Paragon of Destruction

As Arran stepped through the gate that led into the mountain, he found not the simple tunnel he had expected to see, but instead a spacious cavern, nearly a hundred paces deep and half as high.

The floor sloped upward toward the far end, with several rows of low walls with archers standing atop them, while the walls on both sides had stone balustrades that held more archers still. And finally, at the far end of the cavern, there was another gate, also forged from starmetal.

Arran instantly recognized the space for what it was — a killing ground, much like the courtyard one would find beyond a castle’s gate. Even if an attacking army somehow broke through the first starmetal gate, its troops would only be able to enter a few at a time, while finding themselves instantly flanked by defenders and pelted with arrows.

It was a place where a hundred men could easily slaughter thousands, and although Arran was not the intended target of the defenses, he could not help but feel uncomfortable as he passed them. If the Darians decided to turn on the Wolfsblood Army in a place like this, it would be all but impossible to escape.

Kaleesh’s tight expression suggested that the thought had occurred to him, as well. "Nasty place," he opined. "You could butcher an entire army here and not lose a single man."

Apparently mistaking the captain’s unease for admiration, Arjun nodded eagerly. "If the Blightspawn ever break through, they’ll surely meet their doom in these tunnels," he said, pride clear in his voice. "And it isn’t just the entrance. The tunnels have numerous spaces for traps and ambushes. No enemy can hope to pass through alive."

Arran and Kaleesh shared a knowing look, neither of them the least bit reassured by the Ranger’s words.

Yet ill-timed as Arjun’s words were, they proved to be true all the same.

It took the Wolfsblood Army nearly three hours to pass through the winding tunnels, and during the slow, ever-upward march across the seemingly endless torch-lit passages, they came across at least half a dozen large caverns that held vicious fortifications — along with yet more starmetal gates.

Arran observed the defenses with appreciation and concern in equal measure.

Even if Blightspawn overran the fortress at the foot of the mountain, it was clear that conquering Sacrifice itself would be a different matter altogether. Against determined defenders, every pace forward would take hundreds of lives, filling the tunnels with the bodies of fallen Blightspawn while the Darians could retreat with ease.

Yet impressed as Arran was by the defenses, he also recognized that they would do equally well in preventing one from fleeing Sacrifice. There was no way to pass the tunnels without being noticed a hundred times over, and if the starmetal gates were shut, there was no different path available.

Moreover, if the Blightspawn ever overran the Desolation altogether, the mountain could easily become a prison rather than a bulwark, with the defenders trapped inside by the very defenses they trusted to protect them.

But that was a problem for the Darians to solve.

When they emerged from the tunnels, evening was already approaching, and Arran saw that they had stepped into yet another killing ground — a large field surrounded by tall stone walls, with a single gate leading out of the area.

They had barely stepped onto the grass when a white-clad priest came through the gate, accompanied by a handful of soldiers. He approached them at a casual pace, briefly glancing at the Rangers who headed the group, before coming to a halt before Kaleesh. Apparently, the man had already known they were coming.

"You are the leader, yes?"

"So I’m told," the captain replied flatly.

"Very well." The priest gave a small nod. "There are grounds at the edge of town where you and your men can set up camp for the night. Past that, you are expected to secure a location of your own. You can find—���

"I’m aware of the customs," Kaleesh interrupted the priest. "I have only one question."

The priest frowned. "Which is?"

"Where can we find some proper food and ale?"

An hour later found the Wolfsblood Army at the edge of town, where there were several large fields intended to accommodate passing armies. At the moment, there were only two smaller groups aside from the Wolfsblood army, but there was easily space enough for five times their number.

Finding food proved simple. Even as the troops were setting up their camp, merchants and peddlers poured from the town, eager to sell their wares to the army’s soldiers. Most of them left in disappointment when they discovered the troops had no coin to spend, but those who sold food and ale soon found most of their stock bought up by Kaleesh.

"It’s extortion, is what it is," the captain said, dejectedly thumbing his much-lightened coin purse. "Back in Knight’s Watch, that would have fed the army for half a month."

Arran shrugged as he swallowed a chunk of grilled meat, then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "Compared to what we’ve been eating this past week, I’d call it a bargain at twice the price."

