The Weapon Takers Saga Box Set
Page 98
‘The same as three others. All four hosts will leave for Kalinth immediately.’
‘Four?’ Herin asked. ‘All for Kalinth?’
‘The Kalinthians must be crushed!’ Siavash shouted at him, letting loose the anger and loathing he had carried since his defeat. ‘Everywhere in Dalriya, and even in distant Halvia, our enemies are subdued or on the verge of defeat. And yet that pathetic kingdom still holds out. Almighty Diis demands its destruction!’
A shadow passed over Herin’s face, but he bent his head in obeisance yet again.
‘Leave your gifts here and go,’ said Siavash, tired of the man’s presence.
He waited for the Magnian to exit the doors at the end of the throne room before calling out to the shadows behind him, where he had his private rooms.
‘Well?’ he shouted irritably. ‘Come, then.’
Out came Peroz, servant of Diis. Siavash had reformed the Isharite military, so that every unit had at least one servant attached to it, reporting back directly to him. It imposed discipline and loyalty, reducing the chances of another such as Pentas from betraying them.
Siavash allowed himself a smile at the thought of the red-eyed wizard. He recalled the sensation as the spear, wielded by his shadow in the body of Dorian, penetrated deeply into his enemy. It hadn’t quite all been for nothing in Kalinth, he reminded himself.
‘What of him?’ Siavash asked Peroz.
‘He can’t be trusted, my lord.’
‘I don’t trust him. That’s why you have this task. But he’s able.’
‘He fought and killed his brother for the shield. But then he let the rest of our enemies leave, no doubt to return to Kalinth.’
‘There’s something I’ve learned of humans,’ Siavash explained to his servant. ‘Despite all the evidence of what Diis will do to this world, they still think they will be saved. If they show loyalty, or are useful in some way, they think we will spare them, their family, their friends. It is the way their minds work. This Herin will do as he is ordered because he thinks it will save him.’
Siavash studied Peroz, looking to see whether the lesson had been taken.
‘And if he doesn’t,’ Siavash added, ‘you know what to do.’
Also by Jamie Edmundson
TORIC’S DAGGER
BOLIVAR’S SWORD
THE JALAKH BOW
THE GIANTS’ SPEAR
Continue the quest with the final instalment of The Weapon Takers Saga.
Get The Giants’ Spear from Amazon