthatsuch a journeywas short compared tomost. Hewas agitated by the inactivity, wondering how hewouldmakethetimepass.

“Iseethehungerinyou,”saidMin,baringhisteethinagrin.“Itwillcomesoonenough,donotfret.”

“Howmanytimeshaveyoufought?”askedKorlandril.“Thiswillbemythirteenthexpedition,”saidElissanadrin.“Twenty,”repliedMin.Korlandril looked around at Arhulesh, who had been trailing behind them a little way, with

Becharethafewmorepacesevenfurtherback.“Two,”saidArhulesh.“Includingthisone.”Korlandrillaughed,andthenfellsilent,takenabackthathecouldshowhumour.Arhuleshgrowled.“Yougavetheimpressionyouweremoreexperienced,”saidKorlandril.“Ididnotrealiseyouwere

suchababe-at-arms.”“It is you that is the adolescent, newcomer,” said Arhulesh. “Feverish to taste that forbidden

pleasure,yetashesitantasanIybraesillianmaidenoncomingtofullflower.Beassuredthatnobodyexpectsyoutoperformperfectlythefirsttime.”

“Myfirstforayintofleshlypleasuresmetwithsuccessandmuchgratitudefrommypartner,”saidKorlandril.“I’venofearmybattle-virginitywillholdmeback.”

“Fortruth,Iamsureyoupractisedequallybeforeboth,”laughedArhulesh.Theywalkedonforawhilelonger,thechatterofothersquadsaroundthem.“Iamhungry,”saidKorlandril,evenasherealisedtheemptinessgnawingathim.Hefelt likean

enginethathadburnedmostofitsfuel.“We all are,” saidMin. “Tis a strange thing, for a cycle fromnow your stomachwill feel like an

endlessknotandyouwon’twantamorsel.Eatasmuchasyoucan,whileyoucan.Yourbodyburnsenergymuchfasterwithyourwar-maskon,it’simportanttokeepupyourenergylevels.”

Korlandrilnoddedinunderstanding.Theirjourneytookthempastvasthangarswherethedarkshapesofscoutshipsloomedinshadow.

Afewwereempty,theirrangerpilotsescortingthewarshipthroughthewindinghalf-realmazeofthewebway.Otherhallswerealsodormant:placeswheretanksandotherwarmachineswouldusuallybetransported.Therewastobenosuchsupportonthismission—thiswasaquickstriketodestroytheorkthreatinitsinfancy.OnlytheAspectWarriorshadbeencalled,thefarseersjudgingthesituationnotsoseverethatthecitizenmilitia—theGuardians—neededtobemobilised.

MinledthemtoaneaterywherehundredsofAspectWarriorsweresatatlongtables,whileothersmoved busily around the circular counters, helping themselves to the food on offer. A force domeglitteredoverhead,showingaviewofthewebway.Acurvingtunnelofenergyenvelopedtheshipwith

solidwallsofripplingcolours,streakedthroughwithflashesofstar-litsky.Engineeredfromthestuffofwarpspace,thewebwayburrowedbetweenandthroughtheimmaterialandmaterialworlds,partofbothbutseparatefromeach.

Nowandthentheypassedabranchingroute,thewebwaybifurcatingthroughhanginggatewaysof gold andwraithbone, inscribedwith runes channelling and shaping the psychic energy of warpspace.Therewereother features: small tunnels that cutoutgreat loopsof themain channels;hugecoils of raw wraithbone wrapped around the insubstantial tunnel in places the only evidence ofrepairs;occasionallytheforcewallsfoldedandbuckled,ripplingwithlightassomemaligncreatureofwarpspaceintersectedwiththewebwayandwasthrownbackbythepsychicwards.

Therewerenoothershipstobeseen, theroutetoEilenilieshhadbeenclearedbytherangerstoallowpassageforthelargewarship.

ThinkingaboutthedaemonsandothercreaturesloiteringcloseathandmadeKorlandriluneasy.Thewebwaywasfarsaferthanopenwarpspace,butitunnervedhimtoimaginetheimmaterialbeastsheld at bay by the translucent walls of energy. He pulled his eyes away and looked at the AspectWarriorsgatheredintheirsquadsacrossthecircularhall.

“WhydoestheDeadlyShadowhavesofewwarriorscomparedtotheothershrines?”“Kenainathwillonlytakeonasinglepupilata time,”explainedElissanadrin. “It is fortunatefor

youthathehadnoacolyteatthetimeofyour…dilemma.Iwouldnothavebeenabletobringyoutohimhaditbeenotherwise.”

Korlandrilalsonoticedthatmostoftheothershrineshadtheirexarchswiththem.Kenainath,asfarasKorlandrilknew,had remained in theDeadlyShadow’sallottedshrine-hall.HespiedanothergroupofStrikingScorpions,more than twentyof them.Theirexarchsatat theheadof the table.Alongtwo-edgedchainswordhungonaslingacrosshisback.

“The Fall of Deadly Rain,” said Arhulesh. “That is the exarch, Aranarha. We should pay ourrespects.”

Theexarchlookedupatthemastheyapproached;eyesadeepblue,hisfeaturessmoothlikeoneofKorlandril’s sculptures. His hair was cropped barbarically short, save for two long braids that fellacrosshisface.

“ThechildrenofKenainath,awelcomegreeting,andanewmemberwiththem!”theexarchsaidwithalopsidedgrin.HestoodupandgaveaperfunctorybowtowardsKorlandril.

“Myhonour,”saidKorlandril,returningthebow.“IamKorlandril.”“AndnowaDeadlyShadow,hidinginyourshrine,withKenainath’sdarkwhispers.Whydidyou

notcometome,mydoorwasopen,andIamfarlessfearsome.”“I—”beganKorlandril,butElissanadrincuthimoff.“It was I that brought Korlandril to the Deadly Shadow, as was right,” she said forcefully.

“Kenainathteachesuswell.”“Idonotdisputethatfact,butthatisnotall,thereismoretolifethanwar.”“Heallowsustolearnthoselessonsforourselves,”counteredMin.Aranarhasmiledpleasantlyandwavedforthemtositthemselvesdown.“Youhavecomehereonyourown,withoutyourexarch,soenjoyourcompany.”

Korlandrilglancedattheothersforguidance.“Here isasgoodaplaceasany,” saidArhulesh, takingaplacebetweentwoof theFallofDeadly

Rainwarriors.Hehelpedhimselftoafewmorselsfromtheplateofthewarriortohisleft.“Wehavelittleelsetodo.”

“Wewilljoinyoushortly,”saidElissanadrin,turningtowardsthenearestfoodcounter.Korlandriltrailedslightlybehindher,bemusedbytheexchange.

“Idetectsomeenmity,”hesaid.“DoyouhavesomeissuewithAranarha?”Elissanadrin shookherhead, taking anoval platter frombeneath theheated food station.With

dextrous flicks of her wrist, she transferred a pile of steamingmulti-coloured grains to the plate.Korlandril tookup a bowl andwandered to a standof lowbushes growing fromapatch of spongyfloor.Withquickfingers,hetwistedtheberriesfromthelivingbranchesandthenmovedontoasmallpoolwhere fragrant blossoms floated on the surface.He plucked a couple of blooms and scatteredtheirpetalsacrosshisfood.

“Aranarha and Kenainath have been rivals for some time, but there is no hostility there,” saidElissanadrin,asKorlandrilusedaslenderknifetofilletslicesofmeatfromthecarcassofashadow-horn.“Kenainathisold—veryold—andhedoesnotapproveofAranarha’smethodssometimes.Butweare all warriors here, and that is a bond that cannot be broken. For all their differences, they stillrespecteachother.”

“Butthatdoesnotexplainyourtoneandactions,”saidKorlandril,fillinghisdishwithageneroushelpingofsplitseedsandtwistsofangel-resin.Hewasravenousandhadtostophimselfover-fillingtheplatter.

“Kenainathseeshisentrapmentasanexarchasacurse,butAranarhatakes itasablessing.Theolderwouldratherhavenopupils,theyoungerproselytiseshiscult,activelyrecruitingnewwarriors.”

“WhydoesKenainathwanttobefreeofpupils?Ishethatdisdainfulofus?”ElissanadringaveKorlandrilasharplook.“IfKenainathhadnopupils, itwouldmean that there isnoneedofhim—thatotherswere free

fromthetaintofKhaine’sGift.IfyouthinkthatKenainathdisdainsyou,thenyouseesomethingIdonot.Perhapsitismerelyareflectionofsomeresidualshameyoufeel.”

“Hedoesnotseemtocaretoomuchaboutme,”Korlandrilsaidwithashrug.“PerhapsIconfuseindifferencefordisdain.”

“Kenainathdigsdeep,reachingintotheveryheartofwhattakesyoutohim.”ElissanadrinkepthervoicequietastheymovedbacktowardsthetablewiththeotherStrikingScorpions.“Aranarhateachestheritualsenmasse,takingnopersonalinterestineachwarrior.Whichofthetwodoyouthinkcaresmore?”

Korlandril considered thisashe satdowntoeatwith the rest.Soonhisplatewasemptyandhereturnedformore.Andthenathirdhelping.

“This fire indeed burns brightly, a feast of Kurnous, would not satiate his need,” remarkedAranarha.

Korlandrillookeddownatthefoodpiledinfrontofhim.Hesawnowronginit.Minhadwarnedhimtoeatasmuchashecouldwhilehefelthungry.

“ItwouldbebetterthatIdonotgotomyfirstbattleweakwithhunger,”hesaid,beforesettingtohislatestcoursewithrelish.

“Atleastourarmourispolymorphic,”laughedArhulesh.“Itwon’tfeelanytighter!”Korlandril grinned and reached for a goblet of spiced lodefruit juice. He raised it in toast to

Arhuleshanddowneditscontentsinalonggulp.Smackinghislips,hethuddedthegobletbackontothetable.

“Ifbattletastessosweet,thegreaterbanquetisyettocome!”hedeclared.

Thewayseerstoodinfrontofanoval,gold-rimmedportal,oneofseveralsuchgatewaysextrudedfromthe wraithbone floor in the webway chambers at the rear of the warship. She was swathed in avoluminousrobeofdeeppurple.Herwhitehairwaspartedinthemiddleandfellintwolonglocksinfrontofhershoulders,weightedwithringsofametallicblue.Aboutherextendedhandorbitedfivewhite runes, twisting gently in the psychic breeze of hermagistrations as she aligned the entrancewithatemporarywebwaystrandintothematerialuniverse.Themirror-likeskeinofenergywithintheportal’sframeshimmeredoccasionally,causingtherunestodancewithmoreagitationforamomentbeforesettlingintotheirtranquilcircling.

“Itisalmosttime,theportalwillbeopen,wearethevanguard,”saidKenainath.Hesignalledforthesquadtodontheirhelmets.

Thered-washedtaintonhisvisionmadeKorlandrilthinkofafilmofbloodcoveringhiseyes.Hewasfullofenergy;notnervous,justeager.Thiswastheculminationofsomuchtime,somucheffortinpractise,and justas thewebwayportalwasopening,he feltanewdoorwasopeningonhis life.Helongedtoracethroughandgraspwhateveropportunitieslaybeyond.

Fightingtheurgetofidget,forcinghimselftostandplacidlyandwaitforthewayseertocompleteherritual,Korlandrilidlycheckedhisarmour’ssystems.Rather,heallowedpartofhisconsciousnesstomergewiththesuitalittlemoredeeplythanusual.Hefeltnothingamiss.

Slightlybored,hepulledhimselfbackfromthesuit’srhythmsandgentlytouchedthetriggeronhispistol, activating the psychic link. Immediately a view-within-a-view appeared in his left eye, like akeyhole in his vision. Through that small opening he could see the green-veined floor of the portalchamber.Liftinghisarm,heplayedthepistolacrossthewebwayportalandsettledonthewayseer,theimagerelayedbytheseeing-gemofthepistol’ssight.Asmallruneappearedbesidethewayseer—thesymbolofAlaitoc—indicatingshewasfriendnotfoe.

Itwasaprecautionarymeasure,unlikely tobeused,but thedesignersof thepistolperhapshadlivedinmoreturbulenttimes,wheneventhecraftworldshadraisedtheirweaponsagainsteachother.The viewfinderwasuseful at rangebutdistracting at close quarters.Korlandril dismissed itwith athoughtandhisvisionreturnedtonormal.

The faintpaddingofbootscausedhimto turn towards thearchedentranceway to thechamber.Sevenfiguresentered,shadowyandindistinct;rangersswathedincameleolinecoats,nowthewhiteandpalegreencolourofthechamber,outlinesbarelydiscernable.Onepulledbackherhoodrevealingabeautiful face,a tattooofa red tearbeneathher left eye,andwinkedatKorlandril.Yet forallhercharminglooksandfrivolity,therewassomethingabouttherangerthatdisturbedhim.Hisgazefellto

herwaystoneandhesensedsomethingotherworldlythere.ShewasnotonthePath,hersensesandspiritfreetosoartowhateverheightsitcould,andtoplungetowhateverdepthsawaited.

LikeAradryan,thoughtKorlandril.Free,butvulnerable.“You’llbefollowingusontoEileniliesh,”shesaid,turningherattentiontoKenainath.Theexarch

noddedwithoutcomment.The other rangers were unrecognisable. Korlandril wondered if one of themwas Aradryan. He

surreptitiouslyangledhispistoltowardstherangersandactivatedtheScorpion’sEye,hopingtoseetheir faces. Flicking through various spectra, both visible and invisible, he discovered the rangers’cloaksdissipatednotonlyordinarylight,butalsoheatandothersignaturesasmightbedetectedbyanenemy.Withadisappointedsigh,heswitcheditoffagainandturnedbacktotheportal.

The flat plane was now slowly swirling with colours, mostly blues and greens, with occasionaltwists of red and black. It wasmesmerising, and Korlandril felt himself drawn towards it. Out ofcuriosityheraisedhispistoltowardstheportal,butMinsteppedinfrontofhim,placingahandonhisarm.

“Notwise,”saidthewarriorwithashakeofhishead.Korlandriltookthewarningatfacevalueandloweredhisarm.“Theportalisopen,”declaredthewayseer.Therunesfloatedinaverticallineaboveheropenpalm.The ranger pulled up her hood, her exquisite features disappearing from view.With a gesture

made vague by her long coat, she strode into the miasmic plane of the portal and disappeared.Unslingingriflesalmostastallasthemselves,theotherrangersfollowedher.

KenainathmovedhisgazefromoneStrikingScorpiontothenext,as ifgaugingthem.Hecouldseenothingoftheirexpressions,butKorlandrilwonderediftheexarchhadsensesbeyondthoseofanormaleldar.Withnowordofinstruction,Kenainathplungedinaftertherangers.

Korlandril spared a glance at the rest of the squad, but none of them looked back at him. Hewonderediftheysharedthesamesenseofachievementashedid,abouttoembarkonhisfirstforayintobattle.One-by-onetheywalkedintothewebway.

Hisexcitementatacrescendo,Korlandrilsteppedafterthem.

The webway passage cut towards the surface of Eileniliesh between the real universe and theotherworldofthewarp,aflattenedtubecuttingthroughwhatatfirstappearedtoberoilingwater.Itwas impossible to tell the true colour of the tunnel throughhis lenses, buthewouldnothavebeensurprisedifithadbeenaseagreenorblue.Hehalf-expectedtoseetheredflashesofafirefishgoingpast,orthesilvershimmerofastarfinshoal.

The one thing thatwas strangewas the sense ofmotion, in that therewas not any. Thoughhestalkedforwardsatsomepacebehindtheothers,nothingchangedinhissurrounds.Itfeltlikehewaswalkingonthespot.Theweb-tunnelundulatedoccasionally,butKorlandrilcouldnottellwhetherthiswasduetomovementinthewarp-passageorsimplyashiftintheenergiesthatwerekeptatbaybyitsimmaterialwalls.

Peeringhardthroughtheinvisibleforcewall,Korlandrilcouldmakeouttheindistinctthreadsofotherwebwaypassages,twistingaboutthisoneandeachother,comingtogetherandpartinglikethe

strandsofathread.Ofthesquadsusingtheseothertunnels,hecouldseenothing.“Howlongisthis?”heasked,hisvoicerelayedtotheothermembersofthesquad.“Justatemporaryburrowing,”repliedArhulesh.“We’llbedownonthesurfaceinafewmoments.”Korlandrilpeeredpasttheshouldersofthoseinfront,hopingtoseesomething.Inhisimagination

itwouldbeashimmeringveilthroughwhichhewouldbeabletoseethetreesandgrassofEileniliesh.Instead,theothersflickeredoutofsightastheypassedacertainpoint,andtakinganotherstep,

Korlandrilfoundhimselfwalkingonsoftturf.Hewasvaguelydisappointed.“Readyyourweapons,battlewillbesoonathand,Khaine’sbloodyplayfield.”Korlandrilfell intopositionatthecentreofthesquadjustbehindKenainathandlookedaround.

Above,theskywasfilledwithclouds,thelightoftwohugemoonsdimlypushingthroughtheirgloom.They were on a hillside, gently sloping upwards in front of him, and at the summit there stood anarrow, solitary tower. Light burned within its pinnacle, casting long shadows from the scatteredrocksandtrees.Korlandrilscannedthehillsidefortherangersbuttheywerealreadygone,orsowellhiddenfromviewthathecouldnolongerseethem.

His mouth was dry and he licked his lips, while he flexed his fingers on his weapons to keephimselfrelaxed,dissipatingatinyfractionoftheenergyburninginsidehim.Hewonderedhowclosetheyweretotheorks,butrefrainedfromasking.Hisquestionwasansweredastheycrestedthehill,revealingaswatheofblacksmokehanginglowoveraforestthatgrewinthevalleybeyond.

Korlandrilheardagrowlofangerfromoneoftheothersbuthewasnotsurewhohadmadeit.Itmight have evenbeenhimself. The sight of the crude billowings of the orks swathing the beautifultreesdarkenedKorlandril’sspirit.Thoughtsofgloriousbattledissipatedandallthatremainedwasadesiretodestroythecreaturesthatassailedthisworld.

“Followtheriver,”camethevoiceoftheleadrangerfromthecommunicationscrystaljustbesideKorlandril’srightear.

Kenainath cut to the right and brought them to a narrow, fast-flowing water course, birthedsomewherewithinthehillandgushingforthalongarockydefile.Theexarchandsquadcrossedeasilyat the river head, andmoved swiftly down the hillside and into the sparse trees at the edge of theforest.

Asidefromthegurglingandsplashingoftheriver,Korlandrilcouldheartherustlingoftheleavesoverheadandthesighofthewindthroughthelushgrassathisfeet.Ofhiscompanions,hecouldhearnothing,movingassilentlyasshadows.Inthedistance,asyetbarelyaudible,theresoundedagreaterdisturbance—thenoiseofroughenginesandcruellaughter.

“TheorkshaveoccupiedHirith-Hreslain,”reportedtheranger.AnothervoicecametoKorlandril’sear.Hedidnotrecogniseit,butitspokewithsombreauthority.“Thesettlement straddles the river,” intoned the speaker. “Themajorityof theenemyareon the

web-ward side, closest to our positions. Their leaders are on the opposite bank. Firuthein, positionyourwarriorsalongtheriverbehindandpreparetodisableanytransportscrossingfromthefarside.Kenainath,moveyoursquadtowardsthebridgetodealwithanysurvivorsoftheFireDragons’strike.”

“Itshallbe,asyoucommand,withKhaine’swill,”repliedasonorousvoice,presumablytheexarchFiruthein.

“TheScorpionswait,wewillstrikefromtheshadow,nonewillsurviveus.”Kenainath’stoneandcadencewereinstantlyfamiliar.

“Thatwastheautarch,”explainedMinwhenKorlandrilaskedwhohehadbeenlisteningto.“He’scoordinatingthemainattack,andwe’retostopanyenemyreinforcements.”

“Anambush,”saidArhulesh.“Exactlyourtypeoffighting.”

The river widened and shallowed rapidly as it reached the valley floor. The trees grew close to thebanks,butnowawideexpanseseparatedthetwosides,thedimlightofthenightskyadeeporangetoKorlandril’seyes.ThefurthertheStrikingScorpionsadvanced,themoretheywereseparatedfromtherestofthearmy,whichwasanglingtowardsthegreaterconcentrationoforksontheotherriverbank.Korlandril glanced over his left shoulder and saw the squad of Firuthein’s Fire Dragons stridingpurposefullyalongtheoppositesideoftheriver.

Asuddenmovement—orratherthesuddenstillnessoftherestofthesquad—alertedKorlandriltosomethingamiss.Hefrozeinplace,poisedinthestanceofLeafthatCuts.

Arippledisturbedtheplacidsurfaceofthewater,trailedbyathinstreamofbubbles.Somethingwasmovingtowardsthesquad, justunderthewaterline.Withathought,Korlandrilbroughtupthewide-spectrumviewofhishelmetandgazedbeneaththewater’sreflectivesurface.The“something”waslargeandsnake-like,fivetimesaslongasaneldaristall,withthreepairsofflippersandawide-flukedtail.

Two largeheartsbeatbesideeachother in its chestandKorlandril couldseestringsofcartilagerunning the length of its body overlaid with a labyrinth of arteries and strange organs. Korlandrilcouldseetheflowofheatfromtheseouttotheextremitiesasthecreatureswishedlazilypast,withineasypistolshot.

ItgavenotafirstglancetowardstheStrikingScorpionsswathedfromthemoonlightbythetreesshroudingthebank.KorlandrilwatcheditglidebehindhimandnoddedtoKenainath,signallingthatitwassafetocontinue.

Underthecoverofthethickeningcloud—thelightofthemoonsnowallbutgone—thesquadmadeswift progress andwere soonwithin sight of the arcing bridge that connected to the two parts ofHirith-Hreslain.Onthefarbank—thewebwardsideclosesttotheeldararmy—talltowersrosefromamongstthetrees.Smokebillowedfromnarrowwindowsandsootstainedpalewalls.Onthenearersidethebuildingsweremorewidelyspacedandagreatclearinghadbeencutintotheforest.ThishadoncebeenpasturelandforthegrazingbeastsoftheExodites.Nowitwasaruin,thecarcassesofthegreatreptilianherbivoresheapedontoroaringpyresorleftinthetrampledmudwheretheyhadbeenslaughtered.Crudestandardsofflatmetaliconsandraggedbannershadbeendrivenintothesoilandlashedtothecrackedtiledroofsoftheoutbuildings.

Ramshackle,wheeled vehicles rumbled across the turf, their thick tyres churningup swathes ofdirt, cutting gashes into the fertile ground. The air was chokedwith their fumes.Metal-sided androofedshedshadbeenerectedovertheruinsoffarmsteadsandbarns,whereclangingechoedthroughthenightskyandthebrightsparkofweldingtorchesmingledwiththeflickerofnakedflamesandthestark light of artificial lamps. Piles of junk littered the open ground: twistedmechanicalworkings,

badly hewn logs, shredded tyres, the bones of dead food and heaps of steaming dung. Haphazardchimneysjuttedfromtheworkshedsspewingoilysmoke, leavingacloudofsmoglingeringoverthefilthycampsite.

Throughthemurk,with theaidofhis lens-filters,Korlandril couldsee theorks, the firsthehadencounteredthoughhehadheardtalesfromtheothersofthesquad.Ifanything,theirhorrificstoriesdidnotdojusticetothebrutalaliens.

There were several dozen of the green-skinned monsters. Most of them were far larger thanKorlandril,evenhunchedandcrouchingaroundthefires.Somewereenormous,perhapshalfagainastallastheAspectWarriors,andthreeorfourtimesasbroad.Theygrowledandcackledtoeachotherintheirbrutishtongue,strikingouttoemphasisetheirpoints.

Around and about the encampment scurried a host of smaller creatures, carrying food andweapons, or simply scrabbling aboutwith each other in petty conflicts. Their higher-pitched voicesaddedadissonantcutthroughtherumbleoftheorks’bellowsandroars,jarringinKorlandril’sears.

Withoutthought,Korlandrilraisedhisweapons,disgustedbywhathesaw.“Itisnotyettime,temperyourangerandhate,vengeancewillcomesoon,”warnedKenainath.

Themoments creptpastas theStrikingScorpions lay inwait.Korlandrilwatched theorks,waryofdiscovery,butnotasinglegreenskinwarriorortheirdiminutiveservantssparedaglancetowardstheriver.Heturnedhisattentionbacktothetowersofthemainsettlement.Herethedestructionoftheorkswasevenmoreevident.

Thebucket-jawedmonstrositieshad setup their camp in the ruinsof the settlement.Wallshadbeen smashed in towidendoorways andwindows, and thedetritus of the alien invaderswaspiledeverywhere.Theyhadbeenhereforashortwhileandhadmadeuglyrepairsand“improvements”withsheets ofmetal riveted into the elegant stone buildings, and planks of untreatedwood lashed intoplacetoformbalconiesandbattlements.

Hundreds of the creaturesmilled about, arguing and fighting, eating and shouting.With eachheartbeatKorlandrilcametodespisethemmore.Theywereanaffronttoeverythinghehadlearnttoappreciateand love.Theywereanoafish,unsubtle, ill-disciplined rabble.Theywere incarnationsofanarchyandviolence,havingnothingof culture,witorart.Theirbrutalitywas their strength, theirignorancetheirarmouragainstthedarkerthingsoftheuniversethatpreyedonmorecivilisedspecies.

ThougheverypartofKorlandrilstrainedtounleashthewrathofKhaine,towipeoutthesebarbaricfiguresthathadsurvivedfromtheearliestlegendsoftheeldar,asmall,reasoningpartofhisbraintoldhimthatitwouldneverbeso.Iftheeldarhadbeenunabletoremovetheblightoftheorksfromthegalaxywhentheircivilisationhadbeenattheheightofitspower,beforethedarknessoftheFall,theyhad littlehopenow.Theywereso few,soscattered, incomparisonto thegrunting,seethinghordesthatnowheldswayoversomanyworldsthathadoncebelongedtotheeldar.

Korlandrilfoundcomfortinasingularthought:bythetimethenextdawncame,therewouldbefewerorks todespoil thestars.Withskillanddetermination,somewoulddiebyhisownhand.Theprospect renewedhis thrill of being in battle, even thoughnot a shot had yet been fired or a bladeswunginanger.

He focussed on visualisations of the combat techniques he would employ against the ungainlymonsters.Heimaginedeludingtheirclumsyblowswhilehisownweaponscutthemdownwithease.Thesebruteshadslainothereldar—admittedlybackwardExodites,buteldarallthesame—andhewasinapositiontoexactredpaymentforthatcrime.

Nomoreorderscameorwereneeded.Theexarchsknewtheirrolesandthewarriorsknewhowtofight.Theonlyannouncementofthebattlecommencingwasathunderousexplosiononthewebwardsideoftheriver.ThinvapourtrailsmarkedthepassageofmissilesfromtheDarkReapersasblossomsofincandescentruinengulfedtheorks.Thesoftwhickeringofshurikencatapultfirewassoonlostinthetumultoftheorks’alarms—blaringmechanicalhorns,resoundingmetallicdrumsanddeafeningbellows.

Korlandril wanted to join the fray and eased himself forwards to stand beside Kenainath. Thewaterlappedgentlyattheexarch’skneesashestoodmotionlessintheshallowsoftheriver,eyesfixedon the orks on the right-hand bank. Korlandril turned his attention there and saw the greenskinsorganising quickly. For all their unsophisticated ways, they responded rapidly to the attack; thepromiseofbloodshedrousedthemintoaunityofdestructivepurpose.

Buggieswithheavyweaponsonpivotsslewedbackandforth,gatheringinmakeshiftsquadronsastheyheadedtowardsthebridge.Behindthem,twoclanking,half-trackwarenginesrumbledintolife,eachaslargeastheworkshedsandofsimilarcrudeconstruction.Hugetyreskickedupclodsofdirt,tracksclankedoverrustingwheelsasthemachineslurchedtowardsthebridge.

The burliest orks clambered up steps and ladders onto their open transport beds while otherschasedbehind.Beltsofammunitionwereslappedintolarge-boregunswhilesmallerweaponsdottedacrossthemobilefortresseswerepivotedtowardstheriver.Someofthegreenskinswildlyshottheirweapons into the sky in their excitement, all of themhooted andholleredwar cries. The armouredcarriers belched forth spumes of thick smoke from theirmany exhausts, the smogwashing heavilytowards the river on the briskwind. Themechanical beasts ground forwards implacably, churningthroughthepilesofrottingcarcassesanddebris.

Thefirstofthewarbuggiesreachedthebridgeandracedacross,twomorenotfarbehind.Atthewebwardendofthebridge,concealedintheshatteredruinsofatoweringgatehousethatarchedoverthespan,FirutheinandhisFireDragonsmovedforwards.

Theexarchsteppeduptothejaggedremainsofawindowandlevelledhislance-likefirepike.Aglaringburstofenergyeruptedfromtheweaponandhurtledtowardstheleadbuggy.Itcaught

thelightvehicleonthenearsideaboveitsfrontwheel,explodingwiththepowerofaminiaturesun.Frontaxlerippedasunder,thebuggyflippeddramatically,screechingalongtheretainingwallofthearcingbridge,trailingastormofsparks.Korlandrilsmiledashesawthebuggy’sdriverdashedagainstthewall,floppinglikeachild’sdoll,whilethegunnerwasbrokenandsmearedalongthewhitestoneofthebarrier.

The oncoming vehicles swerved around the smoking remnants, their heavy guns chattering,muzzleflareilluminatingtheorks’yelling,fangedfaces.Thebulletstorechunksfromthewallsofthegatehouse,butFiruthein’swarriorsstoodtheirgroundagainst thewild,sporadic fire.As theclosestbuggy came within range, the Fire Dragons unleashed their deadly breath, the air churning with

white-hotradiationfromtheirfusionguns.Thegunnerofthenextbuggyexplodedinamistofrapidlyevaporatingorgansandblood,hislegs

andlowertorsospillingfromthecradleinwhichhehadbeensat.Theengineofthebuggyburstintoflames,swiftlyfollowedbyadetonationinthefueltank,turningthevehicleintoacareeningfireballthatploughedintotheruinedgatehousebeforeexplodingintoacloudofdebrisandmechanicalparts.

The larger transportshadpickedupspeed.Thenearesthadagreatplough-like ramon its frontandhurledasidetheruinsofthefirstdestroyedbuggy.

Fromitsback,itscargoofwarriorsspewedforthahailofinaccuratefirefromtheirbarkingguns,streaming bullets in all directions in a frenzy of violence.Heavier arms spat amore staccato beat,thuddingtheirshellspurposefullytowardstheFireDragons.

Korlandrilwatchedwithhorrorasonesalvofounditsmark,tearinggreatshardsofarmourfromoneoftheFireDragons.Thewarrior’sbody—lifelessKorlandrilassumed—wasflungoutofsightintothemangleoftheruinedtower.

Korlandril was conflicted for amoment. He was not sure what to think. A distant, whisperingdoubttoldhimthatthiswashorrific.Hehadjustseenanothereldarbrutallyslain.Suchathingwasperhapsthemosttraumaticsighthemightwitness.Thisquietvoicewasdrownedoutbyanaltogethermoreferalroaring,whichbayedforKorlandriltoavengethedeathofthefallenFireDragon.

Inthosefewheartbeatsofuncertainty,muchhadhappened.Atthenearendofthebridgetheram-frontedtransporthadfirelickingfromunderitstracks,gearsturnedtoamoltenslurrybyFiruthein’sfirepike.Theorksweretumblingoverthesidesandfromthetailgate,gatheringaroundaparticularlyvastcreaturewithametalbannerpoletiedtoitsbackandanecklaceofcrackedskullshangingonachainarounditsneck.Inonehanditcarriedashortbutheavypistol,intheotheradouble-headedaxewithwhirringchainblades.

“Thewarlordcomesout,nowitistimetostrikeswift,andbringdownthebeast!”criedKenainath.Theexarchwassurgingforwardsthroughthewaterevenashegavetheshout.Korlandrilfollowedonhisheelandtheothersclosebehind.

Inthedarknessandsmoke,theStrikingScorpionsarrivedatthebridgequicklyandunseen.Theorks had laboured to shove aside the remnants of their transport, urged on by the bellows of theirleaderandthreatsfromhispistolandaxe.

SuddenglimmersofbrightnessattractedKorlandril’sgazetohisright,pasttheorkwarlordandhisbodyguard.Likeminiaturesupernovae,sparklingportalswereopeninguparoundtheorks.Guidedby spirit beacons placed by the rangers, the rest of the eldar force was arriving from the webway,surrounding the brutes to ensure none escaped. Squads burst from the ether with their weaponsfiring; squads of jetbike-riding Shining Spears charged out of the glimmering portals, their laserlancesbrightwithpower;caughtbetweentheconvergingsquads,theorksdiedindroves.

Under the bridge Korlandril saw dark shapes, and at first thought they were foes. On closerinspection,hesawmoreStrikingScorpions:Aranarha’sFalloftheDeadlyRain.Theymovedtocutofftheorks’progressatthewebwardendofthebridgewhiletheDeadlyShadowadvancedfromtherear.

Beyond Aranarha’s squad, battle raged. Bolts of energy and screaming bullets criss-crossed theExodite towers.TheAspectWarriorsattackedwithsureanddeliberateviolence,cuttingdownall in

theirpath,followinginthewakeoftheAvatar.TheshriekofBansheemasksmixedwithanunearthly,deafeningululation.

TheAvatarofKhainestrodeintotheorks,thechillingsoundcomingfromthefire-tippedspearinitsrighthand—theSuinDaellae,theDoomthatWails.TwiceastallastheAspectWarriorssurroundingit,theincarnationoftheBloody-HandedOnewasanightmarishvisionofmetalandfire.Itsunearthlyfleshglowedwitharuddylightfromwithin,itsfaceamouldedvisageofpurerage,eyesburningslitsofwhiteheat.TheAvatarcastitsspearthroughthebodiesofadozenfoesbeforetheweaponcircledfullyandreturnedtoitsgrasp.ArtificiallightningblastsfromstrangeorkweaponscrackledacrosstheAvatar’smetalhidewhilebulletspatteredandricochetedallaround.

Korlandrilhadnomoretimetowatchtheongoingorgyofviolence—hisowndesiretoshedbloodheightenedby thesight—for theyhadreached thewindingstepsup to thebridge.Kenainathbrokeintoarun,mountingthestairwellswiftly,therestofthesquadfollowingeagerly.

The steps brought them out not far behind thewarlord as it advanced towards themain eldarattack, stillunawareof the threatemerging frombehind.Sevenof itsbrutal subordinates clusteredaround the alien, shouting encouragement to their smaller minions who were being cut down inswathesbytheeldarattack.

Kenainath closed in at a run, his shuriken pistol spitting a hail of razor-sharp discs. Korlandrilfollowed suit, spraying a volley at the closest orkmentor, the salvo leaving a line of shredded fleshacross the back of the creature’s left shoulder. It turned and glared at Korlandril with beady eyesbeneath a heavy, furrowed brow and then opened its fang-filledmouth in a bellow ofwarning. Itsteethwereas longasKorlandril’sfingers,spittleflyinginheavygobbets.Thecreaturehefteda largecleaverinbothhands,ashimmerofenergyplayingalongitsjaggedblade.Fromitseyestoitsposturetoitsroar,everythingabouttheorksignalledmurderousintent.

It was a sight Korlandril could never have anticipated and his heart fluttered for a moment,gripped with primitive fear of the gargantuan monster confronting him. As before, Korlandril’sresponse to his fear was a surge of hatred and rage. He pounded forwards, peeling away fromKenainathtoclosewithhischosenfoe.ThebladesoftheStrikingScorpion’schainswordblurredintolife,fuelledbyKorlandril’swrathtosuchaspeedthattheyscreamedastheysplittheair.

Theorkswungitsweaponina longarctowardsKorlandril’shead.Heduckedeasilybeneaththeponderousattack,hischainswordflashinguptowardstheunderarmoftheork,teethcuttingthroughmuscleandartery.BloodsplashedfromthewoundontoKorlandril’shelmetedfaceashespunpast.ThroughtheAspectsuithecouldsmellthestenchoftheork’slifefluidandtastetheironinitsblood.

Korlandril’smandiblastersspatlaserfireashesidesteppedbehindtheork,tearingatthefleshofitsbackandshoulders.Thealienswungheavilyaroundtoitsrightseekingthecauseofitspain,bladeheldoverhead.Korlandril didnot stand still long enough for theblow to land.He flexedhis knees,crouched into Dormant Lightning, and then propelled himself forwards on the tips of his toes,unleashing River of Sorrow. His shuriken pistol fire raked the left side of the ork’s face even asKorlandril’s chainsword rasped through the thickmuscle of its right thigh, gnawing at bone as theAspectWarrioronceagainleaptpasthisunwieldyfoe.

Theorkcollapsedwithagrunt,thecleaverfallingfromitsgraspasthealien’smusclesspasmedin

its death throes.Korlandril performed the coup-de-grace, cleavinghis chainswordbackhanded intotheork’slefttemple,shearingthroughandslicingdeepintoitsbrain.

A surge of victory filled Korlandril. The ruined flesh laid out on the stone of the bridge was agreaterworkofartthananyhehadeverconceivedbefore.NoDreaminghadmatchedthevitality—theheart-wrenchingreality—ofcombat.Korlandrilstoodoverhisfallenfoe,admiringthepatternsmadebythespattersofbloodonthepaleroadway.Helookedathisownarmour,smearedwithfilth,andwasjubilant.Korlandril’swaystonepulsedintimetothethunderousbeatingofhisheart.

“Korlandril!”Minshouted.Inhisecstasy,Korlandrilbarelyheardhisname.Heturnedtofindtherestofthesquad.Something immense loomed in front of him, blotting out the sky with its massive shadow.

KorlandrilraisedhischainswordtoWatcherOverSky,butthedefencewaspitifullyweakagainstthecrashing weight of the warlord’s axe. Fang-like chainblades smashed through Korlandril’s weapon,sendingshardsinalldirections,andbitdeepintotheAspectWarrior’sgut.

TheforceoftheblowhurledKorlandrilintotheair,sendinghimcrashingintothesidewallofthebridge.

HorrorfilledKorlandrilasthewarlordtookasteptowardshim.TheStrikingScorpionwasnumbwithshockandcollapsed,hislegssuddenlylifeless.Hecouldn’ttearhiseyesawayfromthelumberingork closing in on him, but could feel his life seeping away through the ragged cut in his belly.Hisarmourtriedasbestitcouldtoknitthewound,butthedamagewastoosevere.

Kenainath stepped between Korlandril and the ork warlord, the crackling claw of his right fistraisedindefiance.ThewarlordbellowedawordlesschallengeandKenainathrespondedwithoffence,smashing the Scorpion’s Claw across the chin of the warlord, cracking bone, the fist’s powerfieldrupturingflesh.

ThenthepainhitKorlandril,ripplinguphisspine,sendingatremorofagonythroughhisbrain.Heclampedhisteethtogethertosuppressthescream,tearsinhiseyes.

Therestofthesquadwoveadeadlydancearoundtheirexarch, landingblowsuponthewarlord,whichflailedhopefullyatitsswifterfoes.Bloodstreamedfromdozensofwoundsacrossitschestandupperarms.

The last Korlandril saw was the long blade of Aranarha cleaving into the arm of the warlord,loppingoffthelimbabovetheelbow.

Korlandril blinked back into consciousness.He thought hewas drowning for amoment, before herecognisedtheswirlingenergiesofthewebway.

Handswerearoundhim,carryinghim.HeeasedhisheadtotheleftandrecognisedthearmourofBechareth. He heard voices inside his head but could make no sense of them. They were stern,unflinching.Thepainwasintense,settinghiswholebodya-tremble.

Hecouldtakenomore.Hewassufferingtoomuch.Hepassedoutagain.

Pain

DuringtheWarinHeaven,KhainetheBloody-HandedOneslewagreatmanyeldarwarriors.MotherIshabecamefearfulthattheeldarwouldbeexterminated,soshewenttoAsuryantheall-seeingandbeggedforhimtointervene.AsuryanalsofearedthatKhaine’sragewoulddestroynotonlytheeldar,butthegods.HeconsentedtoaidIsha,butdemandedofhertogiveupalockofherimmortalhair.ThistressofhairAsuryanboundintothehairofEldaneshsothatheandallofhisdescendantscouldbehealedbyIsha’sloveforthem.

GentlechimingawokeKorlandril.Hefoundhimselflyinguponafirm,embracingmattress,warmtothe touch. A cool breeze passed over his face. He kept his eyes closed, savouring the sensation oftranquility. At the edge of hearing he detected subtle notes, a driftingmusic that surrounded him,strokedathisspirit.

As he recovered consciousness, conflict disturbed Korlandril’s dream-like thoughts. An imagepushedathismemories,insistentbutformless.Hepushedback,tryingtokeepthememoryatbay.

ThroughhiseyelidsKorlandrilsensedapulsingredlight.Hisbreathcameintimetothesurgesofcrimson energy flowing into his brain. Itwas slow at first but as it quickened in pace,Korlandril’sbreathingandpulsebecameswifter.Hehadnosenseoftimepassingotherthanthenarrowinggapbetweeneachbreathandeachheartbeat.

The red light had become a flickering strobe, alternating between harsh red and soft yellow.Korlandrilhyperventilated,gaspingrapidly,hischestachingwiththeexertionthoughtherestofhisbodyremainedmotionless.Hisnostrilsflaredashetriedtofillhislungsbuttheflashinglightsmadehimexpeleachbreathbeforeithadbarelyenteredhim.

“Awaken,”saidagentlevoice.“Remember.”Thewordstrickledintohismindandhewaspowerlesstoresisttheircommand.Thebarrierinhismemoriesrippedasunderandavastgreenbeastwithrazorclawsbursttowards

him.Blooddrooledfromitsfangs.Painflared.Korlandrilscreamedwithwhatlittlebreathhehadandfellbackintodarkness.

Hefloated,hisbodyweightless,tiedtotheuniversebythemostslendertetherofhisconsciousness.Thevoicereturned,butthistimetherewerenoothersounds,nolightsaveforadimanddistantpalegreen.

“You are in the care of Isha’s healers,” said the voice. Korlandril could not tell if itwasmale or

female,sosoftlyspokenwasthetone.“Nothingcanharmyouhere.Youaresafe.Youmustheal.YoumustreleasethepowerfromtheTressofIsha.”

“Ithurts,”Korlandrilsaid,numb,barelyrecognisinghisownvoice.“Thepainwillpass,butyoucannothealyourwounduntilyouconfrontit.”“Thepainistoomuch,”whisperedKorlandril.“Thepainisnotofyourbodybutofyourspirit.TheTressofIshawillfreeyoufromyourpain.Iam

Soareth,andIwillhelpyou.”“Idonotwishtodie,”Korlandrilsaidsombrely.“Then you must heal,” replied Soareth. The healer was male, Korlandril decided, and young.

Soarethspokewiththelanguageofyouth.Hedidnotwishtobehealedbyanovice.“Whatdoyouknowofdeath?”hedemanded,growingangry.“Nothing,” repliedSoareth. “I amanadvocateof life.Listen tomecarefully,Korlandril.You still

wearyourwar-mask.YoucannothaveonehanduponKhaine’sswordandtheotheruponIsha’sgift.Youmusttakeoffthemask.”

“Youwouldleavemedefenceless!”“Theonlyenemythatyoumustfightisyourself.”SoarethspokesoquietlyKorlandrilcouldbarely

hearhim.Orperhaps therewassomethingelse thatmadethehealer’svoicesodistant. “There isnootherbattlehere,Korlandril.Yourwoundisgrave,butyouhavethestrengthtoovercomeit.Iwillhelpyou.”

“You are littlemore than a child, I demand to be attended by someonewithmore experience,”Korlandrilsaidflatly.Hefelthimselffrown.

“I am trained tohelpyouheal,Korlandril.Thepower to survivedoesnot residewithinme, it iswithinyou.Bodyandspiritareasone.Youmuststrengthenyourspirittostrengthenyourbody.Iwillshowyouhowyouwilldothis,andguideyoutotheTressofIsha.Withitspower,youwillheal.Firstyoumustcalmyourself,releaseyourselffromKhaine’sgrip.”

“Icannot,”snarledKorlandril.“Whatisitthatyoulove,Korlandril?”Thewarriordismissedthequestion.Therewasnoloveinbattle.Soarethrepeatedthequestion,butthistimetherewasasubtlechangeinthetimbreofhisvoice.

Love. The word began to resonate with Korlandril. There had been something he had once loved,beforeKhainehadtakenhim.Ifonlyhecouldremember.

AgentlevibrationstirredKorlandril’sfingers.Itwastheslightesttremorbutitbroughtfeelingtohis fingertips. He felt them brushing through something. Something with fine strands. Brushingthroughhair.

HestrokedThirianna’sheadastheywatchedwhite-plumedsnowfinchesreelingtoandfroacrossthecliffsintheDomeofInfiniteTides.Itwasanabsent-mindedgesture,nointentbehindit.Herhandwasonhiskneeastheysatcross-leggedontheshalebeachandlookedupatthetoweringpalerocks.Though there had been no motive behind that soft caress, the sensation stirred feelings insideKorlandril. Desire rose in him and he stroked her hair again, luxuriating in the closeness betweenthem.Heturnedhisheadtolookather,admiringherbeautifulfaceinprofile,silhouettedagainstthe

low light from the distant wall of the dome. Her gaze was fixed on something far away, seeingsomething other than birds. Korlandril withdrew his hand, suddenly embarrassed at the gesture.Despitehisdiscomfort,hefeltatpeacewiththefeelingsnowholdingswayoverhim.

