CHAPTER TEN

Northern Isembaard

B a’al’uz? Ba’al’uz? Where are you?

Ba’al’uz had been driving himself for weeks now, feeding on little more than the power infused into him by Kanubai.

He had not eaten in over two weeks, and had not drunk any liquid in ten days. He had not slept in five days. By rights, his body should have shut down, if not died, but Ba’al’uz kept on walking, eyes wide and staring in a face leathered and battered by deprivation and the elements. His gait was uneven, his clothes tattered, his mind occupied with only two thoughts: to gain Aqhat, and regain Kanubai’s favor.

Those that saw him stared, then stumbled away, desperate not to come to his notice.

Ba’al’uz appeared not merely crazed, but as if gray shadows of sorrow, or maybe retribution, trailed behind him.

Ba’al’uz? Ba’al’uz? Where are you?

“Setkoth,” Ba’al’uz managed to get out on his fifth attempt at mouthing the word. “Setkoth.”

Not far from Aqhat then.

“Three days, Great One, no more.”

Excellent. Ba’al’uz, you do need to hurry. I should not want to have to use someone else to carry out my desires.

“I will hurry, Great One. I will.”

You must, you must. Nearer and nearer draws the time.

Ba’al’uz lurched on, one insane footstep after the other.