## Chapter 6

Vedith, one of the Khundryl Burned Tears warrior, rides out of a Bolkando town after fighting with the garrison there and killing everyone. This revolt is in response to Bolkando discrimination and taxation targeting the Khundryl. Warriors like Vedith have taken it upon themselves to burn down as many Bolkando villages/farms/towns as possible. They are still Seven Cities at heart, as we see in the way they abandon a fatally wounded warrior after taking away his horse and weapon.

Warleader Gall is told the news by a young Tear Runner (who incidentally is told this is no time to "play"). He is sure that the Bolkando will raise their army and attack them, so he decides to march on their capital preemptively.

The Grey Helms disembark, though their avars run aground. The landing is watched over by Tanakalian and Krughava. They have a brief talk about choosing a destriant. Krughava notes that there are no more older people in their army, since most of the weaker ones have died during the voyage. She also seems prepared for the Bolkando to ambush them at a narrow pass while pretending to provide them escort.

On the other side, Chancellor Rava and Conquestor Avalt have received news of the trouble with the Khundryl. The clever guys think that bringing this news to Krughava would make her disavow her allies for the sake of honour and thus the Bolkando can handle the Khundryl without worry. A few things we learn here- they are allied with the Saphii and Drash kingdoms but plan to abandon them on the battlefield. Every spy they have sent to the Letherii palace have died, so they dont have any real intelligence about the place. They seem terrifed of the queen's Evertine legion more than the king's wrath. And lastly that the 14th daughter of the king and her handmaiden are no longer in the palace.

Tanakalian and Krughava are at a small rise where they are met by Rava and Avalt. Their plan backfires before even being laid out. Krughava instantly guesses the Bolkando atrocities that have riled up the Khundryl. She asks them if they see her as an enemy, and if so, they can battle rightaway. The 2 depart hurriedly. Tanakalian is impressed by the Mortal Sword inspite of his longstandging hatred against her. They Grey Helms are ordered to march onwards without waiting for their escort. They have guessed that the Khundryl will march on the capital of Bolkando.

Yan Tovis returns to her people. She is stopped by Yedan who urges her to use the mortal path, since she is not answerable to any non Shake people. Yan considers it her responsibility to take care of everyone who has joined her. He pleads with her to take him back but she refuses and returns to her realm.

Pithy and Brevity (remember they are the letherii former prisoners) idly contemplate a plan to lead the Shake to the king and snag a resettlement plan to fill their coffers. They have other plans too, maybe they can quit this island and go back to Letheras and restart whatever scam landed them in the prison. And/or become rival politicians.

Yan reches the place, her people are running low on food and they cant stay there for long. She reaches the Witches Tent and tells them she will lead them away. By her Royal blood she will open Gallan's road and take them to the Dark Shore, home.

Switch to Pov of the ghost who is with the group of people setting out to an edifice. He feels his sense of time is awry and he doesnt feel their suffering at all. As they near, he sees that it is a stone dragon about a thousand reaches tall. It is very detailed and at chest level there is a layer of encircling dust that goes round and round. Breath thinks its sorcery, Rautos thinks its carved from a mountain, Nappet and Asane are unimpressed etc. Taxilian guesses it was a city that was lived in and that they should find a way in. Breath is anxious and fears that they will never leave if they find a way in. The ghost suddenly notices the supplies all of them are carrying and wonders where it came from. Nappet is the only one who voices that they need a place to defend themselves. The ghost has guessed they are being chased. Last is handed a sword, a single edged weapon that stinks of destruction. He thinks he prefers a spear until the others remind him that they dont like spears. They see the statue has sunken down and need to dig to gain entry.

They argue and bicker and take turns digging while the ghost hovers nearby and watches. Their arguments disturbs the ghost, especially their talk of self delusion. Sheb finds a way in and can smell the water, Breath worries about getting drowned. Its dark inside and they all light lanterns. Again the ghost is worried, he knows that reality doesnt work this way. He feels he is bound to these people but they dont even know he exists. He himself has no voice, no identity etc. He is mad at whichever god or goddess is responsible for his condition now.

Inside they find the corpses of 20 K'Chain Che'malles, looking like they have been sacrificed at an altar. Beyond is a spiralling ramp and they start climbing it.