Bloodsprayed intoKorlandril’s face,drowninghimwithawaveof thick red fluid.Hesputteredand spat, clawing it from his cheeks, wiping it from his lips and eyes. But the blood kept coming,pouringfromhiseyes,dribblingfromhismouth,seepingfromeverypore.Hecoughed,hackingupbloodandtissue,despoilinghisskinwithitsstickygobbets.

Korlandrilawokewithadullache ineverypartofhisbody,andasharperpain inhisabdomen.Hesuddenlyrealisedwherehewasandshoutedout,awordlesscryoffearechoingsharplyaroundhim.Stillhecouldnotopenhiseyes.Hewasn’tsurewhy.Perhapshecouldn’tbringhimselftolookuponthesourceofhispain,thegreatwoundinhisstomachthatwasleechingthelifefromhim.

“Sleep,”saidaquietvoiceinhisear.Hethoughtherecognisedit,butbeforehecouldputanametothevoicehewasswallowedupbyagentlesomnolence.

A rhythmic beating accompanied a slow pulsing of blue light behindKorlandril’s eyes.He felt tinyquiversofmovementonhisskin,likethescamperingfeetofaninsect.Itmovedsimultaneouslyfromthebackofhisneckdowneacharmandalonghis spine, forkingathiswaist to rundownhis feet.“Welcomeback,Korlandril.”

Soareth.Korlandrildraggedthenamefromadarkrecessinhismemories.Somethingtoldhimnottodelveanydeeper.Hewouldnotlikewhathesaw.

“Iamwellagain?”heasked,surprisedbythehoarsenessofhiswords.“No,notyet,” saidSoareth. “Butyouhavereturned tous fromthegripofKhaine.Youcanopen

youreyes.”Korlandrilprisedopenoneheavylid,cautious,fearingbrightness.Theroomwassoftlylit,barelya

twilight glow surrounded him. He opened the other eye and glanced around. The shaven-headedSoarethstoodatthefootofthebed,asingle-piecewhiterobehanginglooselyfrombonyshoulders.Inhis hand he held a jewel-studded tablet. His fingers danced over the coloured gems and the roomshiftedaroundKorlandril;thatis,thecoloursshifted,creatingdarkershadows,intensifyingthelight.Thechamberfeltsmaller.

“Donotbeafraid,”saidSoareth.Korlandriltriedtositupsothathecouldlookdownattheruinthatheknewhisstomachtobe.He

couldn’tmove,andsaidasmuch.“Ihaveinducedaparalysisforyourownsafety,”Soarethsaid.“Thewoundhasboundbutalittle.

Youmusthelpyourbodycompletethehealingprocess.YoumustdrawontheTressofIsha.”Korlandrilattemptedtonod.“WhatmustIdo?”heasked.“Focusontheceilingandrelax,”saidSoareth.Korlandril lookedup, seeingnothing but pearlesque off-white.Hewas aware of the pain in his

abdomenandtriedtopushitasidesothathecouldconcentrate.

“Donothidefromthepain,”warnedSoareth.“Itmustbeconfronted,notdismissed.”Thecoloursof theceilingshifted,almost imperceptibleat first,aslowmergingofpastelcolours

barely discernable from the white. The colours flowed together and swirled, with no distinct linebetweenthem,leavinganimpressionofastrangemeta-colourmadeupofthemall.

“Chantwithme,”saidSoareth.Hestartedalowintonation,justsoundswithoutmeaning,slowandpurposeful. Korlandril followed,matching pitch and duration with the healer. His throat hummedwiththesound,sendingalternatingripplesofcalmandalertnessthroughhisbody.

The chanting fluctuated, butKorlandril had the rhythmof it nowandmatchedSoareth exactly.Abovethewarriorthemottlingceilingwaspulsingwithlife,slowflasheshiddenwithinthemaelstromofcolour-energy.

Korlandril shuddered and gave a moan, his synapses flaring from the awakening frequenciespouringintohissenses.Thetightnessinhisstomachwassharp,thepaindraggingathisthoughtslikeananchor.Hewantedtoflyfreeofitsweight,buttheinvisiblechainheldhimdown.

Eyelidsdrooping,Korlandrilsuccumbedtothemesmericinfluenceofthelightandsound.Hewasdimly aware of Soarethmoving around him, still chanting, running an angular crystal alongnodalpartsofKorlandril’sbody.Psychic energyearthedbetweenKorlandril and thehealer, flaringbrieflyalongpain-fillednerves,spasmingcellsanddilatingarteries.

Theroomwentasblackasthegulfbetweenstars,swallowingupKorlandril.Hecouldseenothingbutinkydepths.Raisingahand,hecouldnotevenseehiswagglingfingers.Hefeltdispossessedofhisbodyandtriedtofloatupwards,buoyedbyhisownlightness.Somethingsnaggedathim,keepinghiminplace.

Astarglitteredtohisleftandheturnedtofaceit.Otherpinpricksoflightsparkledintolife,oneata time,untilhewas surroundedbyagently revolvingconstellationofmillionsof lights.Somewerereddishinhue,othersbrightblueorharshyellow.Hewasdrawntoagoldenstarjustabovehim.Hereachedoutandfoundthathecouldseethevaguestoutlineofhishandinthestarlight.Thestarswereclose, close enough to touch. His fingers enclosed the warm gold, the light creeping between hisfingers,glowingthroughhisflesh.

ThestartouchedhispalmandKorlandrilwasinhischambers,lookingupathismother.Herlongsilver and black hair hid half her face, but she was smiling. Korlandril played with his animadoll,holdingitinhistinyhands,makingitwaveitsflaccidarmswithhisinfantthoughts.Thedough-likefiguredanced jerkily,mirroringKorlandril’sownundevelopedmovements. Itsnoseless facecreasedintoasmile.

“Thisisnotwhereyouwillfindyourpain.”Korlandril’smotherspokewithSoareth’svoice.Heopenedhispalmandallowedthegoldenstartodriftaway.Helookedforanother,shyingaway

from the baleful ruddy glows behind him, his fingers aiming for a pale blue spark. It bobbed andweaved,tryingtoeludehim,andKorlandrillaughedatitsantics,stillthinkinglikeachild.

Finallyhisgripensnaredtheelusivelight.ThelightsoftheHallofInnerHarmonieswerebrightandcolourful,dapplingthemarble-likefloor

withvitality.Korlandrildancedalongthelineoflaughingandsingingeldar,linkinghandswiththemas he passed, Aradryan passing down the opposite side of the line. Themusic was fast and lively,

Korlandril’sfeetskippingquicklyacrossthehardfloor,barelytouchingtheground.“It isnot joy that you seek,Korlandril, it is yourpain,” Soarethwarned through themouthof a

young,prettyreveller.Reluctantly,Korlandrilspunawayfromthegala,releasinghisholdonthememory-star.Hetwirled

exuberantlya fewtimesmore,buthisspinbroughthimcloser to theglaringred light thatheknewheldthememoryofpain.

Hedidn’twanttotouchit.Hecouldfeelitsheat,itspoison.“Youmust,”Soarethtoldhim.Korlandril’shandtrembledashereachedout,arcinghisbodyawayfromitsbloodygleaminfear.

Hishandclosedintoafist,refusinghiscommands.“Icannot,”hehissed.“Youwilldie.”TherewasurgencyinSoareth’stone.Thelightoftheredstarwasfading,flickering

away into the distance. The constellation around Korlandril dimmed, the darkness and shadowsgrowing stronger, swathing him. He was torn between two fears, his hand refusing to grasp thememoryofhisinjurywhilehismindshrankbackfromtheengulfingblackness.

Thestars,almostgone,begantooscillateslowlyandmusicstirredKorlandril’sthoughts.Soarethsanggently,everynotecalmandmeasured,settinguparesonancearoundKorlandrilthatfilledhimwiththeirvibrancy.ThestarsbrightenedandKorlandril’shopegrew,fuellingthemfurther.

Theredstarwasalmostinvisible,justtheslightestsmudgeinthedarkness.Inmomentsitwouldbegone.

Korlandrillungedforwards,eyesscrewedshut,andsnatchedatthedyingstar.Withajolthefeltcrushingweight.Openinghiseyes,hefoundhimselfboundwithsilverchains.A

huge shadow loomed over him as he wrestled and wriggled with his bonds. It was enormous,silhouettedagainstaskyofdrippingblood.Itseyeswereredcoalsanditshandswerefangedjaws.Thesky growled at Korlandril as he struggled to free himself, voiceless and impotent.He fell limp androlledtohisside,closinghiseyes,waitingforthefatalblow.

“Faceyourfear!”Soareth’svoicewasaharshsnarl,stingingKorlandrilintoaction.With an agonised yowl, Korlandril surged up, the silver chains parting, sending shattered links

sailingintotheair.Onhis feet,Korlandril saw somethingglowingbehind the shadow-ork, its golden aurapushing

backthecurtainofbloodthatfilledhismind.Korlandrildodgedtohisright,hopingtooutwittheshadow-ork,butnomatterwherehemoved,

thegoldenglowwasalwaysbehindhisfoe.“Ihavenoweapons!”Korlandrilcriedoutplaintively.“Mywar-maskisgone!”Hiswordsechoeddully.Thensilence.“Soareth?Whereareyou?”Therewasnoreply.“Ineedyou,Soareth!”Desperate,Korlandrilcastaboutforsomeweaponbutcouldfindnothing,justafeaturelessplain

ofgreydustasfarastheeyecouldsee.Therewasnowayofescaping;Korlandrilwastrappedwithhis

would-beslayer.Theshadow-orkdidnotcomeathim,itjuststoodgloweringbetweenKorlandrilandhisprize.Its

teeth-fingersgnashedoccasionallywitharingofmetalthatjarredKorlandril’snerves.Korlandrilstumbledsuddenlyandfell intothedust.Itwasnotdustatall,butashes,andhespat

themfromhismouth.Hecouldfeelhisstrengthfading.Hewasdying.Korlandril’seyesandlimbsfeltheavy.Itwouldbeeasy,toslipdownintotheash,tolaydownhis

headandwait forhisdeath.Hispainwouldbegone,his fearsandanguishwith it.Therewouldbepeace.

Thenheheardit.Itwasathunderousthump,butsoveryfaraway.Hewaitedaneternityuntilhehearditagain.Itwasadouble-thud,asofaheartbeat.Itseemedsoslow.Butitwasnothisheartheheard.Itwassomethingelse,somethingfargreaterthanhe,somethingasvastasthegalaxy.Yetpartofitwaswithinhim.Unconsciously,hishandwenttohisnakedchestandtherehefeltasmooth,ovalobject.Hiswaystone.Glancingdown,hesawitburstingthroughhisskin,ruby-bright,slickwithhisblood.Death.

“Notyet!”screamedKorlandril,hurtlingtohisfeet.Heracedtowardstheshadow-ork,fistsraised.Blowafterblowheraineddownonitsincorporeal

form,clawingatitwithhisfingers,smashingitwithhisknuckles.Hisstrengthwassappedquickly;hecouldfeelthelastvestigesofhislifeflutteringawaylikemoths.

With one last effort, Korlandril drove his fist into the shadow-ork’s chest, through the heart. Itbillowedintoformlesscloud,sweptawaybyahowlingwind.

Korlandril saw then the golden coil that had hidden behind the beast. It appeared as a lock ofshininghairwoundaboutthetwinstemsofaredroseentwinedwitheachother,theirthornssharp.Korlandrilcarednotforthepotentialpain.Heleaptforwardandhisfingersclosedtightlyaroundtheroseanditsgoldentress.

Thethornspiercedhisfleshbutheignoredthem,feelingthewhiteheatofthegoldenthread.Light exploded. Korlandril unravelled, streaming away in the wind as a million particles,

disintegratedintoagalaxyofwhirlingmotesoflight.Eachmote became Korlandril. He saw himself fromwithin, racing along nerves and synapses;

every fibre and cell, every vein and sinew, every corpuscle and protein. The golden light that wasKorlandrilracedthroughthesystemsofhisbody,purginganddestroyingtheblackstainofinfectioncarriedintohimbythefilthyweaponofthewarlord.Thecleansingfireofhisrebirthburnedawayabuddingneoplasminhisgutandcauterisedthefrayedbloodvesselsinhisabdomen.

Dissipating, losingenergy,Korlandril couldholdhismind togetherno longerandslippedaway,allowingtheTressofIshatodoitswork.

SoarethwaswaitingforKorlandrilwhenheawoke.Thehealersatatthefootofthemattress,gem-slateinhand,watchingthewarriorcarefully.

“Youhavedonewell,”saidthehealer,smilingwarmly.Korlandrilgroaned.Therewasstillapaininhisabdomen,but itwasnotas intenseasthesharp

agonythatlingeredontheedgeofhismemories.“Iwilllive?”heaskedhesitantly.Soarethansweredwithanodandabroadersmile.“HowlongmustIstayhere?”“Yourphysicalwoundishealingquickly,”Soarethsaid.HestoodandmovedbesideKorlandrilto

layahandonhisarm.“Thewoundsofyourspiritwilltakelonger.”Korlandrilthoughtaboutthis,confused.“Ifeelwell,”hesaid.“That isbecauseyour fearsandyourwoeare trapped inside thatpartofyouwhich isyourwar-

mask,” said Soareth, sympathy written in his features. “You must expunge them lest they remainforever,acausticblightinyourpsychethatwillgrowtotainteveryotherpartofyourspirit.”

“I…Imustdonmywar-maskagaintodothis?”Soareth shook his head and gripped Korlandril’s arm more tightly for a moment, offering

encouragement.“I can help you explore those parts of your mind now locked within your war-mask. It is not

withoutrisk,butIwillhelpyou.”Thewalls,whichhadbeenasteadycreamcolour,flickeredwithbriefveinsofred.Soarethturned

towardsthedoorofthesmallroomandKorlandril’seyesfollowedhim.Dressedinatight-fittingbodysuitofdarkgreenandorange,Aranarhastoodinthedoorway.“Leave!”Soarethsaidsharply,risingtohisfeet.Theexarch’scoldstarepassedoverthehealerand

fell upon Korlandril. The room shuddered at the exarch’s presence, shimmers of agitation ripplingacrosstheceiling.

“Howisourwarriornow?Ihopeheiswell,thereismuchforhimtodo,”saidAranarha.“Yourkindisnotwelcomehere,”saidSoareth,steppingbetweenKorlandrilandAranarha. “I tell

youagain,youmustleave.”Theexarchshookhishead,histwinbraidsslappingagainsthisshoulders.“Wewilldealwithpainnow,inourownmanner,asbefitsawarrior.”“No,” saidKorlandril.He flinched at Aranarha’s scowl but remained strong. “Iwill remain here

untilI’mready.ThenIwillreturntotheDeadlyShadow.”“Thisisnottheplaceforthesewords,fortheseideas,”hissedSoareth,ahandflutteringacrosshis

darkbluespiritstone.“Donotspeakofwarinaplaceofhealing.”“Kenainathfailedyoubefore,hiswayhasbeenwrong,itleftyouvulnerable.Returnwithmetomy

shrine,Iwillteachyouwell,makeyoustrongerthanbefore.”TheexarchsteppedpastSoareth,thoughwithcarenottotouchhim,andextendedanopenhandtoKorlandril,asiftohelphimtohisfeet.

“No,”saidKorlandril,fistsclenchingbyhissides.“Soarethwillhelpmeheal.Itrusthim.”“Hewilldestroyyouranger,makeyouweakwithfear,andtearawayyourwar-mask.Thewarrior

fightshisfoes,notparleywiththem,seekingnegotiation.Iwillshowyouthetrueway,thewarrior’sway,toconfronttheseinnerfears.”

Aranarha’stonewasimplacableandhestoopedtowardsKorlandril,handstilloffered.Korlandril closed his eyes and remained silent. The exarch gave a growl of disapproval and

Korlandrilwaiteduntil his heavy footfalls had receded from the roombefore openinghis eyes. The

wallshadreturnedtotheirplacidstate.“Icannotgoback,notever,”hesaid.Soarethlookeddoubtful.“YouthinkIshouldreturntotheshrine?”askedKorlandril,takenaback.“YouhavetakenonlythefirststepsofyourchosenPath,”saidSoareth.“Itisunwisetoleaveearly,

withissuesunresolved,ourdreamsanddesiresunfulfilled.Yourjourneyisnotyetdone.Iwillhelpyouhealsothatyoumaycontinueuponit.”

“Youhealmetosendmebacktobattle?”Soarethsighed.“It is the burden ofmyPath, far too often, tomend thatwhichwill be broken again before too

long.”Korlandrilthoughtaboutthisforalongtimebeforehespokeagain.“Itmustgetdepressing.Toworkinvainsooften.”Thehealersmiledandshrugged.“TowalkonthePathoftheHealeristogiveourselvesovertoourhopes,toturnourbacksonour

fearofthefuture.HopeisaneternalspringfromwhichIdrink,andittastessweetforever.”He stood and left the room, the light dimming as he passed out of the door. In the darkness,

Korlandril saw vague shapes,moving on the boundary of awareness, looming just out of sight.Heshudderedandknewthatitwouldbesometimebeforehewasfittoreturntotheshrine.

Rivalry

HawkandFalcon,messengersofthegodsboth,wereclosefriends.Evertheysweptwitheachotherthroughtheskiesanddancedamongsttheclouds.Thoughfilledwithregardforeachother,theyalsolovedtocompeteand to set each other dares of skill and bravery. Theywould race to themoon and back to see whowasswiftest.TheywouldgoadeachotherintocirclingtherealmofBloody-HandKhaine,daringeachothertoflycloserandclosertotheWarGod.AtduskonedayFalconandHawkspiedsomeprey,flyingeasilyuponthemountainwinds.Falcondeclaredthathewouldbethe first tocatchit,butHawkclaimedthathewastheswifterhunter.Thetwostoopeddownupontheirprey.Hawkwasfasteratfirst,butFalconbeathiswingstheharder and dove ahead. Not willing to give up the victory, Hawk surged on, cutting in front of Falcon.Annoyedbyhisfriend’smanoeuvre,FalconbattedawingagainstHawk’stail,sendinghisrivaloffcourse.Hawkreturnedquickly,flyingintoFalcontoslowdownhisdive.Theirwingsbecameentangledandthetwoofthemfelloutoftheskies.Theirpreyflewaway,laughingmerrily,andthebothofthemwenthungrythatnight.

Thequietoftheshrinewasdifferenttothepeaceofthehealinghall.TheDeadlyShadowbroodedinitssilence,thestillnessstifling,heavywithmelancholyratherthanofferingsolace.

Korlandrilwalked through the looming trees, choosing to enter by theway he had first arrivedrather than themoredirectpassageways that ranbeneath thedome to the shrinebuilding.Hehadbeenawayforsometimeandwasnotsurewhatwelcome,or lack,hewouldreceivefromKenainathand the others.Unsurprisingly, nonehad visitedhim in thehealinghalls. Aranarha’s approachhadbeengreatlyagainsttradition,andSoarethhadbeenagitatedbyitforseveralcyclesafter.

SoitwaswithsomeapprehensionthatKorlandrilwalkedsoftlyalongthewindingtrails, thoughnotasmuchashisfirstcomingtotheshrine.Hebegantorecoverhisfeelfortheplace,sensingthepresenceoftheshrineseepingbackintohisspirit,reawakeningemotionsthathadbeendormant.Herelaxedasherealisedthatithadnotbeenthereactionofhisfellowwarriorshefearedbutratherhehadharbouredalingeringdoubtthathemightnotbeabletorecoverhiswar-mask.Thecurlingmistsand strange groans and coughs from the dismalmarsheswere slowly awakening something insideKorlandril,stirringmemorieshehadavoidedwhilstinthehealinghalls.

Hecameupontheblackopeningoftheshrine’smainportalandhesitated,peeringintothestrangedarknessthatfilledtheentranceway.ItwastheDeadlyShadowincarnate,thegloomofdeathandwarthatfilledtheshrine.Oncehesteppedintoit,hewouldbebackagainonthePathoftheWarrior.

Hetookanother falteringstep forwardbeforeanoise tohis leftdistractedhim.Minpushedhiswaythroughthefoliage,exitingthezigguratbysomesidedoor.Hestartedupright,surprisedtoseeKorlandril.Recoveringquickly,Minsmiledbroadlyandextendedapalmingreeting.

“Howhaveyoufared?”askedKorlandril,returningthegesture.Minhesitatedbeforereplying.“Itisgoodtoseethatyouarerecoveredfromyourinjury,”hesaid.“Iameagertorecommencemytraining,”Korlandrilreplied.HestudiedMin’sfaceforamoment,

notingdoubtandworryinthelinesuponhisforeheadandtheclenchofhisjaw.“Youdidnotanswermyquestion.”

Min’seyesshifteddefensivelyforaheartbeatandthenresignationshowedinhisfeatures.“I will not be training alongside you, Korlandril,” Min admitted. He looked out through the

mangrove,awayfromtheshrine.Hisgazeremaineddistantashecontinued.“IamdonewiththePathoftheWarrior.”

Korlandrilfeltabreathcatchinhischest.“Howso?Icanthinkofnootherwarrior,saveKenainath,morededicatedtotheDeadlyShadow.”“Andthatistheproblem,”Minsaidheavily.“Mywar-maskisfading.No,thatisnottrue.Mytrue

faceisfading,beingreplacedbymywar-mask.Ifindmyselfrememberingthatwhichshouldnotberemembered. I enjoy thememoriesof battle, the surgeof excitement I feelwhen fighting. It isnotgood.”

Korlandril nodded, unsure what to say. The war-mask of the AspectWarrior served a two-foldpurpose.The firstwas toallowthewarrior toharness theenergyofhisangerandhatredandothernegativeemotions,givingthemventinbattle.Thesecond,andmoreimportantinsomeways,wastoactasadividingbarrierbetweenwarandpeace.Whennotinhiswar-maskawarriorknewnothingoftheheinousactsofviolenceheperpetratedwhilstinhisAspect.Hecouldslayandmaimwithoutguilt;a guilt thatwould crush the psyche of an eldar if allowed to dwell on it. ThatMinwas haunted byfeelingsfromhiswar-maskwasagravematter.

“Youhavemadetherightchoice,Min,”Korlandrilsaid,steppingforwardtopathiscompaniononthearm.“Iwillmissyoubymysideintraining,butIamsurewewillstillseeeachotheroutside.Whatisitthatyouplantodonext?”

A fervent gleam enteredMin’s eyes and he grabbedKorlandril’s wrists in his hands and staredearnestlyintohiseyes.

“Itisunlikelywewillseeeachotheragain,Korlandril.IhavesailedclosetotemptationandtoseeyouandtheotherswouldnotbewisewhileyouremainAspectWarriors.Ihavecomeclosetobeingtrapped,ofbecomingsomethinglikeKenainathandAranarha.Ineedtoleavemyselfforawhile,andthinkIwilltakethePathoftheDreaming.Promiseme,Korlandril,thatyoushouldeverdespiseyourwar-mask.Donotallowit tobecomesomethingyoucrave,asInearlydid.Realise that ithaspoweroveryouandyoushouldshunitspromises.”

KorlandrillaughedandgentlyprisedhimselffromMin’stightgrip.“Ihavefoughtbutonebattle,IthinkIhavemanystepstotakealongthisPathbeforeitslureswill

temptmetostay.”“Donothingrash!Keepthatplaceofpeace,whichbringsyoubackfromtheanger,close toyour

thoughtsatalltimes.Fear lurksinsideyourwar-mask,nomatterwhathealingyouhaveundergone.Donotletitfeedyourhatredorstiryourangertoofar.”

KorlandrilwavedawayMin’sconcerns.“Ibidyougoodhealthandaprosperous journey,Min,” saidKorlandril. “Ihope toseeyouagain

whenmytimeasaWarriorisdone.Untilthen,ourPathsrundifferentcourses.Ifyouwishtoseekaguide for yourDreamings, I recommendElronfirthirofTaleheac.Speak to the spiritseers, theywillfind him for you.” He turned his back on Min and strode into the shrine, the chill of its shadowsendingathrillthroughhim.

The inner chambers of the shrine were instantly familiar. Korlandril walked through the darknesswithouthesitation,navigatingthroughtheutterblacknesstothearmouringchamber.Thelightwithinwas dim, nomore than a ruddy glow from thewalls, and in the gloomhe saw the suits of armourarrayedalongeachwall.

Korlandrilwalkedtohisarmour.Thegemsset into itsplatesreflectedthedawn-likeglowoftheroom, their light brightening at his approach.He laid his right hand upon the chestplate, over theempty ovalwhere hiswaystone fitted, and his left handunconsciouslywent to thewaystone at hisbreast.Perhapsheimaginedtheconnectionorperhapstherewassomeintangiblethreadlinkinghimtothesuitandback.

“Nowyouhavereturned,broughtbacktousbyIsha,wholeandwellagain.”KorlandrilturnedhisheadtoseeKenainathcroucheduponthedaisattheheadofthechamber,his

elbowsrestedonbentknees,chincuppedinhishands.Theredhueoftheroombrightenedslightly,becomingsharper,causingtheshadowstostandoutinstarkercontrast.Korlandrilsaidnothingandreturnedhis gaze tohis armour, running the tips of his fingers along the edges of the overlappingparts,dwellingonthefingertipsof thegauntlets,caressinggently themandiblastersonthesidesofthehelm.

“Thearmourbeckons,seekingitsformermaster,wishingtobewhole.Canyoufeelitswill,pushingintoyourspirit,feedingonyourmind?”

“Whomadeit?”Korlandrilasked,steppingaway,perturbedbyKenainath’ssuggestion.“Bymeandnotme.ItwasmadeaftertheFall,byFirstKenainath.”The exarch’s inflexion and choice of words baffled Korlandril. He switched between tenses,

describinghimself—Kenainath—assomeonebothlivinganddead.“FirstKenainath?”“IamnottheFirst,thoughtherehavenotbeenmany,towearthisarmour.IamKenainath,andI

amnotKenainath,neitheronenorsum.”“Idon’tunderstand.”“Thatisforthebest,hopethatitremainslikethat,andyoustayyourself.”AdozenfurtherquestionscametoKorlandrilbuthestayedhistongueandinsteadcrossedtokneel

infrontoftheexarchinthecentreofthechamber.“Iwishtotrainagain.”Kenainath regardedKorlandril for a long time, a hint of a strange golden glow in his eyes.He

looked deep into the warrior’s eyes, seeking something of what passed in Korlandril’s thoughts,perhapsseeingthingsevenKorlandrildidnotsee.

“Begin tomorrow, this comingnight youmust rest, trainingwill behard,”Kenainath said ashestood.He turned towards the shroudeddoor at the endof the shrine and then stoppedand lookedbackatKorlandril.Hislipspursedinappraisalandaneyebrowroseininquiry.Withanod,theexarchseemedsatisfied.“Youarewelcomeback,KorlandriltheWarrior,toDeadlyShadow.”

Theexarchfadedintothegloom,leavingKorlandrilalonewithhisconjectureandapprehension.Forall theworriesandanticipationthat firedKorlandril’smind,hisbodywastired.Sleepseemedaverygoodidea.

Korlandril ached. Every part of him was stretched thin, every muscle and tendon quivered andtwanged.HerealisedhowhonedhisbodyhadbeenbeforethefightwiththeorksandhowmuchofatollhisinactionintheShrineoftheHealershadtaken.Thoughhisinjuryhadhealeditwouldbesometimebeforeheregainedthephysicalperfectionhehadattainedintheshrine.

Itwas odd to trainwithoutMin. It nagged atKorlandril, like looking at a familiar smilewith atoothmissing. Itwasan imperfection inhisworld,adeparture fromwhathehadknownashehadbecomeawarrior.Inanefforttoignorethedistraction,Korlandrilturnedhisthoughtsinwardduringtraining.His near-death had shown that he was not so accomplished in the deadly arts as he hadthought.Hestrivedtofindwhathadbeenmissingfromhisfightingtechnique,analysinghimselfashemadethecutsandthrustsandmovedfromstancetostance.

As his strength and suppleness returned, so too did Korlandril’s precision and style. He wasconfidentthathismeasuredstrokeswereexactreplicasofthosedemonstratedbyKenainath.Itwasnothistechniquethathadfailedhim,itwassomethingelse.

Itwashardtolearnfromanexperiencehecouldnotremember.Objectivelyhewasawareofwhathadhappenedtohim—thefightwiththeorkandthenthecrushingblowfromthewarlord—buthehadnosenseofwhathehadbeenfeeling,whathehadbeenthinking.Thoserecollectionsweretiedupin his battle persona, hidden behind his war-mask. Though he did not allow them to disrupt hispracticesandduels,questionssurfacedinKorlandril’sthoughtswhenhewasoutsidetheshrine;wheneatingwiththeothersorsculptinginhisrooms.

Whatmistakehadhemade?Hadhemadeanyerror,orhaditsimplybeenillfortunethathadseenhiminjured?Hadhehesitatedorbeenafraid?Hadhebeencautiousorover-confident?

ItnaggedatKorlandrilthathecouldnotfindtheanswers.Hisonlycourseofactionwastofocuseverythinguponhisfightingtechniqueandhisdecision-makingintheduels.Thelatterwasdifficult.Hefoughtwithoutconsciouseffort,allowingreactionandinstincttoguidehisweapons.

Perhapsthatwastheproblem,herealised.Didhisinstinctsmakehimpredictable?Didheneedtointerveneoccasionally to changehis style, tomoveagainst instinct?Was it the ritual itself thathadbeenhisundoing?

Sixty-threepasseshadcomeandgonesincehisreturntotheshrine,duringwhichKorlandril’sbodyhadbeenrestoredtoitspeakofspeedandstrength.Hisactionsweresecondnature,hisweaponsoncemore an extension of his will. He was due to face Bechareth again in a training duel. Korlandrildecidedthathewouldtrytomaintainmoreofaconsciousawarenessofhisactionsduringthefaux-combat.

The twoof themfacedoff in thechamberbeneath the shrine,Kenainathhidden in the shadow,ElissanadrinandArhuleshcallingthewinningstrikes.Korlandrilbeganasusual,reactingandactingwithout thought to the attacks and defences of Bechareth. The contest was even, with perhapsBecharethhavingslightlytheupperhand.

Asheduckedandwove, slashedandstabbed,Korlandril allowedhimself toengagemorecloselywith his body.He saw it as a globe of light in hismind’s eye, hiswarrior instincts envisioned as aminiaturesun,ebbingandflowingwithenergy,hisbodymovingaroundandwithinit.Hisconsciousthought, his reasoning, Korlandril saw as another orb, its surface still and calm. As he fought,Korlandriltriedtobringthetwospherestogether,sothatconsciousandunconsciousmightoverlap.

Hefaltered,allowingBecharethastriketotheabdomenthatwouldhavetornopenhisoldwound.Korlandrilhesitated,aflickerofmemorytouchingonhisthoughts.Heretreatedintoritual,takingupHiddenClaw,pushingasidethetattersofrecollection.

Korlandrilbeganagain,formingtheglobeoftranquilconsciousness,butratherthanimposingitupon the fire of his intuition, he tried to meld the two, to make them as one. He parried andcounterattacked,recognisingthemovehisbodyhadchosen,andthecalmsphereslidafractioncloserintoplace.Helungedforcefully,hisunthinkingwillrecognisinganopening.

Slowly,atombyatom,Korlandrilmergedthetwopartsofhisconsciousness.Hismentalexercisewas far from finishedwhenKenainath called for thepair of them to cease theirduel.Returning torepose, Korlandril fixed the last image in hismind, a partial eclipse of his warrior instinct by therationalmind,hopingtorecreateitthenexttimeheduelled.

Bechareth bowed his head in appreciation and gratitude, a knowing look in his eye. Korlandrilmirroredtherespect,hisgazenotleavingthatofhisopponent.

“Youaretakingsteps,movingswiftlyonthePath,tofulfilyourwill,”saidKenainath,signallingfortheotherstoleave.“Yourspiritresponds;Isenseitdeveloping,becomingasone.Weareallconflicted,manypartsvyingtowin,yetnonemaytriumph.Youmustseekbalance,inallthingsnotjustbattle,tobewholeagain.”

Korlandrilnoddedandremainedsilent.“Practise your focus, see yourself from the inside, andmaster yourwill. ThePath iswisdom, to

controlthatwhichtauntsus,tofindtruefreedom.”“AndwhenIamdone,willIbefreeofmyanger?”“Weareneverfree,thatistohavenofeelings,wehopeforcontrol.Ourspiritssoarhigh,onafierce

windof feeling, that ever threatens.Learn to still thatwind, toglideon itwhereyouwish, andnotbecomelost.”

“IneverthoughtIwouldmissMin’sbadpuns,”saidKorlandril.Hisgazedriftedtotheemptyspaceonthebenchopposite,drawntothesocialvacuumcreatedby

his former companion’s absence. Arhulesh seemed similarly perturbed, sitting next to the void,fidgetingwiththescrapsoffoodonhisplateandstaringabsentlyoverthebalconyoftheCrescentoftheDawningAges.Korlandrillookedoverhisshoulder.Withinabubbleofblueandgreencapturedinan invisible field,shoalsofyellowcloudstarsbobbedupanddown, theirslender tendrilappendageswaftingongaseouscurrents.Theirmotionsusuallybroughtamesmericpeacetothosethatwatchedthem,butKorlandrilwasagitated.

“It isashamethatMinhadto leave, I feel thesquad is incomplete,”hesaid tobreaktheuneasyquiet.

“ItisagoodthingthatMinhasleftforanotherPath,”saidElissanadrin.ShelookedatKorlandril.“Itistheproperway.Wemoveon,wegrow,wechange.Youhaveneverbeencomfortablewithchange,haveyou?”

Korlandrildidnotreply,thoughheknewshespokethetruth.“It is dread of the future thatmakes us cling to the past,” saidArhulesh. “PerhapsKorlandril is

scaredthathewillbecomeanoverbearingdullard!”“Andwhatisitthatyoufear?”demandedKorlandril,histonefuelledbysuddenannoyance.“Being

takenseriously?”Thehurt inArhulesh’sexpressionsentastabofguilt intoKorlandril,whoreachedoutahandin

apology.Arhuleshwaveditaway,hissmilereturning.“Harsh,butperhapstrue,”hesaid.Hissmilefadedalittle.“IfIcannottakemyselfseriously,how

canIexpectanybodyelsetodoso?”“You are a warrior, it is a sombre responsibility,” said Elissanadrin. “Surely you can take some

respectfromthat.”Arhuleshshrugged.“Inmywar-mask, that is certain.The rest of the time… Iwould laughatmyself if itwasnot so

depressing.”“SurelyyoubecameanAspectWarriortodevelopsomegravitas,”saidKorlandril.Arhuleshlaughedbutitwasabittersound,devoidofhumour.“Ijoinedforawager,”hesaid.Heloweredhisgazesorrowfullywhiletheothersfrownedandshook

theirheadsindisbelief.“Itistrue.IwenttoKenainathforabet.Ithoughthewouldrejectme.”“Anexarchcannotsendawaythosethatcometothem,”saidElissanadrin.“IwishIhadknownthatnow.Hekeptmethere,likehekeptbothofyou,untilhe’ddelvedinside

myspiritandplacedtheseedhewouldnurture.”“Whydidyounotleave?”askedKorlandril.“Imean,afteryourfirstbattle?”“ImayhavestumbledontothePathoftheWarriorbymistake,butIamnotsoself-centredthatI

wouldgliblydepartfromit.MaybeitwasthelessonIneededtolearn.Stillneedtolearn.”Korlandrilglanced tohis left, acrossa rowofempty tablesandbenches, towhereBecharethsat

lookingovertheparkandlakesbeneaththecloud-starbubble.

“Andyouknownothingofhisstory?”Korlandrilasked.“Nothing,”saidArhulesh.“IknowmoreaboutKenainaththanBechareth,andthatislittleenough.”“IthinkhewasoneoftheearliestexarchsonAlaitoc,”saidKorlandril.“Hetoldmehewasnotthe

firstbutsaidthattheDeadlyShadowhasnothadmany.”“ThatchimeswithwhatIhaveheard,inrumourandwhispersfromothersthatoncefoughtwith

him,”saidElissanadrin.“Ofalltheshrinestogotoforyourwager,whyinallthegalaxydidyouchooseKenainath’s?”asked

Korlandril.“Icannotreasonit,”repliedArhulesh,givinganothershallowshrug.Hisbrowfurrowed.“Heisa

hardtaskmaster.Ihavespokentowarriorsfromothershrines;theytrainhalfasmuchaswedo.”“Iwouldratherbeover-trainedthanunder-trained,”saidElissanadrin.“Inbattle,atleast.”“Yes, in battle, perhaps, butwewear ourwar-masks for a fraction of our lives, it seems such a

waste.”“He is serious-minded, I like that,” said Korlandril. “Take Aranarha, for instance.He seems too

eager.IdonotthinkIcouldtrusthim.”“HewasonceaDeadlyShadow,”Arhuleshconfidedquietly.“IhavespokenwithAranarhaseveral

times, and I think he resents the ancient exarch a little. He is trapped on the Path, dedicated toKhaine’sbloodyservice,but lockedaway in there is somekernelofangeratKenainath forallowinghimtobecometrapped.”

“Ithinkthereismorethehandofdestinyatworkherethananyill-doingonthepartofKenainath,”said Elissanadrin. “It is inevitable that somewill become enamoured of battle aftermuch time, assurelyasafarseerturnstocrystalwiththepassingofanage.Ifnobodybecameexarchs,whowouldtrainthegenerationstocome?”

Korlandrilponderedthisforatime,tryingtoimagineauniversewithoutthetouchofKhaine.Theotherscontinuedtotalkbuthedidnotheartheirwords.HepicturedAlaitocfreeofbloodshed,freeofthe ironbeastat itsheart, thepulsingblood-wrathfragmentofKhainethatdwelt insideeveryeldarjustasitlaydormantinitschamberatthecentreofthecraftworld.

HethenpicturedAlaitocoverrun,byorksperhaps,ormaybehumans,orsomeotherupstartrace.Without Khaine, without war, the eldar would be defenceless. Little enough remained as echoingvestigesoftheirgreatcivilisation.Withoutangerandhate,theywouldbewipedfromthestars.

“It is a dream without hope,” he said eventually. “Peace is merely an illusion, the momentaryabsenceofconflict.Weliveinanageofbloodywar,interspersedwithpauseswhileKhainecatcheshisbreath. I think I understandKenainath a little betternow. It is right towish that theuniversewasotherwise,butitisfoolishtothinkthatiteverwillbe.”

“Yousee?”chuckledArhulesh.“Youareawarriornow,andfearafuturewhereyouwillnolongerhaveaplace.”

“Things change,” said Elissanadrin. “You should learn from your healer; there should always beroominyourspiritforhope.”

“Allthingschange,andyetnothingalters,”saidKorlandril,awashwithphilosophicthought.“Weknow that everything is a great cycle. StarbecomesStardust tobecomeanother star.Warbecomes

peacetobecomeanotherwar.Lifebecomesdeath…”“…becomes life?”saidArhulesh. “Ihopeyou’renotreferringtomyspiritmeanderingaroundthe

infinitycircuitwhenthishandsomeyetfragilebodyfinallysuccumbs.Thatisn’tlife,isit?”Korlandrilhadnoanswer.Hewasnotquitesurewhathispointhadbeen,andreviewinghiswords

broughtbacknothingofthemomentaryinsighthethoughthadoccurred.“As warriors, our deaths may bring life—for other warriors and for those on Alaitoc that we

protect,”saidElissanadrin.“IdonotthinkthatwastheconclusionIhadinmind,”saidKorlandril.Hestretchedandstoodup.

“Withthatbeingsaid,Ithinkitsufficesfornow.”AshewalkedacrosstheCrescentoftheDawningAges,Korlandrilfelteyesuponhimandglanced

backtoseeBecharethstaringintentlyinhisdirection.TheStrikingScorpionmadenoattempttohidehisinterestandraisedhisgobletinwordlesstoast.Korlandrilgaveahalf-heartedwaveinreturnandhurriedout,unsettledbytheattentionofthesilentwarrior.

Thecycleoflifecontinued.Korlandrilpractisedandduelled,andwhennotintheshrinehemadeaneffort to visit his old haunts aroundAlaitoc—taking the air carriage across the swirling seas of theDomeofInfiniteSuns,climbingthecliffpathsoftheEternalSpire,swimminginthegravity-freeWellofTomorrow’sSorrows.

He sculpted too,moving on from his Isha fetish to portraits of his shrine-companions that hegiftedtoeachofthem,saveforKenainath,whoseessencerefusedtobecapturedbythepsychicclayinanyfashionsatisfactorytoKorlandril.HetoyedwiththeideaofDreamingforawhile,butwashesitantto findapartner to joinhim,knowingwell thedarkplacessuchmemejourneysmight takehim.HeevenmetwithSoarethafewtimes,thoughnotwithinthehealinghalls.TheywalkedalongthesandyshoresgirdlingthecircularSeaofRestorationandspokeofthingsotherthanKorlandril’sinjuryandSoareth’shealings.

Korlandril enjoyed the normality of it all.He knew that at some time, near or far, hewould becalledagaintobringouthiswar-mask.Hedidnotknowwhatawaitedhimwhenthathappened.Hebelievedhimself content, thoughhewouldsometimeswake fromsleepwith the lingeringedgeofadreaminmind,amomentaryafter-imageofashadowyred-eyedfigureleftinhisthoughts.

Asthedawnofanewcycleflickeredintoartificiallife,hereturnedtotheDeadlyShadowtofindhiscompanions inmuchagitation.Theyweregathered in thecentralchamber,whereKenainathpacedaggressivelyback and forth acrosshisdais.Red-tingeddarkness swathed everything, flowingalongthechamberinunsettlingwaves.

“Whatisoccurring?”Korlandrilaskedquietlyashetookhisplacebesidehisarmour.“Agravedishonour,donetomeandtoyouall, thatmustbeaddressed,”growledKenainath.“An

insulttous,anaffronttoourtruecode,adoubttobepurged.”KorlandrilturnedtoElissanadrinforexplanation.“Arhuleshhas left theDeadlyShadowand joined theFall ofDeadlyRain,” she replied in a terse

whisper,hereyesnarrowed.“HehaschosenAranarha’steachingsoverthoseofKenainath.”Korlandril redirectedhisattention to theexarch,whostoppedhisprowlingandcrouchedat the

frontofhisstage,hiseyesrovingfromonefollowertothenext.TheysettledonKorlandril.“Youwill represent,championof thisgreatshrine,againstArhulesh.Toend thisdispute,affirm

theDeadlyShadow,theshrineoffirsttruth.”“I havenodisputewithArhulesh,” repliedKorlandril. “It seems tome that yourdivision iswith

Aranarha as much as anybody. If a duel is to be fought, it should be between the exarchs of theshrines.”

“Notmy skill in doubt, a question of battle-lore, itmocksmy teachings. Pupil faces pupil, thisshrine’stechniqueagainsttheirs,toshowthetruePath.”

“It would be unwise to choose me to represent the Deadly Shadow in an honour-duel,” saidKorlandril. He remained calm in demeanour, but inside his heart fluttered at the prospect ofrepresentingthehonouroftheshrine.Itwasaburdenhefeltunabletocarry.“Becharethisthefinestwarrioramongstus,baryou.Heshouldbeyourchampion.”

Kenainathshookhishead.“ItisyouIchoose,mymostrecentofstudents,myfaithiscertain.ItisKorlandril,thenewestof

our number, who I believe in. No greater lesson, no better demonstration, than your victory.”Kenainathmadeaslashinggesturewithhishandtoshowthematterhadbeensettledandhewouldbrook no further argument. The exarch’s agitation was replaced with satisfaction at thispronouncement.“Sixcyclesfromnow, inaplaceneitheroursnortheirs,youfaceArhulesh.Prepareyourselfwell,fightwithbraveryandskill,competewithhonour.”

Korlandrilstooddumbstruckastheexarchstalkedfromthechamber.HestartedasBecharethlaidahandonhisshoulder.Thewarriorwinkedandnoddedhisapproval.Elissanadrinwaslessconvinced,ifherexpressionwastobejudged.Shecockedherheadtooneside,examiningKorlandril.

“ItwoulddestroythelastremnantsofKenainath’sreputationifyoufail,”shesaidsternly.“ItisnotonlythehonouroftheDeadlyShadowthatrestsonyourshoulders;itistheshrine’sentirefuture.Ifyou defeat Arhulesh hemust renounce his change of heart and return. If you lose to him, he willremainwithFallofDeadlyRain.”

“Isee,”saidKorlandril,speakingoutofinstinct.Herubbedhischinwithaslenderfinger.“Actually,Idon’t.ThelossofArhuleshisnogreatthing.”

“Numberus,”saidElissanadrin.Korlandrildidso:Himself,BecharethandElissanadrin,aswellasKenainath.Thatmadefour…

“Oh,Isee,”saidKorlandril.“UnlessKenainathbringsbackArhuleshorreplaceshimquickly,therearetoofewofustooperateasasquad.”

