He was a Guardian of the Dawn, a champion of the Holy Sun. She was a child of the Old Ones. They should have been sworn enemies. Instead, they were lovers. He could see no good ending to that.

Kormak glanced out at the cleared fields surrounding the city. Overseers with short swords and whips stood watching the native serfs work in them. Copper-skinned and dark-haired, a few bore intricate tattoos. Sometimes owners branded serfs with particular skills or histories.

On a nearby hill, a large villa loomed. It had many huge windows, positioned no doubt so the owner could look down on his property at work. Its walls were thick, and it had watchtowers on the corners. It looked as much like a fortress as a home.

A messenger emerged from the gates and raced up to Kormak with a rolled up scroll. It bore the seal of the Governor. This was what he had been waiting for.

He cracked the wax with his thumb and unrolled the parchment. He scanned the words. They told him pretty much what he expected.

“Any news?” Rhiana asked.

“Riders have been seen heading up the road past Westerby. One of them was Count Balthazar. He had a few armed men with him. Told the Prefect that he was heading out into the woods to gather material for his next monograph on the tribes. The Governor told the Prefect to hold Balthazar if he comes back that way.”

“Those carrier pigeons carry a lot of material in their ankle rings.”

“Siderean administrators use code.”

“So Balthazar is heading out into the woods. You going to chase him?”

“I wish I had time.”

“I have a feeling we’ll see him again.”

“I fear you are right. I also fear his sojourn among the tribes won’t do us any good. He knows what we’re looking for. He’s planning on getting it himself, judging from what he said to Anders. If we’re lucky, we’ll run into him again.”

“Only you would call running into a powerful demon summoner lucky.” Her tone was somewhere between affection and exasperation.

“He was planning a rebellion. Maybe he’s going to collect some more troops among the jungle people.”

“You think we may run into trouble on the road?”

“Worried? We have an escort.”

“You think it’s strong enough?”

“I guess we will find out.”

Admiral Zamara rode up. “You find out what you need? Aurin’s messengers come through?”

“Our friend Balthazar is on the road ahead of us.”

“No surprises there then. We’d best get going.” Zamara turned to see the last of the wagons was fully loaded. The Governor’s cadaverous-looking secretary Ezra was paying the porters and merchants off.

“Indeed,” said Kormak. “Let us be away.”

* * *

Anders clambered into the back of the same wagon as Kormak and Rhiana. He made sure he was under the canopy and out of the sun.