Kaleesh sighed. "A few more bargains like this, and we’ll only have grass to eat." A hesitant look flashed across his eyes, and he continued in a hesitant tone, "That giant sword of yours..."

"Sell it," Arran said with a dismissive gesture. "I do not plan to use the thing in the Desolation. If I ever find myself needing another, I’ll have one made."

The truth was that the weapon’s only function was for practice. In combat, letting his Living Shadow sword take the weapon’s shape was a matter of a single thought. And while he could not do so with others watching, in the Desolation that also held true for using the giant starmetal sword.

Kaleesh gave a thoughtful nod, then glanced at the Rangers who were sat at the fires near them. "Arjun! Get over here!"

The Ranger got up and approached, a questioning look in his eyes. "Yes, captain?"

"Take some men and go into town to sell that ridiculous sword of Arran’s. The stores should be open for several more hours. I expect you to get the best price you can."

Arjun’s eyes went wide with surprise, but after a moment of hesitation, he nodded uneasily. "I’ll do my best, captain."

As Arjun began to gather some troops to haul off the massive sword, Kaleesh had already turned his attention back to the Rangers. "Ifras!" he called out. "I have a task for you, as well!"

The young Ranger looked at Kaleesh uncomfortably. "What is it, captain?"

"I need you to take one of the Reavers’ amulets along with a dozen Blightspawn amulets, and sell them in town." He frowned, then added, "Mind you, getting a good price will require you to visit every shop that might take them. Make sure you get the best price before agreeing to sell."

This time, it wasn’t just the Ranger who looked at Kaleesh in surprise, as Arran stared at the captain in astonishment as well. To sell off Blightspawn amulets was no small thing — those were the very reason they’d come to the Desolation in the first place.

Yet as Kaleesh dismissed Ifras, he immediately turned to Arran. "Come along. We’ll need to secure lands in Sacrifice for the next few weeks, and we can do so in town."

Something in Kaleesh’s eyes suggested that there was a motive behind his actions, and as they set off toward the town, Arran gave the captain a curious glance. "I take it you have a plan."

"Naturally," Kaleesh replied. "You told me you have many pure shadowmetal coins. Would it be possible for you to hand over, say, twenty of them? Thirty would be even better."

Arran frowned, but he did as asked, producing thirty of the coins and handing them to Kaleesh. "If we’re going to be using these, I don’t see why we had to sell off Blightspawn amulets."

The captain smiled knowingly. "We’re selling off a few of them so that we can use these coins without arousing suspicion. Between the amulets, the sword, and Nisra’s generous gift, others will have a hard time estimating our true wealth — especially once we’ve visited a few money changers."

Arran gave him a skeptical look. "Will that be enough?"

"It will," Kaleesh replied. "Don’t forget that we already have fifty troops in starmetal armor. As far as most Darians know, we might be wealthier than all but a few lordlings."

"That’s not what Nisra thought," Arran said.

"Which is why we’re selling off some treasure," the captain said. "Few merchants are willing to discuss their dealings with others, so after tonight, even she should be in the dark about the extent of our resources."

As they entered the town, Arran was surprised to see that it was much like the ones he’d seen elsewhere in the Imperium. While the streets perhaps held more inns and taverns — all of them hideously overpriced — the common folk seemed little different. And if there were more priests and guards than one would see in other places, the contrast wasn’t so large as to be conspicuous.

They spent the following hour visiting well over a dozen money changers. That was more than Arran had expected there to be in even a town as large as this, but he soon realized that with armies passing every day, they would see no shortage of business.

Kaleesh exchanged no more than one or two coins at each of them so as not to draw too much attention, but after an hour, they already had a decent number of bulging coin purses.

"That should do," the captain said, a satisfied look on his face. "With this, we have no more cause to worry about supplies. Next, it’s time to acquire some lands for our stay." With a small frown, he added, "Though that may prove a bigger challenge."

"How so?" Arran asked, following Kaleesh as the captain started toward a large, white building in the middle of the town center.

"Sacrifice is divided into four quarters," Kaleesh explained. "The northeastern quarter mainly hosts those aligned with the Lords’ Alliance, the northwestern quarter those within the Righteous Alliance, and the southwestern quarter those within the Martial Alliance. Which leaves the southeastern quarter for everyone else."

