PROLOGUE
NO VICTOR
333 AR AUTUMN
No! Inevera reached out, clutching empty air as the Parchin pitched himself and her husband over the cliff.
Taking with them all the hope of the human race.
On the opposite side of the circle of combat, Leesha Paper let out a similar cry. The strict ritual laws of Domin Sharum were forgotten as witnesses from both sides rushed to the precipice, crowding together to peer into the darkness that had swallowed the combatants.
In Everams light, Inevera could see as clearly in darkness as brightest day, the world defined by magics glow. But magic was drawn to life, and there was little below save barren rock and dirt. The two men, glowing as fiercely as the sun a moment ago, had vanished into the dull gloom of ambient magic as it vented to the surface.
Inevera twisted her earring, the hora stone within attuned to its mate on her husbands ear, but she heard nothing. It could be out of range, or broken in the fall.
Or there might be nothing to hear. She suppressed a shiver as a chill mountain wind blew over her.
She glanced at the others clustered at the edge, reading their expressions, searching for a hint of betrayal, a sign one of them had known this was coming. She read the magic that emanated from them, as well. The circlet of warded electrum coins she wore did not let her read spirits as fluidly as her husband did with the Crown of Kaji, but she was getting more and more skilled at reading emotions. Shock was clear throughout the group. There were variations from one to another, but this was not the outcome any of them had expected.
Even Abban, the smug liar, always hiding something, stood horrified. He and Inevera had been bitter rivals, each attempting to undo the other, but he loved Ahmann as much as an honorless khaffit could, and stood to lose more than any, should he prove dead.
I should have poisoned the Parchins tea, Inevera thought, remembering the guileless face of the Parchin the night he appeared from the desert with the Spear of Kaji. Pricked him with a venom-dipped needle. Put an asp in his pillows as he dozed before alagaisharak. Even claimed offense and killed him with my bare hands. Anything but leave it to Ahmann. His heart was too true for murder and betrayal, even with the fate of Ala in the balance.