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He was drea of the Martishe when Frentis ca to the ma woven by Nersus Sil Nin But now the red marble pattern of her eyes was jet black, like the stone that sat in the empty socket of the one-eyedin his vision was gone now, the ground thick with snow, the air cutting with its chill And her words, whilst still ain, Beral Shak Ur,” she told hi in the black orbs of her eyes “You itness the harvest of death under a blood-red sun You’ll kill for your faith, for your King and for the Queen of Fire when she arises Your legend will cover the world and it will be a song of blood”

He was kneeling in the snow, his hands entwined on the hilt of his dagger, the blade slick with blood that shone black in the ht Behind hi away into the snow He knew the face of the corpse, he kneas someone he loved And he knew he had killed them “I didn’t ask for this,” he said “I never wanted it”

“Want is nothing Destiny is everything Your are a plaything of fate, Beral Shak Ur”

“I’ll choose my own fate,” he said, but the words were faint, eh was a reatest of lies”

Her spite-filled features faded as a hand shook his shoulder “Brother!” He ca into clarity through clouded eyes “There’s a er here,” his brother said “From the palace The Aspect wants you”

He dressed quickly, forcing the lingering nightmare from his mind as he made his way to the keep He found the Aspect in his roo’s seal “The Fief Lord of Cumbrael is dead,” the Aspect told him without preamble “It appears his son, his second son, has murdered him and claimed Lordship of the Fief He calls for all loyal Cuod to rally to hi Janus He orders all adherents of the Faith to leave the Fief or face righteous execution Reportedly so Vaelin’s face closely “You knohat this“There will be war”

“Indeed Battles and bloodshed, towns and cities will burn” The Aspect’s voice was bitter as he tossed the King’s hness has ordered the Realate by noon tomorrow”

“I’ll see to it, Aspect”

“Are they ready?”

Vaelin recalled Nortah’s words and his own assessht, Aspect If we had ht”

“Very well Brother Makril will coiment and provide reconnaissance I would have liked a ent but our commands are scattered about the Realm and there is no time to recall sufficient numbers”

The Aspect came closer, his face as serious as Vaelin had ever seen it “Re’s word but is a part of this Order and this Order is the sword of the Faith The sword of the Faith cannot be stained with innocent blood In Cus They are a people who deny the Faith and indulge in the falsehood of god-worship but they are still subjects of this Reale, to allow your men to abuse the people you find there You must resist it Rapists and thieves and any who abuse the people are to be flogged and hanged You will show every kindness to the comeful”

“I will, Aspect”

The Aspect ers clasped together in his lap, his thin face drawn and tired, eyes ain rent by war in my lifetime,” the Aspect said eventually “ It e joined him, you see? Why edded the Faith to the crown For peace and…” a faint s wished this crisis to end in war, Aspect,” Vaelin offered

The Aspect turned to hione in an instant, replaced by the im’s wishes are not for us to know Do not forget my instructions, Vaelin Keep to the Faith and uide your hand”