"I see," Arran said. "But why is that a problem?"

"Because the church controls Sacrifice. And while it favors members of the Righteous Alliance and avoids antagonizing the other two, we have no such protection." Kaleesh cast a dark glance at the building before them. "Which means we’re about to make a hefty contribution to the church’s vast coffers."

"I don’t suppose we’d be accepted in the northeastern quarter?" Although Arran wasn’t too concerned about coin, he still disliked the idea of the church taking it — all the more so because he suspected the pure shadowmetal coins could be used as more than just money.

"The Lord’s Alliance would accept us, of course," Kaleesh said. "And once word of it got out, we’d be bound to Rannoc and his allies — as tightly as if our armor still bore his sigil." A wry smile on his lips, he added, "Though I doubt any of them would help if the Martial Alliance took revenge for Kadun’s death."

Arran shrugged. "The southeastern quarter it is, then."

When they stepped inside the building, they found a large hall, empty but for a single desk at its far end, behind which sat a middle-aged man with a bored expression. Though he was dressed in white, he did not appear to be a priest. Rather, he seemed to be a clerk of some sort.

"Kaleesh?" the man asked as he laid eyes on them.

The captain raised an eyebrow. "You were expecting me?"

"Of course," the clerk said, though he offered no further explanation. "Four thousand troops, correct?"

"Closer to three thousand," Kaleesh said, "if it makes a difference."

"It doesn’t." The clerk produced a large roll of paper from under his desk, then asked, "Have you chosen a quarter yet?"

"We have. The southeastern one."

The clerk frowned as if surprised, but said nothing. Instead, he put away the roll of paper and took out a similar one, which he rolled out onto his desk.

"This is a map of the southeastern quarter," he said, motioning for Kaleesh and Arran to move closer. "Now, I can offer you the following choices..."

When they exited the building a quarter-hour later, Kaleesh was red-faced with anger. "Ten!" he said, his voice a near-shout — loud enough that several passersby shot startled looks in his direction. "Ten pure shadowmetal coins! For a month in some farmer’s field!"

Calling the estate they’d rented a farmer’s field was an exaggeration, but not by much. It lay well over a day’s travel from the main city in Sacrifice, and several miles from the nearest town. Moreover, from the clerk’s words, its barracks were austere at best.

Arran gave a small shrug. "We could’ve had our own village near the city if you were a little less stingy."

Although the price they’d paid had been extortionate, he saw little point in grumbling about it. Overpriced or not, they had needed an estate, and Sacrifice offered no more affordable accommodations for a group as large as the Wolfsblood Army — not for those who weren’t in one of the major factions, at any rate.

Kaleesh looked at him with a frustrated expression. "Ten pure shadowmetal coins!" he repeated, as if saying it enough times might somehow change the price they’d paid. "In the east, that’s enough to buy a castle!"

"Yet we’re not in the east," Arran said, "and we don’t need a castle. You, however, look like you need an ale, so let’s find a tavern."

Kaleesh accepted the suggestion reluctantly, doubtless fearful that an ale in Sacrifice would be the price of a farm elsewhere — a concern that proved not entirely unfounded, as the taverns in the town center charged more for a single mug of ale than ones elsewhere would charge for an entire meal.

Yet as they sat down and drank, the anger finally fled the captain’s face, and slowly, a thoughtful look took its place. "I’ll have Sassun lead the army to the estate tomorrow," he said, "while we travel to the Sanctum together."

Arran took a swig of ale. "Eager to meet the priests?"

"Eager to see their wares," Kaleesh replied. "The bloodlines we choose will decide our future, both in the Imperium and beyond it. Decisions like those need proper study."

"Have you discovered anything useful about the bloodlines, so far?" Arran asked. "I’ve asked the Rangers, but none of them had much to share."

"That’s to be expected." Kaleesh took a moment to ensure that none in the tavern were close enough to listen in, and continued in a softer voice, "The Darians believe their bloodlines come from the gods themselves, and even the least pious among them don’t discuss the matter easily. From what I’ve heard, though, there are three different kinds of bloodlines — lesser, common, and greater."

"I suppose none of our Rangers possess greater bloodlines?" Arran guessed.