“Kenainathwillbeforcedbytraditiontosendusawayandtheshrinewillbedisbanded.”“WhatwouldhappentoKenainath?Whatdoexarchswithoutwarriorsdo?”Elissanadrinshruggedandshookherheadmournfully.“Idonotknow,but itcannotbegood.ForKenainath,surely itwouldbe theendofhim.Hehas

dwindledinreputationforanage;perhapsthiswillbetheblowthatfinallyfinisheshim.”Korlandrilglancedtowardstheportalthatledtotheexarch’sprivaterooms.HedislikedKenainath,

haddone so since theyhad firstmet.Buthedidhave respect forhim, and forwhathehad taughtKorlandril,Somethingelsepassedacrosshisthoughts.Arhuleshhadnotonlyabandonedtheexarch,

hehadwalkedawayfromallofthem,andthememoriesofthosewhohadbeenDeadlyShadowintimepast.ThethoughtthattheDeadlyShadowwouldbenomoreirkedKorlandril,andtobesacrificedbythewhim of Arhuleshwasmeaningless. Dormant for some time, the serpent of Korlandril’s angerflicked out its tongue, tasting his annoyance. It uncoiled slowly, basking in its return to favour.Korlandrildidnotfightthecreature,butinsteadallowedittowinditselfintohisheartandaroundhislimbs.Itsembracebroughtresolve,broughtstrength.

“Itwill not come to pass,”Korlandril said, fixingElissanadrinwith a stare. “Iwillmake sure ofthat.”

The warriors of the Deadly Shadow followed their exarch along the narrow tunnel, walking at ameasuredpace.Kenainathheldasceptre,theheadofwhichwasfashionedinaglowingrepresentationoftheshrine’srune.Itwastheonlyillumination,bathingtheclosewallswithitsredglare.

Theyhaddeparted the Shrine of theDeadly Shadowbeneath the armoury through amist-filledportalnoneofthemhadseenbefore.Korlandriltriedtoworkoutthedirectiontheyweretakingbutcouldcometonoclearerconclusionthanthattheywereheadingrimward.Thepassagewaywaswalledwithsmallglassytiles,ofvaryingshadessodarkthattheyseemedtobeblackwiththebaresthintofpurple and blue, green and red. Therewas no pattern to the colours that Korlandril could discern,thoughontheperipheryofvisionhewasremindedof themangrovesof theDeadlyShadowshrine,theirshadowsanddismalcolourshintedatbutnotrevealed.

Thesquad’sarmouredfootfallswerestifledbyanearthylayerunderfootastheysnakedalongthestraightcorridor.Theairwaschill incomparisontothehumidityoftheshrine’sdome,sothatfaintbreathsteamedtheairastheyadvanced.

“DonotallowArhuleshtotaketheinitiative,”whisperedElissanadrinfrombehind,repeatingtheadviceshehadconstantlygivenKorlandril forthepastfivecycles. “TheFallofDarkRainstylerelieslessontheguileoftheDarkShadowandmoreonaggression.”

“Yes,Iunderstand,”saidKorlandril,keepinghisgazeonthebackofKenainath.“Butbecareful,ArhuleshisstillKenainath-trained,andhehasfacedyoumanytimes.”“NomoreorlessthanIhavefacedhim,”saidKorlandrilwithasmirk.Hisjokesettledhisnervesa

littlethoughKorlandrilsensedirritationfromElissanadrinandglancedoverhisshouldertoseethatithadbroughtforthascowl.

“Hewill havenot changedmuch in the short timehehasbeenwithAranarha, butperhaps justenoughtomakethingsdifficultforyou.”

“Itmaybetomyadvantage,aconflictinhisthoughts,inhistechnique,”saidKorlandril,tryingtolook for something positive in Elissanadrin’s warnings. He returned his gaze to the front. He feltElissanadrin’shandonhisshoulder.

“You will be the better warrior,” she said firmly. Korlandril took strength from her conviction,detectingnodeceptioninhertone.

Lightflickeredahead,fillingKorlandrilwiththeurgetohastenhispace,nervousenergypropellinghim forwards. He resisted, keeping step behind the exarch. He focussed on the deliberate strides,turningthemfromasourceoffrustrationtoapurposefulmeter,regulatinghispulseandbreathingin

timetothesolemnsteps.The tunnel led them into a broad octagonal chamber, the walls clad in the same tiles as the

corridor.Thecircleatitscentrewasbuiltfromalowlipinscribedwithnarrowrunes.Fromthreeotherdirectionsatrightanglestoeachother,moreportalsledintotheduellingchamber.AtthesametimeasKenainathsteppedacrossthethreshold,Aranarhaenteredfromthe left,alsobearingtheglowingsigilofhisshrine.

The two exarchs signalled for their followers to take their places along the wall flanking theirentrance, and then stepped up to each other, face-to-face within the circle. The Fall of Dark RainoutnumberedtheDeadlyShadowbymanymembers.

“Challengehasbeen set, so thathonour is settled, and the truthbeknown,” intonedKenainath.Therewasnoangerinhistone,onlythesolemnityoftheoccasion.

“Thechallengeistakenup,tosettlehonour,toputtorestourdispute,”repliedAranarhawithequalgravitas.

Theyturnedtotheirrespectivechampions.Bothbowedandwavedtheirrepresentativesintotheduellingarea,withdrawing tostandside-by-sidea fewpacesaway.Korlandril strode into thecircle,chainswordheldlightlyinhisgrasp,hiseyesintentonArhuleshasheapproached.Hisopponent’sfacewassetinaseriousexpressionbutArhuleshcouldnotstopthebriefestflickersofasmirkfromhislips.KorlandrilwelcomedArhulesh’samusement;hejudgedittobeasignofoverconfidence.

Thetwoofthemnoddedtheirheadsingreeting,eyesfixedoneachother,thelightfromthetwoshrine-totemscastinglongshadowsacrossthefloor.Slowly,thepairdrewuptheirheadsandmovedunhurriedly into their fighting stances:Korlandril inWaitingStorm,Arhulesh in a subtlymodifiedversionofRisingClaw.

InthebackofKorlandril’smindfloatedthetwinspheresofinstinctandreason,hoveringthroughand around each other. With his warrior intuition, he sensed that Arhulesh’s weight was morebalancedtotheleft,whilehisreasoningeyecalculatedthatadroppingslashwouldcreatethegreatestproblemsfromthisposition.

Withoutaword,Korlandrilflowedintoaction,steppingforwardandtwistingintoMoon’sFallingWrath,hischainswordflashingtowardsArhulesh’schest.Hisopponentreactedintime,pushingthechainswordasideatthelastmomentbeforeastrikewouldbecalled,buthisbalancehadbeenshiftedtohisbackfoot,totheright.

Korlandril feigneda reverse cut towardsArhulesh’s front leg, sendinghimbackwards, and thenpivotedononefoot,duckingbeneathhisfoe’sbladetobringhisowntowardsthekneeofArhulesh’sbackleg.

“Cut!”camethecallfromthesurroundingwarriors.Korlandrildetectedanoteoftriumphinthevoices behind him, from the Deadly Shadow. His warrior-spirit throbbed with pride while hisreasoningmindtoldKorlandrilthatthestrikewasjustrewardforawell-workedstrategy.

The two exarchs nodded their agreementwith the decision, their heads bowing briefly towardsKorlandril.Thetwocombatantsstraightenedandreturnedtorepose.

Withaflashofforesight,KorlandrilguessedthatArhuleshwasexpectinghimtostrikefirstagain.Korlandril droppedhis left shoulder by the tiniestmovement, and asArhulesh’s chainsword swung

acrosshis chest in response,Korlandril surged tohis right,his feetdancingquicklyacross the tiledfloor. Spinning, Arhulesh barely blocked the cut towards his lower back, and then launched an ill-judged thrust towards Korlandril’s throat. The Deadly Shadow warrior delayed his reaction by thetiniest of margins, leaning out of the blow’s path at the last moment so that Arhulesh was over-committed.AsimplesweepbroughtKorlandril’sbladetowithinafinger’sbreadthofArhulesh’sneck.

“Cut!”ThecallfromtheDeadlyShadowwasexcited,thatoftheFallofDarkRainmuted.AgainthenodsoftheexarchsconferredthestriketoKorlandril.

ThethirdstrikewenttoArhulesh,wholaunchedablisteringattackfromthestart,overwhelmingKorlandril with the surprise of its feral ferocity. The next onslaught favoured Korlandril, who hadexpectedarepeat,sothatheledArhuleshonamerrydance,defendingandparryingbutofferingnocounterattackuntilhisfoewasthoroughlyoff-balanceandunabletowardawaythestrike.

Korlandrilhadnoideahowtheduelwasended.Wasthereasetlimit,ascoreheneededtoachieve?Orwasitsimplyamatterofoneexarchgivingwaytotheinevitable?

Distractedby this consideration,Korlandril lefthimself open to a cut tohis left thigh. Inwardlycursing his lack of focus, Korlandril raised his chainsword in salute to gain himself a little time tosettle.

Fromthenon,theduelwasasone-sidedasithadbegun.Arhulesh’sblowswerewell-timed,someofthemdownrightdevious,butKorlandrilhadthemeasureofhisopponent.Ashefellfurtherbehindinthestrikes,Arhuleshbecamemoreandmoreaggressive,strivingafterthevictory.

Korlandriltriedtobepatient,buttheevermoredesperateattacksofArhuleshwerelikeagoadtohim.Thefierysunofhiswarriorinstinctgrewinstrength,whilethepalemoonofhisreasonshrank.Itwasenough,Korlandrilrealised.Arhuleshwasfightingoninstinctalonenow,reducingthedueltoamatterofreactionsandanimalguile.

“Cut!”Thecallechoedaroundthechamberonceagain.KorlandrilwaseightstrikestoArhulesh’sthree.Kenainathraisedahandtohalttheproceedings.

“Thematterisdone,theDeadlyShadowprevails:thehonourisours.”Aranarha’seyeswenttoKorlandrilfirstandthentoArhulesh.TheexarchoftheFallofDarkRain

openedhismouthtospeakbutArhuleshcutacrosshimwithastrainedrasp.“No!Icandothis!”ArhuleshsquaredoffagainstKorlandril,hisexpressionturningsly.“Ifanork

canbesthim,sotoocanI…”Korlandril’seyesnarrowedassomethingsurgedinsidehim.Arhuleshlaunchedanattack,aiminga

cut towards Korlandril’s gut, hoping to capitalise on the distraction caused. Korlandril’s weaponswattedasidethepredictableblowandhedroveforwards,rainingdownstrikesonthechainswordofArhulesh.TheredofhishelmetfilledKorlandril’svisionandtherewasastrangewhirringnoiseinhisearsasherelentlesslypressedforwards,hammeringhisbladefromtheleftandright,fromaboveandbelow.

Arhulesh’seyeswidenedwithterrorashedesperatelyfendedoffeachbrutalattack.HandsgrabbedKorlandril’s shoulders andhewasdraggedout of the circlewhilst otherspulled

Arhuleshtosafety.AsKorlandril’sbackhitthetiles,hewasjoltedintosensationagain.Withmountinghorror, he remembered that hewas notwearing his helm; the redmist had been in hismind. The

whirringsoundhadbeenthenoiseofhischainsword,activatedbyhisanger.Hehadbeenheartbeatsawayfromdonninghiswar-maskinaduel.

Trap

WithKhainebyhisside,Eldaneshvanquishedthefoesoftheeldar.NonecouldstandbeforethemightoftheBloody-HandedOne and his disciple.One evening as the crows feasted on Eldanesh’s slain foes, KhainecongratulatedEldaneshonhisvictoriesandpromisedhimmanymore.TheWarGodgrantedEldaneshavisionofthefuture,releasingadropofhisfierybloodontoEldanesh’sforehead.Eldaneshsawwhatwouldcome topassunder thepatronage ofKhaine.Enemiesunnumbered fell beneathEldanesh’s bladeand themightoftheeldargrewtoitszenith.AllcreatureswerecowedbeforethestrengthofEldaneshandalleldarpaidhomagetoEldaneshforhisrulership.Whenthevisionhadpassed,KhainetoldEldaneshthattheWarGodwouldputasidehis animosity for theChildren of Isha ifEldaneshwould simply swear fealty to theBloody-HandedOne.Eldanesh carednot for thebloody future ofKhaine’sdreamsand refused togivehisoathtotheWarGod.Enraged,KhainestruckdownEldaneshandtheWarinHeavenbegan.

ThoughKorlandril had lost his control at the endof theduel, itwas agreed thathehadgained thevictory.KorlandrilwasthefirsttowelcomeArhuleshback,greetinghiminthearmouringchamber.

“Your place is with the Deadly Shadow,” said Korlandril. “We are whole with you numberedamongstus.”

ArhuleshstudiedKorlandril,seekingsomehintofreproachorgloating.Korlandrilofferedneither.“I am sorry I insulted you,” said Arhulesh. “It was a sly ploy, one not worthy of the Striking

Scorpions.”“It was ill-judged, but I am glad that I did not make you pay too high a price for the error. I

apologiseformyreaction,itdidnotbefittheconductofawarriorfacingoneofhisown.”ArhuleshextendedhishandwithfingersoutstretchedandKorlandriltouchedfingertipswithhim,

sealingtheagreement.“Kenainathhasmetrainingonmyownagainforthetimebeing,”confessedKorlandril.“AlsoIam

forbidden from leaving the shrine for thenext twentycycles. I thinkhe trustsme,buthewishes tomakeastatement.Iwouldnotbesurprisedifhehassomethingplannedforyou.”

“I’ddeserveit,”Arhuleshsaidheavily.“RunningofftoAranarhatospiteKenainath?Iamtrulymyworstenemysometimes.Suchafool.”

Korlandrilsaidnothing.Arhulesh’sbrowcreasedinafrownofdisappointment.“WasIsupposedtoargue?”Korlandrilasked,keepingthesmilefromhisface.“IshallbecomeaphilosophernextandfoundanewPath,”saidArhulesh.Heliftedafingertohis

chininaposeofmockthoughtfulness.“OnthisPathoneshallberequiredtodotheexactoppositeofwhatonethinkstoberight.IshallcallitthePathoftheIdiot.”

KorlandrillaughedandclappedahandtoArhulesh’sshoulder.“Ishallbecomeyourfirstdisciple.WhileIhavedabbledinidiocyseveraltimes,trulyIshouldlearn

its intricacies under a great master. Short of running off to join the Harlequins, I can’t think ofanythingIcoulddotobestyourlatestexploits.”

“Best not to mock the Harlequins,” Arhulesh said, becoming serious. “Cegorach still stalks thewebway,afterall.Nopointattractingattentiontoyourself.”

There was something in Arhulesh’s tone that betrayed a deepermeaning to his words, thoughKorlandrilcouldnotthinkwhatitmightbe.Therewasastoryhere,onethatArhuleshwasunwillingtotell.

“YoushouldseetheothersbeforeKenainathcatchesyou,”Korlandrilsaidwithforcedlevity.“Andbeforeheseesyouwithmeandextendsmypenanceforanothertwentycycles!”

“Goodhealthandprosperity,Korlandril. Ifwearebothfortunate,Iwillseeyouintwentycycles’time.”

Korlandril watched Arhulesh depart.When he was sure he was alone, he took up Rising Claw,continuinghisritualfromwherehehadbeeninterrupted.Outofthecornerofhiseye,KorlandrilsawtwinglimmersofredfromthedarknessofthedoorwaytotheinnershrineandKenainath’squarters.Inamoment,theyweregone.

Korlandrilenduredhissolitarypunishmentwithoutcomplaint.WhenreleasedbyKenainath,hisfirstinstinctwastomeettheotherwarriors.Hecounselledhimselfagainsttheurgeanddecidedthatheneededtoseeklesswarlikecompany.Itcametomindthatheshouldseesomeonehehadnotvisitedinquitesometime.

Thirianna’s surprise was a reward in itself. After a brief foray into the infinity circuit—the spiritswithinwerenotkeentobedisturbedbyactiveAspectWarriors—KorlandrilfoundherintheGardenofHeavenlyDelights,poringoverascrollbeneaththewhite-blossomedbowerofasnow-petal.Thiriannawasdressedinthedeepfoldsofabluerobe,hungwithrunecharmsandbraceletsglitteringwiththeirownenergy.Herhairwassweptbackinalongplait,colouredadeepauburnanddecoratedwithruby-redgems.Shestoodquickly,layingasidehertext,andembracedKorlandril.Takenaback,hehesitatedbeforewrappinghisarmsaroundher.

“Iheardthatyouhadbeeninjured,”Thiriannasaid,steppingbacktoregardKorlandrilcritically,assuringherselfthathewaswell.

“Iamhealed,”herepliedwithasmile.“Physically,atleast.”Korlandril gestured to the bench and the two of them sat side-by-side. Thirianna opened her

mouthtosaysomethingbutthenclosedit.Aflashofconcernmarredherfeatures.“Whatiswrong?”Korlandrilasked.“Iwasgoingvisityou,asthereissomethingyoushouldknow.Iwouldratherwespokeaboutother

mattersfirst,butyouhavecaughtmeunawares.Thereisnopleasantwaytosaythis.Ihavereadyour

runes.Theyareconfused,butmanyofyourfuturesdonotbodewell.”“Thereisnothingtofear.Ihavesufferedsometribulationsoflate,buttheywillnotdefeatme.”“It is thatwhichworriesme,” Thirianna said. She reached out and laid her palm briefly on his

cheek,butheflinchedatthetouch.“Isenseconfrontationinyou.Youseeeveryencounterasabattletobewon.ThePathoftheWarrioristakingitstolluponyou.”

“Itwasoneslipof concentration,nothingmore,” saidKorlandril, standingup.HesteppedawayfromThirianna,seeingaccusationinherexpression.“Istumbledbutthejourneygoeson.”

“Ihavenoideawhatyouaretalkingabout.Hassomethingelsehappened?”Korlandrilfeltastabofshameatthememoryofhismistakeduringtheduel.Hedidnotconsiderit

thebusinessofThirianna;itwasamatterfortheDeadlyShadowtoresolve.“Itisnothingimportant,notofconcerntothelikesofyou.”“Thelikesofme?”Thiriannawasupsetmorethanangry.“Noconcernofafriend?”Korlandrilrelented,eyesdowncast.“Ialmoststruckagenuineblowduringaritualsettlement.”“Oh,Korlandril…”HerpityingtonecutsharperthantherebukehehadenduredfromKenainathandAranarha.“What?”hesaid.“Youspeaktomelikeachild.Ithappened.Iwilllearnfromit.”“Willyou?DonotforgetthatIhavebeenaDireAvenger.Thoughthattimelivesinthemistsofmy

past,itisnotsooldthatIforgetitentirely.UntilrecentlyItrodthePathoftheWarlock.Asawarrior-seer,Irevisitedmanyofmybattle-memories,drawingonthemforresolveandstrength.Irecall thelureoftheWarrior’sWay;thesuretyofpurposeitbringsandthecomfortofrighteousness.”

“Thereisnofaulttobefoundwithhavingthestrengthofone’sconvictions.”“Itisadrug,thatsenseofpowerandsuperiority.Thewar-maskallowsyoutocontrolyourrageand

guiltinbattle, it isnotmeanttoextinguishallfeelingoutsideofwar.EvennowIsensethatyouareangrywithme.”

“WhatifIam?Yousitthereandtalkofthingsyoudonotunderstand.ItdoesnotmatterwhetheryouhavetroddenthePathoftheWarrior,youandIarenotthesame.ThatmuchyoumadecleartomebeforeIjoinedtheDeadlyShadow.Perhapsyoufelttemptedbythepower.Ihaveastrongerwill.”

Thirianna’slaughwasharsh,cuttingtoKorlandril’spride.“Nothinghaschangedwithyou.Youhave learntnothing!Ioffercomfortandyoutakecriticism.

Perhapsyouareright.PerhapsitisnotthePathoftheWarriorthatmakesyouthisarrogant;youhavealwaysbeensoself-involved.”

“Self-involved?” Korlandril’s incredulity heightened the pitch of his voice.He took a breath andmoderated his tone. “You it was that fluttered in the light of my attention, promising much butultimatelywilling togivenothing. If Iamselfish it isbecauseyouhave takenfrommethatwhichIwouldhavehappilygivenmyselfto.”

“Iwaswrong,youarenotselfish.Youareself-deluding!Rationalisationandjustificationisallthatyoucanofferinyourdefence.Takealonglookatyourself,Korlandril,andthentellmethatthisismyfault.”

Korlandrilstalkedbackandforthforamoment,analysingThirianna’swords,turningthemoverto

divinetheirtruemeaning.Helookedatheroutragedfaceandrealisedthetruth.“You are jealous! Once I was infatuatedwith you, and now you cannot bear the thought that I

might livemy lifeoutsideof your shadow.Elissanadrin,perhaps?Youbelieve that Ihavedevelopedfeelingsforanother,andsuddenlyyoudonotfeelyouareuniqueinmyaffections.”

“I had no idea that you havemoved your ambitions to another. I am glad. I would rather yousoughtthecompanyofsomeoneelse,asyouarenolongerwelcomeinmine.”

“Thiswasamistake.Youarenotworththegriefyoubring,northetimeyouconsume.”Thirianna began to sob, burying her face in her hands. It was pathetic; an obvious attempt at

sympathyandattention.KorlandrilwantednomoreofThirianna’smanipulation.Withoutfarewell,heduckedbeneaththebranchesofthesnowpetalandwalkedaway.

Followinghis argumentwithThirianna,Korlandril sought to banish the episode fromhis thoughtswithasculpture.Hereturnedtohisquarterstodosobutcouldnotsettle.Hepacedaboutthelivingspace,surroundedbyhisrepresentationsofIsha,eachbeautifulfaceareminderofThirianna.Everytimehe satathisbenchwithwhiteputty inhand,he couldnotbring fortha vision to fashion.Hismind was full of barbs and edges. Far from creating a thing of beauty that would calm him, hisattemptsatsculpturebroughttomindthosethingsthatvexedhimthemost.

Restless,KorlandrilreturnedtotheShrineoftheDeadlyShadow.HefoundElissanadrinshadow-sparringinthearmourchamber.

“Perhapsyouwouldappreciatesomethingtoaimat?”hesaid,movingtoputonhisarmour.Elissanadrinsmiledandnoddedinreply.ShespokequietlyasKorlandrilarmouredhimself.“Thereisafamiliaragitationaboutyou.Thirianna,Iwouldsay.”Korlandrilsaidnothing,hismindfocusedonthemantraofaiming.Pullingonhisbreastplate,he

sparedElissanadrinabriefflickerofanod.“Itisunfortunatethatwegrowapartfromthosewelove,buttakecomfortthatasyouchange,as

yourlifegoeson,therewillcomeotherswithwhichtoshareyourself,”saidElissanadrin.Korlandrilactivatedthesuitandheflexedhisarmsasittightenedaroundhim.“Isthatanofferofcongress?”heasked.“Youareveryblunttoday,”shereplied.“IwouldnotputmyselfupassubstituteforThirianna.Iam

nother,soyoumusttakemeasIam.”“IwouldnotwantyoutobeThirianna,”Korlandrilsaidcoldly.Heballedhishandsintofistsand

loosenedhiswrists.“Andyouarenot.Iwouldverymuchliketocourtyouand,ifallgoeswell,wecouldshareanintimacy.”

Elissanadrinlaughedgently.“Youaresotraditionalattimes,Korlandril.Perhapsweshould‘shareanintimacy’andthenseeif

wewishtocourt?Iregardphysicalcompatibilityhighly.”Neitherspokeastheywalkedtothearminghallandtookuptheirchainswords.Theyfollowedthe

passagewaydownintotheheartoftheshrineinsilence.“I already feel compatiblewith your physique,” saidKorlandril.He raised his chainsword to his

brow.“Perhapstheintimacyofthebladewillconvinceyou.”Elissanadrinreturnedthesaluteandtookherplaceintheduellingring.Shetossedherhairover

hershoulderandsmiledcoyly.“Idonotdoubtyourenergyor yourendurance,but I fear youmaybeoutofpracticewithyour

technique.”“LetmeprovetoyouthatIstillrememberwellthetricksandskillshard-learntinthepast.”Korlandrilenteredthecircleandstoodface-to-facewithElissanadrin,soclosehecouldtasteher

breathandsmellherskin.Hisheartraced,fromtheprospectoftheduelandthepleasuresbeyond.Thesoundofscrapingonstonecausedbothtospintowardthedoorwayoftheduellingchamber.

Kenainathstoodthere,armouredsaveforhishelm.Hisdarkeyesregardedthemboth,unblinking,hismouthathinline.“Notimeforduelling,wearesummonedtobattle;theautarchawaits.”Shocked from their flirting, Korlandril and Elissanadrin exchanged a glance and followed the

exarchhurriedlyashedisappearedfromthedoorway.“Battlewithwhom?”askedElissanadrin.Kenainathgavenoreply.Theotherswerewaitinginthemainchamber,unarmoured.Kenainathsaidnothingasthesquad

fell inbehindtheirexarch.Hetookthemthroughanarrowdoorwayanddownalongrampthat ledintoacircularchamber.Lightsglowedquickly into life,revealingfoursleektransports,colouredthesamegreenasthesquad’sarmour.Theyhoveredslightlyabovethemetallicfloor,curvedswept-backwingsandthehigharchofadorsalstabilisercastingshadowsoverthesquad.

Arhuleshhurriedtotheclosest,touchingaruneonitssidetoopentheshallow-domedcanopy.Heleapt nimbly aboard and moved to the front of the craft. Korlandril waited for the others to seatthemselvesinthebackbeforetakingaplacenexttoBechareth,thinkingitbestnottobetooclosetoElissanadrin considering the playful flirtation they had just been engaged in. Arhulesh closed thecanopyandtheskimmerbreathedintolife,afainthumtheonlysignalthatitwasnowactive.

UnderArhulesh’s guidance, the craft swung towards anopeningat the far sideof the chamber,beyondwhich a row of yellow lights lit theway along awinding tunnel. Arhulesh steered the crafteffortlessalongtheconcourse,gatheringspeeduntilthelightsflashingpastwereasingleblurredline.

“Wherearewegoing?”askedKorlandril.Elissanadrinturnedfromthefrontandhunganarmoverthebackofherseat.

“TheChambersoftheAutarchs,”shesaid.“It iswheretheshrinesusuallygathertoreceivenewsfromthefarseersbeforewedonourwar-masks.”

Korlandril took this information in silence.Hehadneverheardof theChamberof theAutarchsandhewonderedwhereaboutsonAlaitocitwaslocated.Theskimmerflewalongtunnelsandconduitshehadneverseenbeforeandheassumedthatthesewereinsubstrataofchannelsusedsolelyintimesofwar.

Threeothertransportsofsimilardesignswungintoviewahead,colouredindeepbluesandblack.“DarkReapers,” said Elissanadrin. She leaned forwards to study themarkings as the skimmers

converged.“ShrinesofDarkMoonWaning,ColdDeathandEnduringVeil.”ThislastoneKorlandrilknew—theshrinetowhichMaerthuinandArthuisbelonged.Craft from other shrines hove into view behind them, joining the line of skimmers converging

quickly on the Chamber of the Autarchs. The concourse ended in a wide space, its dome a blackhemisphere through which nothing could be seen. The floor stepped down into an amphitheatre.Threefiguresstooduponacirculardaisattheheartofthehall,twocladinheavyrobes,thethirdinblueandgoldarmour,acrestedhelmbeneathhisarmandalongscarletcloakonhisback.

ThegatheringAspectWarriorsdismountedfromtheirtransportsontheupperlevelofthehallassquadstookuptheirplacesaroundtheautarchandfarseers.Korlandril lookedatthewhitestoneofthebroadstepsandsawrunesingoldetchedintoitssurface,eachindicatingtheplaceofadifferentshrine,arrangedbyAspect.Severalhundredwarriorswerealreadyinplaceandasmanyagainwerefollowingtheirexarchsintoposition.

“Arhathain,” said Arhulesh, pointing to the autarch. “He wore the masks of the Dark Reaper,HowlingBansheeandDireAvengerbeforehebecameautarch.”

“Hisnameseemsfamiliar,”saidKorlandril.KenainathstoppedandKorlandrillookeddowntoseetheruneoftheDeadlyShadowbeneathhisfeet.

“CommanderofAlaitocduringtheBattleofWhispers,andco-commanderwithUrulthaneshattheThousandandOneStorms,”saidElissanadrin.

Korlandril recognisedthenamesof thetwobattles,both longcampaignsthathadtakenaheavytollofAlaitoc’swarriors.

“Idonotknowthefarseers,”saidArhulesh.Bothweremaleandofstatelypoise.Onewasyoungerthan Korlandril, which surprised him. The other was venerable and even at this distance it waspossibletoseethestrangeglintofhisskin,thefirsthintofhisbodyturningtocrystal,undergoingthetransformationwroughtuponhimbyhispsychicabilities.

“Timeisshort,sobrevityisrequired,”announcedArhathain,hisvoicefillingtheair,projectedbyasonicfieldtoeverypartofthehall.“FarseerKelamith,”theautarchindicatedtheelderlyfarseer,andhis acolyte have foreseen a terrible tragedy for Alaitoc. A silver river turns to black and its boilingwatersflowtowardsAlaitoc.TheDancingDeathisseenontheshoresofawhitesea,herhairbraidedwiththeskullsofourchildren.SheWhoThirstscastshergreedyeyeuponthestarsandintimestocomeherinfernalgazewillfalluponourlives.

“Itisvitalthatwemovetopreventthiseventcomingtopass.TheDarkGodshaveextendedtheirreachoncemore,intotheheartsandmindsoftheeasily-corruptedhumans.Thoughtheydonotyetknowit,theyarestartinguponapaththatwillnotonlydamntheirownworldbutwillbringforthahostoftheDarkGods’creations.SuchistheirignorancethatinonlythreeoftheirshortgenerationstheywillunleashacataclysmthatwillsavageplanetsandbringruintothedoorsofAlaitocitself.Wecannotallowthistohappen.”

“Thecuriosityofthehumansshallbetheirdownfallifwedonotintervene,”continuedKelamith.Hisvoicewascrackedandquiet,weigheddownbyaneternityofpeeringintopossiblefutures,allofwhich eventually led to death and the destruction of Alaitoc. Korlandrilwonderedwhatmanner ofmindcouldstareintothefaceofsuchdoomtimeandagain,toaverteachdisasterasitbecameknown.

“Wecannotwarnthemofdangersyettocometopass,forindoingsoweriskcreatingtheverydesireweseektoend.Aswiftmovenow,bloodybutnecessary,willeliminatethethreattoAlaitocandalsokeepsafethefuturegenerationsofhumans.Thoseweneedtoeliminatearefew,andifwestrikehardandwithhastetheywillreceivenoreinforcement.Overwhelmingforcewillbringcapitulationquickly.Thosewewishtodestroyhaveintheirpossession,unwittingly,anartefactthatmustberetrievedanddestroyedsafely.Youwillknowitwhenyouarecloseathand.Onnoconditionmustyouapproachtheartefact itself, andendeavouratall times tokeep it fromyour thoughts lest it ensnaresyour spiritsalso.Itconcernsthatwhichwedonotspeakof,andsoyouunderstandthisisnoidlecaution.”

Korlandril shudderedwith the thoughtofSheWhoThirsts.His spirit stonepulsed coldonce insympathyandotherAspectWarriorsexchangedglancesandgaveeachothernodsofassuranceandcomfort.

“Wewillattainorbitsecretlyandcreatetemporarywebwayportalsinordertostrikeattheheartofthe target’s fortifications,” said Arhathain. “Their army will respond, and we must be prepared towithdrawunder attack. Speed is of the essence, lest our ships in orbit be discovered and forced tobreaktheirwebwayconnections.Therangerswillgatherwhatinformationtheycanaboutthishumanplanetandtheplacewheretheystorethisvileprize.Detailedbattle-sagaswillberelayedtoeachexarchenroutetothehumanworld.”

Theautarchraisedafistandturnedslowly,acknowledgingtheassembledwarriors.“AlaitoconceagainmustturntoKhaine’sbloodymessengers.Youwillnotfailus.”“Itistimetogo,todonarmourandwar-masks,toquickentheblood,”saidKenainath,signalling

thesquadbacktothetransport.Thoughhehadnotrainingasafarseer,Korlandrilknewtheprinciplesatwork:everyactionhada

consequenceanditwasthedutyofthefarseerstoguidetheweaponsoftheAspectWarriorstobringaboutthedestinymostfavourabletoAlaitoc.Hefeltsomesmallpityforthesavagehumansthatwouldhavetodieinthisattack,foritseemedthattheywereunknowingoftheharmtheywouldcause.Yetitwasanecessarytragedy,thesheddingofhumanbloodsothateldarlivesweremadesafe.

Hewonderedforamomentifkillingahumanwouldbeharderthankillinganork.Theorkwasacreature of puremalevolence, of no benefit or advantage.Humans, though crude andunmannerly,were useful pawns and possessed of an innate spirit to be valued. That theywereweak and easilycorrupted—in body and in mind—was lamentable, but as a species they were more desirable asneighboursthanmanyothersinthegalaxy.Ashetookhisseatinthetransportforthereturntotheshrine,Korlandrilwonderedwhathewouldfeelwhenhekilledhisfirsthuman.ThethoughtgavehimdoubtsconcerninghischosenPath.Killingorkswassimpleextermination;killinghumansonemightconsideraformofmurder,albeitofaminorkind.Thenherealisedtheridiculousnessofthequestion.

Hewouldbewearinghiswar-mask;hewouldfeelnoguiltandrememberevenless.

Korlandril followedKenainath from thewebway portalwith chainsword and shuriken pistol ready.They found themselves inside awide compound surroundedbywood-and-earthwalls several timesKorlandril’s height. The glimmer of other webway portals crackled in the night air, the shadowyfiguresoftheAspectWarriorsemergingfromthegloom.Theairwasbitterlycold,gentlesnowfalling

from thedark clouds above; a carpet of frost on the cracked slabs that paved the courtyard; frozenrivuletsonthebrickwallsaroundtheopenspace.

Snapsof laserfirecrackleddownfromthesurroundingwall,targetingasquadofDireAvengersadvancingupaninnerramp.Theyrespondedwithdeadlyburstsoffirefromtheirshurikencatapults,cuttingdownseveralhumanswearingthickgreycoatsandfloppyfur-linedhatswithflapsthathungovertheirears.

TheStrikingScorpions,supportedbyotherAspectWarriors,wereto leadtheassaultagainstthehuman stronghold.While other troops secured the outer defences, the Deadly Shadow and otherswouldstrikeatthecentralbuildings,searchingeachuntiltheyhadlocatedtheaccursedartefactthatwastheirgoal.ThoughagreatnumberofAlaitoc’swarriorsweretostagetheattack,therewastobenolongengagementwiththeenemy;itwasahumanworldandwouldbehometomanytimestheeldar’snumbers. Itwas imperative thatAlaitoc’swarhostdidnotgetdrawn intoanextendedbattle,whichwouldrisktheextractionoftheartefact.

Kenainathledthesquadawayfromthewalls,towardsacomplexoffourbuildingsattheheartofthecompound.Threeweresinglestorey,builtofroughgreybrick.Thefourthwasfivestoreyshigh,hexagonalinshape,windowlessandmadeofarock-likesubstancestrengthenedwithacriss-crossofmetallicgirders.Ittoweredoverthecompound,thehubaroundwhicheverythingelsewasbuilt.

Battlefeltdifferentthistime.Colder,notjustintemperaturebutalsointemperament.TherewasnoneoftheburningangerKorlandrilhadfeltbefore,nohatredbroughtonbytheorksorthesweepingbloodthirstof theAvatar todistracthim.HewatchedwithdetachmentasHowlingBanshees,bone-colouredandwailing,sprintedtowardsthenearestcompoundbuilding,theirgleamingpowerswordsslicingeffortlesslythroughthehumansspillingfromitslargegateway.

TheDeadlyShadowveered left, alongside theDireAvengers from theStarof Justice shrineandFire Dragons from the Rage of Khaine, heading towards the next closest warehouse. Heavy doorsrolled together to close off the entrance, sporadic las-fire springing from the narrowing gap butfindingnomarkamongsttheeldar.

With a loud clang, the doors shut. TheDire Avengers directed theirweapons against the harshlampsalongtheedgeoftheroof,bringingmoredarkness.KenainathmotionedthesquadtotakecoverbesidethewallofthebuildingastheFireDragonsclosedonthedoorswiththermalchargesinhand.

Therewas littlefirecomingfromthewallsnow.AglancearoundtheperimetershowedtheDireAvengershadscouredthree-quartersof thewallof itsdefenders.Black-cladsquadsofDarkReaperstookupfiringpositions,theirmissilelaunchersdirectedoutsidethecompound.

With blasts ofwhite fire, the FireDragons’ thermal charges turned thewarehouse doors into ariver of cooling slag. The AspectWarriors ducked through the holes created, the red glare of theirweaponssendinglongshadowsbackintothecompound.

“Strikewithoutmercy,rejoiceinKhaine’sbloodytoll,leavenothingalive!”criedKenainath,wavingthesquadforwardswithhisglowingpowerclaw.Arhuleshwasfirst intothebreach,followedbytheexarch.KorlandrilfollowedBechareththroughthetangledmetal,Elissanadrinathisback.

TheinsideofthewarehousewasemptysaveforafewmetalcratespiledneatlytoKorlandril’sleft.Athinwallportionedaseparateareatotheright.Helmetedheadsbobbedupanddownatthenarrow

windowsandtwosmalldoorways.The FireDragonsunleashed their fusion guns’ fury, blasts of energy tearing through the flimsy

wall. Under the cover of this fire, theDeadly Shadow charged, the occasional las-bolt zinging pastthemorstrikingupsmallcloudsofvapourfromthefloor.

At the closest door, three humans levelled their weapons at Arhulesh and Kenainath. Withoutthoughtororderfromhisexarch,Korlandrilraisedhisshurikenpistolandspewedahailoflethaldiscsintothedoorway,hisfireconvergingwiththatoftheothers.Twoofthehumansfellback,theirchestsandfaces lacerated; thethirdfiredhisweapon,catchingKenainathaglancingblowacross therightshoulder.Unbalanced,theexarchtookashortenedsteptorighthimself,allowingBecharethtosurgeahead.HeandArhuleshreachedthedoor,chainswordssimultaneouslydecapitatingandevisceratingthehumanremainingthere.

Steeredbyinstinct,Korlandrilcuttotherightofthedoorwayandhurdledthroughtheshatteredremainsofawindow.ThehumanswithinhadturnedtowardsArhuleshandBechareth,leavingtheirbacks exposed. Korlandril’s whirring blade opened the first along the spine from neck to waist,showering the AspectWarrior with blood and fragments of vertebrae, creating a harmony of wetspattersandbonypattering.Hehamstrungasecondhuman,drawingthechainswordswiftlyacrossthebackofbothknees.

Korlandrilturnedhisgazeonanotherhumanandactivatedhismandiblasters.Aflurryofshardsspatfromthepodsoneithersideofhishelmandarcsofblueenergylancedout,earthingthroughhisprey’s lefteye tosendazurecoruscationsacross theblackeningskinof theman’s face.Hecollapsedwithsmoketrailingfromhisopenmouthandruinedeyesocket.Almostasanafterthought,theAspectWarriorturnedanddrovethepointofhisweaponintothethroatofafourthhuman.

Korlandrilfinishedwithaflourish,flickingbloodfromhisbladeintotheeyesofanotherenemy,blindinghimmomentarily.Intheheartbeatthehumanflailedathisface,Korlandrilslidsidewaysandbroughthis swordupandunderhis target’s left arm, chopping through the sideofhis ribcageandcutting intoheart and lungs.The chainsword stuck foramoment, judderingangrily inKorlandril’sgraspbeforehewrencheditfree.

Korlandril heard panicked shouts to his right and turned to see three more humans trying toclamberoutofthewindowbehindhim.OnefelltoaburstofpistolfirefromKorlandril,theothertwoexploded into ruddy clouds of super-heatedmatter as the FireDragons opened fire from themainfloorofthewarehouse.

Korlandrilpaused, eyesandears searching forprey.Therewasagroanandhe remembered thehuman he had hamstrung. He turned back to the crippled soldier; he was crawling towards thedoorwayleavingasmearedtrailofblood.Korlandrilwatchedhimforamoment,theArtistpartofhimintriguedbytheswirlsofredpaintedonthefloorbythehuman’sdesperatescrambling.TheAspectWarriorsawhimselfdimlyreflectedinthelifefluidofhisenemies,adistortedportraitinblood.

ThemomentpassedandKorlandrilsteppedafterhiswoundedfoe,onlytobebeatentothekillbyBechareth. The StrikingScorpion let his pistol drop to hang from its feed-lanyard and grabbed thehuman’shair,yankinghimuptohisravagedknees.Aswiftcutseparatedheadfromneck, thebodyfloppingintothebloodpoolingatBechareth’sfeet.

Stillholdingtheseveredhead,BecharethlookedupandsawKorlandril.Theycouldseenothingofeachother’sexpressions,buteachrealisedBecharethhadtakenakillthatwasrightfullyKorlandril’s.Bechareth gave a florid bow of apology—face averted, legs crossed—and presented the head toKorlandril.

“Therearemorethanenoughfoestospreadaround,”saidKorlandril.“Idonotbegrudgeyouthisone.”

Bechareth straightened, nonchalantly tossing the head out of the doorway. He nodded inappreciation.

“The building is clear, Khaine’s wrath still waxes strongly, onwards tomore death,” announcedKenainath,wavingthemforwardwithhisclaw.

A quick search revealed two back doors to thewarehouse, both leading out into a small walledcourtyard at one side of the compound’s central tower. Ametal door set into the side of the towerprovedlittleobstacle;Kenainath’spowerclawtorethroughitwithtwostrikes.

Insidewasamessofroomsandcorridors.HumansscurriedtocoverastheStarofJusticesquadarrived,salvoesfromtheirshurikencatapultsrippingalongtheolive-colouredwalls,cuttingdownascore of great-coated humans caught in the open. The Striking Scorpions followed behind,despatchinganyfoethathadsurvivedthedeadlyhailfromtheDireAvengers.Room-by-room,thetwosquadsworkedmethodicallyacrossthebottomstoreyinacircle,leavingnothingalive.Behindthem,othersquadsracedintothetowerandupthestairwells.

Detonationssentshowersofdustfromthepipelinedceilingabove,indicatingstifferresistanceintheupperfloors.Korlandrilswitchedtohisthermalvisiontowatchthemotesofdebrissettlingonthecoolingbodiesofhisslainfoes,thedustdrapingoverthemlikeshrouds.

They found an enclosed spiral stairwell and Kenainath took the lead, the Striking ScorpionssurgingpasttheDireAvengerstotakeadvantageofthecloseconfines.Theywereonlyafewstridesupthestepswhenfoursmallobjectsclatteredfromthewallaboveandbounceddownthestairs.

Kenainathreactedfirst,throwinghimselfforwardtogetoutofthegrenades’blasts,whiletherestof the squad hastily retreated down the stairwell, using the central pillar as cover. Shrapnel andsplintersofwallshowereddownthestairs,buttheStrikingScorpionswereleftunharmed.Theringoflas-boltsechoedfromthewallsandthesquadleaptforwardstorejointheirexarch.

TheyfoundKenainathwiththeremainsofadeadhumaninthegripofhisclaw,thesoldier’sleftarm sheared clean off. A headless corpse lay crumpled on the stairs at Kenainath’s feet. A few las-impactshadleftcratersintheexarch’sarmour,wispsofvapourdriftedlazilyaroundhim.

Anotherlas-volleyshriekeddownthestairs,sendingthesquadbackafewpaces.KorlandriljoinedKenainath and the pair rounded the curve of the stairwell swiftly, shuriken pistols at the ready. Agroupofhumans clusteredona landingabove—Korlandril countedeight asheglancedaround theturnbeforepullingbackoutofharm’sway.

“Mywrathwillgoleft,directyourfiretotheright,andwewillslaythem,”orderedtheexarch.“As Khaine wills it,” replied Korlandril. He brought back the visual memory of the humans’

locations,fixingtheminhismindasclearlyasifhewasstandinginfrontofthem.Itwasamoment’sthoughttocalculatethebestsweepoffiretocatchtheminoneburst.

“Iamready,”hetoldKenainath.The two of them sprang around the turn of the stairs, a blur of deadly discs hissing from their

pistols.Korlandril’sburststrucktwokneelinghumansacrosstheirthroats,killingtheminstantly.Hecontinuedtofireashemovedtohisleft,raisinghisaimtosendatorrentofshotsintothestomachsofthosestoodfurtherbackfromthesteps.Theywentdownwithuglygrunts,spraysofbloodshowingupasbrightyellowinKorlandril’sthermalgaze.

KorlandrilandKenainathweresteppingoverthebodies,chainswordpoised,beforethelastofthehumanshittheground.

Thelandinghadtwodoorways,onetoeachside.Withthetreadoftheotherssoundingcloseonthestepsbehind,KenainathflickedhisheadtotheleftandsignalledKorlandriltostaynearathand.

Theopenarchway led toa seriesof small cell-like chambers sparsely furnished,withbarewalls.Korlandrilguessedthemtobethequartersofmenials;howlikethehumanstodegradetheirownkindinanattempttoprovesuperiority.Thetruedemonstrationofcivilisationrecognisedallasindividuals,equalandimportant.Aneldarwhochosetoserveothersdidsoasameansofdevelopingtheirhumilityandsenseofduty—somethingthatasyetheldnoappealforKorlandril.

Hebrushedasidethephilosophicnotionasadistractionandquicklyscannedthedoorwaysahead,searchingforanyheatsignature.Heregisterednothing.Thesubservienthumanshadmostlikelyfledatthefirstsignofattack,perhapshopingthegunsoftheirmasterswouldkeepthemsafe.Theirfaithwasmisplaced. Anywho had come into contactwith theChaos artefactwere at risk of corruption,nonecouldbeleftalive.

