Lazar could see. Surely they're not watching the enemy, leaving themselves so open?

No, I think they're watching my brother and me.

Why?

Beloch switched his view back across the Faranel and suddenly, impossibly, Ezram came into Lazar's sights. Except Ezram was made of flesh, his complexion no longer gray stone but ruddy and real. Lazar could see the individual hairs in his black beard and the dark blue of his eyes. What...what's this? he stammered, convinced he was seeing something that wasn't there. He shook his head.

This, Spur Lazar, is my brother, Ezram. You made us free with your summoning that revoked the spell of Maliz, may his soul rot in the eternal gloom of Lyana's depths!

Wait, Lazar begged. You are both real?

We always were, the deep voice boomed. We were simply trapped by magic. Ah, here comes Crendel, and Beloch looked skyward.

The winged lion?

Who else? We are all made whole with the summoning.

I can't...I can't- Spur Lazar. Beloch's voice sounded like a growl. We have no time for this. Gather your wits. There is a battle unfolding before us. Percherese are dying by the dozens. What do you wish from us?

All right, just give me a moment. I can hardly take this in. How close are the Galinseans?

From what I can tell, they have breached the bazaar. The spice markets are burning. They will be up to the palace within a very short while.

Can you see the Protectorate?

Some, yes. They are trying to maintain their advantage on the hills but it won't work for them much longer. They have wasted a lot of arrows on the bazaar but the Galinseans have too much cover there. They can wait them out, strike at night, if necessary.

It's Ghassal's inexperience. But even he is not to blame. They should be firing burning torches at their galleys. The Galinseans will not want to be stranded in Percheron, not with their king and queen in tow.

We can smash their boats, he heard Ezram say with glee.

Lazar could hardly believe what he was hearing but it was a good plan. Do it. But save the royal galley. Destroy the other boats. Then, Ezram, go up to the palace-you can move your legs?

Of course! came the indignant reply.

Excellent. Protect the palace and all within its courtyards. Presumably the Crown Valide has called as many people behind the walls as possible. Either way, get there after the boats have been dealt with and put out those city fires as best you can.

I'm going, Ezram said, and Lazar marveled to see through Beloch's eyes as the twin giant started wading toward the war galleys, mere toys next to his enormous stature.

And while my brother has all the fun?

Come and get me, Lazar said, his sorrows put aside for the moment whilst his anger came flooding back. And in his anger he found calm, a place to hide his grief. Can you find me?

Easily.

How long?

At a run? Minutes.

Amazing, Lazar breathed. Can Crendel be spared?

Surely.

I need him to fly over the western section of the Empty. I've a strong feeling that Arafanz will be coming to Percheron.

He is not our enemy.

But he is mine. Tell Crendel this is what I want.

I will tell him.

Can Shakar come, too?

Soon enough.

I presume that he is controllable?

Utterly. He is a disciple of Lyana-as we all are.

Leave word for him to help Ezram. He can torch any of the galleys-or what's left of them. No timber is to be salvaged, but leave my father's ship untouched. He should do a fly over the islands. Sink, burn, destroy any Galinsean ships they've left as spare. And, Beloch?

Yes.

Feel free to frighten any Galinseans before you leave. He heard the deep rumble of the giant's laughter. He's not dead, Lazar added, and knew this comment needed no explanation.

I know.

Ana is. He couldn't imagine how he could bring himself to utter those words. But he was looking at Luc, the future of Percheron and Galinsea, who looked so like Ana. Vengeance would drive him now. Grieving must wait.

I felt it. I also felt Lyana. She has risen.

I am bringing her with me. Hurry.

They had been on their way down to the palatial Grand Salon when a massive sound thundered around the bay. Running to a nearby balcony, Bin instinctively taking Herezah's arm, they raced outside to see what new threat confronted them. It was beyond belief as Herezah watched the two enormous giants who had guarded Percheron's harbor for centuries slough away the stone that had formed them. Her hand went to her throat.

"Bin, am I imagining this?" she whispered over the cracking and roaring.

"No, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice equally shaken. "The giants are coming to life."

"How can this be?"

Bin simply shook his head in bafflement. Herezah didn't expect an answer; she just stared, giving herself over to her amazement, unaware that all the soldiers on both sides had also stopped their activities and had turned toward the harbor.

"They're alive," she murmured. "Look, they have skin and hair and they are moving. What are they going to do? Are they planning to kill us, do you think?"