"Greater bloodlines?" Kaleesh laughed as he shook his head. "Among our Rangers, only Barric even has a common one. The others only have lesser bloodlines, with most possessing just two or three of those."

"Even the Rangers?" Arran frowned. He’d expected that the Rangers, at least, would have more than that. Reavers were fierce opponents, but not so much that a Ranger wouldn’t have a chance of defeating one.

"Our Rangers, at least," the captain said. "Ones with stronger backing doubtless do better."

Arran pondered the matter for some moments, then asked, "If there are three types of bloodlines, do they correspond to the amulets? Blightspawn amulets to acquire lesser bloodlines, Reavers’ amulets for common ones, and Warlock amulets for the greater bloodlines?"

"That is my understanding," Kaleesh said with a short nod. "From what I’ve heard, the first bloodline from each tier requires only a single amulet, but the ones that follow depend on the strength of one’s blood." He paused to take a sip of ale, then added, "In your case, I imagine that will prove costly."

Arran smiled wryly, but after a moment, he furrowed his brow in thought. "If what you say is true, we’ll have to start with the greater bloodlines."

"How so?" Kaleesh asked, his expression curious.

"Think about it," Arran said. "If each bloodline makes the next costlier to acquire, then every lesser or common bloodline you gain will make the greater ones much harder to get."

"Huh." Kaleesh briefly looked puzzled, but as realization set in, his bemused expression turned to one of frustration. "So you’re telling me I can’t choose a bloodline right away?"

"Not unless you’re willing to cripple your future progress." Arran scratched his chin. "Which means it must be nearly impossible for commoners to climb the ranks in the Imperium. A common soldier who acquires too many lesser bloodlines will find it impossible to ever gain more than a few common bloodlines, much less any greater ones."

Kaleesh drained his mug of ale, then sighed as he cast a dark look at the Darians in the tavern. "Knowing the Imperium, I’d say that sounds accurate."

When they returned to the camp, they found that Arjun and Ifras had already returned, both Rangers carrying fat purses that they were anxious to hand to Kaleesh.

The captain inspected the purses’ contents before giving a satisfied — if unenthusiastic — nod. "That’ll do," he said. "Not as much as I had hoped, but it’s enough."

Arran suspected Kaleesh could have gotten more himself, but he understood the captain’s purpose in sending the Rangers. Having different people visit many of the shops in town, it would be all but impossible for others to discover exactly what had been sold and at what price.

And either way, the proceeds from the sword and the handful of amulets mattered little. Compared to what Arran had handed Kaleesh, the entire sum was barely worth mentioning.

When Kaleesh finished inspecting the two purses, he turned his attention back to the Rangers. "Rangers!" he called out. "Gather up! I have an announcement to make!"

It took some moments for the Rangers to assemble, their expressions curious as they gathered around the captain. Finally, when they had all arrived, he looked around, then spoke.

"I have secured an estate where we can prepare ourselves for the Desolation," he began. "It’s located in the southeastern corner of Sacrifice, far enough from the city that we can practice without distraction or disturbance, with little risk of any lordlings interfering in our affairs."

Arran only barely managed to suppress a laugh. Barely an hour earlier, Kaleesh had scoffed in anger that they had been forced to choose so isolated a location. Yet now, he spoke as if the choice had been a deliberate one.

"The Wolfsblood Army will depart at first light tomorrow morning," the captain continued. "And as the army travels, I will accompany Arran to the Sanctum. We will rejoin you all at the estate. In my absence, I am placing Sassun in charge of the army, with Arjun to serve as his second."

His announcement caused some whispers of surprise, and the young Ranger who’d demanded rewards back in Knight’s Watch — Domar, his name was — spoke up in an indignant tone. "You’re abandoning us to visit the city? And you’re putting a common soldier in charge?"

"Correct," Kaleesh replied. "I assume you can handle a two-day march through safe lands without me there to hold your hand. But perhaps you disagree with that assumption?"

Some laughs sounded among the Rangers, but Domar was undeterred. "A Ranger should be in charge!" he said in an angry voice. "You can’t expect us to follow a common soldier!"

Before Kaleesh could respond, Ifras spoke up. "I trust the captain’s judgment," he said, his tone firm even if he looked uncomfortable at drawing so much attention to himself. "And if he says Sassun will lead, then I will follow Sassun."