Amorethoroughsearchconfirmedthatthisstorey,completewithkitchensandstorerooms,wasdevoidoffoes.SoundsoffightingfromaboveannouncedmoresquadsadvancingaheadoftheDeadlyShadowandStarofJustice.

“We shall go higher, ascend to the very heights, catch our foes at bay,” announced Kenainath.Uriethial,exarchoftheStarofJustice,wasquicktoagree.Thetwosquadsheadedbacktothestairwelland bypassed the next two storeys, where there was evidence of much heavier fighting. Humancorpseslitteredthelanding,butamongstthemwerebrokeneldarweapons,piecesofarmourandthebrightsplashesofeldarblood.

Korlandrilwonderedabsentlywhetherheknewanyofthefallen.Nowwasnotthetimetomourn.Severalmore squads joined the attackon theupper level, converging from the third and fourth

storeys.AsKorlandrilascendedthesteps,hefeltagrowingsenseofunease.Somethingtuggedattheedgeofhisspiritandhiswaystonebegantotingleuponhischest.

“Killthemcoldandfast,takenojoyintheslaying,SheWhoThirstslookson!”warnedKenainathastheyreachedthelastturnofthestairs.

The upper storey was a single open chamber, lavishly panelled and furnished. Humans snipedfrombehindoverturnedcouchesandupendedbookcases,tomesofsimplehumanscriptlyingrippedand scattered across thedark lacquered floor. Flares of blue energy criss-crossed the room, asDireAvengersandHowlingBansheesboiledupseveralstairwaysleadingintothechamber.

Oneparticularknotofhumanshunkereddownbehindalargedesksetonitsside,scrapsofpaper,crudewritingimplementsandscrawled ledgerspiledonthefloorwheretheyhadfallen.Fromhere,

something seeped across the room, touching upon Korlandril’s psyche. The thrum of las-fireresounded inhisearsand the tight closenessofhisarmourwasa lover’s embrace.The scentof thevarnishandblood,thewhickeringofshurikenfireandcriesofpain,allcombinedintoasymphonyforKorlandril’ssenses.

Spurred by the thrill, he fired his pistol at a human cowering behind the torn remains of anarmchair.Theflashofdiscsburiedinhisforehead,someslicingthroughhiseyesintohisbrain.Thecorpseslowlytumbledtothefloor,itsgunclatteringloudlyonthewood.

At the far endof thehall, sheltered amongst apress ofdrably coatedguards, lurked threemalehumanscladinthickrobesofpurpleandred,edgedwithfurandgold.Thetriowereelderly,byhumanstandards,theircreasedfacestwistedingrimacesofshockandterror.Theostentationoftheirgarbmarkedthemaspersonagesofpowerinthehierarchyofthehumans,ifnottheeyesoftheeldar.

Soonthislastgroupwereallthatremained.Oneof them—his thickhood fallenback tohis shoulders to reveal ahairlessheadmottledwith

blemishes—stoodupandshouted inhisunintelligible tongue,brandishingaboxno larger thanhishand, encrustedwithpale blue andpink gems.Hiswide-eyed expressionmayhave been of fear oranger, itwas impossibletotell.Hiscontortedfacewasagrotesquecaricatureofexpression,agrossparodyofemotion.

Korlandril’seyesweredrawnbacktothebox,afaintwhisperinthebackofhismind.Thehumanfelltohiskneesandhisbodyguardsthrewdowntheirweapons,holdinguphandsincapitulation.Histwo magisterial companions fell forwards and debased themselves, looking up imploringly at thewarriorssurroundingthem.

ItwastheboxthatcalledtoKorlandrilandhesteppedforwards,ignoringthehumansoldiers.Thegemsupon its surfaceglitteredsobrightly, entrancinghim.Heheard themurmursofotherAspectWarriorsaroundhim.

Itwouldbeasweetprizeindeed.Korlandrilpicturedthebloodyruinhewouldmakeofthedecrepitcreaturethatkeptthebeautifulboxfromhim.Korlandrilwouldtearoutthehuman’sinnardsandusethemasgarlands.Hisboneswouldmakefinepiecesofsculpture,suitablypaintedandrearranged.

Touchnothing.Freeyourmindsofdesireandtemptation.KorlandrilrecognisedthethoughtsofFarseerKelamith.Theycutthroughthestrangefogthathad

cloudedhisspiritsinceenteringtheroom.Theaircrackledbehindthesurrenderinghumans.Whereamomentearlierhadbeenemptyair,

sevenheavily-armouredwarriorsappeared.Theywerecladinredandblack,theirbacksandshouldersencasedinbroad,beetle-likecarapacesdecoratedwiththedesignsofwhitespiderwebs.Intheirhandstheywieldedbulkyweapons,deathspinners,glowingbluefromwithin,theirmuzzlessurroundedbyspinningclaw-likeappendages.

Asone theWarpSpidersopened fireon the lasthumans.Themuzzlesof theirweapons flashedwithbrightblueasgraviticimpellersspunintoablur.Theairfilledwithaswirlingcloud,indistinctbut nebulous. Thewrithingmonofilamentwiremesh unleashed by the deathspinners engulfed thehumans,slicingeffortlesslythroughskin,fleshandbone.Thegreycloudturnedredwithgoreasthehumansdisintegratedintothousandsofminisculepieces,eachsmallpartfurtherslicedanddissected

bythestreamingwireclouduntilonlyafaintredmistremained.The sight brought a tear to Korlandril’s eye. Such destruction, wrought so quickly and so

beautifully.Foramomentheentirelyforgotthepresenceofthebox,untilitclatteredtothefloor,theremnantsofthehuman’sfingersdrippingfromtheenticinggems.

TherewasapresenceandKorlandril steppedaside, sensingnewarrivals at thedoorwaybehindhim.TheAspectWarriorspartedtoallowKelamithandArhathaintoenter.Threedozenrunesgentlyorbitedthefarseer,intersectingandpartingwitheachother’spathsashestrodeforward.Arhathainworehisbluearmour,inhisrighthandaspearalmosttwiceastallastheautarch,itsleaf-shapedheadinscribedwiththousandsofthetiniestrunes,eachburningwithitsownenergy.

With them came a coterie of grim-faced seers, all clad in plain white, heads shorn of all hair.Between them floated an ovoid container, dark red in colour and patterned with silver runes.Korlandrilrecognisedwraithbone—apsychoplasticwovenintoexistencebythebonesingers,thelivingcore of Alaitoc and every other eldar creation.Korlandril’swaystone flutteredwarmly as the casketslowlyglidedpasthim.

From amongst thewreckage to Korlandril’s right, a human surged forwards, one arm hanginglimplybyhisside,alongwoundinhisthighsprayingbloodashesprintedacrosstheroomtowardstheartefact.

Arhathain reacted quickest, his spear singing across the hall to catch the human in the chest,hurling him bodily through the air. A blink later, several shuriken volleys and laser blasts passedthroughtheairwherethemanhadbeen.Arhathainbeckonedtothespearandittwisted,rippeditselffreeofthedeadhumanandflewbacktohisgrasp.Unperturbed,theautarchapproachedtheboxandloweredtoonekneebesideit,studyingtheartefactclosely.

Whisperingprotectivemantras,thewhiteseersclosedaroundhim,theirrobesobscuringallsight,theirsibilantincantationsgrowinginvolume.Whentheypartedamomentlater,silencedescended.The box was gone but the wraithbone casket gleamed with a darker light, an aura of oily energyseepingfromit.Korlandriltookanotherstepback,unwillingtogettooclosetotheaccursedcontentsnowthathewasfreedfromitslure.

Thewhiteseersdepartedwiththeirtaintedcargo.“Humansgatherinforcetodestroyusoutsidethewalls,”Arhathainannounced,standingup.“The

garrisonareallslain.Returntothewebwayandwewillbeaway.Takeourdead,wecannotleavetheminthisforsakenplace.”

With the others, Korlandril descended to the level below. Here they found several dead eldar,armourpiercedbybayonetsorcrackedby las-blastandbullet.KorlandrilstoopedandpickeduptheremainsofaHowlingBanshee.Hisfaceplatewasshattered,revealinganemptyeyesocketandbloodycheek.Korlandrilliftedhimgentlyinhisarmsandcarriedhimbacktothewebwayportal.

Thesolemnnotesofpipesandaslowandsteadydrumbeatheraldedthearrivalofthefuneralcortege.ThreelonglineswoundslowlyintotheDomeofEverlastingStillness;twolinesofeldarflankingthebodies of the dead borne upon hovering biers. The bodies were covered with white shrouds, eachembroidered with their names. On the left of each bier the Watcher bore the spirit stone of the

deceased: the dead eldar’s waystone now imbued with their essence, ready for transference to theinfinitycircuit.OntherightofeachdepartedwalkedtheMournerinaheavywhiteveilsobbingandoccasionallygivingventtoplaintivewails—aneldarwhotroduponthePathofGrief.OthereldarofAlaitocgatheredintheirthousandstowatchtheprocession,tearsintheireyes,memoriesofthefallenstarkandbrightintheirminds.

They lamentedthedeathsof thosetheyknew,butcouldnotgivefullvoicetotheirsorrowlest itconsume them. That was for theMourners, who had devoted themselves to the outpouring of theemotiondeathbroughtabout, freeingotherstorememberthefallenwithcalmregretwithoutbeingdestroyedbyguilt.

Korlandrilwatchedsombrelyascoveredbodyaftercoveredbodyslidpast,thegrowlsandchokingcriesoftheMournersfallingdeaflyonhisears.Herememberedthesorrowofpastoccasions,butfeltlittleof itnow.Itseemedamatterofnumbers, thougheachof thosenumbersrepresenteda lifenomore.Twenty-fourhaddiedduringtheattack.

Therewould be other burials in the cycles to come, but none tomatch the communal grievingtakingplace.TwentymorewereintheHallsofHealing,someofthemfightingwithlittlehopeagainstwounds even the Tress of Isha could not heal. This was for all of Alaitoc to feel its woe. Smallerceremonies for friends and familieswould take place after, when the spirit stones of the deceasedbecameonewiththeinfinitycircuit.

AshroudmarkedwiththeruneofArthuispassed.Korlandrilclosedhiseyes,memoriesfloodingback.

ItwastheeveoftheFestivalofIlluminations.KorlandrildancedwithThirianna,whileArthuisandMaerthuinpouredlargemeasuresfromablackcrystaldecanter.

“Whatisthatyouhavebrought?”Thiriannaaskedgaily.“Isitaspecialtreat?”She had been drinking summervine since mid-cycle and was a little unsteady on her feet.

Korlandrilrelishedtheopportunitytoholdhercloseashesupportedher,thoughnotsoclosethatitwouldbeinappropriate.

“Itisasecretfamilyrecipe,”saidArthuis.Heprofferedtwohalf-fullglassestowardsKorlandrilandThirianna.Thedancersbrokeapartandseated themselvesata low tablebeside thegentlybubblingstream that wound through the Valley of Midnight Memories. The dome lights were still bright,shining above like a hundred suns, but soon all would become as black as the deepest shadowsbetween stars, save for theghost-lightofwaystones and theglitteringornamentsworn inhair andaround necks. It was the Time of Shadow, the cycle before the Festival of Illuminations; the nightbeforeday,hiddenanddarkdelightsbeforerevealinglight.Itwasthenightthatallcouldindulgetheirpassionswithoutregret,toexpungethemselvesofthememoriesthenextcycle.

Korlandriltastedthethickliquid,whichwasasblackasthebottleitcamefrom.Therewasahintofeffervescenceaboutitandasubtlybitteredgethatsweetenedintoapleasantaftertaste.

HeraisedtheglasstoArthuisandMaerthuin.“Icongratulateyourfamilyonkeepingsuchadelectabletippleasecretforsolong!”“It’s just duskwater and nightgrape, mixed with firespice, cloudfruit and dustsugar,” laughed

Arthuis.“Becareful,ittastesinnocent,butithidesastinglikeAnacondin’sspearatitsheart!”

“Nightgrape?” said Thirianna, placing her glass on the table untouched. Her eyes flashed withanger.“Thatisnotrespectful.TotakethecropfromtheGardensofImmortalSolaceandusethemforintoxication!Whatwouldyoudoifyourgraveflowersweresoused?”

Arthuisgrinned,tookuptheglassanddowneditscontentsinonegulp.“Ifitwasfrommyplot,I’dexpectyoutochokeonit!Thememory disturbedKorlandril.He should not have recalled it—the Festival of Illuminations

shouldhave sweptawayall recollection.Whatotherdoors inhismindhadheopenedwhenhehaddrawnontheTressofIsha?”

KorlandrilclosedhiseyesandpicturedArthuisasastatue,immortalisedinblackgemstone,fullofstrongcorners,butwithahollowwithincontainingavialofhissecretmidnightcocktail.Itwouldbeafittingtributetoonewhoembracedhisdarknesssoopenly,andyetstrovesohardtobringlighttothelivesofothers.

Hisdeathwasunfortunate.Sacrificed,likesomanyothers,sothatfuturegenerationswouldknowpeace.

Korlandrilopenedhiseyesandscannedthegatheredcrowds.ManywereAspectWarriorsbutthemajority were not. None were exarchs, for tradition dictated that the priests of Khaine were notwelcomeattheseceremonies.Peddlersofdestructionwerenotallowedtomourntheirhandiwork.TotherestofAlaitoctheexarchswerealreadydead,andnonewouldmourntheirpassing,thoughtheirdeedswouldbehonouredandcherished.ThecrowdlookedonindemuresilenceasthegloriousdeadpassedthroughtheGateofFarewells,awhitearccrownedwiththegoldenruneofAlaitoc.

ThequietdisturbedKorlandril.Theseeldarhadgiventheirlives,notforquietcontemplationandrespectful peace, but for life, for the joys to be experienced by those around them and those yet tocome. Their deathswere sad but the accomplishments of their liveswere not rendered obsolete bysuchending.Eventheirspiritswouldliveonwithintheinfinitycircuit.Thiswasatransitionfromthecorporealtotheincorporeal,nottheultimateterminationoflife,andforthefirsttimeKorlandrilsawthefuneralriteswithdifferenteyes.

“Farewell, Arthuis!” Korlandril called out, raising a hand in salute to the departing body of hisfriendasitdisappearedintotheglowofthegate.“Youlivedasyouwished,anddiedmostnobly!Iwillvisityousoon!”

Korlandrilfelttheheatofagitationaroundhimandthestaresofothersfixeduponhim.Heturnedtotheeldarnexttohim,ayoungmaleeldarperhapsonlyonhisfirstPath.Theyouthwasfrowninginreproach.

“IswhatIsaynottrue?”Korlandrildemanded.“Willyouonedaybereadytogiveyourlifelikemyfriend?Wouldyouwantthoseyouhavebeencleavedfromtowhingeandwhimper,orwouldyouwantthemtoroarouttheirtributestoyou?”

“This isnottheplace…”saidanaustereeldartoKorlandril’s left.She laidahandonhisarmandpulledhimclosertowhisperinhisear.“Youdiscredityourself,andthespiritofyourfriend.”

Korlandril pulled his arm fromher grip and pushed her away.He hadmeant the contact to begentle,butshefell,landingheavily.Korlandrilstoopedtoofferherahandbutotherspushedhimasidewithpursedlipsandglaresofreproach.

Rightedoncemore,thematriarchaleldarstraightenedthefoldsofherrobeandfacedKorlandril.“You are not welcome,” she said sternly, and turned her back on him, deliberately and slowly.

Othersdidthesame,leavingKorlandrilinaspreadingcircleofisolation.“Whatneedhave I for the fawning attentions of others?” he snarled. “Once you all craved to be

knownbyme,andIindulgedyou.YouarelessthanArthuis.HeIcalledfriendanddidnotjudge,andinreturnhedidnotjudgemeandcalledmefriend.Whoelseherecouldsaythesame?”

Withalastgrowl,Korlandrilstalkedthroughtheflower-studdedmeadowtowardsthewaitingair-rider.

PARTTHREE

EXARCH

Legacy

DuringtheWarinHeaven,Khaineunleasheduntoldevilsupontheeldar.Ulthaneshatfirstrefusedtofight,claiming thequarrelofKhainewaswith theHouseofEldanesh,notall eldar.Khaine’swrathwasnot soconfinedandtherewerethoseintheHouseofEldaneshwhorememberedthebitterpartingwithUlthanesh.ThosetaintedbyKhainefelluponUlthanesh’sfollowersandtherewaswarbetweentheHouses.Khainewaspleased,butUlthaneshfinallyrelentedfromhispacifismandtookuphisspear,nottoconfronttheHouseofEldanesh, but to bringwar to the Bloody-HandedOne. Seeing their common foe was theWarGod, theHouse ofEldaneshmade theirpeacewithUlthaneshand the two fought side-by-sideas thewarriorshaddoneofold.ButtherewerethoseofbothHousessoenamouredofwarthatKhaineworkedthemagainsteachother,andtheywouldslayanyfoe,regardlessofloyalty.TheybecamecreaturesoftheBloody-HandedGodandturnedagainsttheirownkind.

ThelongerKorlandrilspentattheshrine,thelesshethoughtofdeath.Hewassurroundedbyitnow,its messenger and its target. He dimly recalled flickers from the fighting with the humans: briefvignettesofdestructionandslayinglastingnolongerthanaheartbeat.Therecollectionsbroughtnosensationwith them, likeaplaywithnowords,ora silentopera.Theywere simply things thathadhappened.

Oneparticular cycle after training,Korlandrilmentioned this inpassing toArhulesh.His fellowStrikingScorpionstoppedinhisstrideanddirectedapenetratinglookatKorlandril.

“Youarerememberingscenesofbloodshed?”“Justimages,”repliedKorlandril.“Doyounot?”“No!NorwouldIwishto.Icanfeelthosememoriesinsideme,downintheshadowsofmyspirit,

andthatisenoughtomakemesickenwithguiltandwoe.”“Idonotunderstand.Weallknowthatwehavedrawnbloodandslain.Itisirrefutablefact.Weare

AspectWarriors; it iswhatwe have trained to do. I amno longer an Artist but I can still visit thesculpturesIcreated.”

“There is a difference between intellectual acknowledgement and emotional connection. Yoursculpturesweretheproductofyouractions,notthememoryofthem.Tellme,Korlandril,whatdiditfeelliketosculptyourfirstmasterpiece?”

“Itwas…”Korlandrilfoundered.Hewasnotsureoftheanswer.“Therewasasenseofachievement,forcertain.Andrelease.Yes,definitelyamomentofcreativereleasewhenitwascompleted.Muchlike

thesurgeofenergyIfeltinmyfirstbattle.”“Thisisdangerous!”criedArhulesh,backingawayfromKorlandril.“Yourfrightisunwarranted,”saidKorlandril,extendingahandtoplacatehiscompanion.“What

hassoshockedyou?”“Youcompareactsofcreationanddestruction.Thatisnothealthy.Ifyoucontinueinthisway,you

willrememberthejoyyoufelt,andthatwouldsignalsomethingverygraveindeed.”“Whydoyouseparatedeathfromlife,destructionfromcreation,insuchanarbitraryway?”“Becausecreationcanbeundone,butdestructioncannot!Youmaycometohateastatuethatyou

crafted, and can smash it to a thousandpieces, but thememory of itwill remain. It is not sowithdeath.Youcanneverbringbackthosewhohavebeenslain;youcannotgrantthemthegiftofIsha.Astheactcannotbeundone,thememorymustnotremain.”

“Korlandrilstillwearshismask,sincethelastbattle,andhecannotremoveit.”KorlandrilandArhuleshspuntoseeAranarhawalkingoutofKenainath’schambers.TheDeadly

Shadowexarchwasclosebehind.“Itwouldbetoosoon,moreswiftlythanIhaveseen,Iamnotsosure,”saidKenainath.“Hehas confessed ithimself, seeswhatour eyes see, voiced thatwhichwehearwithin,” replied

Aranarha.“No,thatisnottrue!”snappedKorlandril.“Iperformedtherituals;Iremovedmywar-mask.”“Thenyouhavenothingtofear,walkfromthisdarkplace,gointothelightoutside,”saidAranarha,

histonechallenging.“Ishall!”declaredKorlandril.HeturnedtoArhulesh,whostilleyedhimwarily.“Come,myfriend,let

usgototheMeadowsofFulfilmentandyoucantellmemoreofElissanadrin.”HehookedanarmunderArhulesh’sanddraggedhimtowardsthedoor.Astheywalkeddownthe

passageway,theadmonishingvoiceofKenainathdriftedafterthem,hiswordsintendedforhisfellowexarch.

“Thatwasamistake,confrontationfillshismind;hewillseekafoe.”“Ignorethem,”Korlandrilsaidwithaforcedlaugh.“Theyarejealousofourfreedom.”Arhuleshsaidnothing.

ArhuleshextricatedhimselffromKorlandril’sinvitationshortlyafterthetwohadlefttheshrine,citingaformerappointment.Korlandrilconsideredhisoptions.

Hefeltnodesiretosculpt,therewerealreadythreehalf-finishedworksinhischambersandnoneofthemappealed.Hewasnothungryorthirsty.HisattempttoinveigleArhuleshintoanoutinghadbeenbornemoreoutofboredomthanadesireforcompany.

He decided that Elissanadrinwould be able to drag him from the ennui that had slowly grownwithin him since the last battle. She was a Striking Scorpion and would understand the tediumKorlandrilfelt.

Hefoundaninfinitycircuitterminalnotfarfromtheshrineportal,hopingtolocateElissanadrin.Placing his hand upon the crystal interface, Korlandril attempted to align with the pulsing spiritswithin. The connection was fleeting, the energy of the infinity circuit reluctant to conform to his

requests.Korlandrilwasnospiritseerandhadnomeanstocommunewiththeinfinitycircuittodivineits agitation. He removed his fingers from the crystal, concentrated his thoughts more clearly onElissanadrin,andtriedagain.

Asbefore,KorlandrilexperiencedthebriefestglimmersofAlaitoc,envisagingthecraftworldasawhole,butwasnotabletodetectanypresenceofElissanadrin.Perturbed,hesteppedawayfromtheinterface. The passageway was devoid of other eldar who might assist him, so Korlandril headedtowardstheDomeofMidnightForests,theentrancetowhichwasashortwalkaway.

ThebrightlightofthepathgavewaytothemorediffusetwilightofthedomeasKorlandrilpassedthrough the wide arch into the trees. This part of the parkland was sparsely traversed due to itsproximitytoseveralAspectshrines.Korlandrilheadedtowardsthelakesatthecentre,knowingthemtobeapopularhauntofmanyArtistsandPoets.PerhapshewouldseeAbrahasil.HehadnotmethismentorsincefirstgoingtotheDeadlyShadow.

As Korlandril walked through the trees, his thoughts broke in many directions. Memories ofencounters beneath the shady foliage flickered through hismind, but he did not linger on any inparticular.Theshadesoftheleavesintriguedhim,movingintopurplishautumnalhue.Thesoftnessofthegrassunderfootwaswelcoming.Heranhishandsacrossthecraggybarkofalianderin,hisfingersdetectingeverywhorlandknot.

Allthesethoughtsoccupiedhim,buttheycouldnotdriveouthisforemostexperiences.Apatchoflightmightrevealhimandhekepttotheshadows.Hechangeddirectionatirregularintervalssoasnottoapproachhistargetfromadirectline.Heconstantlyscannedrootholesandbranchesforsignsofdanger,thoughtheDomeofMidnightForestswasdevoidofanythreatlargerthanadawnfalcon.

Korlandril’sparanoiagrewasheheardfleetingvoicesfromahead.Hehadcoveredaconsiderabledistance, unaware of the passage of time. The twilight was darkening through the heavy canopy,signalling the beginning of the dome’s night cycle. He had entered not long after the Time ofCleansingatmid-cycle.

Theglitterofwatercouldbeseenbetweenthetrees.Therewasmovementandafigureappearedonapathahead.

Korlandrilwasbehindtheconcealingbulkofatreebeforeherealisedit,clingingtotheshadowlikeaspideronitsweb.Fromhishidingspot,Korlandrileyedthearrival.Shewasalittleshorterthanhim,withblackandgoldhairswepthighfromherpaleforehead.Hersoftwhitetunichadalongtailthatdanced in the subtle dome breeze, twisting on itself and curving invitingly in her wake. She waslaughing,acrystalreaderinhand,eyesfocussedonitspaledisplay.

“Forgivemyintrusion,”saidKorlandril,steppingontothepath.Themaidenshriekedandthereaderfellfromhergrasp.Shecaughtitbeforeithitthewoodbarkof

thepath,swiftlystraighteningasKorlandrilapproached,ahandheldoutinapology.“Ididnotmeantostartleyou,”hesaid.“Whywouldyousneakuponmelikethat?”shedemanded.Nowthatshehadbeengivenamoment

tostudyKorlandril,shetookafearfulstepback.Hervoicewassubdued.“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”Korlandril could not fathom the cause of her disquiet. He had surprised her, but that did not

warrantsuchaguardedreaction.

“Ihaveaquestion.Haveyouexperiencedanyproblemswiththeinfinitycircuitoflate?”“Ihavenot,”shesaidstiffly.Hertonewasclipped,herlanguageformalandcold.Thoughtheywere

strangers,therewasnoreasonforsuchbadmanners.“Itwasasimpleenoughrequest,”saidKorlandril.“Idonotunderstandyourhostility.”“NorIyours,”shesaid,turningaway.“Leavemealone.”Korlandrilstooddumbfoundedasshestrodequicklybacktowardsthelakes.Hetookamomentto

reviewwhathadhappened.Korlandrilwasbehindtheconcealingbulkofatreebeforeherealisedit,clingingtotheshadowlike

aspideronitsweb.Fromhishidingspot,Korlandrileyedthearrival.Shewasalittleshorterthanhim,withblackandgoldhairswepthighfromherpaleforehead.Hersoftwhitetunichadalongtailthatdanced in the subtle dome breeze, twisting on itself and curving invitingly in her wake. She waslaughing,acrystalreaderinhand,eyesfocussedonitspaledisplay.

“Forgivemy intrusion,” saidKorlandril, stepping forwards intoClawwithRisingSun, rightarmcrookedreadytodefend,leftarmraisedforastrike.

Themaidenshriekedandthereaderfellfromhergrasp.Shecaughtitbeforeithitthewoodbarkofthepath,swiftlystraighteningasKorlandrilapproached,movingforwardsinacrabwisefashion,rightarmextendedinLungingSerpent.

“Ididnotmeantostartleyou,”hesaid,shiftingtothepostureofrepose.Korlandril looked at her retreating back, wondering how it was he had slipped into the ritual

postureswithouteffort,andwhyhehadnotbeenawareofit.Thetwoversionsofthesameeventviedin hismind—the one the experience as it had happened, the second hismore conscious reflectionuponit.

The stranger’s fearful and angry reaction proved that his recollection of eventswas true; it hadbeenhisexperienceofthemthatwasamiss.Hehadstalkedherlikeprey.Troubled,Korlandrilturnedaway from the lakesandheadedback into thewoodsas the lightdimmedand theMidnightForestearneditsname.

Korlandril could not think. There were too many distractions: rustling leaves, skittering insects,hootingbirds,yelpingcreatures.

Hetried tocentrehis thoughtsbuteverymovement triggeredhis instinctsandhewas instantlyaware,eyesfixedonasnufflingthorn-eaterorearspitchedtodetectthenextbeatofawingoverhead.EventhegentleswayingofthetreesandthedapplingofMirianathir’slightdemandedhisattention,eachshiftingshadowrequiringhisscrutinybeforehecouldsettleagain.

Formostof thenightcyclehesat frustrated in thegrove, far fromthepathsusedby loversandphilosophers,tryingtoattainameasureofequilibrium.

Frustrated,asthedome’sfielddepolarisedtoletthroughmoreofthedyingstar’srays,KorlandrilquithisattemptsatmeditationandheadedfortheDeadlyShadow.

Korlandrilfoundtheshrineempty,orthosepartstowhichhehadaccess.HesuspectedKenainathwaspresent somewhere—where else would the exarch be?—but the chamber of armour and hall of

weaponsweredeserted.Insilence,themantrarunningthroughhishead,Korlandrilequippedhimselffortraining.

He went through his opening routines with ease, stringing together a series of attacks anddefences to loosen his muscles, tightened by his unsettling experience in the forest. As he wentthrough thesemotions, he began to frame the shadow-foe in hismind, readying himself formoreextremeexertions.

Hefoundthatzoneofcontrolandinstincthedesired,hischainswordflickeringinandoutathiswhim, weaving a deadly dance of blade alongside imaginary shurikens and bursts from hismandiblasters.

Korlandrilstopped,halfwaybetweenRisingClawandSerpentfromShadow.Hisshadow-preyhadaface.Severalinfact.Thefacesofthehumanshehadkilled.Hesawthem

morphingintoeachother,eyesdead,mouthsagape.With a laugh, Korlandril slashed at the apparition’s throat, taking the head clean off. Its ghost

whisperedawayintocloudyshredsanddisappeared.Korlandrilcontinuedhistrainingwithoutit.Heneedednoimaginaryfoetofight;hehaddrawnrealbloodandtakenreallives.

Hepractised formostof thecycleandwasquitewearyby the timehehunguphischainswordandtook off his armour. Despite his fatigue, his mind was still aflame, not the least satiated by hisexertion.Hungerandthirstgnawedathim,butitwasnotjustforfoodanddrinkthathecraved.Hewantedsomethingtooccupyhimself.Heneededsomeentertainment.

HefoundtheothersattheCrescentoftheDawningAgesandsatwiththem,afullplatteronthetablebeforehim.

“I am of a mind to hear a recital, or perhaps see a theatrical performance,” he told the othersbetweenmouthfulsoffood.“Somethingstirring,withdrama,andperhapsalittlebitofsensuousness.”

“There is a rendition ofAeistian’s Tryst in theDome of CallousWinters,” Elissanadrin told him,helpingherselftothecarafeofsummervineArhuleshhadbroughttothetable.

“Toorhetorical,”Korlandrilreplied.“There’saWeavingof theFiligrees in theHallofUnendingLabours,”suggestedArhulesh.Hiseyes

flickeredbetweenKorlandrilandElissanadrininasuggestivemanner.“Perhapsthetwoofyoucouldattend.”

Korlandrilconsideredthisforamoment,butdismissedtheidea.Hedidnotwanttobedistractedduring his first congress with Elissanadrin. The more he thought about it, the less appealing thenotionofphysicalintimacywithhiscompanionbecame.

Heshookhishead.“Wecould race skyrunnersalong theEmeraldStraits, I’vealwayswanted to try that,” suggested

Elissanadrin.Korlandrilsighed.“It’snotasdangerousorthrillingasitlooks,notifyou’veanyexperiencewithaskyrunneratall.”“I’mnotgoingtowastemytimewiththis,”saidArhulesh,standingup.“It’sclearthatyouhaveno

appetiteforanysuggestionImightmake.Enjoythesummervine.”

“Wait!”Korlandrilcriedout.“Iamsurewecanthinkofsomething.Ijustwanttofindsomethingtokilltime.”

All within earshot turned towards Korlandril. Across the Crescent of Dawning Ages a shockedsilencedescended.

“Whatareyouallstaringat?”raspedKorlandril,risingangrilytohisfeet.“Havenoneofyoueversufferedfromamomentaryboredomthatcannotbesatisfied?”

TherewasatightgripathiselbowandKorlandrilfelthimselfdraggedbacktothebench.“You cannot say something like that!” hissed Elissanadrin. Her expression was a mixture of

exasperationandshock.“Wasitmytone?DidIraisemyvoicetoomuch?”Elissanadrin’s lookturnedto incredulityandhermouthopenedtwicewithoutwords.Korlandril

consideredhiswordsinnocentenough,buthisexperienceintheDomeofMidnightForestsgavehimamomentofdoubt.Hereviewedthepastfewmoments.

“Wecould race skyrunnersalong theEmeraldStraits, I’vealwayswanted to try that,” suggestedElissanadrin.

Korlandrilsighed,hislipsturningtoascornfulsneer.“It’snotasdangerousorthrillingasitlooks,notifyou’veanyexperiencewithaskyrunneratall.”“I’mnotgoingtowastemytimewiththis,”saidArhulesh,standingup.“It’sclearthatyouhaveno

appetiteforanysuggestionImightmake.Enjoythesummervine.”“Wait!”Korlandrilcriedout.“Iamsurewecanthinkofsomething.Ijustwanttofindsomethingto

kill.”Korlandrilrosebackoutofthememorywithshock.“Killtime!”hebarked.“Iwanttofindsomethingtokilltime!”Elissanadrin appeared unconvinced. Korlandril was about to argue his point, that it was an

innocentslipofthetongue,buthestoppedhimself.Korlandril’s whirring blade opened the first along the spine from neck towaist, showering the

AspectWarriorwithbloodandfragmentsofvertebrae,creatingaharmonyofwetspattersandbonypattering.

Themomenthadbeensweet indeed.Allhehadrememberedbeforehadbeenthefaces,butnowtheartistrywithwhichhehadwieldedhisweaponscamebacktoKorlandril.Andthesensation…Thehintofitsentathrillthroughhim,rousinghisblood,makingeverydetailofhissurroundingsstandoutinsharpdetail.Elissanadrin’sbreathonhischeekandthescentofgladesunsinherhair.Theheatfromherbody.Evenherblood,pulsingthoughherarteriesandveins,flushingjustbeneaththeskin.

Whatarich,redpaintitwouldmake.“Idonotlikethewayyouarestaringatme,”shesaid,pullingbackfromKorlandril.Withashudder,Korlandrilforcedhimselftofocus.Hestoodup,gaveastiffbowofapology,and

fled.

TheShrineoftheDeadlyShadowwouldnotwelcomebackKorlandril.Hehadtriedtheentrancesofwhichhewasawareandnoneofthemwouldopenathisapproach.Eventheinfinitycircuitrefusedto

acknowledge his presence. Unsure what this presaged or what course of action to take, Korlandrilresortedtoreturningtothemaingatewayandbangingupontheiris-doorwithhisfist.

“Isthisyourdoing,Kenainath?”hedemanded,hisvoiceechoingcoldlyaroundtheaccessway.Hisdemandwasmetwith silenceandhe stood fumingand impotent for some time.Ashewas

abouttoturnaway,thedoorpeeledopentorevealKenainathinfullarmour,completewithhelm.“Youarenotwelcome;Iamexarchofthisplace,yourshrineiselsewhere.”Kenainath’svoicewasflat,emotionless.Korlandriltookastepforwardsbuthaltedwhentheexarch

raisedhisclaw.“ThisiswhereIbelong!Youcannotcastmeout.”“You have lost your way, youmust find another shrine, it is tradition. The Path ends for you;

Khainehastakenyourspirit,youareanexarch.”“Nonsense!”Korlandril’slaughwasharsh.“Onedoesnotbecomeanexarchaftertwobattles.This

isridiculous.”“Your journey was short, but now it is completed, youmust accept it. There are other shrines,

emptyandwithoutleaders,onewillcalltoyou.Asitwaswithme,asitwaswithallofus,thosetrappedonthePath.Wewillmeetagain,notmasterandhispupil,butastwoequals.”

“Tha—”The door whispered shut, cutting off Korlandril’s retort. He slumped against the wall, head in

hands.Itmadenosensetohim.HehadbarelytakentwostepsuponthePathoftheWarrior.Therecouldbenowayhewastrapped.Somethinghadgonewrong,buthewasnoexarch.

Takingadeepbreath,Korlandrilstraightened,fistsclenched.Hewouldnotacceptthiswithoutafight.

Hetookseveralstepsawayfromthedoorandthenhalted.Self-realisationblossomedwithinhim.Themorehe fought this fate, the tighter itsgriphadbecome.Whatwas ithewas fightingagainst?Himself?Thirianna?Aradryan? Itwassenseless, this craving forconfrontation.The listlessness thathadfilledKorlandrilsincereturningfromthebattleagainstthehumansnaggedathim.Woulditlastforever?Wouldheeverberidofthedrifting,formlessfeelingthatconsumedhim?

Kenainathwasright.Korlandrilcravedthatdancebetweenlifeanddeath,morethananythinghehad craved in his life—adulation, recognition, self-awakening, allwere trivial in comparison to therushofbloodfromwarandtheexquisitedelightofafoeslainandavictoryachieved.

Therewasoneplaceleftthatmightprovidehimwiththeanswersheneeded.MovingawayfromtheDeadlyShadow,Korlandril locatedabayofskyrunners.Takingone,heturnedontheautomaticguidanceandenteredtheChamberofAutarchsashisdestination.Thoughtsa-whirl,hegunnedtheenginesintolifeandspedaway.

ThemassiveaudiencehallwasemptysaveforKorlandril.Hepacedaroundthebroadsteps,lookingatthelongcirclesofrunesaroundthecentralplatform,eachanAspectshrine.Somewerewornthinbygenerations of feet, others as bright as the day they had been inscribed. As he circled slowly, herecognisedthepattern.Theoldestshrineswereatthecentre,manyofthemDireAvengers,StrikingScorpions,HowlingBanshees,SwoopingHawksandDarkReapers.Therewereduplicates,theirrunes

carefulvariationsoftheirparentshrines,eachmovingfurtherfromthedais.Newrunesappeared,ofAspects unknown before—Crystal Dragons,Warp Spiders, Shining Spears. Outwards and onwardsthehistoryofAlaitoc’swarriorpastspiralled.

On the innermost step,Korlandril stopped.HestoodonaStrikingScorpion rune.Examining itclosely, he read its name in the simple curls and curving cross-strokes. Hidden Death. It wasunfamiliar,thoughhewassurehedidnotknowthenameofeveryAspectshrineonAlaitoc.

InhidinghehadcometotheAspectWarriors,andindeathhewastrapped.Itseemedtomakeaformofsense.WasthiswhatKenainathhadmeant?

Korlandril quickly returned to the skyrunner and entered the Shrine of Hidden Death as hisdestination. Lifting into the air, the skyrunner turned a half-circle and then darted towards therimward exit from the chamber. This led into the labyrinth of tunnels Korlandril had seen whencoming from the Deadly Shadow. Left, right, and then ascending through a vertical fork, theskyrunnerclimbedtowardsthedocksideareaofAlaitoc,gainingspeed.ThewindpulledatKorlandril’shair and face and tugged hard at his flapping robes as the skyrunner banked sharply to the rightaroundacurve,spirallingdownwardsoncemore,flashingpastotherjunctions.

Evenwith the considerable speed of the skyrunner, Korlandrilwas able tomemorise the route,ingrainingeverytwistandchangeofdirectionintohismind.Thefurtherheflew,thegreaterhishopessurged.Itwasnotthethrillofspeedthatfilledhim,butthesenseofbelongingheyearnedfor.Alongthetunnelsandconcoursestheskyrunnertookhimcloserandclosertohisdestiny.Itsanginhisearswiththethumpofhisheartbeat,coursingthrougheveryfibre.

ThiswasthecallmentionedbyKenainath.ItwastheTimeofContemplationbeforetheskyrunnerbegantoslow,perhapshalfwayaroundthe

rim of Alaitoc from the Deadly Shadow, nearly as far away as it was possible to get. Was thiscoincidence?Korlandrilwasquicktodismisstheidea.Therewasnocoincidenceatplay.Theinfinitycircuit, thegreatmindofAlaitoc,hadguidedhimhere,bysomemeansorother.Korlandrildidnotfoolhimselfthatheunderstoodeverythingthatwashappening,butwascontenttobebuffetedalongon its tide for themoment.Hehadwandered from thePath andbecome lost; itmatterednotwhoguidedhimnow.Onlyasinglehoperemained—tofindthepeaceofbattlehesosorelymissed.

The skyrunner came to a halt outside an inconspicuous archway, sealed with a solid gate of deepemeraldcolour.Dismounting,Korlandrildismissedtheskyrunneranditspedoffaroundabendinthecorridor.Hesitantly,fearfulthatthisplacewouldrejecthimalso,Korlandrilapproachedthegates.

Withasigh,theyswunginwardsandawashofwarmairbillowedouttoengulfKorlandril inanairyembrace.Heclosedhiseyes,savouringthesmellofstrongspiceandthelighttouchofthebreezeonhis flesh, thebrightness throughhiseyelidsasofasuncloseathand.Opening them,heblinkedtwicetosettlehiseyesightandlookeduponhisnewhome.

Lowdunes of red sand stretched across thedome, their boundaries obscuredby distance.Herethere grew scrubby patches of candlewood, their violet blossoms small but pungent. A burning orbhunglowtohisleft,likeanimpossiblyclosesun,andevenasKorlandrilwatcheditsankfurtherandfurtherfromview,untilallthatremainedwasaduskyglow,thoughtherestofAlaitocwasperhapsnot

muchpastmid-cycle.Korlandrilthrewoffhisbootsandrobeandundidthetiesfromhishair,lettingallfallfree.Bare-

footedandnaked,hecrossedthe thresholdandwalked into thesandyswathes, feelingtheparticlesbeneathhissoles,slidingbetweenhistoes.

Unnoticed,thegatesswishedshutbehindhim.Korlandrilwanderedthisnewworldscapeforsometime,gettingafeelforhispositionandforits

atmosphere.Itwaslikenootherdomehehadseen.Theartificialsundisappeared,leavingonlyaredhaze. Far in the distance he could see the glimmer of a forcefield and the glow ofMirianathir.Heheadedtowardsit.

Approachingthecentreofthedesert,hisfootprintsgentlysweptawaybythebreeze,Korlandrilfeltatremor.Stopping,helocatedthesourceofthedisturbance,somewayofftohisleft.Asheheadedinthatdirectionthetremorsbecamestronger,sendingwavesofsandcascadingdownthedune-sides.

Crestingaparticularlyhighdune,Korlandrilcameuponadeepcrater-likebowl,edgedwithathin,high wall. The sands within the wall danced and bounced in agitation. With a rushing of sand,somethingeruptedfromthebowl,theredgrainspouringfromthesteppedshelvesofitsstructure.Itwasaziggurat,alittlesmallerthantheShrineoftheDeadlyShadow,madeofyellowrock.TheforceofitsarrivalalmostthrewKorlandrilfromhisfeetasthesandsslippedfromunderneathhim.

Awhite lightglowed fromtheslit-likewindowsanddoorwaysof the lowest level.Witha joyousshout,Korlandrilrandowntheslopetowardstheshrine.Hepausedatthelowdoorway—barelyhighenough to enter without stooping—and took a deep breath. The act did nothing to quell theexcitementhefelt.ThisplacewaslikeaDreamingmadereal.Korlandriltouchedtheroughsurfaceofthedoorwaytoassurehimselfthatitwasnophantasm.Thelightspillingfromtheshrinefeltthickinhishandsandheavyonhisskin,butthestoneswererealenough.

As he stepped into the doorway, almost blinded, the light vanished, plunging all into darkness.Korlandril’sheartquaveredforamomentandhestopped,takenabackbythesuddenchange.Ashiseyesadjusted,hebecameawareofaredglow,comingfromaroundacornerahead.Walkingquickly,hefollowedthepatchofdimlight,turningleftfromthemainpassageintoasidechamber.Theglowwasstronger,comingfromanarchwayopposite,throughwhichsevensteepstepsleddownintotheshrine.Coming to aU-shaped landing,Korlandrilwas confrontedby twomore archways.The lightcamefromtheleft,nowstrongenoughforhimtoseethewallstoeitherside.

AlongmorecorridorsandthroughmorearchesKorlandrilfollowedthestrengtheningglow,untilitbroughthimtoa low-ceilingedroommuch liketheDeadlyShadowduellingchamber.Therewasnocircle upon the floor but a stand holding an elaborate suit of armour. It was from the red gemsencrustingthedarkgreenplatesthatthelightwascoming.Therewasmovementinthelight;thegemswerespiritstones.Seveninall,eachcontainingtheessenceofadeadeldar.

Korlandril stoodbefore thesuit,admiring thecurveof itsplates, thesolidityof itspresence.Hereachedahandoutand touched thebreastplate.Hiswaystone flared in response, itsglowmergingwith the spirit stones of the armour. A glimmer of a memory fluttered across Korlandril’sconsciousnessandhesnatchedhishandback.

Thememorywasgone.Perhapshehadimaginedit.

Walking around the armour, Korlandril studied it closely. It was heavier than normal Aspectarmour,theplatesreinforcedwithadditionalspinesandribbingoverlaidingold.Thecraftsmanshipwasexquisite,everycurveandlineaharmonyoffunctionalityandstyle.Korlandrilranafingeralongthebackofagauntlet,shiveringwithanticipation.

Asparkofrecollectionjoltedhimawayagain.“Thisismine,”hewhispered,hisvoiceswallowedbythechamber.Yours…Thevoicewasnotavoice,butathought.WasitKorlandril’sownthoughts,orsomethingelse?“I

shallbetheHiddenDeath.”HiddenDeath…Thethought-echolastedforamomentanddisappeared,leavingnotraceinhismemory.Korlandrilstaredatthearmourforalongwhile,wonderingwhohadcreatedit,whohadwornit,

whichenemieshadfallentoitswearers.Answers…Thetimeforhesitationandcontemplationwasover.Forgoodor ill,Korlandrilhadcometothis

place—beenledtoit?—anditwasherethatthingswouldchange.Foronewhofearedchangesomuchitwasthefinalanswer.Hewouldchangenomore.HewouldbecometheHiddenDeathandremainsountilhewasslain.Hecouldsurrenderwillingly,leavethedoubtsbehind,thestruggletoadaptwouldbenomore,thewarwithinwouldbecalledtruce.