Arran watched the exchange with narrowed eyes, unsure of what to make of it. It should make little difference who led the army in the few days that he and Kaleesh would be away, and among all of them, Sassun was undoubtedly the one with the most experience — if only because Kaleesh already had the dour commander do much of the actual work of handling the army.

That was something well-understood by most of the Rangers, and Arran could not see how a few days of having Sassun in charge should be an issue. To his eyes, it looked almost as if Domar had been searching for a reason to get upset.

Barric seemed to have had the same thought, as he cast an annoyed look at Domar. "Is there a point to your whining?"

"I just think a Ranger should be in charge," Domar said, though he seemed uneasy rather than indignant now.

At that moment, Sassun spoke up. "If any Ranger wants to arrange supplies, set a guard schedule, supervise provisions, and plan our route, I will gladly relinquish the task."

A small smile crossed Kaleesh’s face. "I do not believe that will be necessary. As I said, it’s only a two-day march." His expression grew harder as he looked at Domar. "Of course, if anyone here has a problem with my orders, then I suggest they depart now. Once we leave the safety of Sacrifice, I will not tolerate disobedience."

Domar offered no further objections, and from his expression, he already regretted his earlier words.

Kaleesh paid the young Ranger no more mind. As he turned his attention back to the others, his smile returning in an instant. "Now, I suggest we move to more important matters. I paid a king’s ransom for our food and ale, and I do not intend to see it go to waste."

His words were enough to break the tension, and the Rangers soon rejoined the troops. Although some still appeared uncomfortable with the captain’s decision to leave ��� if only for a few days — a week’s worth of travel with warm ale and barely edible food had left them eager to enjoy the fresh supplies.

That night, the troops did little but eat and drink, singing bawdy songs as they celebrated their unscathed arrival in Sacrifice. Though there had been no battles along the way — none but Arran’s duel with the Knight, at least — it was now plain to see that the troops had been more worried than they’d let on while traveling.

And no wonder. With the Desolation diminishing their strength, even the strongest-willed among them were left feeling feeble and vulnerable — a state that did their confidence in facing the dangers of the Desolation no favors.

The next morning, Arran awoke before dawn. Though he easily could have gone several more days without rest, he’d decided to take what sleep he could get before traveling to the city. Even if he didn’t expect to do battle, a conversation with an Archon would be at least as dangerous as a duel against a Knight, and likely more so.

Before they departed, Kaleesh gave Sassun some brief instructions, then handed the commander several fat coin purses. "Make sure the troops eat well," he said. "And if anyone causes trouble..."

"I’ll have Barric and Arjun handle it," Sassun replied. Though his expression was severe as always, his tone was unconcerned. But then, after years of helping lead the Wolfsblood Company, he likely knew what he was about.

Arran and Kaleesh left the camp without ceremony, taking to the road before most of the soldiers were even awake. When the first rays of sunshine appeared, they were already an hour underway.

As daylight appeared and they left the town behind, Arran could see that Sacrifice was filled with seemingly endless farmlands, with crops, orchards, and pastures covering the landscape as far as his eyes could see. There were numerous farms, too, as well as the occasional small village.

"With lands like these, you’d think the food would be cheaper," Arran said. "Though I suppose feeding all the armies is no easy task."

"That," Kaleesh said, "and the church takes a hefty cut of all that is sold here. The income from Sacrifice and the other bulwarks is one of the pillars of the church’s power, and most wealth in the Imperium finds its way into the priests’ hands sooner or later."

Arran cast a long look at the bountiful lands around them. "It looks like the church has made good business of the gods’ sacrifice, then."

"Indeed," the captain said. "Though I would suggest not saying so where anyone can hear."

They made good distance through the morning, following the long, straight road that led to the city — aptly named the Eastern Road, as Kaleesh informed Arran — through a patchwork of farmlands and villages.

Most of the villages held a variety of taverns and inns to accommodate passing armies, and they stopped at one of these for a quick midday meal, Arran recalled the previous night’s events.

"Do you expect Domar to cause trouble?" he asked in between two bites of stew.

"Perhaps," Kaleesh said. Then, after a moment’s thought, "Probably."

"Then why allow him to stay?"

"I considered dismissing him," the captain replied, "but there is no need to be hasty about it. We won’t depart Sacrifice for another month, so I have plenty of time to reach a decision."

Arran furrowed his brow as he looked at Kaleesh. "Why not dismiss him right away? He’s a talented swordsman, but other than that, he’s more trouble than he’s worth."

Kaleesh smiled. "Don’t be too quick to judge. Sometimes, the least agreeing companions end up becoming the most valuable allies. Barely a month after Sassun joined the Wolfsblood Company, he actually led a mutiny against my command."

"Sassun? A mutiny?" Arran stared at Kaleesh in surprise. Sassun might not have the sunniest of dispositions, but the man was nothing if not loyal.

Kaleesh nodded. "We were hired by some noble in the borderlands to hunt down a band of raiders. When the time came to collect our payment, Sassun decided that he would prefer to have the captain’s share and stabbed me right in the chest. An inch higher, and he might be the one leading the Wolfsblood Army."

Arran cast an incredulous look at Kaleesh, but he saw not the slightest trace of insincerity in the captain’s eyes. "Then what happened?"

"I repaid the favor by beating him to within an inch of his life," Kaleesh said. "He ended up saving me from a spear to the back barely two months later, and we’ve traveled together ever since."

For some moments, Arran remained silent, mind still boggling at the thought of Sassun stabbing Kaleesh. Finally, however, he said, "I bet Sassun didn’t whine as much as Domar, though."

Kaleesh chuckled. "I will admit that his manner so far has been less than pleasant."

The afternoon’s travels proved as smooth as the morning’s had been, and as they walked along the wide road, Arran had ample opportunity to observe the other travelers.

Most of these were farmers and merchants who transported food and other supplies between the villages, but there were many white-clad priests and guards as well, and twice, they passed small armies.

The first of the armies had clearly just arrived in Sacrifice, with its soldiers looking fresh-faced and excited, their uniforms so spotless that Arran doubted the soldiers had ever worn them in battle.

The Rangers, however, showed little of the soldiers’ enthusiasm. Instead, their expressions held concern whenever they glanced at the troops, as if they already knew that many would not return.

The second army, meanwhile, was traveling eastward from the city, and a single glance was enough to know that the soldiers had already seen many battles. Their gazes were hard and weary, with many of the troops showing scars in the angry red and pink of freshly healed skin.

Although this army counted over a thousand soldiers, Arran had little doubt that the number had been much higher half a year earlier.

While Arran observed the people who shared the road with them, not many of those they passed had eyes for him or Kaleesh, and those few who did gave them no more than a passing glance.

That was a good sign, at least. Arran had worried that they’d encounter more hostile lordlings while traveling, but it appeared that their enemies had not yet learned that they had left the Wolfsblood Army behind to visit the city.

That night, they slept in a small inn along the road, overpaying at least fivefold for a simple meal and two equally simple but unexpectedly clean rooms.

The next day, as they set off in the early morning light, Kaleesh gave Arran an appraising look.

"If I didn’t know any better," the captain said, "I’d almost think you were glad to be rid of the army."

Arran briefly pondered the question before answering, "I suppose I am, in a way. It’s strange, really. Whenever I travel alone, I find myself wanting the company of others. But when I’m surrounded by others, I miss the solitude of traveling by myself."

He’d never given the matter much thought, but as he spoke the words, he realized they were true. In his years of traveling alone, he’d often missed having companions at his side. Yet now that he had an entire army to keep him company, he almost found himself overwhelmed by the constant presence of others.

He cast a glance at Kaleesh. "But what about you? You seem to be glad for the quiet, as well."

Kaleesh sighed. "It’s not the quiet I’m glad for. It’s being away from the soldiers. You saw the army we passed yesterday. When they first entered the Desolation, they must have numbered hundreds more, maybe even thousands. When we leave Sacrifice for the last time, how many of our soldiers do you think will still be alive?"

Arran shrugged. "More than there would be without you to lead them."

The gloomy mood didn’t last long, however, as the bright morning sun soon broke through, bathing the rolling farmlands around them in golden light. And while that did little to ease their problems, it made it far easier to think of other things.

Another day of travel was followed by another night in a costly inn, and on the morning of the third day, they finally saw their destination appear in the distance — a sight that briefly brought them to a halt.