Allhehadtodowasacceptwhathadbecomeofhimandputonthearmour.“War,death,blood,allthatremains.IamExarchKorlandril.”ExarchMorlaniath.ThenamemeantnothingtoKorlandril,saveforthemostdistantshimmerofarecollection,though

hecouldnotplaceit.Itwassomeoneelse’smemoryofamythKorlandrilhadonceheard,orthenameonekeepsforoneselfandnevershareswithanother.

Thetimehadcome.Ashetookthearmourfromthestand,hewhisperedthemantrathatwouldhavehimtakeuphis

war-maskforevermore.Unbidden,thewordschangedbetweenbrainandtongue,buthespokethemsurely,asifthiswasthewayhehadalwaysmeanttosaythem.

“Thepeacehasbeenbroken,balancefallstodiscord,onlybattleremains.”Ashadow-voicejoinedhisashedrewonthefirstpartsofthearmour.“Nowwearrayourselves,withbloodyKhaine’sraiment,asatruewarrior.”Nowwearrayourselves,withbloodyKhaine’sraiment,asatruewarrior.Images flashed through his mind: memories not of his life. His mind burned with pain, his

thoughtsstretchingtoaccommodateawholenewlifetime’sworthofexperiences.Facesoffriendshehadnevermet,ofparentswhohadnotcreatedhim,offoeshehadneverslain.Somanydeadfaces,thousandsofthem,inatorrentofanguishanddeath,andthroughoutalla jubilantlaughterranginhisears.

Andfinallyamomentofblackness,ofagonyandending.As an automaton, Korlandril continued with the armour, the next line of the mantra barely a

breathfromhislips,anothervoicetakingitupinhismind.“InKhaine’sownironskin,wecladourselvesforwar,whilefireburnshotwithin.”InKhaine’sOwnIronSkin,WeCladOurselvesForWar,WhileFireBurnsHotWithin.Another storm ofmemories,more pain,more death. Korlandril tried to fix upon something he

knewtobehisownlife.HeranhisfingersthroughAuriellie’ssapphirehair,kissingherneck,hersharpcheeksilluminated

byfirelight.No!Thatwasnothismemory.Hehadneverdone that.HehadneverknownAuriellie.He tried

again, but themantra continued to spill fromhimandhewas swept away on another tide of falserecollection.

“TheironbloodofKhaine,fromwhichwedrawourstrength,growsgreaterwithinus.”THEIRONBLOODOFKHAINE,FROMWHICHWEDRAWOURSTRENGTH,GROWSGREATERWITHINUS.

“Battlecomesuponus;webearitsdarkburden,uponourbroadshoulders.”BATTLECOMESUPONUS;WEBEARITSDARKBURDEN,UPONOURBROADSHOULDERS.

Smallerandsmaller,vanishingtoasinglepoint.Korlandril’sindividualitywasengulfedbythetideofpersonalitiesfromthespiritstones.Hedrownedindarkness, flailingtoretainsomesenseofselfagainstthetorrentheapinguponhisfrailmind.

“CometostandbeforeKhaine,unyieldinginourfate,freefromalldoubtandfear.”COMETOSTANDBEFOREKHAINE,UNYIELDINGINOURFATE,FREEFROMALLDOUBTANDFEAR.

Thedeadnumberedintheirtensofthousands.Countlesslivesextinguishedatthehandsofthosewhohadwornthisarmour.Creaturesofallraces,somewarriors,manynot.VictimsofKhaine’sbloodymurders.

Korlandrilwailedwiththelastvestigesofhisgrief,givinghis lastcompassionforthosethathadbeenkilled,savingnoneforthosetocome.

“Wedonotfleefromdeath;westrideinKhaine’sshadow,proudlyandwithnofear.”WEDONOTFLEEFROMDEATH;WESTRIDEINKHAINE’SSHADOW,PROUDLYANDWITHNOFEAR.

WESTRIKEFROMTHEDARKNESS,ASTHESWIFTSCORPION,WITHAMOSTDEADLYTOUCH.

SEENOTWITHEYESALONE,BUTALLOWRAGETOFLOW,LETKHAINE’SGIFTCOMFORTYOU.

Korlandrilwasallbutgone,aswirlofmotesinafargreaterconsciousness.

Morlaniathreturned.Theexarchopenedeyesclosedforanageandturnedtothegreatdouble-handedbitingbladeuponthewallbehind.Takingitup,Morlaniathrememberedtheweapon’sname:TeethofDissonance.Liketwo loversofoldmeeting,Morlaniathandthe immensechainswordbecameasone,theexarchstrokingahandalongthe lengthof thecasing.Morlaniath’s fingertipsdancedacrossthepointofeveryblade.Takingupareadystance,Morlaniathwilledtheweapontolife,stirringherfromalongsleep.Herpurringwasas smoothaswhenshehad firstbeenbaptised inblood.Together they

wouldbringdeathagain.

Rebirth

WhentheWarinHeavenwasatitsheight,thefollowersofKhainenumberedmany.TheyweredirefoestotheChildrenofEldaneshandUlthanesh,fortheyhadgiveninwhollytotheirbloodlust.Yet,one-by-onetheChampions of Khaine fell. Khaine would not relinquish his servants so easily, and kept their spirits,armouringandarmingthemtocontinuethewar.Thoughtheywereasbloody-handedastheirmaster,thesewarriors also were defeated and fell. Still Khaine would not release them. Despite Khaine’s threats andtorturestheSmith-God,Vaul,wouldforgenomorearmourandarmsfortheBloody-HandedGodtorebuildhis armies. Khaine would not release his grip on those that had sworn themselves to his cause, and hecrushedthemtogetherinhis ironfist,sothatseveralwouldfightasone,sharingsuchweaponsasKhainecouldspare.

Filledwith thewrathofKhaine, thespirit-warriors slewmanyofEldaneshandUlthanesh’s children.Yetsuchwastheirangerthesespiritsfelltofightingamongstthemselves.Eachspirit-partviedforcontrolofthewholeandtheysplintered.Khaine’sspiritarmyfelltoruinasthespiritsfinallyfledhisgrip.

Itwasaplaceofbonesandskulls,wherebloodrainedfromthunderousskiesandtheclashofbladesandscreamsofthedyingsoundedacrossanunendingplain.

He floundered through the bones, slipping and fallingwith every other step.He cast about forsomesenseofplaceordirection,seeingnothingbutdeath.Hecalledoutbutthewindwhippedawayhisvoiceassoonasitlefthislips.Hewaslost.Alone.Whatwashisname?Whowashe?

Heexaminedtheskulls,smallandlarge:eldar,human,threeshan,ork,demiurg,tyranidandmanyothers.Tinywitchlightsglowedintheireyes.Hepickedupamisshapenhead,itssnoutpronounced,theeyessetwide,a ridgeofbonynodulesacross itsbrow.Hestareddeep into theeyes,connectingwithintheremnantsofspiritwithin.

Theskyburnedwithblackflameswhiledazzlingyellowbeamscriss-crossedtheruinsofanaliensettlement.TheHrekhpouredoutoftheirstilt-leggedtowers,runningonbow-legs,gunschatteringintheirlongarms.Hesprangeasilyaside,muddywatersplashinguparoundhislegsasheranthroughthesluggishriver.Vyperjetbikesscreamedpast,theirgunnersdirectingtorrentsofscatter laserfireinto thewood and stone towers, gunningdown theHrekhby thedozen.He leapt up to awalkwayabovetheshallowlake,pullinghimselfovertherailinoneeasymotion.TheHiddenDeathfollowed,their mandiblasters crackling, shuriken pistols spitting. Pursued by the gleaming jetbikes of theShiningSpears,aHrekhclanleaderhurriedaroundthecorner,lookingoveritsshoulder.Hepounced,

drivingtheTeethofDissonancebetweenthecreature’sswayingpapstoeruptfromitsback.Herippedthebitingbladefreeandkickedthecorpseintothewater.

Theskulldroppedfromhisfingersandthememorydisappeared.Howmanythousandsofdeathswerecollectedhere?Howwouldhefindonethatherecognised?Hepickedupanother skull, of ahuman,but in the first flashof recollectionheknew itdidnot

belong tohim.He threw it to thegroundandstampedon it,but the skullonlybouncedaway frombeneathhisnakedfoot.

Somewheretherewasamemorythatwashis.Heneededtokeeplooking.

Dim red light reflected from themock-stonewalls of the chamber.He lookeddownand saw sandyfootprintsonthefloor.Hisfootprints.Thatwasconfusing.Forthreegenerationshehadwaitedinthechamber,waitedtobefoundbytheonewhoansweredhiscall.

Whowashe?WeAreMorlaniath.Thethoughtswerehis,butnothisalone.Othersstaredoutofhiseyeswithhim,flexedhisfingers

aroundthegripofthelongchainswordinhishand,feltthewhistleofairintohislungs.“WhowasI?”WeWereMorlaniath,AndIdsresail,AndLecchamemnon,AndEthruin,AndElidhnerial,AndNeruidh,And

Ultheranish,AndKorlandril.Korlandril.Thenamefocussedhisattention.Itwasnothisonlyname,butitwashismostrecent.Thisbody,

theselimbsandbrainandnervesandbone,theyhadbeencalledKorlandril.Withthisknowledge,hedelvedintohismemories,seekingthetruthofwhathadhappened.

Hewaited.Foratimelessspan,therewasonlyspirit.Ultheranish’sbodyhadbeenslain.Theyhadcarried the suit here—Kenainath, Aranarha, Liruieth and the other Striking Scorpion exarchs. Thesandspiledonthedoorsandthelightdisappeared.Itmatterednot.Onewouldcome,soonerorlater.Whatwastime?Ameaninglessmeasureofmortals.

The shrine trembled. Miniscule movement. He awoke. He could feel the anger. The shrineresonatedwithit.TheAvatarhadroused.Stillnonehadcome.Hefelldormantagain.

TheAvatarwasunleashedagain, stirringhis spirits toawareness.Nonecame.Hedidnot sleep.Therewasawhisperechoingthroughtheshrine.Sofaraway,soquiet.Helistenedandlearned.Onewouldbecoming.Hehadheard the thoughtsof theNewOne.Heshared theNewOne’sangerandrage,feltthepainofhiswound.Soon,herealised.Soonhewouldbecoming.

Hewaited.Thesandsshifted.TheNewOnewascoming.Histhoughtsranglikecymbalsaroundthechamber.ComeToMe.IAmPeace.IAmResolution.IAmTheEnding.Thesilverchainbetweenthemshortenedandhepulledharder.Theshrineresponded,throwingoff

thedetritusofgenerations.Soon.Sosoon.TheNewOneentered.He recognisedhimself.He touchedhisarmourand the twopartsofhim

becameoneforamoment.

Youarewe,andweareyou.“Thisismine,”hesaid,andheard,andreplied.Yours…TheNewOnespokeandhelistened.“IshallbetheHiddenDeath.”HiddenDeath…Therewasamomentofdoubt,of contemplation.Heknewwhathewas seeking.Hehadalways

beenseekingthesame.Hewaswhathewasseeking.Answers…TheNewOnetookupthearmourandMorlaniathbeganthechant.Gloriousreturnwasnigh.Heunderstoodnowwherehehadcomefrom.Hewasnot-Korlandril.Hewasnot-Morlaniath.He

wasboth,andothersbeside.Hewasallandtheywerehim.Heexploredhismemories.Theywereallhis,butsomehehadnotseenbefore.Timepassedina

blurofoldrelationships,battleslostandwon,friendshipslongandshort,enemiesslainandescaped,love and hate, births, romances, disappointments, old hopes and new dreams, and a half-dozenpainfuldeaths.Heflittedfromonetothenextwithouteffort,seekingnothinginparticular.

Hecameacrossonethatcausedhimtostop.Afaceheknew.Herecognisedallofthefaces,butthiswasoneoftheoldmemories,unknownbeforetothisbody.Heputanametotheface.

Bechareth.Itdidnot fitwith theothermemories.TheBecharethof thisbodywasaStrikingScorpion.The

Becharethof thememorywas somethingelse.He searched furtherback, seeking thegenesisof thememory,thestartofthestory.

HewasUltheranish, thevesselbefore thiscurrentone.Theywere in thewebway,aboardaship.Throughhigh-archedwindows,hewatchedtheglowingrivuletsofpsychicenergyswirlingpast.

Alarmssounded.Somethingelsewasinthewebway.HewasoneoftheHiddenDeath,justanotherwarrior ready to defend the starship. Not-Neruidh was exarch. He flitted between the twomemestrands,watchinghimselfasexarchandseeinghimselfthroughtheexarch’seyes.TheHiddenDeath followed the exarch into the outer corridors, waiting for the attack. Another vessel camealongside,abladed,sinisterreflectionoftheirownwarship:thekinofCommorragh.Withcuttersandforcefieldstheybreachedthehull,aswarmofraidersarmedwithsplinterriflesandcracklingblades.TheAspectWarriorsfoughtback,theHiddenDeathatthefore.

Hemetsword-to-swordwithoneoftheLostKindred,acruel-eyedwychalmostnakedsaveforafewslenderstrapsandcurvingshoulderarmour.Hisfoewasswifterthanhe,hertwindaggersdartingandweavingaroundhischainsword.Hisarmourborethebruntofherstrikes,sparksofenergyflyingfromherbladesastheystruck.Hebroughtuphispistoltoherfaceandsheducked,tobemetbytherisingpointofhischainsword.Herfacesplitintwainandshefelltotheground,herbeautifulfeaturesnowagorymess.

Othersfollowedthewyches.Theyworearmouralso,notunlikehis,thoughcolouredinblackandwhite. He recognised them immediately. Incubi. A perversion of Khaine’s Aspects, debased andimmoral.Mercenarieswithoutprincipleorcode.

Inaragehehurledhimselfattheclosest,hischainswordplungingtowardsthehelmetedhead.Theincubi swayedback,hispoweredglaive rising todeflect theattack.Spinning, the incubideliveredakicktohismidriff,sendinghimstaggering.Hischainswordflasheduptowardawayastriketowards

hischest,sendingtheglaive’sgleamingheadscreamingpasthisrightshoulder.The pair parted and circled, feinting and jabbing with their weapons. The incubi’s eye lenses

gleamed with a yellow, ghostly light. Sickened with rage, he launched another flurry of attacks,mandiblastersspitting,chainswordweavingleftandright.Theincubiduckedandswervedasidefromeachblow,thetipofhisglaivecarvingfigures-of-eightinfrontofhim.

AchancesalvofromtheStrikingScorpion’spistolcaughttheincubiinthethigh.Hefollowedupwithablisteringseriesofstrikestowardstheheadandthroat,eachcaughtatthelastmomentonthehaftoftheincubi’sweapon.Asuddenchangeofdirectionandatwisttotheleftsentthechainsword’steethintotheincubi’slowerback,sliversoftornarmoursprayingtothefloor.

Abackwardssweepcaughttheenemyaglancingblowtothesideofthehead,shearingawaypartofhis armour, splintering the eye lens on the left side of his face to reveal a glimpse of the creaturewithin.

Theincubi lookedupathimwithahorrifiedeye,handthrownupdefensively infrontofhim.Itwasthefacenot-KorlandrilknewasBechareth.

TheStrikingScorpionhadnotimeforthedeathblow;morewarriorssweptfromthepiratevessel,engulfingtheHiddenDeathinaswirlingmelee.

ThememoriesofUltheranishandnot-Ultheranishshednomorelightonwhathadhappened.Hedelvedintothepastofnot-Neruidh.

“He must be accepted, pupils are not turned away; it is not a choice.” Kenainath stood in theChamberofAutarchswithnot-Neruidh,Aranarha,Liruieth,KadonilandElronihir.BesidetheDeadlyShadowexarchstoodtheformerincubi,Bechareth,eyesdowncast,demureandsilent.Heworeaplainwhite robe from theHallsofHealing, several spirit-aligninggemshungabouthisperson toaidhisrecovery.

“Heistheenemy,oneofthedarkkin.Hecannotbeoneofus!”Kadonilwasvehement.“Thisisnodebate,Ihavemademyfinalchoice,Iwillnotchangeit.”“Whatyousay,itistrue,heisyours,”saidLiruieth,hervoicequietbutfirm.“Watchhimclose,tell

noone,workhimhard.”“Hewillbesilent,nonebutusshalleverknow,aScorpion’ssecret,”Kenainathassuredthem.Kadonil whirled away in disgust. Aranarha stalked off without a word. The remaining exarchs

noddedincompliance,anddeparted.Thoughhehadalwaysknownit,thememorywasashock.Bechareth,whohehadbefriended,who

hehadtrustedinbattle,wasnotofAlaitoc.Hewasnotevenofthecraftworlds.He feltbetrayed.Kenainathhadkept thissecret fromthemall, swearingBechareth tosilence to

protecthisownreputation.Rash.ItWasDecided.TheVoteWasAMajority.YouCannotRevisitThatDecision.IWasAlwaysDubious,ButYouWouldNotListenToMe.YouAreDubiousAboutEverything.Quiet!thoughtnot-Korlandril.ThevoicesfellsilentasMorlaniathstrainedhissenses.Someonewasapproachingtheshrine.

“Hello?”aquaveringvoicecalledout.GreetHim.LetHimWait.Whoisit?YourFirstPupil.OneToBeTaught.Sosoon?AlwaysItIsSo.ANewExarchNeedsFollowers.TheShrineCallsToThem.StirsTheirBlood.MostAreDeaf

ToMyCall.ThereWillBeMoreInTheTimesToCome.HowdoIteachhim?WeHaveTaughtManyAlready.Remember.TheFirstOfMany.HiddenDeathWillRiseAgain.

WithtremblinghandsMorlaniathtookoffhishelmet.Slowlyandprecisely,heunfastenedtheclaspsofhisarmourandtookitoffpiece-by-piece,reverentiallyplacingeachpartbackonitsstand.

Theothervoicessubsided,buttheirpresenceremained.Hisheadstillcontainednamesofthosehehadnevermet, faceshehadneverseenwith theseeyes, foesslain inbloodycombatbyhandsotherthanhis.

Cladintheundersuit,Morlaniathturnedtohisleft,knowingthatthestepsthroughthearchwaythere leddirectly to themain chamberof the shrine.He could feel thepresenceofhis first acolyte;nervous,frustratedandangry.Justashehadbeen.

Heascendedthestairwayswiftlyandsilently,enteredthemainchamberbehindtheaspirant.Thenewcomerwasyoung—youngerthanhehadbeenwhenhehadapproachedKenainath.Hecouldfeelhisanxiety,pouringoutinwaves.

“Weare theHiddenDeath;youhearkentoourcall,who is troubled inmind.”Morlaniathbarelyrecognisedhisownvoiceandwasunsure ifhehadspokenthewords.Therewasaritualcadencetothem,phrasessooft-spokeintimespastthattheyspokethemselves.

“Idreamtofariverofblood,andIbathedinit,”saidtheyoungeldar,hisvoicequerulous,hiseyesfixedonMorlaniathashesteppedslowlyacrossthechamberfloor.

“Dreamsofdeathandbloodshed,Khaine’shot touchonyourmind,ahot thirst forbattle.Thesehavebroughtyoutome,ExarchMorlaniath,thekeeperofthisshrine.Iwillleadyoutotruth,takeyouonthatdarkpath,intoyourmind’sshadows.”

“Iamafraid,exarch.”Theyouth’ssubserviencewasbothrefreshingandyetfamiliar.AsanAspectWarrior,MorlaniathhadquicklygrownusedtosuspicionanddismayfromothersnotontheWarriorPath.Nowhewasexarch,fearedbutrevered.

Hetooktheother’sarminhisgripandpulledhimtohis feet.Hefixedthewarrior-to-bewithalong stare, gauging his mood. He wondered if he had appeared as pitiful to Kenainath. So full of

ignorance,soafraidofhimself.“ThePathwillbebloody.YouwalkalongsideKhaine,andmaynotmaketheend.”Theeldarnoddeddumbly,fingersfidgetingatthelooserobehewore.“Theurgeisstronginyou,toshedbloodandbringdeath;youmuststriveforcontrol.Wewillbring

yourwar-mask,unleashyourdeath-spirit,sothatitcannothide.Youwillcontrolitswrath,itwillholdyounomore,youwillgainyourfreedom.”

“Whyhasthishappenedtome?”Suchafamiliarquestion!Heremembereditfromhisownlipsandfromdozenslikehim.Allfacedthesameshadowsintheirspirits,allhadtodealwithKhaine’sdouble-edgedgift.Whydideachoneofthembelievethemselvesdifferent?DidtheytrulythinktheywerefreeofKhaine’stouch,orthattherewouldbeatimewhenKhaine’sholdontheeldarwouldbebrokenforgood?

“Youarenotsospecial,tofeelthesedarkestmoods,andwishtoactonthem.Youarebutamortal,withamortal’snature,forthegoodandtheill.Learntoembracethisgift, loveKhaine’sdarklegacy,andyouwillmasterit.”

“I…Iamsoweak…”theeldarsobbed.“Youareatyourweakest,sowewillmakeyoustrong,strongenoughtoprevail.”Morlaniath headed towards the archway leading to the shrine’s central corridor, beckoning his

aspiranttofollow.“Weak inbodyandmind, fullofdoubtandsorrow,butwewill remove them.A farewell toyour

guilt,noremorseorlament,awarriorintruth.”Heledtheyouthoutintotheheatofthedesert,thewarmthonhisskinlikeahomecoming.Here

hehadfirstlearntthewaysoftheStrikingScorpionfromNelemin,whohadbeentaughtbyKarandrasthe Phoenix Lord. For life-after-life he had come to this place, first to learn, and then to teach,reinventinghimselfwitheachepisode,anunendinglinktothefoundingoftheStrikingScorpions.

“IamMilathradil.”Morlaniathregardedtheyouthwithoutexpression.“YouareMilathradil,oftheHiddenDeathShrine,aStrikingScorpion.”

Thenight-cycleofthedesertdomewasdryandfrigid.Morlaniathstoodatthegateoftheshrineandlookedoutoverthesands,feelingathome.Thedome’sfieldsdampenedthedyingstar, leavingonlythe faintestglimmerof scarlet to light thedunes, ever-shifting in theartificialwinds.Constantbutchanging,likeMorlaniath.Everycycle-start,attheTimeofWakening,helookedoverhisdomain.Foranagethishadbeenhisplace.Itwasstillhisplace,throughthisnewbody.

The shrine alerted him to the presence of Kenainath and Aranarha. He felt them crossing thethreshold fromthesub-strata tunnels.He turnedandmadehisway tohischambers,walkingalongfeet-worncorridorsanddownancientstepswithoutthought.

Thetwoexarchswaitedforhiminhisprivatearmingroom,cladinlooserobes,theirspiritstoneslightingthegloom.

“Awelcomereturn, fromthevoidof somnolence,withnew life inside,” saidKenainath,givingapolitebow.

Morlaniathsmiled.“Itisgoodtoreturn,youtrainedthisbodywell;Iamfullyrestored.”“Yetthespiritwasweaker,itistrappedwithus,doomedtotreadthispathwithus,”saidAranarha.“Anotheralwayscomes,beitsoonorlater,thenatureofKhaine’sgift.”Morlaniathfelthisnewestdisciplestirringinthechambersabove.OutacrossAlaitoc,otherswere

respondingtohispresence,troubledbytheirthoughts,fearingtheirownanger.Theydidnotyetknowit,buttheywouldcometohimsoon.

“Doyoufeelhisanguish,sensehisdarkdestiny,theburninginhisblood?”Theothersnodded.“Hewillmakeafinepupil,sofullofanger,hisresentmentishiskey,”saidAranarha.“Hewilltrain

ferociously,youmustwatchhimclose,temperhimwithmuchpatience.”Morlaniath nodded in agreement. The three exarchs exchanged gestures of parting and then

Morlaniathwasalone.Hefeltnervousinquiryresonatingthroughtheshrine.Milathradilwasawakeandseekinghim.It

would not be well for him to wander the shrine without a guide. Invigorated by his fresh life,Morlaniathheadedupthestairstofindhisnewpupil.

The studentswerewilling and growing in number.Over the last sixty cycles,Milathradil had beenjoined by Euraithin, Lokhirith and Nurianda and the four of them were attentive to Morlaniath’sinstruction as he taught them the rituals of combat.Much of the teaching was in the style of theHiddenDeath,butinplacesthestancesandstrikesweresubtlyevolved,incorporatingDeadlyShadowtechniquesfromnot-Korlandril’sexperiences.

The Hidden Death desert was the opposite of the dank swamps of the Deadly Shadow, butMorlaniath’s previous lives had been spent in this arid dome and he adapted to the environmentwithout hesitation. He learned afresh what he already knew, the instinct of the residual spiritsdwellingwithinhimguidinghimeffortlesslyacrossthedunes,leadinghimtothetrainingareasandtheteststoputbeforehisacolytes.Heknewthehauntsofthesand-serpentsthatburrowedbeneaththe dunes; the piping calls of the windhoppers; the trails of the scurrying worm-hunters and thecoilingcastsleftbytheirprey.

Withouthisarmour,hewalkedacrossthedrifts,comfortedbyhissenseofplaceandtheresidualpresence of his other selves. They were always there, though speechless, guiding him indirectly,steeringhimthiswayorthat.

The former exarchs were stronger when Morlaniath wore his armour. Nagging doubts andunconsciousknowledgeweregivenvoicebytheirspiritstones.TheircounselwassometimesatoddswithMorlaniath’sowninclinations,andevenwitheachother,thoughallprofessedacommongoal.

AtnightMorlaniathdidnot sleep, but instead retreated tohis private chamber anddonnedhisarmour, to rest his body and commune with his other selves. It was one such night-cycle thatMorlaniathpulledonhisarmouredsuit,histhoughtsontheprogressofhisnascentsquad.

YouAreTooLenientWithYourPupils.TheyAreNotFocussed.TheyChatterAimlesslyWhenYouDoNotAttendThem.

Nonsense!ItIsToAttainBalanceThatWeStrive,NotToCreateMoreExarchs.TheirDivisionofWarAndPeaceIsProceedingWell.

An exhaustedmindmakesmistakes. I show them the rewards of control, the freedom theywillearnforthemselveswhentheyhaveseparatedtheirwarriorspirits,whentheyhavegrowntheirwar-masks.

ISenseKenainath’sHandInThis.HeHasTooMuchInfluenceOverYou.ITooLearnedAtTheDeadlyShadow.Kenainath’sTeachingsGrantPerspectiveAndOfferChallenge.IwillteachasIseefit.Foolish,ToDismissOurExperienceSoQuickly.Ishareyourexperience, it isminealso.TheHiddenDeath isbeingreborn,but itwill takesome

time.Iwillshowpatience,asAranarhasuggested.AnotherUpstart!YouAreJealousOfHim.HeIsPopularWithHisWarriors.YourAloofnessWasAlwaysYourWeakness.SomeWillDie. ItDoesNotBenefitMasterorPupilToGrowTooAttachedToIndividuals.WarriorsCome

AndWarriorsGo.TheHiddenDeathIsEternal.Anditshallremainsoundermyleadership.IamnowtheHiddenDeath.WeShallSee.

Forallhispatience,Morlaniathwaseagerforhissquadtocompletethefirststagesoftheirtraining.Heedfulthatrushingmatterscouldriskeverything,hewaiteduntilallfourofhisstudentswerereadytotakethenextstep.Heintroducedthemtotheirarmour,allowingeachtopicktheirsuit.HefeltaperversedelightwhenMilathradilpickedthesuitoncewornbynot-UltheranishwhenhehadbeenasimpleStrikingScorpion.Itstirredsomethinginhismemories,anuggetof informationhehadnotexaminedbefore,whenhehad chosenhis first suit of armour,whichnowconcurredwith anolderfragmentofknowledge.

HisfirstinstinctwastostandbesideElissanadrin,seekingthefamiliar,buthedismissedtheurge.Itwaschangeandrenewalthatheneeded,notthecomfortable.Outofthecornerofhiseye,Korlandrilthoughthesawamomentaryglitterintheeyesofonesuit.Heturnedtowardsit.Therewasnothingtodistinguishitfromtheothers,butsomethingaboutittuggedatKorlandril.

“Thisone,”hesaid,stridingtowardsthearmour.Hestoodbesideitandturnedtofacetheexarch.“Thatisawisechoice,anoblesuityouhavepicked,whichhasserveduswell,”saidKenainath.“You

arenowready,inbodyifnotinmind,todonyourarmour.”“Whichhasserveduswell?”Kenainathwasreferringtohimself,theexarch,nottheshrineasanentity.Hehadoncewornthe

armourthatKorlandrilhadpicked.ThethoughtgaveMorlaniathpause,towonderifperhapshehadbeendestinedtobecomehimselfatthemomenthehadfirststeppedintotheDeadlyShadow.

He led theothers in theirarmouring, teaching themtheHiddenDeathmantra,whichhadbeenpassedtohimbyhisfore-spiritswhenhehaddonnedhisexarcharmour.

It was intriguing to watch the reactions of his pupils, and to see himself again as that novicewearingarmourforthefirsttime,morethanhalfadozentimesover.Hefeltagainthesurgeofpower,

ofstrength,thathadflowedthroughhim,thefirstglimmeringsofhiswar-maskshiningthrough.Milathradilwas themost eager.Morlaniath could feel hiswar-mask just beneath the surface. It

resonatedwiththeexarch,feedinghimanddrawingonhimatthesametime.MorlaniathwouldhavetowatchMilathradilclosely;hispassioncouldbehisundoing.

NuriandaandEuraithinweremorehesitant,sharingexcitementandfearinequalmeasure,asitshould be. Lokhirithwas afraid.Hewas fearful of his ownpower, afraid to embracehiswar-mask,holdingbackonthetideofemotionsthatneededtobegivenfreedombeforetheycouldbecontrolled.MorlaniathdecidedhewouldpairLokhirithwithMilathradilforawhile;theywereinanoddbalancetogetherandwouldbringeachotherclosertointernalharmony.

Whenthewarriorswerefull-clad,Morlaniathbegantheritualsagain.Hemovedwithoutthought,called out the names of the poses. With that part of his mind not occupied by the training, hewonderedwhich of his followers had shadow-foes andwhich did not. Theymovedwith poise andprecision,butitwasnottheirtechniquethatMorlaniathexaminedashecalledoutRisingStingfromDarkness.Hewasconnected;connectedtotheshrineandthroughittotheStrikingScorpions,thoseinfrontofhimnowandallofthosethathadcomebefore.

He read the micro-expressions in their faces and sensed their emotions. Euraithin was toofocussedonhisbody, tightly controllingeverymotion.Heneeded toallowhis instinct toprevail sothathisattentiontohisenvironmentwasnotlacking.Nurianda,shewasastudyofbalance,atonceawhirlingmaelstromandatranquillake.Milathradilwasdistracted,toointentuponthecreationofhisshadow-foe.Morlaniathcouldreadthefiercevisualisationinhisgestures,inthedeterminationofhisthoughts and the slightly curtailed, clipped nature of his technique. Lokhirith was still uncertain,second-guessinghisbody,hiseyesstrayingtoMorlaniathorhiscompanions,seeingtoomuchoftherealworldtolosehimselfentirelyinthebattle.

Progresshadbeenmade,buttherewasstillalongwaytogo.

Morlaniath communed, resting his body in his armour while his spirits digested the events of thecycle.Therecameasuddeninterruptiontotheirdeliberations.OneIsComing.

Morlaniathsensedapresenceatthebordersofhisdomain,atthemainportaltohisdesertdome.Itwasnotanaspirant,thoughhefeltagreatdealoftensionfromhisvisitor.Itwasnotanexarch:hewould recognise his kin instantly. There was something familiar in the presence; a similarity tosomeone locked away within hismemories, but dissimilar enough that he could not locate it. Thepersonapproachedandthenwentaway,andthenapproachedagain.Therewashesitancy,amixtureoffearanddoubt.

Heopenedhiseyes,feelingchangeafoot.Stillarmoured,Morlaniathtookaskyrunnerfromtheshrine’sdepthsandspedacrossthedesert

leaving a plume of sand in his wake. He flew directly to the main portal, the nagging sense ofrecognition tantalising in its closeness but still eluding him. Dismounting, he opened the widegatewaywithathoughtcommand.

Afarseerturnedquickly,takenabackbyhisarrival.Shewasdressedinalongrobeofpureblack,embroideredsigilsofsilverandwhitedecoratingthehemandcuffsofhergown.Shefidgetedwitha

pouchatherwaist,whilehereyeswidenedwithamixtureofsurpriseanddisgust.Herecognisedthoseeyes.ItwasThirianna.Oh,It’sHer.Troublemaker,ThatOne.“Itthatyou,Korlandril?”sheasked.“IamnotKorlandril,thoughheispartofme,IamMorlaniath.”YouShouldSay“We”.ItIsVeryRudeToIgnoreTheRestOfUs.WeAreOne.“I”IsCorrect.IgnoreThemBoth.ThisArgumentNeverEnds.Thiriannatookastepaway,shouldershunching.WhatDoesSheWant?SheDoesn’tBelongHere.SendHerAway!LookHowScaredSheIsOfUs.“Whydoyoudisturbus,cominghereunbidden,breakingthegoldstillness?”Shetookafewstepsfurtherback,shakingherhead.“Thiswasamistake.Ishouldnothavecome.Youcannothelpme.”GoodRiddance.SheHasAlreadyRousedUs.WeHaveNothingToLoseByLettingHerSpeak.WeHaveWastedEnoughTime.LetHerGo.Shemightreturnanddisturbusagain.“Nowthatyouhavecomehere,seekingguidanceandtruth,speakyourmindwithfreedom.IfIcan

assistyou,ifyouhavehardquestions,perhapsIcananswer.”ThiriannaapproachedandstaredpastMorlaniath,takinginthewidevistaofthedesert.Hergaze

turnedtotheexarch.“Istheresomewhereelsewecanspeak?”AlwaystheSame.FarseersWantToKnowEverything.DoNotLetHerIn.SheIsNotWelcome.TheShrineIsSoakedInTheMemoriesOfBlood.SheCannotGoThere.“Theshrinewouldnotbefit,farseersenterwithrisk,andIamloathetoleave.”“Canweperhapswalkawhile?Idonotfeelcomfortablediscussingmattersonyourdoorstep.”Morlaniathturnedaway,assumingshewouldfollow.Thesandsshiftedunderhisbootedfeetbut

hewalkedwithpurposeandbalance,heading towardsa shallowoasisgently fedby irrigationwebsbeneaththesands.Clustersofred-leavedbusheshidthewater’sedge,brightwhitestarsofblossompokingfromthefoliage.

Thewaterwasstill.Sometimeshecameheretocontemplatewithouthiscompanions.Thiswasthefirsttimehehadcomehereinthefullpresenceoftheothers.Memorycamewithoutasking,swampinghimforamomentwithrecollectionsofthisplaceaseachspiritclaspedtosomedistantevent,seekingtorelivethem.HepushedthemawayandgesturedforThiriannatoseatherselfbesidethestillpool.

“Thisis…pleasant.”Shelookedathersurroundsandsatdown,gatheringherrobestooneside,herblackhairtossedoverhershoulder,headtiltedawayfromMorlaniath.

“Itisthebirthindeath,thehopeinhopelessness,lifeamongstthebarren.”Shedidnotlookathimwhenhespoke.Shegazedthoughtfullyintothewaters.Insectsskimmedthesurface,sustainedbyitstension.

“IhaveforeseentroublingtimesforAlaitoc,perhapssomethingworse.”AFarseerForeseesTrouble?ThatIsTheNatureOfThings.ListenToWhatSheHasToSay.ThisIsAWasteOfOurTime.WeShouldWakeTheWarriorsAndBegin

TheirTrainingInTheDarkStalking.“Youarenowafarseer.Suchthingswillbeyourlife,whydoyoucometome?”“IamtoldthatIaminerror.Thefarseers,thecouncilofAlaitoc,donotthinkmyscryingwillcome

topass.TheysayIaminexperienced,seeingdangersthatdonotexist.”TheyAreRight.PompousAndConceited,AllOfThem.SheThinksSheSeesSomethingTheyCannot.TheyCannotConceive

OfBeingBlindToAnything.Notallofthem.Yes,AllOfThem.“Likelytheyarecorrect,yourpowersarestillweak,thispathisnewtoyou.Idonotseemyrole;I

amtheexarchhere,notoneofthecouncil.”“Youdon’tbelieveme?”“Youoffermenoproof,andthereisnonetogive,beliefaloneisdust.”Thiriannastoodandwalkedtothepool’sedge.Shedippedherbootedtoeintothewaters,sending

arippleacrossthesurface.TherippledisturbedMorlaniath.ThiswasaplaceofcalmandThiriannahadbroughtdisquiet.Hesaidnothingandwatchedassheallowedthedropletstofallfromherboot,movingherfootsothattheydribbledaswirlinthesand.

“I followed the fateofAradryan.”Morlaniath spentamoment recalling thename.Onewhohadbeen friend toKorlandril,unknown tonot-Korlandril.HehadstartedKorlandrilonhispath to thisplace. Thirianna continuedwithout pause. “Our threedestinies are interwoven.More thanwehaveseenalready.Yoursisnotended,butwillsoon;hisisdistantandconfused.Mine…Mineistobehere,totellyouthesethingstosetinmotionfutureevents.”

FancifulAndUntrue.AllDestiniesAreInterwoven.“Whatisityouhaveseen,whatvisionsbringsuchwoe,whatdotheymeanforus?”“Aradryandwells indarkness,but there isalso light forhim.Buthisdarkness isnotconfinedto

him.Itspreadsintoourlives,anditengulfsAlaitoc.Idonotknowthedetails;myrune-castingisverycrudeatthemoment.Ifeelhehasdonesomethinggravelywrongandendangeredallofus.”

“Yourwarningsaretoovague,theycontainnosubstance,wehavenocourseofaction.”Thiriannasnorted,asoundofbitterresentmentanddarkhumour.“Thatiswhatthecouncilsays.‘Howcanweprepareagainstsomethingsoamorphous?’theyasked.

ItoldthemthatmoreexperiencedseersshouldfollowthethreadofAradryan.Theyrefused,claimingitwasanirrelevance.AradryanisgonefromAlaitoc,theytoldme,andheisnolongertheirconcern.”

WhoAreWeToArgue?ThisIsNotOurConcern.WeAreWarriors,NotPhilosophers.Morlaniathlistenedtothis,perplexed.Thecouncilwerecorrect.Theycouldnomoreactonsucha

visionastheycouldanunfoundedrumour.Othermemoriescametomind,rebuildinghispictureofThirianna. She was always seeking attention, always looking to be the centre of things. It was no

surprise that she had not yet removed this flaw from her character, and now sought to garner anaudiencebyclaimingsomepersonalinsightintoAlaitoc’sdoom.

“Continueyourstudies,delvefurtherintothis,toseekyourownanswers.”“Ifearthereisnotime.Thisisimminent.Ilackthestrengthandthetrainingtoseefarahead.”SheIsSoWeak,HowHaveOthersNotSeenThisDisaster?ThatIsAGoodPoint.HerStoryIsIncomplete.SendHerAway!“Others have not seen it, your fresh cataclysm,who are stronger than you. Imust concurwith

them,whohavetroddenthePath,whoseefurtherthanyou.”“Itissuchasmallthing,whateveritisthatAradryandoes.”Shestoopedandtookapinchofsand,

rubbingherfingerstospillittothegrounduntilsheheldasinglegrain.Sheflickeditintothewatersofthepool.“Suchatinyripple,wecanbarelyseeit,butaripplenonetheless.Theanarchyofhistorytellsusthatmomentouseventscanstartfromthemosthumble,themostmundaneofbeginnings.”

“Ihavenoaidforyou,nocouncilinfluence,andIagreewiththem.Gobacktoyourstudies,forgetthisdistraction,Iwillnotassistyou.”

Shelookedathimforthefirsttime,eyesmisted,lipstrembling.“Ifearedtheworst,andyouhaveprovenmetrue.Korlandrilisnotdead,buthehasgone.”“Whichyouoncepredicted,thatbothofuswouldchange,forbetterorforworse.IamMorlaniath,

youareThirianna,Korlandrilisnomore.Seekcontentmentfromthis,donotchasetheshadows,onlydarknessawaits.”

“Doyounotrememberwhatweonceshared?”“Irememberitwell,wesharednothingatall,Ihavenothingforyou.”Thirianna straightened andwiped a gloved finger across her cheek, a tear soaking into the soft

fabric.“Youareright.Iwillleaveandthinkofyounomore.”She bunched up her robe and strode up the encircling dune, heading towards themain portal.

Morlaniathfollowedashortwaybehindandstoppedonthedune’scresttowatchherretreatingback.She reached the gateway andMorlaniathwilled it open. Then shewas gone andwith a thought heclosedthegatebehindher.

TheTeethofDissonancethrummedinMorlaniath’shands,carvingtheairwithbeautifulsweeps.Allintheshrinewasquietsaveforthesoundofthebladeandthetreadoftheexarch’sbootedfeetonthestone. His followers were all asleep, exhausted by the day’s training. Only their dreams broke thestillness,edgedwithblood,tingedwithdeath.Morlaniathsmiled.

Hefinishedhispracticeandreturnedthebladetoitsrightfulplace.Takingupthestanceofrepose,hethoughtaboutThirianna’svisit.

Werewetoodismissive?YouGaveHerFullChanceToSpeakHerCase.WeAreUnconvinced.WeHaveOtherConcerns.ItIsNotOurPlaceToDebateWithFarseers.LetTheAutarchsDoThat.Shecametousasafriend.WeAreExarch.WeHaveNoFriends.SheCameToUs InDesperationWhenAllOthersHadTurnedHer

Away.ItIsShameful.ThenIasknotforhersake,butforAlaitoc.Ifwhatshesaysistrue,itbodesillforus.WhatSheSaysIsFantasy.DoNotGiveItFurtherConsideration.IfThereIsToBeWar,WeWillFight.WeTrainOurWarriorsForBattle.ThereIsNoMoreThatWeCanDo.

ThatIsWhatItIsToBeExarch.ThereItIsAgain:“I”.ThisIndividualityIsUnbecoming.Iamstillmyself,Morlaniathandnot-Korlandrilboth.Iwillmakemyowndecision.ToBeExarchIsToKnowSacrifice.NotForUsTheTwilightOfTheInfinityCircuit.DarknessIsOurDomain.

IfItComesToPassThatThisBodyDies,WeWillEndure.ThatIsTheRewardForOurSacrifice.DoNotMeddleInTheAffairsOfOthers.ItIsNotWelcomeAndItIsNotOurDuty.WeDoNotUnderstandHerMotives.IfWhatSheSaysProvesTrue,WeWillBeInformed.IfItIsUntrueOur

InterferenceRisksBringingDisharmony.Iamunsettledbythis.IfmyfateandAradryan’sisstillentwinedinwaysnotyetrevealed,itwould

bewisetoheedherwarning.Farseers Always Speak Of Fate. It Is Their Reason For Everything. Sometimes Things Happen Without

Purpose. AllWarriors Know This.We Train, Perfecting Our Art, But It Is In The Nature OfWar That TheRandomAndTheUncontrollableAppear.

It was Thirianna and Aradryan that setme on this course, to our rebirth, to the return of theHiddenDeath.Iconceivethatitispossiblemyfutureandtheirsarenotwhollyseparate.

ThenWhatWillHappen,WillHappen.LetTheFarseersChaseThePossibilities,WeWillDealWithTheConsequences.

Nowitisyouthatiswillingtosurrendertofate.ThisDebateIsInappropriate.SheIsADistraction.IgnoreHer.IConcur.ConcentrateOnTheTrainingOfYourWarriors.Morlaniath stripped off his armour, unable to shake the disquiet, annoyed by the conflict of

thoughtsraisedbyThirianna.WhilethedirectthoughtsofMorlaniathfadedintomemory,theireffectlingeredon,confusinghim.Thequestionoffaithvexedhimthemost.Hehadseenherconviction,buthadignoredit.Whateverthereality,shecertainlybelievedsomethingterriblewasgoingtohappen.

Itirkedhimthathewaspowerless,orsoitseemed.Hewasentirelyinthehandsofthefarseers,andtheyhadchosentoignoreher.

Hefocussedonthistrainofthought.HisdistastewasnotwiththeactionsofThiriannabutwiththeinactionofthecouncil.Partofhimwastoowillingtosimplyaccepttheirjudgement.Itwasagainsthisnaturetosubmit,toblindlyconcur,nowmorethanever.Thevestigesofnot-KorlandrilstruggledagainstMorlaniath,urginghimtodosomething.

Stillinastateofconflict,Morlaniathgatheredhissquadatthestartofthenextcycleandledtheminthecombatrituals.ItdivertedhisattentionawayfromthedilemmaposedbyThirianna.

Nuriandawasprovingtobethemostcapableofhisstudents.Hertechniquewasimpeccableandshehadfoundherwar-maskwithouttrauma.Shehadmasteredthechainswordandthepistolwithoutdrama,andwasatonewithhersuit.Theothersstillstruggled.Theyseemedreticenttolosethemselves

fully, still clingingto fragmentsof theirpast lives,grippingtight to the lastvestigesof their formerselves.Whiletheyresistedtheirowntemptationstheywouldneverbeabletoprogress.