At the very center of Sacrifice lay a large, clear lake, and across the lands surrounding it stretched a large city, with numerous buildings filling both the flat area beside the lake and the low hills surrounding.

It was as great a city as Arran had ever seen, yet what caught his attention wasn’t the city, nor was it the lake that lay at its center. Rather, what drew his attention was a walled complex of white buildings to the northwest of the city, large enough to be called a town itself.

"I assume that’s the Sanctum," he said.

"It should be," Kaleesh replied. "Though it’s bigger than I expected."

"What is that?" Arran said, pointing to a walled complex that lay to the southwest of the city like a mirror image of the Sanctum, except with its buildings dark gray rather than white.

"That should be the Citadel," the captain said. "The seat of power of the Imperator’s forces in Sacrifice. Should you wish to visit Lady Merem, I expect you will find her there."

A shiver ran across Arran’s spine as he recalled the Imperial Knight. Even now, the memory of her power still left him uneasy. "I don’t think that will be necessary. Let’s head to the Sanctum."

Kaleesh nodded in agreement. "Do you want to find an inn in the city, first?"

Arran hesitated briefly, then shook his head. "I’d rather get this over with as quickly as possible."

It took them a good two hours to cross through the city’s winding streets, and Arran soon realized that it was a city much like any other. While he saw many Rangers and more than a few Knights, the vast majority of the people he saw were commoners, with shopkeepers and merchants hawking their wares as laborers and the like moved through the busy streets.

"It’s strange," he said, "to find a city like this within the Desolation. If I couldn’t feel the suppression weighing down on me, I’d think it no different from any other place."

"Supposedly," Kaleesh replied, "the eastern part of the Desolation was at one point fully controlled by the Imperium, with numerous cities covering the lands even hundreds of miles to the west of here — before the Blight overran them, at any rate." He scratched his chin, then added in a thoughtful voice, "If we find any of those abandoned cities, there might be treasure to be had."

When they finally arrived at the Sanctum, they found its gates open, a steady stream of priests, soldiers, Rangers, and others continuously moving through. And although a group of white-clad soldiers and a single Ranger stood guarding the gates, they paid those who passed little attention.

Arran hesitated only a moment before approaching the Ranger. "I have a question," he said as he walked up to the man. "One I hope you might answer."

"What is it?" the Ranger asked, his expression irritated as he glanced at Arran.

"I received an invitation from Archon Roshan," Arran said, ignoring the man’s annoyed glare. "And I wonder where I might find him."

At the mention of an Archon, the Ranger’s expression instantly softened. "You can find him in the Inner Sanctum." Seeing Arran’s blank look, he added, "Just follow the road, and you will eventually reach a second gate. The guards there will show you inside."

Arran gave the man a nod of thanks before continuing on through the gates, Kaleesh at his side as they slowly made their way through the masses.

"Tread carefully," Kaleesh said in a soft voice. "We’ve just stepped into the lions’ den."

As they passed through the gates, however, Arran found that the Sanctum resembled a peaceful park more than it did a lions’ den. On either side of the road were carefully maintained grasslands that held numerous temples, pavilions, and flower gardens, with small gravel paths connecting them to each other.

Past the gate, the crowd on the road quickly grew thinner, with many of the people leaving the road to follow the small paths to the various temples and pavilions. Many bore reverent expressions, and Arran guessed they had come here to worship their gods.

"It doesn’t seem too bad to me," he said, looking around with some curiosity. "If anything, I’d say it looks pleasant."

"It does," Kaleesh admitted. "But no less dangerous for that. There are few in the Imperium who would dare oppose the church, and piety is the least of the reasons for that."

They continued on for a quarter-hour, until finally, they approached the white walls of the Inner Sanctum. And where the guards at the outer gate had looked disinterested more than anything, the ones here appeared wholly different — if only because all but one were Rangers, with the only exception being a Paladin.

By now, the traffic on the road had dwindled to a mere trickle, and as far as Arran could see, only priests entered and exited the Inner Sanctum, all of them nodding respectfully to the Paladin as they passed.

Kaleesh cast a single look at the guards, then came to an abrupt halt. "I think I will wait for you outside. Perhaps explore the grounds for a bit."

"You’re not coming along?" Arran asked, surprised. He’d thought the captain would eagerly seize the chance to get a look at the Inner Sanctum.

"I doubt they’d let me enter even if I wanted to," Kaleesh replied. He smiled cheerfully, then added, "Besides, if you don’t return, you’ll need someone to rescue you."

Though it was a joke, Arran could not help but wonder if the captain’s words might turn out to be prophetic. Still, he gave a small nod. "I’ll meet you here when I return. Soon, hopefully."

When he approached the Paladin, the man immediately shot him a wary look, clearly Sensing the Living Shadow dagger he carried. "What’s your business here?"

Arran met the Paladin’s distrustful glare with a calm expression. "Archon Roshan summoned me."

"So you’re the one..." Though the Paladin’s expression was still far from friendly, a hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes. He glanced at one of the guards, and ordered, "Fetch someone to accompany him." As the guard hurried off, the Paladin turned back to Arran. "In defeating a Knight, you’ve drawn quite a bit of attention to yourself."

Arran shrugged. "Better than the alternative."

"Perhaps," the Paladin said simply.

Arran gave the man a flat look. Though he had no intention of causing the Paladin offense — not here, certainly — he would not let himself be intimidated, either. And that the man wished to intimidate him was obvious, though he could only guess at the reason.

They faced each other for several uncomfortable moments, the tension only broken when the guard returned, a young white-robed priestess in tow.

"You’re to be my escort?" Arran asked.

"Yes," she said. "Please follow."

Arran gave the Paladin a small nod, then followed the priestess through the gates and into the Inner Sanctum.

Though the large area inside the walls looked much like the grounds outside, with meticulously groomed gardens and no small number of temples and pavilions, he saw at once that there were some large differences.

For a start, while there had been many soldiers, Rangers, and — especially — commoners in the outer area, he saw only priests and guards here, all of them clad in white. And where most of the temples in the outer area had been modest in both size and ornament, many of the buildings here were built like palaces, vast and elaborately decorated.

Arran followed the priestess for several minutes until finally, they arrived before a large building, circular in shape and topped with a massive dome.

As the priestess came to a halt, she turned to Arran. "I will wait here until you are ready to return."

Understanding that he was to enter alone, Arran stepped through the entrance, finding a single room, large and circular. The floor, he saw, was covered with an intricate mosaic, and the walls were lined with a series of tall statues, all carved from white marble.

A man stood before one of the statues, his eyes focused on some detail of the carving. Like the priestess, he wore a white robe, but at his side was a Living Shadow dagger. Archon Roshan, Arran knew.

"I take it you are Arran." The man did not take his eyes off the statue as he spoke, and he continued, "I expected you to arrive earlier." There was a trace of irritation in his voice, though it was only barely noticeable.

"My apologies," Arran said cautiously.

Finally, the Archon took his eyes off the statue and turned to Arran. "No matter," he said. "Come, let me take a look at you."

Arran moved forward uneasily. Though he had met an Archon before, there was something about this man that exuded danger — something that had been absent in the other Archon.

As he approached Roshan, he saw that the man had a sharp face and a short beard, with light eyes despite his dark hair. And although his hair held some streaks of gray, he did not seem particularly old.

"So you’re the Ranger that killed a Knight," the Archon said, giving Arran a long appraising look.

"He challenged me," Arran said. "At least, his commander did."

Roshan held up a hand. "Do not worry — I do not hold you responsible for his death, nor would it be a crime even if you were responsible. As you said, the challenge was his, and you merely accepted it."

Arran gave a relieved nod. Though he’d been unconcerned about the matter just moments earlier, there was something about this matter that unsettled him — an aura of power that reminded him of Lady Merem.

"But in defeating him," the Archon continued, "you gained something you should not have — something that carries little value to Rangers, but great value to the Imperium. Which forces me to make a difficult decision."

"You can have the dagger," Arran said at once. Though the dagger had some use to him — if not for the reasons Roshan might think — he did not value it nearly enough to risk making an enemy out of an Archon. Especially not this one.

Roshan shook his head. "Do not be so hasty in relinquishing your possessions. As I said, I have yet to decide what I shall do." He paused to cast a long, studious look at Arran. Finally, he spoke, "Tell me, what do you know of our bloodlines?"

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