MorlaniathtriedtorememberwhatitwaslikewhenhehadbeenKorlandril.Itwasunpleasant,fullofconflictandfear.ThememoriesoftheotherMorlaniathsintrudeduponhisrecollections,blurringthelinebetweenwhathadbeenhislifeandtheirs.HehadwelcomedbecomingtheHiddenDeath,yetthevestigesofhisformerlifeclungtohismind;orperhapsheclungtothem.Itoccurredtohimthatperhaps he had been right to dismiss Thirianna. Shewas a tie to the past that no longer held anyrelevanceforhim.

Hedismissedthesquadandwasabout to leavewhenhenoticedNurianda lingeringnext toherarmour.

“There is something amiss, you are free to leave here, yet here you still remain,” he said,approachingtheStrikingScorpion.

“I find it difficult,” she admitted, eyesdowncast. “I tried to speak tomy father, buthedoesnotunderstand.”

“Hecannotunderstand.EachofushasaPath,whichonlywecanwalk.Iammerelyaguide,thejourneyisallyours,youmustwalkitalone.”

“Whatif…Whatifthejourneydoesnothaveanend?”“Itendseventually,atoneplaceorother,thoughIdonotknowwhich.Donotdwellontheend,but

movealongthePath,strivingforyourowngoal.Knowwhatyouleavebehind,thesufferingandfear,seeking a place of peace. The love for your father, his affection for you, should act as your anchor.Whileyoudriftitremains,asitwasatthestart,sotooattheending.”

Nuriandasmiled,wistfulandthoughtful.“Thankyou.Iwillbepatientwithhim.”Morlaniathwavedhertoleaveandstoodforawhilelonger,gazingattheemptysuitsofarmour.

Eachhadbelonged tomanywarriors.He could rememberall of them—theones thathad lived, theonesthathaddied;theonesthathadmovedon,andthosewhohadbecomehim.Hewasallofthemandnoneofthem.Whatwashe?Nothingmorethandismemberedspiritssharingacorporealprison,unable towelcome the peace of the Infinity Circuit, unable to die because SheWho Thirstswouldclaimhim.Hewasnothing if hewasnot his experiences, hismemories.Hewas thewalkingdead,stuckinthelimboofthisbody.

Hecouldsensehimselflosingtouch.Thisfreshbody,ithadstirredoldfeelingsandoldthoughts:memoriesoffreedomandlove;momentsofpleasureandpain;momentsofmortalsensesandmortalthoughts.Itstouchremainedforthemoment,butMorlaniathknewfromseveralexperiencesthat itwouldnot last.Not-Korlandril invigoratedhimforthetimebeing,butsoonthatsparkwouldgutterandhewouldbeMorlaniathwholly,theimmortalservantofKhaine.

Letgoofthepast?Thatwasfoolish.ThoughmanywerethewayshehadbecomeMorlaniath,eachwasunique tohim,eachwasa journeyhehadmade.ThePathhadended forhim,but thatdidnoteliminate the route he taken to reach this point. That route hadmeaning, and the peoplewhohadwalkedbesidehimforawhilealsohadmeaning.Hehadnofuture,saveaneternityofviolenceanddeath,buttheydid.

Hedidnot like unfinished business. The pastwasnot irrelevant, but he had to leave it behind.Morlaniathmadeadecisionandheadedfortheskyrunners.

“Perhapsyouseekwar,forthatisyournature,”saidArhathain.“Icannotmakeawar,ifthatismydesire,itisthecouncil’schoice,”repliedMorlaniath.Heknewtheautarchwell;hadfoughtbesidehimonmanyabattlefield.Likeallautarchshewas

strong-willed, determined enough to tread the Path of the Warrior several times without beingensnared by Khaine’s curse. He remembered Arhathain as a young Dire Avenger, and a HowlingBansheeinmorerecentmemory.AsanexarchhewasfarolderthanArhathain,butnot-Korlandrilhadbeen less than half his age. A dichotomy of feelingswarredwithinMorlaniath, causing him to feelancientandinfantatthesametime,unsureofhisplaceandhistime.

He had called Arhathain to the Chamber of Autarchs and spoken of Thirianna’s predictions.Arhathaindefendedthecouncil’sdecision,aswastobeexpected.Morlaniathtriedtofindthewordsthatconveyedhisthoughts,butitwasdifficult;hewantedtoseizetheautarchandforcehimtoagree.

Keepinghistemperincheck,helistenedtowhatArhathainhadtosay.“Every day our seers uncover a thousand dooms to Alaitoc.We cannot act on every vision; we

cannotgotowaroneverydoubt.Thiriannaherselfcannotprovideuswithclarity.Wemight justaswellactonasuperstitioustrickleofforebodingdownthebackoftheneck.”

“Shelackstheproperskill,themeanstogiveyouproof,holdthatnotagainsther.Giveherthehelpsheneeds,toproveherrightorwrong,shewillkeephersilence.Thisdoubtwillholdherback,itwillconsumeherthoughts,untilyoureleaseher.Youhavewalkedmanypaths,seenagreatmanythings,livedagreatmanylives.Thatlifeyouowetome,Irememberitnow,somanycyclespast.Iwasyourguardian, theprotectionyousought,a truecompanion.Irememberthedebt, theoathyousworetome,itisnowtimetopay.”

Arhathainfrownedandturnedaway,pacingtothefarsideoftherostrumatthecentreofthehall.“TheoneImadethatpromisetodiedtenpassesandmoreago,”hesaidsoftly, lookingupatthe

circularopeningatthetopofthedome.Adistantswatheofstarswasstrewnacrosstheblacknessofspace. “I did not swear that oath to you. It is not Elidhnerial that asksme to repay that debt, it isKorlandril.”

“IamMorlaniath,Elidhnerialtoo,andalsoKorlandril.Thedebtisowedtome,toallthepartsofme,unitedinspirit.Whosavemeremembers,canrepeatthewordsused,heardthemspokenbyyou?”

“IfIdonotdothis?”“Yourhonourisforfeit,andothersshallknowit,Iwillmakesureofthat.”TheautarchturnedanddirectedanintentstareatMorlaniath.“Youwillnotcallonmeagaininthisway?”“Yourdebtwillberepaid,toElidhnerial,andweshallspeaknomore.”Arhathainnoddedreluctantlyandstalkeduptheshallowstepsofthechamber.Morlaniathsmiledathisdepartingback;thepartthatwasnot-Korlandrilwaspleased.Hedidnot

knowwhatwouldbecomeofhisintervention,whatthefuturewouldholdforhimorThirianna.Yethewascontent.AsalastactbeforehewhollybecameMorlaniath,itwasworthwhile.Soonshewouldbe

unimportant,justanotheroneofthememories,nogreaterandnolessthanthethousandsofothershehadmetandlovedandhatedandbeenindifferentto.Thiswashispartinggift.Evennowthememorywasbecominglostinthehaze.

Bythetimehereturnedtotheshrine,hewouldnolongercare.

Transformation

WhentheGreatEnemywasborn,theBloody-HandedGodbroughtwaragainstSheWhoThirstsbutwasquickly vanquished by the newborn horror. The Prince of Pleasure and the Lord of Skulls fought overpossessionofKhaine’sspirit,fortheBloody-HandedGodwasachildofbothbutbelongedtoneither.Greatwasthestruggleintheremnantsofheaven,butneitherSheWhoThirstsnortheMasterofBattleprevailed.When both the rivalswere exhausted, they drew up their boundaries and in the calm eye of theirwrathKhainefellintotheworldofmortals.HeretheBloody-HandedOneshatteredintomanyfragments,unableto exist as awhole in thematerial realm.His power spent, his bodydivided,Khaine’swrathwas finallydiminished.Thoughsuppressed,hisrage lingersoninthese fragments,drawntowarandstrife,awaitingthetimewhenbloodawakenshimandhisvengefulessencegainsformoncemore.

Theshrinethrobbedonce,afrissonofragethatpeakedinlessthanaheartbeatandwasgone;aspasmofenergythatdistractedMorlaniathforamoment,causinghimtoalmostmisshisnextinstruction.He put the tremor to the back of his mind and completed the training period with his pupils,dismissingthemabruptlywhentheyweredone.

Hewasuncertainofthecauseforthemomentaryfluxofpsychicenergythathaddisturbedhim,thoughhehadstrongsuspicions.HetookaskyrunnerfromtheshrineandflewthroughthebowelsofAlaitoc,followinganinstinct.

The tunnels he navigatedwere lit by the solitary beam of his skyrunner, a circle of light in theblackness.Inthedarknessaroundhim,strandsofwraithboneglitteredoccasionallywithpsychicforceas the spirits of the infinity circuit pulsed to and fro. This was the life of Alaitoc—the heart andarteries,skeletonandnervoussystem,thoughtsandfeelingsof thecraftworld.ThedisturbancethatMorlaniath had felt did not come again as he rode, though he sensed a residual after-shock of itsoccurrence,atensionthatfilledtheair.

At thehubofAlaitoc,where themanypsychicveinsandnervewaysof thecraftworldconverged,Morlaniathexitedtheservicepassageandbroughthisskyrunnertoahaltinsideadarkenedchamber.Theinfinitycircuitglowedwitharuddylight,theredofawomb.Agatewasopenbeforehim,itstwohugedoorsopenedwidetorevealawraithbone-wrappedchamber.At thecentreof thatroomwasagreatthroneofiron.Uponthatthronesatastatuesquefigure,twiceMorlaniath’sheight,itsskinfusedmetal, itseyesblack,emptysockets.Theimmensefigurebrooded,suckingthelightfromthethroneroom,ironfingersinfists,facecontortedinasilentroar.

Hefelttheapproachofsomeonebehindhimandturned.“Youfeltitalso,aheartbeatofKhaine,theAvatarstirs?”askedIriethien,DireAvenger,exarchofthe

LightThatBurns.“Ifeltsomethingstirring,theAvatarstillsleeps,thetimehasnotyetcome,”Morlaniathsaid.“Warisapproaching,Khaineknowsofthesethings,hesensesbattle,”saidIriethien.Hegazedat

theimmobilegiant,seekinganysignoflife.“Wewillknowsoon,enough,therewillbenodoubting,whenthewargodcallsus.”ThepresenceofIriethienhadconfirmedMorlaniath’ssuspicions.Ashereturnedtohisskyrunner,

asinglethoughttroubledhim:hiswarriorswerenotyetreadyforbattle.

ThetremuloussensationfromtheAvatarofKhainedidnotrepeatitself,butMorlaniathknewthatithadnotbeenanaberration.Onceitbegantowaken,theAvatardidnotfallintoslumberagainwithoutbloodbeingshed.Theotherexarchsfeltitalso,andsentwarningtothecouncilofAlaitocthateventswereunfoldingthatwouldtakethecraftworldtowar.

Filledwithanewurgency,Morlaniathpressedonasquicklyashecouldwiththetrainingof theHidden Death Striking Scorpions. All of them had now progressed to mastering the helmet andmandiblastersbutprogressseemedslowtotheexarch.Hehadtobecertainthattheywerereadyforbattleandwasstillunconvinced.Iftheirtrainingwasinsufficientitmightmeandisaster,notonlyforthemselvesbutfortheotherwarriorsthatwouldberelyinguponthem.

Morlaniathdidnotfret,didnotwastetimeworryingaboutthisstateofaffairs.Thematterwasasimpleone:whenwarcame theywouldeitherbe readyor theywouldnot. If theywerenot suitablyprepared,theywouldnotfight.

The voices were no more. The nights brought silence and solitude, a time for contemplation.Morlaniath found peace in thememories of battle, reliving the glories of his past, sometimes evendwellinguponthemomentsofhisdeaths,learningfromthem,seekingevertoimprovehimself.

Hefoundhismemedreamslingeringmorefrequentlyonhisbloodyencounterswithhumans.Wasit because his last battle had been against the followers of the Corpse-Emperor? Was there somedeeperforceatplaythatledhimtorelivethesewars?

His pondering was interrupted, seven night-cycles after he had felt the tremor of the Avatar.ThroughthestrandsoftheinfinitycircuithewasawareofanewarrivalcomingtoAlaitoc,apresencethatresonatedthroughallofhis lives,allofhisspirits.Therewasacounter-echointhemidstofhisconsciousness,arespondingtrembleofawarenessfromtheothershrines,andagainthegreatpulseofKhaine’sheartbeatthuddedbrieflyacrosstheinfinitycircuit.

Thedockingbayglimmeredwithlightfromthewebwayportal,swirlingpurpleandbluedapplingthecurvedwallsandthearmourofseventeenexarchs.Theywaitedinsilence,eachcalledfromhisorhershrine;SwoopingHawk,DarkReaperandStrikingScorpion.Morlaniathfeltthesameastheothers,aprimalinstincttogather,togreettheirarrival.

They had been brought to the Star-Wreathed Stair, the docks where warships came and went,keeping their taint of blood from ships of peaceful purpose. This was the place where the AspectWarriorsboardedtheirvessels.Itwaswheretheirremainswerebroughtback.FromhereAlaitochadlauncheditswarriorsintotheNightforanage,sendingthemtoslayorbeslain.Thiswasaplaceofdestiny, from whence the fate of Alaitoc had been steered: expeditionary forces to uncover risingthreats;fleetsbentonvengeanceforeldardeaths;armiesthathaddestroyedworlds;missionstokillthe ignorantandthe innocent;warriorssent toslaughter inferiorraces,whoseonlycrimehadbeentheirexistence.

Deathstainedthetwiningbranchesofwraithbonearoundthedock,theinfinitycircuitsingingamournful dirge at the back ofMorlaniath’smind. It nourished him and he drew a deep breath ofsatisfaction.

Thebow-waveofpsychicenergyfromthewebwaygrewstronger,thearrivalofashipimminent.Itcarriedwithitasensationofbelonging,ofacceptanceandstability.Thesethoughtsweretouchedwithblood,imagesofdestructionplayedoutinburstsofmentalactivity.Itwassimilartothesensationhefelt from other exarchs, though greater in its intensity, increasing in its power the closer the shipcame.

AswhenThiriannahadcometotheshrine,MorlaniathknewwhoitwasthatcametoAlaitoc,butcouldnotrecognisehim.Thewholehadchangedbutpartsremainedfamiliar,muchinthesamewayasanexarch’sspiritslowlyevolvedintoanewpersonalitywitheachwarriorthattookupthearmour.

Ageless immortality was the backdrop to each of the sensations, older even thanMorlaniath, aspiritsodeepthatitswallowedeverythingthattouchedit.

Thewebwayportalpulsed,readyingfortheship’sexit.Asurgeofpsychicenergysweptthroughtheassembledexarchs,bringingflashesofinsight,visionsofdistantworldsandancientplaces.

Theshipbrokethroughtheportalatincrediblespeed:onemomentthebaywasempty,thenextthesleek black hull filled the void. Its surface rippledwith faint colour,waves of dark purple and blueshimmeringfromshark-likenosetoslendertailfins.Itloweredsilentlytohoverjustabovethedeck,mergingwithitsownshadow.

Acircularportalopened, creatingadiscof faintwhite light.Morlaniath strained forward,pulseracing.

Threefiguresappearedattheportalasthetongueofarampextrudeditselftothefloor.Theyworearmour, their suits versions of the exarch armour of those that waited but far heavier and moreelaborate, andevenmoreancient:SwoopingHawk,DarkReaper,StrikingScorpion.Theirweaponswereornateartefactsof the timebefore theFallwheneldarpowerhadbeenat itsheight;beautifulinstrumentsofdestructionsalvagedfromtheruinsofanentirecivilisation.

Thefirstworewingsthatshimmeredinathousandcolours,acurvedbladeinonehand,amulti-barrelled las-blasterintheother,helmadornedwithasinglefeatheredcrest,hisarmouramottleofsummerblueandwintergrey.Thenexthadarmourofblack,sculptedwithgoldenbones,hishelmared-eyed skull, the image of Death itself, a scythed shuriken cannon in his grip. Last came theScorpion, and upon him Morlaniath fixed his gaze, the flow of connection between themstrengtheningasthenewarrivalapproached.Hisyellowandgreenarmourwasbandedwithobsidian

ribbing,hishelmcurvedbackinaseriesofplateslikeascorpion’stail,cracklingmandiblasterspodstoeitherside.Onehandwasanelegantclawwreathedwithenergy,theothergrippedthehiltofabitingblade,itsteethsosharpthatrainbowsofcutlightdancedaroundthem.

Theywerethefirstexarchs,thosewhohadwalkedthePathoftheWarriorinthewakeoftheFallandstudiedundertheguidanceofAsurmen.Morlaniathknewthemimmediately,rememberedthemfrompreviousencounterswhilelegendsoftheirdeedssurfacedinhismind.

Three founders of the Aspect shrines: TheCry of theWind, Baharroth; TheHarvester of Souls,MauganRa;TheShadowHunter,Karandras.

ThreePhoenixLords,almostwithoutprecedent,hadcometoAlaitocforasinglepurpose:war.

The arrival of the Phoenix Lordswas both a reaction and a catalyst. They had sensed a new doomapproaching Alaitoc and had been drawn to the coming conflict. Their presence reacted with thesomnolent essenceofKhaine’sAvatar, speeding itswakening.Morlaniath’smemorieswere cloudedwithblood,histrainingsessionswithhiswarriorsinterruptedbywavesofbloodthirstysensation.Theotherexarchsfeltittoo,andtheAspectshrinesandinfinitycircuitgentlythrummedwiththenascentrageofKaelaMenshaKhaine.

Faced with these events, the council of Alaitoc summoned its greatest seers to divine whichpotential cataclysmwasmost likely to engulf the craftworld. They studied the runes of Thirianna,readytolistentoherhalf-formedtaleofapproachingdeath.Eyesmoreancientthanhersscannedtheskeinsofpossibility,followingthethreadsofAradryan’slifeandtheinterwovenfatesofAlaitoc.

All agreed: a great darkness was descending upon the craftworld. The rune of the humansblackenedwhentouchedandthefarseersfelttheirrationalhatredofmankinddirectedatAlaitoc.

The autarchs called the exarchs to assembly in their circular hall, Alaitoc’s deadliestwarriors allgathered in one place. The air seethed with their fierce pride and lust for battle. Morlaniath wasdrenchedintheirgrowingangerandstrengtheninghatred,soakingitintohisspirit,elevatinghisownanticipationtoapeak.

Arhathain,accompaniedbyAlaitoc’sthreeotherautarchs,addressedtherestlessthrongofshrineleaders.

“Itisthehumans,”hesaidsolemnly.“ThefollowersoftheEmperorwillcometoAlaitocintentonconflict.Whytheychoosetodosoisunclear,butsomeslightagainstthemhasstirredtheirwrath.Asasinglepebblemaystartalandside,sotheactofonehasledthehumanstoAlaitoc.Thoughthefarseershavetravelledthestrandsofdestiny,thereisbutoneconsequencethatcannotbeaverted:Alaitocwillbeattacked.

“Itisnotourplacetospeculateontheshortsighteddecisionsofhumans.Itisourtasktopreparefor war and deal with the consequences. Rangers have returned to Alaitoc, bearing grave news.Imperial ships forge their way through the Sea of Dreams, heading in our direction. There isinsufficient time to elude them; they are too close and Alaitoc is not yet at full energy peak. Our

starshipswillinterceptthem,deterthemfromcoming,buthumansareill-counselledandstubborn.ItislikelytheywillattempttobreachAlaitocandbringbattletoourhomes.Thoughtheythinkthattheycomewithsurpriseastheirweapon,wehavenotbeentakenunawares.”

Theautarchhadcalmlyrelayedthisinformation,butnowhisvoicerose,stokedbyfeeling.“We will not allow this absurd action to go unpunished! The temerity of the humans staggers

belief,eveniftheirignoranceiswell-recorded.ItisnotjustAlaitocthatwemustfighttoprotect,butallofourpeople.Ifthehumansthinkthattheycanattackcraftworldswithimpunity,itwillsignaltheendofourspecies.Theymustlearnthefollyoftheiraction,throughthebloodiestlessonwecangivethem. They are cowards, and superstitious.Wewillwrite new legends for them;myths of how theeldarslaughteredthemfortheirstupidity;storieswrittenintheirentrailsandblood.”

Arhathainwalkedslowlyaroundthecircumferenceof thepodium,brightblueeyespassingoverthecirclesofexarchs.Hislipsformedasnarl.

“Weabhoryou!Wewhoare freeare fearfulofyou, the living remindersof theconsequencesofweaknessandindulgence.Rightfullyyouareshunned,foryourspiritsarecursedbyKhaine.Youarewarmongers and murderers. Those of us who have passed along the Path of the Warrior standabsolvedoftheatrocitieswehavecommittedandhavefoundpeace.Youaretrapped,relishingyourbloodydeeds,gloryinginyourhatredandrage.

“But we who are free also need you. Without the exarchs, we would all be lost. You carry theburdensofourguilt.Youstandbetweenourfragilespiritsandthedegradationsofwar.”

Hisvoicebecameaharshwhisperashecontinuedtocircle,tense,shouldershunched,fiststight.“Thisisyourtime!Thehumansseektoviolateourbeautifulhomes.Theydaretobringwaragainst

us!Youareourbloodymessengers.YouareKaelaMenshaKhaine’sanointedslayers,ourvengeanceincarnate,ourangergivenform.Youaremerciless,andrightlyso.Oursurvivalallowsnocompassion;ourcontinuingexistencedependsupontheunthinkingdoingtheunthinkable.

“FeelnowthepulseofKhainethrobbingthroughyourveins.Wewhoarefree,wefeelitalso.Butitisbutacoldtrickleinourveinscomparedtothewhiteheatofitsferocityinyourhearts.TheAvatarawakens.Feelhiscall.Taketohimthatwhichheneeds.”

Theautarchsandexarchsturnedasonetothemaingateattheheightofthesteppedauditorium.Alonefigurestoodthere,silhouettedagainstanorangelightbeyond.ItwastheShiningSpearexarch,Lideirra of the Midnight Lightning shrine. She wore her silver and gold armour and carried animmensespear,itsheadaslongasherarmandasbroadasherface—theSuinDaellae,theDoomthatWails,theweaponoftheAvatar.

“BeholdtheYoungKing!”announcedArhathain.“YourgifttoKhaineinreturnfortheawakeningofhisAvatar.”

Withafierceshout,theexarchsraisedtheirrightfistsinsalutetotheYoungKing.Chosenfromamongsttheirnumber,theYoungKingservedastheirspiritualleaderforfivehundredcyclesandthenpassedonhisorhercrowntoanother.Formost, their rulepassedwithoutsacrifice; fora fewtheirreign would end in blood, their spirit offered up to Khaine to breathe life into the metal husk ofKhaine’sAvatar.

Lideirrastoodcalmly in thearchway,acceptingofher fate. Itwasnotonlyagreathonour tobe

chosenasYoungKing—namedafterEldanesh’sepithetasachild,thoughthechosenexarchcouldbemaleorfemale—itwasalsoapromiseofrelease.TobeconsumedbytherageofKhaine’sfieryspiritwasareleasefromimmortality,onethatfewexarchswouldeverknow.

Thesixexarchsoftheinnermostring,theoldestoftheirAspects,headedupthestepstotheYoungKing:

Morlaniath,StrikingScorpion;Iriethien,DireAvenger;Lathorinin,HowlingBanshee;Faerthruin,FireDragon;Maurenin,DarkReaper;Rhiallaen,SwoopingHawk.

TheyformedanhonourguardaroundtheYoungKing,threeontheleftandthreeontheright,andwalkedslowlyfromthehall.Anothertriumphantshoutechoedbehindthemastheypassedfromthesightoftheexarchs.

Thewallsofthepassagewaywerecoveredwithholographicimagesoftheoldestmythsoftheeldar,thetalesthathadinspiredtheAspects.Scenesofdestructionfromlegendenvelopedtheentourageastheypacedslowly towards theshrineof thewargod.Thedoorsclosedsilentlybehind, leavingthembathed in thesoftglowof theprojections.Thiswas theBloodiedWay. Itwoundgentlydownwards,bringingtheprocessiontotheantechamberoftheAvatar’sthroneroom.Thegreatbronzedoorswereclosed,athicktrickleofruddylightcreepingfrombeneathit.

Morlaniathcould feel thepresenceof theAvatar; itsheatonhisbody, itsspirit inhismind.Thegroundreverberatedbeneaththeexarch’sfeetwithasonorousbeating.Hisheartmatchedtherhythm.

Fromhiddendoorways,maskedandrobedseersentered:thewarlocks.FormerAspectWarriors,the seers too felt the pull of Khaine. They broughtwith them a long cloak of red and a golden pinfashioned in the shape of a dagger. The two bearers stood before Lideirra as the exarchs slowlyremovedherarmour.Theyhandedeachpiecetooneoftheremainingwarlocks.

WhenLideirrawasnaked,Iriethientookthedagger-pininhislefthand.Anotherwarlockgarbedinwhiterobescameupnexttohim,anornategoldengobletinhishands:theCupofCriel.Themythsofthe eldar held thatwhenEldanesh had been slain byKhaine, his followers had caught his blood insevencups,tokeepitfromthewargod.Khainefoughthardtoreclaimthelifeandspiritofhisvictim,butEldanesh’speoplehadheldthewargod’sarmiesatbay,preservingEldanesh’sspiritforever.

Standingbehind theYoungKing, Iriethienused thepointof thepin tocut the runeof theDireAvengerintothefleshofLideirra,beneathherleftshoulderblade.Thedagger-pincutthroughskinandflesheffortlessly.BloodraninrivuletsacrosstheYoungKing’spaleflesh,drippingfromherbuttocktobecaughtbythecupbearer.

Whenhewasdone,IriethienpassedtheknifetoMorlaniath,whodrewoutthesigiloftheStrikingScorpionsontheothersideofLideirra’sback.HepassedtheknifetoLathorinin,whocarvedtheruneoftheHowlingBansheebeneathLideirra’sleftbreast.NextcameFaerthruin,makingthemarkoftheFireDragonontheYoungKing’srightside.MaureninandRhiallaencutLideirra’sarms,inscribingtherunesoftheDarkReaperandSwoopingHawkrespectively.

All thewhile Lideirra stood in silence, trembling slightly but not once flinching from the bladeworkeduponherflesh.Hereyeswerebrightwithanticipation,fixeduponthebronzedoorsinfrontofher.Herwhiteskinwascriss-crossedwithtrailsofblood.

OneofthewarlockattendeesbroughtforthLideirra’swaystone,claspedintoafixinguponapale

silver chain. This was hung around her neck. The stone bearer then took up the dagger-pin anddelicatelycut theruneof theAvatar intoLideirra’s forehead.Crimsontrickled intohereyesbutshestaredunblinking,redtearsstreakinghercheeks.

Themantle of the Avatarwas hung fromher shoulders, fixedwith the bloodied dagger-pin. Itsgreat lengthwaswrapped about her body twice, and still it trailed on the floor behind her.Darkershadowsspreadacrosstheredclothasherbloodsoakedintothetightly-wovenfibres.

NextshewaspresentedwiththeSuinDaellae,takingtheimmensespearinherrighthand.IntoherleftwasplacedtheCupofCriel,nowbrimmingwithherblood.

ThewarlocksformedacirclearoundtheYoungKingandherhonourguard.Oneof themraisedhervoice,givingventtoapiercingwailwhichflowedintotheopeningwordsfromtheHymnofBlood.Anothertookuptherefrain,addingadiscordanttonebeneaththefirst,andthenanotherandanotheruntilthewarlocksfilledtheantechamberwiththesoundofharshsinging.

Morlaniathturnedhisattentionuponthethroneroomdoors.Thelightfrombeneathwasgrowingbright, flickering, reflected from the entwined wraithbone of the antechamber. The heat from thebronzeportalincreasedsteadily,untiltheairshimmeredandMorlaniathblinkedsweatfromhiseyesinsidehishelmet.Cracklesandsplinteringnoisessoundeddullyfromwithinthethroneroom.Hissesofsteamandthesnapofflamesgrewlouder.

The exarchs joined their voices to the chants and shrieks of the warlocks, adding anotherdiscordantharmonytothehymn.

Morlaniath felt the stirringof theAvatarat thebaseofhis spine, itspresence tinglingup tohisneckand then flowingalong intohis fingertips, intohisgutanddown tohis toes.Energysuffusedeverypartofhim,settinghisnervesalight.

Hesangon,roaringthepraisesofKhaine,hisvoicecuttingacrosstheululationsandwailsofhiscompanions.

Inthemidstoftheritual,Lideirrastoodimmobile,skinstainedwithblood,athickeningcrimsonpoolaroundherbarefeet.Cupandspearwereunmovinginherhands,andsaveforthesubtlestriseandfallofherchestshewasnomorethanastatue.

Another reverberating heartbeat throbbed throughMorlaniath. Then another, and another. Thebasspulsingfittedwiththetempoofthestridenthymn,bothquickeningwitheachother.

With a rush of heat, the bronze doors opened, bathing the antechamber with dazzling light.MorlaniathcouldbarelymakeouttheformoftheAvatarinthebrightness,ahulkingembersatonitsthrone,ashadowamongstthelight.

TheYoungKingpacedintothethroneroom,spearandcupheldbeforeher.ShewasswallowedbythelightandthenbrieflyappearedbeforebeingengulfedagainbytheshadowoftheAvatar.

Withadull thud, thedoorsslowlyclosed,ending thehymn, thequiet that followedeerie, fulloffebriletension.Stillthesoundsofmetalmeltingandfireburningcamemuffledthroughthedoors.Arumbleasofdistantthundergentlyshookthebronzebarrier.

Thewarlocksdepartedwordlesslyastheexarchsformedacircle,standinghand-in-handwitheachother,IriethientoMorlaniath’sleft,Lathorinintohisright.Theringthusformed,theexarchs’spiritsflowedintooneanother,minglingandswirlingtogether.Theirvoiceswereraisedinasinglechant,a

soft,basshummingthatsetthechambertovibrating.Morlaniathdriftedaway,losinghimselfinthemaelstromofspiritscreatedbytheconjoinedexarchs.

Morlaniath’snextmomentofawarenesscameashesteppedbackfromthecircle.Aranarhahadtakenhisplaceatthevigil.MorlaniathreturnedtotheChamberofAutarchswheretheotherexarchswaited.

Herested,waitingforhistimetocomeagain.Aroundhisdormantform,exarchscameandleft,but he did not notice them. He dreamt, wandering in his memories of battle, delighting in therecollectionsofprevioustimesspentfightingalongsidetheAvatar.Thedreamsbecamemorevibrant,moredistinctandheknewtheAvatar’sawakeningwascomingcloser.

The exarchs began to drift away from the chamber, singly at first, and then in small groups,returning to their shrines.Morlaniath lingered awhile longer, revelling in the life that flowed intohim.

Hiscontemplationshaltedabruptly.HesensedKenainathbehindhim.Openinghiseyes,heturnedtohisfellowexarch.

“Thereissomethingamiss,Ifeeladisturbance,yourspiritistroubled.”“Yourthoughtsarecorrect,Ihaveneedtospeakwithyou,comenowtomyshrine.”MorlaniathfeltforthepresenceoftheAvatar,knowingthathewouldhavetoreturnsoontothe

HiddenDeathandreadythemfortheAvatar’sawakening.Heknewthattherewasyetstill time.HenoddedhisacquiescenceandaccompaniedKenainathfromthehall.

Morlaniath followed the other exarch into the armouring chamber of the Deadly Shadow. Silencereigned, the squad not yet called to war by their leader, though surely they felt the coming of theAvatar.

“Whereareyourwarriors?Thetimeisapproaching,theymustsoonbeready,”saidMorlaniath.Kenainathtookoffhishelmetandplacedituponthetopofitsstand.Hisfacewasemaciated,his

eyessunkenanddull,hisdryskinclingingtothesharpbonesofhischeeks.“Icannotleadthem,Iwillnotseethisbattle,mytimehereisshort.”Kenainath’svoicewasbarelya

whisper.“Thisbodyisold,thetimeofitsenddrawsclose,andwillpassaway.Noothercomeshere.TheDeadlyShadowwillsleep,waitingforrebirth.”

“Itisacruelending,ontheeveofbattle,onemoregloriouswar,”repliedMorlaniath.KenainathgrippedMorlaniath’sshouldersandfixedhimwithapenetratingstare.“Thereisnotmuchtime;Ihavesomethingtoaskyou,aboontorequest.Yoursquadisuntested,

yourwarriorsnotready,youcannotleadthem.”MorlaniathopenedhismouthtoarguebutKenainathignoredhimandcontinuedon.“Youneedwarriors,takeontheDeadlyShadow,leadtheminbattle.Theyneedanexarch,letthem

betheHiddenDeath,withyoutheirexarch.”AreflexshimmeredthroughMorlaniath’sconsciousness:theAvatar’sawakeningwasapproaching.

Timewasshort.HelookedatKenainath,seeinghimthroughahundreddifferentmemories.Itwasaharshfatethattookhislifefromhim,atthebrinkofAlaitoc’sgreatestneed.Yetthisbodyhadfoughtlonger thananyotherexarch.Perhapshedeservedpeace fora littlewhile;perhaps thiswasabattle

othersneededtofightforhim.“Itshallbeanhonour,toleadyourwarriors,tomakethemHiddenDeath.”AthinsliverofasmiletwistedKenainath’scrackedlips.“Thehonour ismine, to stand in such company, tobe foundworthy.”Kenainath looked sharply

pastMorlaniath’sshoulder,asifsomeonehadenteredtheroom.“Mypupilsapproach,Iwillsendthemontoyou,attheHiddenDeath.TheAvatarcomes,makethemdontheirmasksswiftly,takemefromtheirminds.”

Morlaniathnoddedinunderstanding.ThereshouldbenotimefortheDeadlyShadowtodwellonthe passing of their exarch, and therewould be time enough for them tomourn after the comingbattle.He claspedKenainath’s hands for amoment, their spiritsmingling for amoment before hebrokethecontact.

“Enjoyyourcomingrest,itwillnotbeforever,andwewillfightagain.”Morlaniath turned away and headed to the skyrunners below, sensing others approaching the

shrine.Ashestraddledtheskyrunner,hefeltasurgeofpowercoursingthroughhim.Hewouldhavetobe

swift:theAvatarwasalmostawake.

MorlaniathspedforthethroneroomoftheAvatar,draggedonbythecallofthewargodincarnate.Hehadreadiedhisownshrine, joinedshortlyafterhisarrivalbythewarriorswhohadbeentheDeadlyShadow. Though Elissanadrin, Arhulesh and the others had been full of questions,Morlaniath hadallowedthemnotimetopondertheturnofevents.Hehadleftthemreadytobringforththeirwar-masks;waiting in silent expectation for theAvatar’s coming, alongwith thedozensofotherAspectWarriorshrinesacross thecraftworld.At themomentofhisawakeningtheywoulddontheirhelmsandbesuffusedwithhisbloodypower,readytobringdeathtothehumans.

Hetookhisplaceinthecircleoffounders,heartracing,breathscominginshortgasps.Thedoorsof the throne room shuddered violently, smoke and flames licking beneath them. The hummingincantationofthecirclewasdrownedoutbyametallicpoundingandtheroarofflames.

Apiercing screamcut through the chant, and silence fell.Morlaniath shuddered in the grips ofecstasy,therageandhatredoftheAvatarcoursingthroughhisbody.Throughtheinfinitycircuit,thewar-call of Khaine echoed through the Alaitocii, bringing everything to a stop. For a single instanteveryeldaronthecraftworld,aliveanddead,werejoinedasone,theirpsychicenergybringingforththeincarnationoftheirrage,theirlivingidolofviolence.

Inaquiveringrapture,Morlaniathwatchedthebronzedoorscrashopen.The Avatar’s eyes burned with dark fire, glowing coals of hatred. Its iron skin was blistered,

crackedandpitted,moltenrivuletsdribblingovertheplates.Betweenthem,fieryhideburnedbright,tonguesofflamelickingalongmetalmuscle,flickeringwithinimmortaljoints.

In its righthand itwieldedtheSuinDaellae, thearcaneweaponglitteringwithpower, the runesuponitshaftandheadwrithingwithflamingsparks.Uponitsshouldersitworetheruddycloak,itsclothanddagger-pin still stainedwithblood.OfLideirra therewasno sign, save for agory slickofblood encasing the Avatar’s arms from burning fingertips to sharp elbow. The blood hissed as it

drippedtothefloor.AllofthisMorlaniathsawinamomentbeforetheAvatarswampedhismind.Theexarchrelived

every death he had inflicted, his joy reaching a crescendo. It was almost too much, a blurringkaleidoscopeofpainandbloodletting,everyflittingimageheighteningMorlaniath’spleasureuntilhecouldrestrainitnomore.

Hearchedhisbackand let loosea roarof rage,ventingeveryatomofhishatred,his call joinedacrossthecraftworldbythousandsofthroats.

War

In the time following the Fall, Asurmen rallied the shattered remnants of Eldanesh and Ulthanesh’schildren.Uponthecraftworlds they fled, theravagesofSheWhoThirsts followingthemswiftly.AsurmenknewthatthechildrenofEldaneshandUlthaneshcouldnotfleeforever,fortheobscenegodthathadbeenbornoutoftheirlustfuldesiresandperversenightmareswasstillapartofthem.Asurmenledahandfulofhisfollowerstoabarrenworldfreeofdistractionandtemptation.HereAsurmenfoundedtheShrineofAsur.Dedicating his life to the preservation of the domain of Asuryan, king of the gods and arbiter of heaven,Asurmen taught his followers that they must give up their love of the gods, for indulgence had led todecadence and wickedness. The destructive impulses of Khaine had to be tempered with wisdom, and soAsurmentaughthisfollowershowtoforgetthejoyofslayingandthethrillofbattle.AttheTempleShrineofAsur,hispupilseachdevelopedtheirownfightingtechnique,channellingonlyapartoftheBloody-HandedGod’s rage. They were the Asurya, the first exarchs.When the treachery of Arhra destroyed the TempleShrineofAsur,theAsuryaescapedtothecraftworldstofoundnewshrinestopassontheirdisciplinesofwar.TheAsuryacreatedthePathoftheWarriorandwouldbeknowninagestocomeasthePhoenixLords,eachreborn out of deathuntil Fuegan of theBurningLance calls them to theRhanaDandra, the final battle,endingofthechildrenofEldaneshandUlthanesh.

AllwasstillintheDomeofCrystalSeers.Treesofmulticolouredwraithbonejuttedfromtheexposedinfinitycircuit,theirglass-likeleavescastingrainbowsacrossthewhitesand-coveredground.Beneaththeircontortedlimbsstoodtheimmortalseers,fleshturnedtoice-likecrystal,theirrobeshunguponglassybodies,theirspiritslongdeparted.

The dome throbbed with the energy of the infinity circuit as Alaitoc readied to defend itself.MorlaniathandtheHiddenDeathhadbeenstationedtoguardthedomealongsidefourothersquads:ShiningSpears on their silver jetbikes;HowlingBansheeswith their flowingmanes and screamingmasks;DireAvengersintheirblueandwhite;WarpSpiderswiththeirglowingdeathspinners.

BehindthemhoveredthreeWaveSerpents,eleganttrooptransportscolouredintheblueofAlaitocwithpurplethornpatternswreathingacrosstheirsleekhulls.Energyvanescrackledwithpoweralongtheir bows, distorting their shapes with a shimmering protective field. Each had a turret sportingshurikencannonsorpairsofbrightlancesthatswivelledwatchfully.

Morlaniath spared no time for these sights. His attention was fixed far above, through thetransparentforcedome.HerethefirstbattleforAlaitocwasbeingwagedinthecoldvacuumofspace.

Bright flares of light from crude plasma engines betrayed the positions of the Imperial ships.Ghostlike,thewarshipsoftheeldarflittedpast,onlytheshimmerandglintoftheirsolarsailsgivingthemaway,theirhullsasdarkasthevoid.

Trailsoffirecriss-crossedthestarrysky,asmissilesandtorpedoesstreakedacrossthefirmament.Theblindingflashoflaserweaponsflittedthroughthedarkness,whileblossomsofbriefflameeruptedinthevoid.Squadronsofgracefuldestroyerstackedeffortlesslytobringtheirweaponstobearwhilebattleshipsslidgentlythroughthemaelstrom,theirbatteriesunleashingsalvoesofdestruction,openbaysspewingwaveafterwaveofdartingfightercraftandwide-wingedbombers.

An Imperial frigatehove into view, so close thatMorlaniath could see itswhitehull andgoldeneagle-headedprow.Itwasaslab-sided,brutalvessel,encrustedwithcornicesandbuttresses,itsprowagiantgoldenramshapedlikeaneagle’sbeak.Flashesrippledfrombowtosternasitopenedfirewithdeckafterdeckofguns,theflashescutthroughbythesearingbeamsoflaserturretsarrangedalongacrenulateddorsaldeck.Alaitocresponded,astormoflightningandlaserleapingfromthecraftworld’sdefence turrets and anti-ship guns. The human ship was engulfed by a torrent of fire and its hullquickly broke, sending plumes of burning air into the vacuum.Wracked by the eldarweapons, thefrigate’splasmareactorsdetonatedinablossomofwhite.

It was as if the stars themselves fought, and Morlaniath stood entranced by the spectacle ofdestruction.

The eldar ships glimmeredwithholofields, appearing as shimmeringghosts to open fire beforedisappearing against the star-filled backdrop. Human void shields sputtered with blue and purpleflaresastheyunleashedburstsofenergytoshunttheattacksoftheeldarintowarpspace.

Foralltheskilloftheeldarcrewsandtheagilityoftheirships,thehumansdrewinexorablycloser,theircomingheraldedbyfreshwavesoftorpedoesandtheglareofattackcraft.Burninghulksdriftedin their wake, both human and eldar, debris gently spiralling away from shattered wrecks. Thehumans seemed bent on their course, coming straight for Alaitoc like armoured comets, punchingthroughthecraftworld’sfleet,heedlessofthedamageinflicteduponthem.Morlaniathhadtoadmirethehumans’single-mindedness,misguidedasitwas.BlindfaithintheirdecrepitEmperorgavethemazealthatoverrodealllogicandsensibility.

Amassiveshape loomedthroughthedome,dozensofarmoureddoorsopeningalong itsside toreveal bristling gun batteries. Defensive fire converged on the cruiser and its shields rippled,dissipatingtheblastswithactinicflares.Itsboweruptedwithblossomsoforangeandmomentslaterthe streak of torpedoes hurtled towardsAlaitoc, breaking into hundreds of smallermissiles as theycrashedintothecraftworld.

Morlaniathfeltthetremoroftheirimpact,notthroughhisfleshbutinhismind,theinfinitycircuitreverberatingwithaspasmofpain.Moresalvoesfromthecruiser’sgundecksslammedintoAlaitoc,crashingagainst theenergyshields thatprotected thedomes.This time thegrounddidshudder, socloseweretheimpactsofplasmaandrocket.Thebarragecontinuedforsometimeandthenfellsilent,theflareoflaserandshellreplacedbythesmallpinpricksofassaultcraftengines.

Thehumansweresendingtheirboardingparties.

“TheTowerofAscendingDreamsisunderattack.”Arhathain’svoicecutthroughMorlaniath’strance.“Standreadytorespondonmycommand.”

TheexarchsignalledtohiswarriorstomountupintheWaveSerpent.Astheyranuptherampatitsback,hesawtheWarpSpiderswinkoutofexistence,whiletheShiningSpearsgunnedtheenginesoftheirjetbikesandspedoutofsightbetweenthewraithbonetrees.

Morlaniath crouched in the back of theWave Serpent as the ramp closed, sealing them inside.Abovehimmotorswhinedquietlyastheturretloweredintothehull,thepilotreadyingthetransportfordeparture.

The Striking Scorpions waited for the autarch’s orders, every heartbeat slowly tickling past.Arhulesh fidgeted with anticipation, flexing his fingers around the grip of his chainsword.Elissanadrin crouched next to Morlaniath, forearms gently resting on her knees, head bowed inconcentration.Becharethremainedassilentasever,hisgazefixedonMorlaniath.Theexarchstaredback, wondering what passed through the former incubi’s mind. Did he confuse Morlaniath withKorlandril, thinkingperhaps that they shared somekind of bond?Didhe ponderhis fatenow thatKenainath’sprotectionwasnomore?Morlaniathhadquestionsofhisown;questionsthatonlytimewould answer.Was Bechareth truly reformed?He had fought asHidden Shadowmany times, butwouldhebewillingtolaydownhislifeforAlaitoc,anadoptedhome?CouldhebetrustedtofightifitseemedthatAlaitocwaswaning?

“Thehumanshavebroken into the lower levels of theTower ofAscendingDreams,” announcedArhathain.“Moveforwardtocontainthem.Donotover-commit.Morehumanshipsareclosingalongthestarwardrim.Bereadytofallbackandredeploy.Guardianforcesmovinginsupport.”

ThethrumoftheWaveSerpent’senginesfilledthecabinasitliftedhigherandturnedonthespot.Therewaslittlesensationofmovementsavetheslightpullofinertiaasthetransportaccelerated,buton internal screensMorlaniath saw the crystal seers skimming past as the pilot steered theWaveSerpenttowardsthemainarterytothedockingareabeingattacked.

Theypassedthroughthelowportalathighspeed,veeringontoathoroughfarelitbybrightbandsofgreenandblue.Thelightsflashedpastthescreen,increasingtoarapidstrobeastheWaveSerpentpicked up speed. Other vehicles joined them at intersections; severalWave Serpents fell in behindthemwhiletwoFalconanti-gravtanksspedpast,theirhelmetedpilotsandgunnersglimpsedbrieflythrougharmouredcanopies.

Suddenly deceleration pushed atMorlaniath as theWave Serpent cornered sharply.He swayedwith themomentum, readjusting himself on his haunches to keep his balance. TheWave Serpentpickedupspeedagainasitacceleratedalongtherampleadingtowardsthedocktowers.

Theyburstontothebroadplazaoftherim,thewhiningoftheengineslostinthecavernousspaceoftheemptydocks:alloftheshipshadletslipfromtheirmooringsassoonastheImperialfleethadbrokenoutofwarpspace.

TheWaveSerpentslewedtoahaltandtheramploweredevenasthetransportsettleddownintoalowhover.Morlaniathraceddowntheramp,thesquadclosebehind.Theouterpartofthedockwasdeserted.Only the occasional flash of a laser or torpedo trail beyond the shimmering force curtain

betrayedthebattlethatwasraging.Aspirallingrampway ledupto the lower levelsof theTowerofAscendingDreams.Thebuilding

formed a tapering curve into a soaring pinnacle that jutted out from the craftworld’s rim. Slenderwindowspiercedthewalls,sometimeslitbyaflashofenergyfromwithin.

Theirarmouredbootsthuddingsoftlyontherampway,theStrikingScorpionsenteredthelowerlevel—severalstoreysofarchedringssurroundingthecentralcoreofthetower—withthesoundsofother squads just behind.Morlaniath looked over his shoulder to see Erethaillin’sMaidens of Fatecatchingquickly, the lightly-armoured, swifterHowlingBansheespassing theStrikingScorpionsastheyturnedaloopoftherampontothesecondlevel.

Morlaniathcouldheargunfire;thechatterofbarbaricsolid-shotweapons,thezipoflaserfireandtheair-splittingshriekofshurikenammunition.HepulledfreetheTeethofDissonancefromwherethebladehadbeenhangingacrosshisback,wieldingit inbothhandsasthespirallingpassagewaytookthemupanotherlevel.

TheHiddenDeathranontoawideconcoursethatcurvedgentlyalongtherimofthecraftworld.Aseaofstarsspreadoutbeyondtheblue-tingedforcewall,burningdebrisfloatingacrossthestarscape.

Thewhirrofwingscaught theexarch’sattentionandheglancedup toseeasquadofSwoopingHawksflyingabovehim,thewingsoftheirflight-packsamulti-colouredblurinthedimyellowglowofthechamber.HesawPhoenixLordBaharrothglidingamongsthis followers,his las-blastersendingshaftsofbrilliantenergyintotheupperlevelsofthedockingtower.

Ahead, through an archway that arced far abovehim,Morlaniath could see blue-clad eldarwithyellowhelmetsgathered in adefensive semi-circle:Guardian squadsprotecting the landingbeyondthearch,shurikencatapultsspittingsalvoesintoafoethattheexarchcouldnotyetsee.AmongsttheGuardiansglidedheavyweaponsplatforms,theircrewscloseathandwithpsychically-linkedcontrols.

Brightlances spat blasts of laser, starcannons unleashed torrents of blue plasma and missilelaunchers filled the air with screaming trails. The Swooping Hawks dove through the arch, theirweaponscriss-crossingthechamberbeyondwithwhiteripplesoffire.

MorlaniathreachedthearchwayandlookedupatAlaitoc’sattackers.Theyhadtakencoveronasweepinggalleryaboveandoppositethearchway,hidingbehindrowsof

slender columns that rose to the ceiling far above. The stunted, thick-limbed enemy were clad inrumpled suits, grey and black camouflage, skull and eagle insignias stitched onto arms and chests,theirflatfaceshiddenbehindsilver-visoredhelmets.Infat,gauntletedhandstheycarriedcrudelaserweaponsthatfiredboltsofred.Pinnedbackbytheeldarcounter-attack,thehumansclumsilybobbedintoview,loosingoffscatteredshotsbeforehidingagain.

TheSwoopingHawkssweptmajesticallyup,slalomingbetweenthepillars,grenadedispensersontheirthighsshoweringthehumansbelowwithblastsofplasmaandshrapnel.TheMaidensofFate—Erethaillin’sHowlingBansheesquad—werealreadyattheleft-handendoftherampwaythatledtothehuman-occupiedgallery,theexarchattheforefrontoftheircharge,agleaming,curvedswordineachhand.ForcedbackbytheheavyweaponsoftheGuardians,thegrenadesoftheSwoopingHawksandtheapproachoftheHowlingBanshees,thehumansdirectednofiretowardsMorlaniathandhissquadastheyracedacrossthetiledfloorbetweenthearchandtheright-handaccessramp.

Morlaniathcouldseehumanofficersamongstthethrongoftheirmen,swathedinlongdresscoatswith golden epaulettes,wearing silver-peaked capswithwinged skull badges.None of the humansnoticedtheHiddenDeathquicklybutquietlystalkinguptheramp,keepingtothelongshadowscastbythepillarsabove.

Morlaniath broke from the ramp at a full run, the others directly behind him. Their shurikenpistols spat a blurring volley into the nearest humans, shredding grey fatigues, crackingmirroredvisors.Their sergeant turned indismay,amomentbefore theTeethofDissonance separatedhisheadfromhisshouldersinonesweep.

The Hidden Death did not pause to finish off the wounded, following closely as Morlaniathcharged into the group of humans huddled behind the next column. The exarch’s mandiblastersexplodedacrossthefaceofablack-coatedofficer,thehuman’sfacetwistingintoanagonised,wordlessscreamasenergyflaredacrosshisswarthyskin.Morlaniathswepthisbitingbladeacrosstheofficer’sleftarm,severingthelimbattheshoulder.

A flash and a roar at close range heralded a shotgun blast, amoment before a storm of pelletscrashed intoMorlaniath’s left side, staggering him for a moment. He turned quickly and saw thepanickedhumantryingtoloadmoreshellsintothegun’sslider,hismovementsslowandfumblinginMorlaniath’seyes.Withalaugh,Morlaniathguttedtheimpudentcreature,spillinghisintestinesoverthewhite-and-gold tilesof thegallery.Aroundhim, theHiddenDeathchoppedandhacked,coatingthefloorwithbloodandlimbs.

The Striking Scorpions and Howling Banshees converged from opposite ends of the gallery,cuttingdownallintheirpath.Thehumansgotineachother’sway,thefewshotstheyfiredwoefullyinaccurate.Sixmoreof theirnumber fell to thebladeTeethofDissonance andMorlaniathgrowled intunetohisweapon,relishingeverydeath.

Las-blastsandthethuddingoffeetheraldedthearrivalofmorehumanscomingdownthebroadstairwaythatsweptdowntothegalleryfromthedockingspireabove.TheSwoopingHawksgreetedthereinforcementswithlas-fire,shroudingthestepswithafusilladeofdeadlylight.Guardianspouredalongthegalleryfromeitherend,addingtheirownfiretothedefence.

Thesnapofthehumans’lasgunswasdrownedoutbythepiercingshriekoftheHowlingBansheesastheychargedagain,theirmasksprojectingapsychosonicwavebeforethem.Someofthehumansfell to theirknees, earsandeyesbleeding,othersdroppedweapons fromnumbed fingersor simplycollapsedwithspasmodicfits.Eventhosethatwerenotincapacitatedstoodinquiveringshock,unabletodefendthemselvesasErethaillinandherwarriorsclosedforthekill,powerswordscuttingthroughflakjackets,fleshandbonewithoutresistance.

Morlaniath was about to lead his squad forward in support of the Howling Banshees whenArhathain’svoicecutthroughhisthoughts.

“Enemynumbersarestrengthening.Theyhavebreachedourdefencesinseveralpositionsandareestablishingalandingzone.StageawithdrawalfromtheTowerofAscendingDreamstoavoidbeingisolated.BringtheenemyintotheConcourseoftheSufferingHeart.AdditionalforceswilljoinyouatthePlazaofAlaithir.”

Inresponsetothisnewplan,theentiretyofthetowerplungedintodarkness,thedimlightofthe

wallsextinguishedbyAlaitoc.Throughtheaugmentedvisionofhishelmet,MorlaniathwatchedtheImperial soldiers topplingdown the stairway, trippingover eachother, flailing in the blackness forbalance. The bright flash of the Swooping Hawks’ lasers and the flare of missile detonationshighlightedfacescontortedinterroratthissuddenchangeofenvironment.

TheeldarwithdrewfromtheirfoesbehindthefireoftheSwoopingHawksandGuardianweaponsplatforms. With their attackers thrown into disarray, the Alaitocii withdrew from the Tower ofAscendingDreamsintotheconcourseoutside,squadstakingitinturnstostandrearguardwhiletherestretreated.Outsideoncemore,theStrikingScorpionsboardedtheirWaveSerpentandturnedtospeedalongtherim,headingforthePlazaofAlaithir,abroadjunctionbetweentheConcourseoftheSuffering Heart and theMourningWay. Behind them, the Imperial troops staggered out into thelightedconcoursetobecutdownbyFalcontanksandsoaringVyperjetbikes.

AtthePlazaofAlaithir,forceswereconvergingfromthreedirections,fallingbackfromallacrossthestarwardsideofthecraftworld.Silhouettedagainsttheorangeglowofthedyingstar,Falconshoveredateachintersection,weaponstrainedabovetheincomingsquadsofAspectWarriorsandGuardians.WaveSerpentsconvergedontheimmensefountainatthecentreoftheplaza,fromwhichrearedanenormous statue of the autarch after whom the plaza was named. Themarble warrior stood withswordandfusionpistolattheready,glaringbalefullydowntheMourningWaytowardstheSpireofTranquility.

TheHiddenDeathdisembarkedtojointhelinedefendingtheconcoursealongwhichtheyhadjusttravelled.TheVypersandFalconsslidbackintoviewoccasionally,firingtheirweaponsatfoeshiddenbehind the curve of the craftworld’s rim. Eventually the humans came into view again, resolutelyadvancing in a column hundreds-strong. Gawky walkers strode on double-jointed legs beside thesquadsofinfantry,theirmulti-barrelledlasersspewingatorrentoffireattheeldarvehicles.Humanheavy weapons teams ran forward, dragging wheeled lascannons and bulky autocannons behindthem.Theysetupfiringpositionsalongsidetheadvancingcompanies,addingthefuryoftheirfiretothewalkers’ascoverfortheadvancingsoldiers.

Asshellscutdarkstreaksthroughtheair,aVyperwasclippedbyasalvo,losingacontrolvane.Itcareenedoutofcontrolintothejade-colouredinteriorwall.AnothervolleyrippedintothearmourofaFalcon,whichlistedsidewaysbeforegrindingintothegroundwithacrumplingofarmouredplates.Moreshotspunchedthroughthewreckage,crackingsensorgemsandshoweringpiecesofshatteredcanopy across the tiled floor. Its anti-grav engines destroyed by a laser blast, another tank flippedawkwardlyupwards,pulselaserstillfiringburningboltsoflight.TheturretofathirdFalconeruptedinflamesfromahitandthetankspuncrazilyaboutitsaxisuntilitcrashedintotheenergyfieldonthespacewardsideoftheplaza,ripplesoflightningspreadingacrosstheforceshield.

Facedwiththecontinuingonslaught,theFalcons’andVypers’pilotsincreasedthespeedoftheirretreat,eventuallyturningcompletelyandboostingawayfromtheImperium’ssoldiersonplumesoflight.ThethroboftheirenginesvibratedthroughMorlaniathastheysoaredoverheadintotherelativesafetyoftheplaza.

Totheadvancinghumansitmusthaveseemedasiftheyhadtheirfoesatbay,trappedintheopen

space of the plaza. The grass-covered hills and marble-like roadways provided little cover for thesheltering troops. The eldarwaited in silencewhile the angry orders and triumphant shouts of theImperialofficersechoedalongtheconcourse.

AshimmeringforcewallblazedintoexistencebarelyadozenpacesinfrontofMorlaniathandtheothersquadsattheconcourseedgeoftheplaza.Everythingbeyondwastintedbytheblueofthefield,asifthearmymarchedalongthebedofashimmeringsea.Las-boltsandbulletssparkedfromtheforceshield,whichquiveredwitheachimpactbutheldfirm.Morlaniathsmiled.Theshieldwallwasnottoprotecttheeldarfromattack.Ithadanother,farmoredeadlypurpose,asthehumanswereabouttodiscover.

Thefine tendrilsof the infinitycircuitwithin the innerwallof theconcourse flickeredandthendarkened. Deprived of energy, the outer force wall collapsed with a flare of light. Exposed to theraveningvacuumofspace,thehumansweresweptfromtheirfeetbytheexplosiveoutrushingofair,hundredsofthemhurledoutofthecraftworldinmoments.Theirscreamswerelostinthevoidastheirskin froze and blood vessels tore open while weapons and helmets spun around them. Even thewalkerscouldnotfightagainsttheexplosivedepressurisation,theirawkwardmetallegsflailingasthesuddenhurricanehurledthemoutintothestarsalongwiththeirdyingcomrades.

The massacre lasted only a fewmoments and silence descended. Glittering particles of frozenbloodlingeredintheair,beforefallinglikerainintheartificialgravityofthecraftworld.Withagrimfascination Morlaniath watched the red pattering, interspersed with plummeting corpses thatthuddeduponthetiledconcourseinmangledheaps.Thoughthedepressurisationhadbeendoneoutofnecessityandlackedthetrueartistryofawell-placedshotorcut,therewasasimplebeautytobefoundinitseffectiveresults.

“Humanforceshavepushed into thesub-levelsbeneath thedockingdome,”Arhathain informedthewarriorsofthecraftworld.“Moreassaultcraftareinbound.Theymustbedrivenback.”

MorlaniathgesturedforhiswarriorstofollowhimbacktotheWaveSerpent.“Nooverconfidence, this isbutthefirststrike, thehumanswill fighthard,”hetoldthemasthey

strodeuptheboardingramp.“Wewillbepitiless,makethempayheavily,everystepshallbepain.Looktooneanother,strikewithsinglepurpose,fightastheHiddenDeath.”

TherampclosedbehindthemandwithinmomentstheWaveSerpentwasmovingagain,anglingtowardstheMourningWay.

“Howdowefareinotherbattles?”askedElissanadrin.“That isnotourconcern;we fight the foeswe face, to theirdestruction.Focuson this sole task;

allownodistraction,untilourfoesareslain.Listenfortheautarchs,theywillguideourswifthand,tolandthedeadlyblow.”

“Their looksof terrorwhen thedarkness came, that is something Iwill treasure,” saidArhuleshwith a sharp laugh. “Did you see their surprise?Such stupidity, to think thatAlaitocwould toleratetheirfilthypresence.”

“Itisashamethatthosewhoknewsuchfeararenowdead,”saidElissanadrin.“Terrorisadisease;itspreadsthroughanenemyasswiftasaplague.”

“Letushopethattheycommunicatedsomeoftheirdreadbeforetheyperished.”ArhuleshturnedtolookatBechareth.“Howcanyoukeepyourdelighttoyourself?Doesitnoteatatyou,toholdinthatdelightfulmomentofdeath,whenanenemy’sspiritisextinguished?”

Bechareth’shelmetedheadcockedtooneside.HisgazemovedbetweenArhuleshandMorlaniath.TheStrikingScorpionshruggedandshookhishead.Heraisedafingertothegrilleofhishelmetandpulled free his chainsword. The bloodstained blades of its teeth gleamed in the light of thecompartment.

“Though his voice is silent, Bechareth speaks to us, his blade’s words come loudly,” explainedMorlaniath,elicitingalaughandanodfromArhulesh.

“Itcertainlydoes,”saidtheStrikingScorpion.“Islewthirteenofthem,butcouldnotmatchyourtally.Eighteen,wasitnot?”

Becharethnodded.“WeshallseewhohasthegreaterscorewhenthehumanshavebeendrivenfromAlaitoc.IthinkI

mayevenbeatyouthistime.”“Thecountwillbemany,thehumanscomeinforce,plentyforeachofus,”theexarchassuredhis

squad.As theirminds turned to the prospect ofmuchdeath to come, the squad fell silent.Morlaniath

allowedhimselftobrieflyrecallhislatestslayings,whilepartofhimkeptaneyeonthecrystalscreendisplaying the Wave Serpent’s position. Along with many others, the Hidden Death had droppedseveral layersbeneath themain inhabitedzoneofAlaitoc; theWaveSerpent racedalonganarterialsupplyrouteusuallyusedto transportwares fromtheExoditecoloniesandothercraftworlds to thevariouspartsofAlaitoc.

Thesedepthsweretotallyenclosed,dividedfromtheemptinessofspacebysolidwallsandfloors,notforceshieldsthatcouldbeswitchedoff.Listeningtothe irregularcommentsfromtheautarchs,Morlaniath learnt that the humans had been over-confident in their speedy assault, but now theyadvancedwithmore caution. This didnotmake themany less dangerous. Theywould gather theirstrengthandattackrelentlessly,knowingthattheyhadtheadvantageofnumbers.TheycouldnotbeallowedtogainaworthwhilefootholdonAlaitoc.Iftheydid,itcouldwellheraldaslowdoomforthecraftworld.

As Morlaniath considered this, he felt a ripple through the wraithbone skeleton of the WaveSerpentas it connected to the infinitycircuitwitha flutterofpsychicenergy.He feltanothermindtouchuponhisthoughtsandinstantlyrecognisedThirianna,rememberingthesenseofherfromtheirencounterattheshrine.ThroughthepsychicconnectionMorlaniathfeltthefleetingpresenceofothereldar:exarchsandGuardiansquadleaders,vehiclepilotsandsupportweapongunners.Allwerejoinedtogetherforamoment.

TheenemymakeprogressalongtheWellofDisparateFates.Walktheredpathwiththem,drivethembacktotheir landing craft. There followed a flutter of brief images: Imperial soldiers setting up crudebarricades; the small one-manwalkers stalking through unlit corridors, searchlights playing acrosscurvingwalls;anofficerwithapistolinhandbellowingathistroops.

She was gone, leaving only an aftertouch in Morlaniath’s mind. The exarch opened up the

communicationschannelwiththeWaveSerpent’spilot,Laureneth.“Putusdownclosetothem,wewilladvanceonfoot,coveruswithyourfire,”hetoldthedriver.“Iunderstand,exarch,” thepilot replied,hisvoice flat.The telemetrydisplayclose toMorlaniath

changed to show a schematic of the conduits and tunnels beneath the docks. A rune flashed at anintersection a short distance from the place they had seen in Thirianna’s message. “Will that besuitable,exarch?”

“Thatwillbesuitable;abloodytrailfollows,aswewalkinKhaine’sshade.”

ThedeadlystrugglebetweentheAlaitociiandtheinvadinghumansfilledthesub-strata levelsofthedocks.TheImperialforcesweredesperatetogainafootholdintowhichtheycouldmovetheirheaviermateriel.Despite theAlaitoc fleet takinga serious toll of the transports attempting to reinforce thelandingzone,withperhapsonlyoneineverythreeofthehuman’scraftmakingfallatthecraftworld’srim,theenemycontinuedrelentlessly.Agrowingfieldofburningcraft,debrisandcorpsescoalescedaroundthedockfacilitiesinponderousorbits,keptclosebyAlaitoc’sartificialgravityfield.

Theeldarheldtheirgroundinalargenave-likeintersectionbetweenthreetransitroutesfromthedockstothecentralarterialconcourses.Thehumansadvancedalongtwovaultedtunnels,scamperingfrompointed arch to pointed arch, sometimes using themounds of their owndead as cover. Theyofferedlittleinthewayoffire—bythetimetheyhadclosedtherange,theirnumbersweresolowtheywere swiftly eliminated by theGuardians. On levels above and below, to the left and right, similarfirefightswrackedthecraftworld.

“Theyfightlikemaniacs,notcountinganycost,thepricepaidbyfanatics,”Morlaniathcommentedtohissquadashewatchedthegrey-cladsoldierschargingheadlongintoavolleyofmissilesfiredbyseveralsquadsofDarkReapers.WiththeHiddenDeath,othersquadsofStrikingScorpions,HowlingBansheesandWarpSpiderswerepositionedalittlewaybehindthefighting,readytomoveforwardtostaveoffanybreakthroughorcounter-attackifanopportunitypresenteditself.OccasionallytheWaveSerpent behind the squad unleashed a torrent of plasma from its starcannons, the flickering shotsdisappearingintothegloomofthepassageway.

“Numbersarenotactic, tobehurled likebullets,a limitlesssupply,” theexarchcontinued.“Theyrenderdeathpointless,eachlifeastatistic,thatnooneiscounting.Theyusethehammer,tosmashatformlessfog,todestroyonlyair.”

Though Alaitoc could not empty the air from this section, the craftworld did not permit thehumans easy advance. The light dimmed and changed, from bright mid-cycle glare to late-cycletwilight,interspersedwithbriefperiodsofblindingwhitenessandutterdarkness.

Infinity circuit energy coursed through thewalls;Morlaniath could feel the spirit energywithinrippling on the edge of consciousness. Amidst the turmoil, ghostly apparitions, brief psychicphantasms,appearedamongsttheenemyranks,nodoubtguidedbytheseers:raving,fire-wreathedmonstrosities;weepinghumanmotherscradlingthebloodiedswaddlingofchildren;flutteringflocksofgiantwasps;shimmering lightsthatcontainedthescreamingfacesof thehumans.Lockedinsidethewallsofthecraftworldtheenemyhadnogaugeoftimepassingandcouldnotknowwhethertheyfoughtforaheartbeatora lifetime;theeldarwerefreefromsuchdoubts,subconsciouslyattunedto

theinternalrhythmsofAlaitoc.Theterrifyingassaultonthesensesofthehumanshadonlyalimitedeffect.Occasionallyasoldier

wouldbreakandrunscreamingfromthefight,butmoreoftenthebellowsofthehumans’leaderscutthroughtheclamour,urgingthesoldiersforwards.Morlaniathwatchedarobe-cladhumanwithabaldheadraisingabookinhisrighthand,frothingandshouting,hishomilieskeepingthesoldiersattheirpositionsdespite thehorrendous casualties.Grim-faced officerswithpeaked caps and skull-shapedbadgesinstilleddisciplinewithmorebrutalmeans,turningtheirpistolsontheirownwarriorswhentheyshowedsignsofcowardice.

“Theirfaithisafacade,layeredontocowards,drivenbyfearmorethanhate,”Morlaniathobserved.“Superficialhatred,falselyrighteousanger,isnomotiveforwar.Ourhateandrageispure,Khaine’slastinggift tous, a true strengthof spirit.Donotpity these fools, they can learnnothingnew.Anymercy iswasted.Theydiewithoutmeaning,noone counting the toll, nooneheeding theirdeaths.Theirlivesaremeaningless,nolastingpotential,shortspanseasilyspent.Notrueaspirations,justfearandresentment,mindsfilledwithhollowthoughts.”

Crude as the humans’ techniques were, they were slowly gaining ground by sheer weight ofnumbers and raw belligerence. The autarchs had acknowledged as much when Arhathain nextcommunicatedtotheexarchsandGuardiansquadleaders.

“A newwave of forces is closing on the humans’ landing area. These reinforcements cannot beallowedtobolstertheattack.Pushthehumansbacktotheirshipsanderadicatethem.”

AflashofawarenessfromtheinfinitycircuitbroughtMorlaniath’sattentiontoacircularopeninginthecurvingwallbehindhim.Thecoveringmeltedaway,revealinganarrowbutnavigableconduitthatranalongsidethemainpassage.

Erethaillin and herHowling Banshees were already at the tunnelmouth, ducking theirmanedhelms into the service duct.Morlaniath and theHidden Death followed as swiftly as their heavierarmour allowed, the iris-door coalescing across the gap behind them, plunging the passage intogloom.Theglowofpsychicenergytrailedalongcrystallinefibresinthewallandbythiswitchlightthetwosquadsadvancedquickly.Therewasnoneedtoguesstherelativepositionsof theenemyintheparallelcorridor;Alaitocwouldleadthemtowheretheywereneeded.

Bentover, theHowlingBanshees spedalong the conduit on light feet, theirbone-white armourcastwithabluegleamfromtheirpowerswords.Morlaniathwatchedthemgettingfurtherandfurtherahead until the glow of their weapons and eyes was nomore than a quickly receding haze in thedistance.

Thetunnelcurvedgentlyupwards,takingitawayfromthemainroutebywhichthehumanswereattacking.Morlaniathsurmisedthattheywerebeingtakendirecttothelandingzone,butwaryofthelimitsofestimation,sentamessagetoArhathain.

“Intothefoes’darkheart,afatalblowunseen,isthatournewpurpose?”heasked.ItwasbutafewheartbeatsbeforeArhathainresponded.

“Theenemywillbecaughttwixtdoomanddeath,withnoescape.Thenewarrivalsareimminent;donotallowthemtojointheongoingattack.”

Theglowaheadgrewbrightagain,andsoontheStrikingScorpionssawtheazure-dancingblades

of theHowlingBansheessquad,crouchedaroundanother irisdoorhavingbeentoldtowait for thefollowingsquad.

“Strengthinourunity,togetherwefight,invictoryrenowned,”saidErethaillin.“With the Maidens of Fate, the Hidden Death will fight, doom and dark together!” laughed

Morlaniath.They waited in silence, eyes fixed to the closed portal. The sound of booted feet reverberated

throughtheconduitfromthepassagewayontheothersideofthedoor,anoccasionalgutturalhumancommandaddedtothenoise.

TheirisdoorwidenedandtheAspectWarriorsstreamedthrough,pistolsblazing.They were at the skin of Alaitoc itself, a large domed hallway filled with humans. Blunt-nosed

landingcraftsquattedonthecurvingstar-quays,theairshimmeringwithcoolingengines.Dozensofhumansmarcheddowntherampsfromtheseassaultboats,utterlyunpreparedforthesuddenattack.

Asahumanfellwithavolleyofshurikensinthebackofhisneck,MorlaniathsawAranarhaandhissquadattacking fromclose to therimwall.WarpSpidersmaterialised in themidstof the foe, theirdeathspinnersrippingthroughwholesquads.Fromabove,SwoopingHawksdroppeddownthroughthe arching arms of loading cranes, plasma grenades blossoming beneath them, their las-blasterssendingstreamsofwhitedeaththroughthemillinghumans.

MorlaniathsparednomorethoughtfortheothersquadsashechoppedtheheadfromanImperialsoldierwithatwistofhiswrists.Oneofthepeak-cappedofficersbellowedincoherentlyathim,raisingafistsheathedinacracklingmechanicalgauntlet.Morlaniathslicedthehuman’sarmattheelbow,thepoweredgloveclangingtothefloor.Las-boltssprayedfromtheofficer’spistol,catchingtheexarchontherightsideofhischest,leavingsmokingholesinhisarmour.Annoyed,heflexedhisarmandsenttheTeeth of Dissonance through the officer’s other elbow, leaving him literally disarmed. The officercollapsedtooneside,stillshouting,kickingoutwithhislegsinhopelessdefiance.Morlaniathendedhim with a surge from his mandiblasters, the laser bolt punching through the human’s gildedbreastplate.Thewholeaffairhadtakenlessthanthreeheartbeats.

AhumancrouchedoverabuzzingpieceofequipmentlookedupinhorrorasMorlaniathloomedover him—on the end of a coiling wire he held a cup-shaped receptacle to one ear. The Teeth ofDissonance cleaved through the human’s upraised arm and came to rest halfway through his skull,showering the fizzing electrical boxwith blood.Morlaniath let go of his swordwith one hand andstoopedtopickupthereceptacleandholditclosetohishelmet’sauditorypick-up.Betweenburstsofstatic,meaninglesshumangibberishrangtinnilyintheexarch’sear.

Beingoverrunatsectorsix—bytheEmperor’sholyshrivelledgonads,weneedmoreammunition—didyouseewhat they did to the captain? Is that him over there? Where did the rest of him go?—Remain at stations,reinforcements incoming—Thedoorwon’t open,Command. It swallowedSergeantLister—Sayagain, corporal,reportposition—Reinforcementsimminent,theAsta—

Morlaniath dropped the comm-device and looked across the wide hangar. A few pockets ofhumansheldout,defendingtheirshuttlestothelastsoldier.Hissquadwastoofarawaytointervene,therewouldbenoneleftbythetimetheHiddenDeathreachedthelandingcraft.HewatchedwithatwingeofenvyasAranarhaboardedoneoftheassaultboatswithhiswarriors.

“Enemyreinforcementshavereachedthedocks,”announcedArhathain.“AllunitsfallbacktotheDomeofMidnightForests.Donotengagetheenemy,fallbackatonce.”

Morlaniathwasconfused.Thehangaranddockingplatformswereineldarhands.Heavyweaponsweremovingup theaccess ramps.Anyenemy foolishenough tomakea landing in the teethof theeldar squadswould be cut downas soon as they set foot on the craftworld.He turned towards theglimmeringone-way field thatprotected thedockopening.Therewasno signof approaching craftoutside,justaswatheofstars.

Of theattacking ships, therewasnothing tobe seen save for ahandful of flaringplasmadrivesagainst the darkness. Morlaniath could not see how so few reinforcements had so unsettled theautarchs.

Thedocksshookwithathunderousimpactasatorpedo-likecraftsmashedthroughtheouterwalltoMorlaniath’sleft,thenoseconeoftheboardingvesselsurroundedinaredhazeofenergy.TwomoreslammedintoAlaitoctoeithersideofthefirst,sendingcrackedshardsofwallflyingacrossthedocks.Lightwithin recesses around the torpedoes’ noses flared andMorlaniathdropped tohis belly in aninstant,warnedbyinstinct.Abarrageofrocketsfilledthedockside,amassoffireandsmoketrailsanddeafening blasts that cut through the eldar. Secondary detonations tore apart the human landingcraft,creatingafreshstormofshrapnel.

Morlaniathjumpedbacktohisfeetandcheckedonhissquad.Arhuleshheldhisarmwherealonggashhadripped throughhisarmour,and therewereminorcracksandscratches in thesuitsof theothers,butnoserious injuries.Thesamecouldnotbesaidforothereldarforces.The limpformsofGuardians lay sprawledacrosswalkways, sparks fizzing fromthe remnantsof theirheavyweapons.Erethaillin’ssquadhadbeenclosetothewallandbloodstainedarmour litteredthehangarfloor, thetatteredstrandsoftheHowlingBanshees’helmetmanesfloatingaroundtheircorpses.

IneverydirectionMorlaniathlooked,hesawdeadanddyingeldar.Hisgazewasdrawnbacktothethreeglowingprojectilesjuttingthroughthewallsurroundedbya

lingeringhazeofsmoke.Thoughscorched,theywerepaintedinwhiteandred.Inunison,thenosesbroke into four petal-like segments, opening up to reveal a harshwhite interior. The bottom petaltoucheddownlikearampandinthedizzyaftermathoftherocketsblasts,thedockrangwithheavyfeet.

Adozenfierytrailssnarledfromoftheopeningportals,followedbythesharpcrackofdetonations,the bloodied remains of eldar warriors flung across the hangar floor. With morbid curiosityMorlaniathfocussedonone,seeingaminiaturerocketatleastthesizeofhisthumbpropelledoutofthewhitelight.IthitaGuardianinthelegandpunchedthroughthethinarmourintoflesh.Amomentlateritdetonatedwithablossomofboneandblood,rippingthelimbapartfromtheinside.

Morlaniathknewthisweapon.Hehadfaceditoncebefore:thetimewhennot-Lecchamemnonhadbeenslain.Thememoryofhis

deathwasunpleasantandtheexarchlookedattheboardingtorpedoeswithadisconcertedfeelingasmore of them burst through other parts of the dock wall. Hugely armoured figures ran down theramps,theirgunsspittingfury.

ImperialSpaceMarines!

Death

InthemomentbetweenKhaine’sswordblowandEldanesh’sdeath,AsuryanthePhoenixKingcamedownfromheaven.Eldaneshaskedwhyitwasthattheeldarhadtodie.Asuryanlaughedatthequestion.HetoldEldaneshthathecouldnotdie.Thefatheroftheeldarwouldliveoninthespiritandmemoryofhischildren,rebornanewineverygeneration.Whilehischildrenprospered,Eldaneshwouldbeimmortal.Asdeath’sgriptightened on Eldanesh and the stars dimmed, Asuryan gave him one last message. The gods had nodescendants,onlytheycouldtrulydie.

The retreat from the dockswas swift. Facedwith the devastating onslaught of theEmperor’smostfearsomecreations,theeldarmeltedawayintotheinnercorridorsandhallsofAlaitoc.Thecraftworldsecuredtheirretreat,delayingthepursuingSpaceMarineswithcloseddoorsandenergyfields.Drivenby the energy of the infinity circuit, Alaitoc remapped entire parts of its layout to stall the enemyadvance,sealingcorridorsandcollapsingwalkwaystostrandtheenemyandseparatethemfromeachother. When all was done, the infinity circuit shrank back from the docks, rendering the crystalnetworkdead,leavingnomeansforthefoetoexploitorinfiltrateitsenergies.

AsthesquadboardedtheirWaveSerpentinsilence,Morlaniathsensedthenumbedshockofhiswarriors,therealisationthatthereexistedfoesinthegalaxythatwerethematchofthem.

“It isnot the rightplace, to faceour foesheadon, standingwithblade-to-blade,” he said as theWaveSerpentliftedoffandturnedsharply,headingfortheDomeofMidnightForests.“Wearepartofthewhole, a sole Aspect of Khaine, not complete of itself.With others wewill fight,much greatertogether, victorious in time. SpaceMarines are dire foes, deadly in their own right, but so few innumber.Theyarestrongofbody,theyknownotdreadordoubt,yetstilltheycanbekilled.Noswiftvictorycomes,thisisawarofwill.Alaitocmustprevail.”

“The enemy have secured many landing points behind the spearhead of their finest warriors,”Arhathain cut throughMorlaniath’s encouragement. “Their numbers will swell and they will bringvehicles and heavier weapons. We cannot be dragged into their crude way of war, meeting themheadlong. They will lumber after us with great crushing blows; we must be the blade that cuts athousand times.Wehavekilledmanyof thehumans andwemust killmanymorebeforeweknowvictory.Therewillbenoswiftroadbacktopeace.ThetruewarforAlaitocbeginsnow.”

Theexarchsensedlingeringdoubtinthemindsofhisfollowers.“Theautarchspeaksthetruth:wefightforsurvival,toavoidextinction.Harbournoweaknesses,

dispel theseedofdoubt,hardenyourselves forwar.Knowthere isnoretreat,we fight toguardourhome,tokeepourfuturesafe.”

“SpaceMarines,tanks,countlesssoldiers,howcanwefightagainstsuchthings?”askedArhulesh.“Withbladeandwithpistol,wefightwhatwecankill,trustothersfortherest.Wearenotwithout

arms.Wehaveour ownweapons, tomeet these kinds of threats.Defeat isnot our fate,not by thehandsofmen,notinthisplaceandtime.Lethatebeyourcourage,letangerbeyourshield,letKhainewatchoverus.”

Their disquiet receded as theWaveSerpent spedon. In silence, they each fell into ameditativestate,drawingontheirresolvetoquenchthefearthathadrisen.Morlaniathhadnoneedtobolsterhisconvictionswithabstractcontemplation.HehadaveryrealreasontodespisetheSpaceMarinesoftheEmperor.

Thefieldsaroundthetownburned,pockmarkedwithcraters.Thebodiesofgiganticmiradonslayinburning heaps, their scales glistening in the flame-light. More blasts rained down from the skies,crushing thebuildingsofSemainAlair.Charred corpseswere flunghigh into theairby theplasmaimpacts,whilethescreamsoftheburningExoditesmingledwiththeagonisedbellowsoftheirherds.

The exarch watched the devastation from a stand of burning trees on a hill overlooking thefarmingsettlement,thecanopyoverheadacracklinginferno.Inirrigationditchesandhollows,otherslayinwait.

HeturnedtoFarseerAlaitharin.“Wehavearrivedtoolate,theslaughterhasbegun.Nowwemustcountthedead.”Theseer’sruby-likeeyelensesfixedhimwithastare.Shereachedintothepouchatherwaistand

drewforthahandfulofwraithbonerunes.They liftedfromheropenpalmandarrangedthemselvesintoacirclingpattern,slowlyrevolvingaroundthefarseer.

“Itwasnotourfatetoprotectthem,”shesaidslowly.“Wecannotstopthehumansfromtakingthisworld.”

“Idonotunderstand,whatisourpurposehere,ifnottodrivethemback?”“Oneiscomingwhowillbecomeagreatermilitaryleader.Inagenerationfromnow,hewilllead

his forcesagainst the fleetofAlaitoc in theKholiriansystemanddestroymanyofour ships. Ihavefollowedhisstrand.Heismostvulnerablehere,duringthisconquest.Extinguishhislightnowanditwillneverburnourpeople.”

“Whoisthisgreatleader,athreattothefuture,nohumanlivessolong?”“He isnohuman,” repliedAlaitharin.Therunesceased theirorbitand floatedback toherhand.

Shelookedupintotheeveningsky.“Hecomesuponashootingstar.”MorlaniathandtheotherHiddenDeathwarriorsfollowedhergaze.Pinpricksoflightappearedin

thesky,swiftlygrowinglarger.Astheyneared,Morlaniathcouldseeblackliveriedcraftfallingthroughthe atmosphere, the glimmers of light the glare of their heat shields. The exarch counted them,fourteeninall.

Dart-like shapesappearedover thehills in frontofMorlaniath, closing fast:Nightwing fighters.Laserslancedfromtheirprows,strikingthefallingdrop-pods.Thearmourofmanyshruggedasidethe

attack,butthreeexplodedintocloudsoffireanddebris,explodingintopartsthatburnedawayintonothing.TheNightwingstwistedandfiredagain,destroyingtwomore.

Bulkier shapes appeared in the twilight, rockets flaring from their wings—the gunships of theenemy.Theywerehigh-sided, clumsy craft, ladenwithweapons.TheNightwingswere forced awayfromthefallingpodsbytheweightoffireastheyturnedtomeetthisnewthreat.

Withblazesofplasma,thedrop-podsslowedtheirdescentandslammedintothesoftearthofthefarms.HeatshimmerdisturbedtheairbutMorlaniathcouldmakeoutwhitecross-shapedmarkingsontheirsides.Explosiveboltscrackledandrampscrashedtotheburntground,disgorgingsquadsofbulky,armour-cladwarriors.

“Thisone,”saidAlaitharin,pointingtoasquadsergeantforginguptheslopetowardstheburningsettlement,hissquadincloseformationbehindhim.Arune—thesymboloffatesealed—appearedinMorlaniath’svision,dancingovertheheadoftheSpaceMarine.Evenwhenhedisappearedintoadell,therunebetrayedhiswhereabouts.“Itisdestinedthatyouslayhim.Gonow,bringhisdoomswiftly.”

Morlaniathheadedtowardstheburningbuildingswithhissquadintowwhileothereldarforcesformed a ring around the disembarking SpaceMarines. The rune of fatewas a constant presence,dragginghimon.Gunfireeruptedacrossthedevastatedfieldbuthedidnotspareaglancebackwards,intentonlyonthepreyhestalked.

Theoutskirtsofthesettlementwereasruinedasthecentre,thehightowersandlonghallscrushedto piles of rubble. Morlaniath skirted around a complex of half-fallen walls that had once been astorehouse.Twistedharnessesandsaddlesjuttedfromtheshatteredmasonry.Hereandthereanarmorlegcouldbeseen,duststickingtothedryingblood.

He found ithard tounderstand the farseer’sattitude.Surely thiswarrior couldhavebeenkilledbeforetheattackwaslaunched?ItwasonemattertoexpendthelivesoflesserspeciestofurtherthecauseofAlaitoc;itwasanothertosacrificeeldar,eveniftheywereonlyExodites.Theremayhavebeengreaterriskinanorbitalattack,butitwasthedutyoftheAspectWarriorstofacesuchdangers.Thefarmerslyingdeadintheruinsoftheirhomeshadmadenosuchcommitment.

Yet,itwasthefarseersthatcouldforetelltheperilsfacingthecraftworld,andifthiswasthebestcourseofactionhewasinnoplacetoresisttheirjudgement.Hewasgladhedidnothavetodealwiththevagariesofdivination.Hehadaclarityofpurposeitwashardtoargueagainst:killtheenemy.Thefulfilmentofthatsimplegoalbroughthimcontentment,oftenjoy.

Hispreyhadtakenupapositionintheruinsofameetinghall,onthedebris-strewnfloorofthesecondstorey.Thesquad’sfirescreamedoutovertheravagedfields,coveringtheircomradesastheytook up defensive positions against the eldar attack. Their attention was focussed outward,unsuspectingoftheHiddenDeaththatcameatthemfrombehind.

Morlaniath trodgentlyacrossa rampofbrokenstone, carefulnot tomove the smallestgrainofdebris.Crouchedat the sill ofa shatteredwindow,he set eyesonhispreyoncemore.The sergeantstoodwith one foot upon the lip of awall, directing the fire of his squad. Thewhite edgingof hisshoulderpadsandthecrosssymboltheyenclosedcouldbeseenintheshadowoftheruin.Burstsofmuzzleflareilluminatedhiscraggyfaceashestaredintentlyoutacrossthefields.

Withanodtohissquad,Morlaniathslippedthroughtheremnantsofthewindowandacrossthe

rubble-strewnstreet,glidingbetweenpatchesofburningmaterialandsmokingcorpses.Theywerehalfwayacrosstheopenspacewhenthepreysuddenlyglanceddownathis leftwrist:

Morlaniath could see a red lightwinking quickly on a device attached to his arm. ToMorlaniath itseemedas if thesergeant turnedslowly inhisdirection,raisinghispistol to fire,mouthopeningtobellowafreshorderevenashisotherhandraisedtheSpaceMarine’shelmettowardshishead.

TheStrikingScorpionsneedednocommand.Theyleaptforwardatfullspeed,enteringthebottomstoreyofthebuildingoccupiedbytheSpaceMarines.RiethillinandLordranirsprintedupthestairwaywhileMorlaniathledIrithiris,ElthruinandDarendiruptheslopeofacollapsedfloor,intotheheartoftheenemysquad.

HarshlightblazedastheSpaceMarinesunleashedthefuryoftheirbolters.Darendirwasintheirline of fire and was torn apart, fragments of armour and body tumbling down the floor-slope.Morlaniathtossedahandfulofsmallgrenades,eachexplodingintoawhite-hotcloudofplasmathatsenttheSpaceMarinesreelingback.Hechargedthroughthedissipatingmist,theTeethofDissonancecarving into the chest of the closest enemy. Blades screeched as they hacked through the gold-embossed eagle on the warrior’s plastron. The Space Marine twisted away, almost wrenching theweapon fromMorlaniath’s grasp.The exarchduckedbeneath a fist almost as large ashisheadandkickedhisfootagainsttheSpaceMarine’sstomachtowrenchhisbitingbladefree.HelithelytwistedasideastheSpaceMarinetriedtobringanarmouredelbowdownontheexarch’sshoulder,theTeethofDissonancecuttingintotheflexiblearmourbehindthewarrior’sleftknee.

TheSpaceMarinetoppledasthelowerhalfofhislegspunaway,hisweaponblazingashisfingerinstinctively tightened on the trigger, the flare of the bolts disappearing into the darkening sky.MorlaniathdrovethepointofhisbladeintothefaceplateoftheSpaceMarine’shelmet,thewhirringteethcuttingthroughthegrille-mouthuntilbloodsprayedheavilyandtheSpaceMarinefellstill.

Somethingslammedintotheexarch’sbackandhefeltribsfracturing.Morlaniathsnarledinpainandhismandiblastersspewedanarcofenergyashetwistedwiththeforceoftheblowtoconfronthisnew attacker. The Space Marine ponderously swung overarm with a long combat knife, the blowfallingwideasMorlaniathslippedaside.TheexarchraineddownthreeblowsonthearmoftheSpaceMarine,thelastseveringhiswristsothathandandknifefelltotheblood-spatteredfloor.

Theruneoffatedancedacrosstheexarch’svisionandheplungedpastthewoundedSpaceMarinetoattackthesergeant.Hispreyraisedachainswordindefence,theTeethofDissonancedeflectedawayin a storm of sparks. Morlaniath adjusted his attack, feinting towards the sergeant’s gut beforebringing his blade down hard against the side of his head. The teeth skittered across the roundedhelm, shards of armour splintering, but the blow did not bite home and the Teeth of DissonancereboundedofftheSpaceMarine’shelmandshoulderpad.

The Space Marine clubbed down with the butt of his pistol, catching the exarch on the leftshoulder. The eldar’s arm went numb and his fingers lost their grip on the Teeth of Dissonance.Somethingsentgrindingpainalonghisspinewhenhestoopedtorecoverthefallenweapon.Abootedfoot crashed intohis chest, liftingMorlaniath fully off his feet, pain flooding through everypart ofhim.Hefelthisheartrupturingfromtheblow,hislungsfillingwithblood.

Thiscannotbe,hethoughtdistractedly.Hecoughedandbloodfilledhishelm.Evenhiseyeshurt

as he watched the sergeant turning away with a snarl of contempt. Morlaniath held on for a fewmomentslongertoseeEthruinpounce.

AsEthruin,hesawhisexarchfall.Ethruinsurgedforward,triggeringhismandiblasterstoscorchtheeyesofthesergeant,blindinghim.HisbladefoundtheSpaceMarine’sthroat,rippingopentheflexibleprotectivecollar,bitingintowindpipeandarterieswithasolidthrust.Bloodfrothedfromthewoundasthesergeantfellback,crashingthroughawindowtothegroundbelow.

Withtheirtargetdead,theeldarwithdrewintothenight,theHiddenDeathtakingthearmouredbodyoftheirfallenexarchwiththem.

Morlaniathsnappedbacktothepresentwithafiercegrowl.Suchweretheconvolutedstrandsoffatethatthefarseershadtofollow,withlivesandspiritsoverlappingoneanotheracrosstheskeinoftime.Therewerenosuchmachinationstocontendwithinthisbattle.Thegoalwassimple.SlaythehumansanddrivethemfromAlaitoc.Nothingelsemattered.

The Dome of Midnight Forests was dark, lit only by the glow of Mirianathir. Beneath the ruddyshadowsofthelianderin,theAlaitociigathered.Grav-tanksprowledalongthepathwayswhilescoresofWaveSerpentsshuttledbackandforthdeliveringsquadstotheirpositions.Theeldarhadforsakenanydefenceof thedockwardcorridors,knowing that theEmperor’sSpaceMarinesexcelledat suchclose quarters fighting. Swooping Hawks andWarp Spiders harried them, hitting and retreating,drawingthehumanforcesontowardstheforestdome.Heretheeldarwouldmaketheirnextstand,abletorakefireacrossthewideclearingsfromthecoverof thescatteredwoods.Everyvalleywouldbecomeakillingfield,everybrookandmeadowagraveyardfortheinvaders.

TheHiddenDeathwerejoinedbyFiorennanandLitharainfromtheFallofDeadlyRainshrine—theonlysurvivorsfromthesquad.FiveofthemhadbeenscytheddownbyrocketsduringtheinitialSpaceMarineassault,caughtastheyclearedtheImperiallandingcraft.Theexarchandthreemoreofhis warriors had died trying to fall back, cut down as the Space Marines drove into the eldar.Aranarha’sarmourhadnotbeenrecoveredandthelosshungheavyinhiswarriors’minds.

“Whatiftheydesecratehissuit?”askedFiorennan.“Whatiftheybreakaparthisspiritstones?Hecouldbelosttousforever!”

“It is unwise to dwell, there aremany such fates, but not all come to pass,”Morlaniath assuredthem.“Theenemycomefast,withnothoughtofthedead,hewillbeoverlooked.”

“Outofspiteandignorance,theycouldcauseharmtheydonotunderstand,”arguedFiorennan.“Aranarhaislost,forthemomentatleast,wecannotchangehisfate!”snappedMorlaniath.Talkof

theeternaldeathdispleasedtheexarch.IfAlaitocwastofall,thenallofhiskindwouldfinallydie,theinfinitycircuitwouldberapedofitspowerandSheWhoThirstswouldfeastheavily.Heshuddered.Nomortalcreaturescaredhim,noteventheEmperor’sSpaceMarineabominations,buteverlastingtortureconsumedbytheGreatEnemywasadoombestnotcontemplated.

“Donotcountenancedeath,dispelthoughtsofdefeat,thinkonlyofwinning.Morai-hegwasfickle,

butitisinourhands,toshapeourownfuture.Responsibility,tocreateourownfate,lieswithinourowngrasp.Tokillandnottodie,toslayandnottofall,thisistheendweseek.”

Insilence,theStrikingScorpionsstalkedbetweenthetoweringtreestotheirallottedposition.Asthey flitted through theshadows,anenormousCobraanti-grav tankslidpastalongabroadroad,animbusofblueenergyplayingaroundthemuzzleof itsdistortioncannon.The leaves trembledandgrass flattened at its passing, though it made nomore sound than the hum of a honeywing. TheHiddenDeathfollowedclosebehinduntiltheCobraturnedofftheroadintoabowl-shapedclearingringedwithancientlianderin.

ThistoowastheHiddenDeath’sappointedplace.Morlaniathquicklyscannedhissurroundstogeta senseof thegeography.Theclearingwas likeanamphitheatreon three sides, shallow-slopedandrimmedwithtrees.Itopenedoutintoabroadvalleythat ledtowardsthedockingbays,alongwhichtheenemywouldhavetoadvance.

SomethingamongstthetreescaughtMorlaniath’seye;alargestatueentwinedwiththebranchesofalianderinlookingdownthelengthofthevalley.Thestatuewouldprovidevaluablecoverifneeded,whilethetreesgaveamplesheltertocirclebehindafoethatenteredthedell.

Morefiguresconvergedontheirlocation—twoVyperjetbikesappearedfromthetreesonthefarsidejustaheadofseveralsquadsofGuardianscladinblueandyellow.Theywerefollowedbyfiguresalmosttwiceastall,whichstrodesilentlythroughtheundergrowth,eyeless,domedheadsturningleftandrightastheypickedtheirwayforwards:unlivingWraithguard.Withinthearmouredshellofeachwas encased a spirit stone containing the essence of an eldar drawn from the infinity circuit.Morlaniath’s thoughts grew heavier upon seeing the artificial bodies of theWraithguard: even thedeadhadbeenrousedtodefendthecraftworld.Theexarchcouldfeeltheundeadspiritstouchingonhissenses,bringingwiththemthedryemptinessoftheinfinitycircuit,leavingatraceofbitternessinthe exarch’s mind. Psychic energy coursed through their construct bodies and writhed within thewraithcannonstheyheld.

Behind them came a coterie of seers—three warlocks carrying glittering spears and a farseerarmedwitharune-carvedwitchblade.

Ourfatessharethesamepathagainforawhile.MorlaniathlookedovertowardsthefarseerandrecognisedThirianna.Sheraisedherwitchbladein

salute.“Isthiscoincidence,oramachination,broughtaboutbyyourhand?”theexarchasked.Iamnotseniorenoughto influence the judgementof theautarchs.Somehave fatescloselyentwined;others

havestrandsthatnevertouch.Wearetheformer.Doyounotrememberwhereyouare?Morlaniath looked around, relivingmoments fromhismany lives, seeking amemory related to

this place. His eyes fell upon the tall statue, of an eldar warrior kneeling before the goddess Isha,catchinghertearsinagoblet.

“IpresentTheGiftsofLovingIsha,”heannouncedwithasmile.There were a few gasps of enjoyment and a spontaneous ripple of applause from all present.

Korlandril turned to look at his creation and allowed himself to admire his work fully since its

completion.

Itwas a recentmemory, yet no closer and no further than any other.Hiswas an existence spreadacrossallofAlaitocandahundredotherworlds.

“I remember clearly, when disharmony reigned, when my spirit was split. This was my newbirthplace,thepathleadingfromhere,whichbroughtmefullcircle.Itisnomorethanthat,aplaceinapastlife,ofnospecialaccord.”

Manynewpathssprangfromthisplace.Someforgood,othersthatledtodarkerplaces.Yourworkbeganthosepaths,evenifyoudidnotintendit.Wearealllinkedinthegreatwebofdestiny,themeresttremblingonasilkenthreadsendingtremors throughthe livesofcountlessothers. Justa fewcyclesagoachildsatandstaredatyourcreationanddreamedofIsha.Hewillbeapoetandawarrior,atechnicianandagardener.Butitisasasculptorthat he will achieve great fame, and in turn will inspire others to create more works of beauty down thegenerations.

“Ineednolegacy;Iamanundying,eternalwarrior.”Nocreatureiseternal:notgods,noteldar,nothumansororks.Lookaboveyouandseeastardying.Eventhe

universeisnotimmortal,thoughherlifepassessoslowly.“Whatwillbecomeofme,haveyoudivinedmyfate,lookeduponmyfuture?”Weallhavemanyfates,butonlyonecomestopass.Itisnotformetomeddleinthedestinyofindividuals,nor

tolookintoourownfutures.Trustthatyoushalldieasyoulived,andthatitisnottheTrueDeaththatawaitsyou,notforanageatleast.Yourpassingwillbringpeace.

“Isuffermanydeaths,Iremembereachwell,neverisitpeaceful.”Anexplosionrockedthedome,aplumeofsmokebillowingfromtherimwardedgeabovethetrees

as human explosives tore through the outer wall. Flocks of birds erupted into the dark sky withscreechesandtwittering,andcircledabovethetrees inagitation.ThecrackofSpaceMarineboltersandthezipoflasersechoedinthedistance.

“Theenemyareuponus!”Arhathain’svoicewasquietbutfirminMorlaniath’sear.“Thenextbattlebegins.Donotsellyourlivescheaply,norforgettheartistrywithwhichwefight.ThedayhasnotyetcomewhenthelightofAlaitocwillbedimmed.”

TheHiddenDeathwaited,concealedbeneaththetrees.Theirswordsandpistolswereofnouseinthebattlebeingwaged,andsotheHiddenDeathwaitedfortheenemytocomeintothetreeswheretheStrikingScorpionswouldexcel.Or,Morlaniathhoped,hewouldgetthecommandtomovealongthevalleytodealadeadlyblowtoaforcealreadytornapartbytherestofAlaitoc’sarmy.

Arhulesh fidgetedwith his bandaged arm, Elissanadrinwhispered quietly to herself. Becharethcrouchedbesidetheboleofatree,staringintentlydownthevalleytowardstheenemy.WavesofangerpouredfromFiorennanandLitharain,touchingthemindsoftheothers.Morlaniathfedontheragetheirexarch’sdeathhadunleashed,drawingitinasonemighttakeadraughtofrefreshingair.

Nothing could be seen of the humans save for the flash of explosions. Their gunfire became aconstantrumbling,mixedwiththeclankingofcombustionenginesandgrindoftracks.Filthysmogstainedtheairabovetheiradvance,smokefromdozensofexhaustscarpetingthetreetops.

ThepaddingoffeetcausedMorlaniathtoturn.Asquadronofwarwalkersadvancedquicklyintotheclearing,thebipedalmachinesmakingnomorenoisethananeldaronfoot.Theclovenfeetofthemachinesleftshallowindentsintheearthastheystalkedforwardsontheirslender,back-jointedlegs.Theclosestpilot,hisopencockpitenclosedinashimmeringenergyfield,lookedtowardsMorlaniathand raised a hand in greeting. The exarch nodded in return andwatched themachines break intolopingruns, turningrimwards tohead into the trees liningthevalley,weaponmountsswivelling tokeepbalance.

Arippleofexplosionstoreacrosstheleftslopesofthevalley,stillsomedistanceaway.Morlaniathtraced the trajectoryofmore shells as theyplungeddown into the shallow-sidedgorge, judging theartillerypiecesthatlaunchedthemtobeatthefarendofthevalley:fartoodistanttobeviabletargetsforhis squad.Withgrowing impatiencehe saw columnsof human vehicles crushing trees beneaththeirbulk, forgingupbothslopes inaneffort togainhigherground.Squat tankswith large turretslumberedattheheadsofthecolumns,theirlargeboregunsspewingfireandsmokeeverytimetheyfired. Falcons and Vypers slid effortlessly between the trees, ignoring the lead tanks to fire at theclankingtransportsshelteringbehindthem.Detonationsrackedthecolumnsandthetanksslewedtoa stop, their turrets swinging ponderously to track their elusive targetswhile infantry spilled fromtheirburningcarriers.

The flicker of Warp Spider jump generators sparkled in the distance as they closed in on thedebussed infantry. From beyond the valley walls, doomweavers—gigantic versions of the AspectWarriors’ deathspinners—sent immense clouds ofmonofilamentwire into the air above the valley.TheWarpSpidersdisengagedandtheVypersbrokefreeasthedeadlywiredescended,sothinitslicedbranchandbonealike.

Behindthelinesofhaltedtanksmorevehiclesappeared,paintedintheredandwhiteoftheSpaceMarines.Theychargedfearlesslyupthevalleypastthehaltedadvance,ignoringthebrightlanceburstsand pulse laser blasts screaming around them. With them came attack bikes, three-wheeledcontraptionswithheavyweapon-armedsidecars.Burstsofplasmaandlasercriss-crossedbetweenthetwoforces.MoreSpaceMarine tankscrashed forwards likemobilebunkers, the flashof lascannonseruptingfromarmouredsponsons.Theeldarwithdrewagain,leavingtheshatteredwrecksfrombothsidesburningonthehillsides.

BehindtheshieldoftheSpaceMarines’vehicles,humantanksadvancedagain,hundredsofsoldiersfollowingbehind.Fromleftandrightexplosionsandothersoundsofwarechoedacrossthedome.TheEmperor’swarriorspressedforwardsonabroadfront,starshellshangingintheairtoilluminatetheirpath,theroarofgreatgunsboomingoutabovethesplinteringcrashoffallingtreesandthecrackleofflames.

BesideMorlaniath,theCobraliftedeffortlesslyfromtheflattenedgrass,arcsofenergycoruscatingalong its distortion cannon, throwing dancing shadows across the clearing. The lead SpaceMarinetankswerealmostthree-quartersofthewayalongthevalley.Lascannonblastsstabbedfromthemintothe darkness, setting fire to trees, gouging furrows in the ground as the enemy sought the elusiveeldar.

Witha thrumthatset thegroundshaking, theCobraopenedfire.Theair itself screamedas thedistortioncannontoreatitsfabric,arentappearingintheairabovetheclosestSpaceMarinevehicle.Thegapwidened intoawhirlinghole framedwithpurpleandgreen lightning, itsdepthsa swirlofcoloursand reeling stars.Evenat thisdistance,Morlaniath felt a slightnausea tremble throughhisbodyandaburninginhisspiritstones.Thewarprifttuggedathisspirit, immaterialfingerspryingintopartsofhismindlockedawaybehindbarriers learntasachild.Temptingwhispersanddistantlaughterechoedintheexarch’sthoughts.

TheSpaceMarinetankwasdraggedtoastopbytheimplosiveenergiesofthewarphole,itstracksgrindingvainlythroughthesoil,smokebelchingfromitsexhaustsasthedrivergunnedtheengineinan effort tomaintain traction.With a drawn-out creak, the vehicle lifted from the ground, tippingbackwards,stretchingandcontortingasthebreachintowarpspaceopenedwider.Rivetssprangfreeanddisappearedintotheraveninghole,followedquicklybythetangledremainsofthegunsponsons.An armoured figurewas drawn out of the top hatch and spun crazily into themaw of thewarp amomentbeforethetankslammedupwardsandwassuckedintothespirallingvortex.Withacracklikethunder the vortex closed, sending out a Shockwave that sent a nearby Space Marine transportslammingintoatreewithashowerofwoodsplintersandleaves.

Theclearing fell still againas theCobra’s cannonrecharged.Undaunted, thehumanscontinuedtheir advance, almost reckless in their haste to close. The whine of descending shells caughtMorlaniath’searandhe lookeduptoseeseveralblackshapesfallingfromtheflickeringskies.Theirtrajectorywastakingthemsomewhereofftohisrightandhefollowedtheirfalluntiltheydisappearedintothetreesamomentbeforeaseriesofground-shakingdetonations.Flamesandsmokeleaptintotheair.Amidsttheflashandturmoil,theexarchsaweldarbodiesbeingtossedlikeleavesonthewind.

Lascannonblastsflashedacrosstheclearing,shriekingofftheCobra’scurvedhull.Thesuperheavytank liftedagainasmorepowersurgedalongthe lengthof itsmaingun.Againcamethescreamoftortured reality and the concussive blast of thewarp vortex forming.More than adozen armouredfiguresandapairof troop transportsweresucked into theenergymaelstrom, their forms thinningandtwistingbeforetheydisappearedfromsightwhilerawpsychicenergyforkedtothegroundfromthebreach’sundulatingrim.

Morlaniath strode to the statue andpulledhimself uponto Isha’s knee to gain a better vantagepoint,lookingpastthebulkoftheCobra.Hefeltthatitwouldsoonbetimetoact;hechafedatbeingawitnesstothebattlesofarandlongedtolettheTeethofDissonancecutabloodypaththroughAlaitoc’sfoes.

Wrecksandbodieslitteredthevalleyfloor,buttheSpaceMarineshadgainedthehighergroundtoeithersideandfromtheirvantagepointtheirtankspouredchatteringfireintothetreeline.Withinthiscordon,batteriesofself-propelledgunslumberedintoposition,bringingthemintorangeofthedome’sheart.AleasttwentytanksgrumbledtowardsMorlaniath’sposition,paintedinthesamegreyasthesoldiers’fatigues.Fourbrightly-colouredSpaceMarinetransportschargedaheadoftheadvanceandwouldbeattheedgeoftheclearingshortly.

Morlaniathflexedhisfingersinanticipationandwasabouttolowerhimselftothegroundwhensomething crashed through branches behindhim, their snapping audible above the din ofwar.He

turnedtoseeatrunkbendingandthencrackingviolentlyundersomeunseenpressure.Thegroundtrembled slightly from amassive tread, and a patch of earth sank, squashed by a tremendous yetinvisibleweight. Craning his neck, the exarch looked up and saw a shimmering presence, a vagueoutlineofcontortionagainstthedarkredofthedome’ssky.

HolofieldsshimmeredandMorlaniathfoundhimselfstaringupalongthegiant,slender legofaPhantom Titan, half again as tall as the lianderin trees. The Titan was like a giant rendition ofKorlandril’ssculptureofEldanesh,itsslenderlimbsandnarrowwaistaperfectionofproportionanddesign.Forall itsbeauty, itwastheperfectionofdestructionembodiedbytheTitanthat impressedMorlaniathmore.Insteadofarms,theimmensewalkerhadtwoelegantguns,eachlongerthanagrav-tank.FromthePhantom’srightshoulderhungtheribbedbarrelofatremorcannon;fromthe leftalance-likepulsar.

A flurry ofmissiles streaked from shoulder-mounted pods either side of the swept dome of theTitan’shead,engulfingtheenemytanksinacurtainofplasmablossoms.Theairshimmeredaroundthevane-likeholofieldwingssplayedfromthebackofthePhantom,blurringitsshapeuntoadazzleoffracturedimagesastheTitantookanotherstepforwards.Abroad,clawedfootswunggracefullyoverthe clearing to find purchase beside the Cobra, the massive machine’s tread delicate for its size,dextrouslyavoidingtheeldarwarriorsinandaroundthedell.

Bendingonekneeslightly,theTitanswungitstremorcannonintoposition,aimedalongtheleft-handvalley slope.Evenwithinhis suit,Morlaniath felt a compressionof air aroundhimamomentbefore the weapon fired. A bass growl reverberated in the exarch’s gut, swiftly rising in pitch to ashriekthattightenedhisthroatandsethisearsringing,untilitscaledhigher,outoftherangeofevenaneldar’shearing.Hetracedthepathofthesonicpulsebythedancingofairmolecules:overlappingsinewavesofnear-invisibleenergythatendedinthemidstoftheadvancinghumans.Wherethelinetouched, the ground erupted, a huge gout of earth and rock rupturing into a widening crack thatzigzagged along the hillside. Tanks shook themselves apart as the beam crossed over them; SpaceMarineswere flattened inside their armour; unarmoured soldierswere torn limb from limb by thedisharmonioussonicenergycoursingthroughtheirbodies.

Thewhinereturnedanddescendedtoalowrumbleastheweaponpowereddown.TherewasnorespitefromthePhantom;moreclustersofmissilesstreamedfromitsshoulderpodswhileitspulsarunleashed a glittering salvo of laser energy that tore along the front squadron of tanks, punchingthrougharmour,explodingenginesandmeltingthecrewsinside.TheCobrafiredagainandthevalleydescendedintoananarchyofswirlingvortexes,wailingsonicexplosionsandthesteadystrobeofthepulsar.Shellsscreamedinreturn,flashingpastthewaveringimageoftheTitantocrashintothetreesbeyondtheclearing.

Morlaniathclimbeddownfromthestatue,hisexcitementattheprospectofcombatdissipatedbythe arrival of the Phantom.What use weremandiblasters and biting blade when compared to theawesomeenergiesbeingunleashedupontheenemy?HerejoinedtherestoftheHiddenDeath,whostoodundertheshadowsofthetreeswatchingthecarnageinthevalley.

“Doyouthinkanywillreachushere?”askedElissanadrin.“Notwhilewehave our tall friendwatchingoverus,” saidArhulesh, lookingup at thePhantom

Titan.“Oh…”MorlaniathlookedtoseetheTitanturningaway,itsoutlinerefractingintoashimmeringcloudas

theholofield cloaked itsmovements. In a few strides itwasgone, lostpast the canopyof the trees.With a whisper, the Cobra followed, sliding between the thick boles of the lianderin. Clearly theirweaponswereneededmoreelsewhere.Morlaniathbrightenedattheprospectthatthebattlewasnotyetover.

Theexarchdirectedhisgazebacktothevalley.Hecouldseered-armouredfiguresmovingbetweenthesmokingwrecksandgrey-cladsoldierstakinguppositionsintherentsandcraterstornintothegroundbytheTitan’sweapons.Thoughtheheaviestenemyvehicleshadbeendestroyed,moreofthegangling Imperialwalkers advanced through the shattered stumps of the lianderin. Light anti-gravskimmersinthecoloursoftheSpaceMarinesstreakedthroughtheair,movingouttotheflanksoftheadvancingforce.

“They are needed elsewhere, but enemies remain, our blades will taste more blood,” saidMorlaniath.Hewonderedwhethertoawaittheenemyattack,ortoheadoutintothevalleytotakethefighttothefoe.HefeltthetouchofThirianna’smindinresponsetothesethoughts.

Arhathainismusteringforcesforacounter-attackalongthisaxis.Wewaitforthereinforcementsandthenwewilladvance.

“Make ready yourwargear,morewarriors arrive,we shall be fighting soon,” the exarch toldhissquad.

Theywaitedpatiently,keepinganeyeonthe invadersastheyapproachedalongthevalley,morecircumspectthanintheirinitialcharge.MorlaniathsawsquadsofImperialsoldiersdiggingdefensivepositions into the hillsides: heaping up the earth tomake barricades for trenches andmortar pits;creatingsemicircular redoubts for theiranti-tankweapons;erectingspindlycommunicationsmastsfortheircommanderstotalkwitheachother.ItwasclearthattheyhadabandonedtheirfoolishhopeofsweepingawaytheAlaitociiwithasingleattackandwerenowpreparingtoholdthegroundtheyhadtaken.

“Theirstrategyisfalse,afollyofbattle,tothinkthatgroundmatters,”theexarchremarkedtohissquad.Ashespoke,hepointedoutthegrowingsystemofworks.“Theirmindsthinkinstraightlines,seeking grand engagement, counting only in numbers. Our way of war is swift, the fast and fluidstrike,nottiedtoasoleplace.Theyhopewewillattack,throwourselvesontheirguns,todrivethemoutofhere.Wewillbemorepatient,wehave theadvantage,Alaitoc isourhome.Theirpresence isfleeting, it cannot be sustained,without food andwater. They defend an island, cut off from theirsupplies,andwewillrulethesea.”

“Perhapstheirattacksaremeetingwithmoresuccesselsewhere?”saidLitharain.“Theymakesolidtheirpositionknowingthatadvancesarebeingmadeonotherfronts.”

MorlaniathdirectedabeckoningthoughttoThirianna.Thefarseeracknowledgedthequestionandcrossedtheclearingtospeakdirectlywiththeexarch.

“WehaveabandonedtheDomeofLastingVigilance,andthehumanscontrolmorethanaquarteroftheaccesswaystoAlaitoc’scentralregion.”Hervoicewasquiet,hertonenon-committal.“Westillholdthedomesaroundtheinfinitycircuitcore.ItisArhathain’swishthatwedrivethesehumansfrom

thisdomesothatwecanmountanattackontheflankoftheirotherforces,severingthemfromtheirlandingzoneinthedocks.”

“Theenemyprepare,waitingisaperil,howsoondoweattack?”saidMorlaniath.Thiriannasaidnothingforawhile,herheadcockedtoonesideasshecommunedwithherfellow

seers.“Thecounter-attackisalmostready,”shesaideventually.“Thehumans’roughdefenceswillbeno

obstacle.They thinkonlyof leftandright, forwardsandbackwards.Theystill forget thatwedonothavetocrawlalongthegroun—”

The farseer stopped and turned her gaze beyond Morlaniath. The exarch knew what hadinterruptedThirianna,forhefeltittoo:asensationintheblood,aquickeningoftheheart.

TheAvatarwasapproaching.Its presence joined the minds of the hundreds of eldar converging through the trees around

Morlaniath, linking them together in one bloody purpose. The exarch saw Guardians and AspectWarriors advancing through the woods around him, heading for the valley. Far above, SwoopingHawks circled in the thermals of theburning tankswhileVampirebomberswithwings like curveddaggerscruisedbackandforthawaitingtheordertostrike.

Amidst the increasingly strong background throb of the Avatar,Morlaniath felt something elsetouchinguponhisspirit,somethingcold,yetkeenandfamiliar:adirectcalltohimunliketheburningbeaconoftheAvatar’spresence.Hescouredthetreeslookingforthesource.Intheshadowofasplitlianderintrunk,hesawapairofyelloweyesflash.FromthedarknessappearedKarandras,oldestoftheStrikingScorpionexarchs.

ThePhoenixLordstalkedforwards,hishelmetturningslowlyashelookedateachoftheHiddenDeathinturn.Hestoppedashortdistanceaway,gazedirectedtowardsBechareth.Morlaniathfeltaquiverofworry.DidKarandrassensesomethingofBechareth’spast?DidthePhoenixLordrealisehehadoncebeencountedamongstthemosthatedfoesoftheStrikingScorpions?TheShadowHunterstaredforalongtime,theonlymovementthedancingreflectionofflamesinthelensesofhisheavyhelmandtheslowflexingofhispowerclaw.AnxietyflowedfromBechareth,hisshouldershunched,fistclenchedtightaroundthehiltofhischainsword.

“Youwill joinme,”saidKarandras, turningtoMorlaniath.Hisvoicewasasofmanyspeaking inunison,deepandfullofpower.EverysyllableresoundedthroughMorlaniath’smindliketheywerehisownthoughtsgivenlifebyanother.Theexarchbreathedoutslowly,strugglingtoremaincalm.“Serveasmyguard.”

“Itwillbeourhonour,HiddenDeathstandsready, for theShadowHunter,” repliedMorlaniath,brieflybendingtoonekneeindeference.AshispsychetoucheduponthePhoenixLord’s,Morlaniathfeltahugedepthopeningoutbeneathhim,abottomlesswellof lifeanddeath.Morlaniathwasold,almostasoldasAlaitoc,yetthecreaturethatstoodbeforehimwasevenmoreancient.

“Yourshrinehasdonewell,itisapridetotheAspectoftheStrikingScorpion,”thePhoenixLordsaid,gesturingwithanodfortheHiddenDeathtofollowhimintothetrees.

“Theteachingsarenotmine,thewisdomisfromyou,Iamthemessenger,”saidMorlaniath.“Yetthemessagecanbecomeconfused,distortedbythepassingofages,fromlipstoeartomind,

andon to fresh lips.The idealsof theStrikingScorpionremainstrongonAlaitoc. It isnot so inallplaces.Itistoyourcredit.”

ThePhoenixLordledthemawayfromtheothers,thepresenceoftheAvatarrecedingasKarandrasforged on through the trees towards the enemy. A blur of shadow followed Karandras, an aura ofdarknessthatsurroundedthesquadevenwhentheycrossedpathsandclearings.Itstendrilslingeredbehind, caressing the trunks of the trees, lightly striking the Aspect Warriors that followed. OnediaphanoustrailpassedacrossMorlaniath’sarm,chilltothetouch.Itcamefromthedarknessbetweenstars,theshadowofthedeepestvoid.Thetendrildissipatedintotheairandthesensationpassed.

Thecrackofbreakingtwigsandthecrunchoffootfallsrangthroughthetrees.Totheleft,threeofthe Imperial walkers advanced quickly through the woods. They lacked the grace of the eldar warwalkers,struttingforwardontheirservo-poweredlimbs,swayingawkwardlyfromside-to-side.TheywereabouttwiceMorlaniath’sheight,theleavesbrushingthetopofthepilots’opencockpits.Eachwasarmedwithamultiple-barrelledweaponthatswungbackandforthasthedriverscannedthetreesforenemies.Smokedrizzledendlesslyfromtwinexhauststacksmountedonanenginebehindthecabin,leavingasootystainonthefoliageofthelianderin.

More trampling alerted the squad’s attention to another squadron passing to their right.Immobile, theywaited for the reconnaissance sweep to pass by and thenmoved on again, headingcloseandclosertothehumanline.

Karandrasbrought thesquadtoahaltbeneath theeavesof thewoods,withingunshotrangeof theleading human squads. They squatted in the shadows and watched as several squads of soldiersfannedoutintothewoods,thoughnoneturnedtheireyesuponthePhoenixLordandhiscompanions.

The slope of the valley was a scene of crude industry, the humans digging-in like parasites onAlaitoc’s flesh.Manyof the soldierswereengagedwith shovelsandpickswhilst theirofficers stoodaround,shoutingordersorberatingtheirmen.Afewsentriesstoodguard,butitwasnotthesethatdrewMorlaniath’sattention.

In frontof theprogressingdefenceswere thirtySpaceMarines, eachsquadstoodbesidea slab-sided transport. They held their weapons ready, their helmeted heads turning with metronomicprecisionastheypatrolledthehillside,watchingthewoodsforanythreat.Atthenearendoftheirlinestoodanotherwalker,differentindesignfromthosethathadpassedearlier.Itwasalmostastall,butfarbroader,almostsquareinshape,paintedintheredandwhiteliveryoftheSpaceMarines.Itwasmostlythickly-armouredhullonsquat legsflankedbytwomassiveshoulders;fromtherightashortarm extended tipped with a claw wreathed in crackling energy; from the left protruded a short-barrelledweaponfedbyseveralfueltanksthatremindedMorlaniath—inaverycrudeandhumanway—ofthefusiongunsusedbytheFireDragonAspect.

“Whichonesareweafter?”whisperedArhulesh.Karandras kept his gaze ahead as he replied, raising a finger of his claw to point at the Space

Marines.“Thehardestpreymakesfortheworthiestprize,”saidthePhoenixLord.“Whatwillbeourapproach,thegroundgivesnocover,ourenemiesalert,”saidMorlaniath.

“Therewillbea…distraction,”repliedthePhoenixLordinamellifluoustone.Morlaniathdetectedahintofhumour.

Theywaitedinsilence.Above,theSwoopingHawkscontinuedtocircleslowlyoutofrangeoftheenemy.Morlaniathdetectedthefaintestofcompressionatthebackofhisskull,thepassingtouchofanimmaterialpresence.Heknewthatitwasaleftovertrail,acollateraleffectofaWarpSpider’sjumpgenerator being activatednot too far away.Not for the first time in his long existence,Morlaniathwonderedwhatmanner of eldarwould become aWarpSpider,willing to expose themselves to theperilsofwarpspace.TherewasaviolentdarknessinthecoreofeveryexarchandAspectWarrior,buttheWarpSpidersbalancedonaprecipiceofself-destruction.Theywerenotonlyrisk-takers,theyhadableakoutlookonlife,rarelymixingwithwarriorsfromothershrines.

“Beready,”warnedKarandras,drivingawayMorlaniath’spondering.Hehadsomeinklingofwhatwastobeexpectedandlookedupintothesky.Intheflickering,dimlightofthehumans’starshells,winged shapes swooped down from the heights of the dome. The shriek of the wind from theirwingtipsgrewinvolumeastheVampiresdived,sixoftheminaV-formation.

AclusterofspheresarceddownintothehumansoldiersastheVampiresswoopedoverhead.Nomundanedetonationsrockedthevalley:eachsonicbombexplodedabovethedefencelinestosendoutripplingShockwaves.Thesonicpulsespulverisedbodiesandbarricades—expanding,etherealglobesofdevastationsweptacrossthehillsidetocreateascreamingstormofdebris.Morlaniathsawsoldierslifted into the air, their fatigues ripped from lacerated bodies. Those at the outer edge of the soniceruptionsfelltothegroundwithbloodstreamingfromears,eyesandmouths,crimsonseepingfromtheporesintheirskin,burstingfromrupturedbloodvessels.

TheSpaceMarines turned as theSwoopingHawksdescended in thewake of the bombing run,their bolters rising towards the flying Aspect Warriors. Karandras was already out of cover anddashingalongthecrestofthehilltowardstheenemy.Morlaniathpouncedafterhim,therestoftheHiddenDeathcloseonhisheels.

ASpaceMarinegunnersittinginahatchatoponeofthetransportsspottedtheStrikingScorpionsandheavedaroundhispintle-mountedweapon.BrightflaresstreamedtowardsthesquadastheSpaceMarine opened fire, his twin-barrelled gun spraying explosive bolts. Two rounds streaked pastMorlaniath and he heard a scream of pain. Glancing back, he saw Elissanadrin writhing on theground,rightarmmissingbelowtheshoulder,agapingholeinthesideofherchest.Inamoment,theexarchtookinthefrothingblood,splintersofboneandspurtingarteries inthewounds.Moreboltswhinedpast.Therewasnotimetospareforthefallenwarrior.TheexarchsurgedafterKarandras,theTeethofDissonance’sbladesspinninguptofullspeed,poweredbyMorlaniath’sgrowingrage.

KarandrascuttotherightandplungedintotheclosestSpaceMarinesquadasmoreboltershellswhickeredpast.With twosteps,Morlaniath leaptup thesloping frontof the transport,bitingbladelevel.Withoutbreakingstride,heboundedpastthegunner,thewhirringteethofhisbladesweepingthroughtheSpaceMarine’sneckastheexarchdashedpast,thickbloodspatteringonthewhitehullofthevehicle.SwiftretributionforElissanadrin’sdeathsentathrillthroughtheexarchasheranacrosstheenginegrilleandjumpeddowntorejoinhissquad.

Four Space Marines lay at the feet of Karandras, their armour carved apart by his sword and

crushedbyhispowerclaw.ThePhoenixKing’smandiblastersunleashedatorrentofblaststhathurledanotherfoefromhisfeet,hisarmourshatteringfromthepulsesofgreenenergy.

TheHiddenDeathjoinedtheirPhoenixLordinthemelee,pistolssinging,chainswordsscreeching.Abolter shell flashed acrossMorlaniath’s vision, the flare of its propellant almost blindinghim,hishelmet lensespolarising toavoidpermanentdamage tohiseyes.He instinctivelyduckedandspun,lashingoutwiththeTeethofDissonance,thebladecrashingagainstanarmouredleg.Afuzzyredshapestumbled back to his right.Morlaniath drove forwards, angling the point of his biting blade high,catchingtheSpaceMarineacrosshisheavyshoulderpad.Theexarchfoughtbackabriefflashofnot-Lecchamemnon’sdeathwithaferalsnarl.

“Destroytheinvaders,setfreeyourenmity,lettheredriverflow!”Morlaniathlaunchedhimselfathisfoe,mandiblasterscracklingintotheSpaceMarine’seyelenses.

Withagrowl,theexarchsmashedtheroaringteethofhisbladeacrosstheSpaceMarine’sgut,slicingthroughpipesandcablesinasprayofelectricalsparks.TheSpaceMarineswunghisbolterlikeaclub,Morlaniathcatchingtheweapononthearmouredguardofhissword.Thestrengthoftheblowforcedthe exarch back three steps, but in a moment he regained his balance and sprang again, duckingbeneath the SpaceMarine’s outstretched arm, the Teeth of Dissonance tearing a furrow through theribbedarmourprotectingthewarrior’sexposedarmpit.Bloodspewedfromaseveredartery,bathingMorlaniath’slegsashespunbehindtheSpaceMarine.

Withashout, theexarchhammered thebitingblade into theventsof theSpaceMarine’spowerplantbackpack.Fracturedenergycellsdischargedtheircontentsinanarcofbluishlight,mirroredbyaflurryoflaserfirefromtheexarch’smandiblasters.CoolanthissedinacloudfromtheSpaceMarine’sravagedarmour,frostingacrossMorlaniath’sleftarm.Thethinlayeroficecrystalsflakedtothefloorashebroughtbackhisswordforafinalblow.TheSpaceMarineturnedlopsidedlytowardstheattack,to be met full in the face by the teeth of Morlaniath’s weapon, which sheared through the helm,removing the top of the SpaceMarine’s skull. As the SpaceMarine collapsed,Morlaniath deliveredanother burst from hismandiblasters into the exposed brainmatter, reducing it to steaming greyslurry.

A shadow loomed over the exarch and he saw the blocky shape of the Space Marine walkertoweringabovehim.Themetalbeasthad itsmassivehandupraised,energycracklingbetween longclaws.Theexarch liftedup theTeethofDissonance toparry the attack, butknewhedidnothave thestrengthtofendoffsuchablow.

Something hit the exarch hard in the side, pushing him out of the way of the claw’s lighting-wreatheddescent.Morlaniath rolled to the side,Becharethbetweenhimand thewalker, amomentbeforetheclawsslasheddown,cleavingawaythesideoftheAspectWarrior’shelmbeforepartingtheleftarmfromhisbody.

Karandras leapt across Bechareth as he fell, his powered claw raking trails of ceramic splintersfromthewalker’sarmour.MorlaniathwasfilledwiththeurgetodragBecharethtosafety,instilledinhimbyathoughtfromthePhoenixLord.Hecoulddonothingbutactintunewiththecompulsion.HeheldtheTeethofDissonanceinhislefthandandgrabbedBecharethbyhisremainingwrist,haulinghimfrom under the walker’s clawed feet. The walker’s fist caught Karandras in the stomach, glittering

fingerspunchingoutofthePhoenixLord’sback.MorlaniathlookeddownatBechareth’sface,almostamirrorimageofthefirsttimetheyhadmet,

theStrikingScorpion’seyesstaringfromamaskofbrightblood.MorlaniathsawthehatredandangerofanAspectWarriorinthatgaze,butsensedsomethingbehindthewar-mask.

TheexarchunderstoodwhyKarandrashadsacrificedhimselftosaveBechareth.“Youmust survive thiswar,moveonalong thePath, find thepeace that you crave,”Morlaniath

whispered.“Fightthedarknessinyou.ProvethatthePathisright,thatKhainedoesnotownus!”Bechareth’s hand flapped against Morlaniath’s arm, seeking to grasp him. He fell back with a

shudderinggasp,eyesfixedontheexarch.“Iwill,”saidBechareth,lipstwistedwithpain.Morlaniath nodded and turned back to the walker, which was lumbering after the rest of the

HiddenDeathastheyretreateddownthehill.Theexarchtooktwostepsafterthemechanicalbeast,eyeingthevulnerablepipesandexhaustsjuttingfromitsback.

Hestopped,gazedrawntothebodyofKarandraslyingjustahead.ThePhoenixLord’sarmourwasrentopen fromstomach to throat, but therewasnoblood splashed,noorgans rippedapart. In thegouge,agalaxyswirled;motesoflightcircledaroundacentralbrightness,eachaspiritofKarandras.

Morlaniathwasentranced.Hecouldfeelthefaintbeatingofaheartatthebaseofhisskull.ItgrewinstrengthasheapproachedtherentformofKarandras,drawncloserbyanirresistibleinstinct,filledwiththesameexternalpurposeashehadbeenwhenhehaddraggedBecharethtosafety.Hewasnotincontrolofhisbodyandwatch indetachmentasMorlaniathkneltbeside the fallenPhoenixLord,draggeddeeper anddeeper into the circling lights. The call ofKhainewaxed strong, roaring in theMorlaniath’searstothedrumoftheheartbeat.

Hereachedoutahandtotouchtheglitteringstars.

With a wrench, Morlaniath felt himself drawn from his weak physical vessel, every part of him:Morlaniath, the First, the Hidden Death; Idsresail, the Dreamer; Lecchamemnon, the Doomed;Ethruin,theDarkJoker;Elidhnerial,theWeepingOne;Neruidh,TheForgiver;Ultheranish,theChildofUlthwe;Korlandril,theArtist.

Not-KorlandrilwasbutanatominthestarofMorlaniath,andMorlaniathnothingbutastarinthewholegalaxythatwasKarandras.Countlessessences,endlessvoicesdriftedslowlytogether.

Spirits fromacross thegalaxy,ofwarriorsbornoneverycraftworld ineveryage,and thespirit-partsthatmadethem,andthememoriesofthoseotherspiritsthathadtouchedthem,stretchingout,faroutintotheinfinityoftheuniverse,allconnected,allbroughttogetherinthisonebody.

Morlaniathfragmented,becamehisparts,eachseepingawayintotheglitterofthePhoenixLord’sessence.Thesilenceofspacegreetedthem.Notforthemthelife-in-deathoftheinfinitycircuit.NotforthemtheravagesofSheWhoThirsts.Heretheywouldend,trulyandforever.OnlyKarandraslivedon.Briefly,Korlandrillivedagain,andthenwasgone.

Peace.

Hehidbehindthetumbledarchoftheoldtemple,shiveringinhisnakedness.Hungergnawedathis

gut.His limbs trembledwithweakness, his breathwheezing inhis throat.And thepain inside, thethrobbinginhisheartandhead,theneedlesofagonythatcoursedthroughhismind,stretchinghiminalldirections,moreunbearablethananyphysicalpain.

A foot scraped on dusty stone and he shrank bank further into the shadows, eyes desperatelyseeking an escape. Therewasnone, hewas trapped.Through the tears, he sawa figure silhouettedagainstthelightfromoutsidetheshrine.

“Donotbeafraid,”thestrangersaid,hisvoicequietbutstrong.Heremainedasstillasdeath,holdinghisbreath.Thestrangercrossedthebone-litteredfloorofthe

templewitheasystrides,hisgreengownflowingbehindhim.Thestranger’seyeswereunlikeanyhehadseenbefore.Theywereemptyofhatred,emptyoflust,emptyofjealousyandmalevolence.

Heflinchedasthestrangerreachedoutahand.Hepushedhimselfbackuntilhisspinewasagainstthecoldwall.Therewasnowhereelsetohide.Thestrangersmiled,buttherewasnoneoftheleeringdesireheusuallyassociatedwithsuchanexpression.

“Whatisyourname?”thestrangerasked.Hisvoicewaslow,calm,notscreaming,notshouting.“Karandras,”hewhisperedback,hisvoicebarelyabreath.“Karandras?Thatisagoodname,astrongname.”“Whatdoyouwantwithme?”“Iwanttohelpyou.”“Whereareyougoingtotakeme?Theotherswantedtotakemeintothedarkweb,butIran.Iwas

scared.”“Youwererighttobescared.Theothersarenottobetrusted.”“Trusted?”“Iwillteachyouabouttrust.Itisagoodthing.ComewithmeandIwillteachyoumanythings.”“WhatwillIlearn?”“Youwill learnnot tobeafraid.Youwill learnabouthappiness, andpeace, andbalance.Doyou

wanttolearnthesethings?”“Idonotknow…Whatarethey?”“Theyarewhatwillmakeusstrongagain.”“Willyouteachmehowtohide?”“Therearenoplaceslefttohide.”“Willyoukeepmesafe?”“Nowhereissafe.”Karandrasconsideredthisforamoment.“Willyouprotectme?”“Betterthanthat,Iwillteachyouhowtoprotectyourself.Iwillteachyouhowtofight.”Karandrasreachedoutandhesitantlygraspedtheprofferedhand.Thestranger’sgripwasfirmbut

gentle.Heallowedhimselftobeliftedtohisfeet,hisheadnohigherthanthestranger’schest.They turned towards the door together and walked across the light, Karandras’ hand in the

stranger’s.“Wherearewegoing?”theboyasked.“Toaplacewheremyfriendsarewaiting.Toaplacewhereyoucanlearnhowtofight,tobattlethe

enemiesofthebodyandthespirit.”Theyreachedthecrackedstepsofthedoorway,theharshlightcausingKarandrastoblinkheavily,

tearsinhiseyes.“Whoareyou?”heasked.“IamArhra.Iamyournewfather.”

Whitenessfadedawaytothecoloursoflifeanddeath.Karandraspulledhimselftohisfeet,hisarmourfusingthewoundthathadallowedhisenergytoescape.ThePhoenixLordlookeddownattheemptysuitoftheexarchthathadgivenhimthisnewlife.Hefeltnothingoftheeldarthathehadbeen.Therewerenomemories,savehisown.Therewasnospirit,savetheonehehadbeenbornwith.

HewasKarandras,andKarandrasalone.He looked around, assessing the raging battle. TheAlaitociiwere fighting hard anddriving the

humansfromthedome,butthefateoftheircraftworldwasfarfromdecided.Karandrasstoopedtopickuphischainsword,reassuredbythefeelofitinhisfist.TheStrikingScorpionswhohadjoinedhimwere retreatingback to thewoods, carrying twoof theirwoundednumberbetween them.ThePhoenixLordturnedhisbackonthemandheadedaftertheImperialDreadnoughtthathadkilledhim.ThePhoenixLordfeltthethrillofretributionsingingthroughhisbody.

Anotherwar,anotherdeath.Suchwastobehisfate,untilthefinalbattle,theRhanaDandra,whenallthingswouldend.

AbouttheAuthor

GavThorpehasbeenrampagingacrosstheworldsofWarhammerandWarhammer40,000formanyyears as both an author and games developer. He hails from the den of scurvy outlaws calledNottinghamandmakesregularsortiestounleashbloodshedandmayhem.HeshareshishideoutwithDennis,amechanicalhamstersworntoenslavemankind.

Gav’s previous novels include fan-favourite Angels of Darkness, the Time of Legends trilogy, TheSundering,andtheEldarPathseriesamongstmanyothers.