"I can't imagine their purpose, Majesty. I can't actually believe this is happening. I'm waiting to wake from this strange dream."

"They seem to be talking to each other."

"Zarab, save us!"

"What now?"

"The winged lion comes!"

"This is impossible...impossible," Herezah moaned.

"Crown Valide, if nothing else, it has stopped the fighting."

"Look, Bin! The giant is moving away now."

"That one's Ezram."

"How do you know?"

"The legend says he was the one with wavy hair."

"You know your history tales. Oh Zarab! Look!"

And together they watched Ezram pick up a war galley as though it were a toy, crushing it into splinters of wood. Herezah clung to Bin, fear mingling with joy that blended with amazement. Another doomed ship met its fate at the giant's hands and his twin began to wade forward, approaching the city.

"Beloch comes," Bin warned. "We're next!"

They watched the Galinsean army scatter in a hundred directions as the giant stepped out onto the foreshore. He was huge, far bigger than he looked from a distance, and his voice boomed across the city.

"People of Percheron," he roared. "You are safe. We will protect you. Galinseans, beware. Lay down your weapons or you will all die. Crendel, the winged lion, is looking for fresh meat," he warned. "And his sister, Darso, is prowling the streets. She will kill anyone who is armed. Heed my warning. Cast aside your weapons. The Galinseans are to gather here on the beach. Any of the enemy who does not arrive quietly, unarmed, will be killed swiftly. Every warship but that flying the royal pennant will be sunk. I suggest you get all of your people off the ships and onto shore quickly. Leave your king on board his galley. He is safe for the time being by order of Prince Lucien of Galinsea, also known as Spur Lazar in Percheron..."

"Lazar? Lazar controls them!" Herezah said, excited. "Bin, you heard the giant. We're safe," she added, hardly able to hear herself over the giant's rumbling voice but unable to prevent her relief from spilling over.

"...will decide your fate upon his return to the city shortly. Crown Valide, do you hear me?"

Herezah felt her throat catch with terror. She didn't know whether to wave, drawing his attention, or to simply prostrate herself on the balcony.

"I know you see and hear me, Crown Valide. Spur Lazar will be among you very soon. Ezram will guard the palace. Do not be afraid of him. He will protect all Percherese, will not permit another drop of their blood to be spilled. Now I must go."

And with that, the giant strode away, back around the peninsula to avoid treading on the city. They watched in silence as he finally stepped up onto land in the foothills, each step covering what Herezah imagined would be the equivalent of a day's ride. A stunned silence blanketed the city for a few moments whilst Percherese and Galinseans alike did their best to absorb what had just occurred.

Ezram's voice broke the eerie quiet. It was an octave lower than his brother's and terrified all who heard it.

"Galinseans! You heard Beloch's orders. Do not test me, I am not as patient as my twin."

And Galinsean soldiers began to stream down the hillside toward the beach, herded by a swooping winged lion who watched their progress from overhead, and by his sister, who sent them screaming from the alleyways of the bazaar.

34.

Iridor flew after the riders, his keen night sight a boon. The Razaqin seemed to be filled with a fire in their collective belly with Arafanz leading the charge in the direction of Percheron.

Iridor had never before seen camels driven this hard or fast. The beasts could only gallop for a short burst. The riders would have to slow them down very soon, he guessed. It was easy from this height to keep them in view, however, and he was not worried about losing them. With that security he allowed his mind to wander to what he had felt earlier.

He was now convinced that Lyana had arisen but with that joyous feeling had come a sense of loss, and he believed now that something might have happened to Ana. The longer he flew toward Percheron, the more he worried about it, and the more convinced he became that Ana had died in giving birth to the Goddess.

By the time he reached this conclusion, he had fallen into a deeply maudlin mood, one that resonated deeply, reminding him of something that had gone before...many times.

The men below him were slowing and he needed to look for cover among the dunes. They would surely stop to rest the animals and wait for full dawn. Taking cover behind a dune, he decided in his misery that Maliz was nowhere close; he should risk talking to Lazar.

With a hollow feeling of dread he opened up the link.

Lazar?

Iridor! I was just about to try to talk with you.

Were you? How?

It seems I can at will now. If I can talk to the giants, surely I can talk to you.

What are you talking about?

Listen. Time is short. We got away during the Samazen. Ana and I found safety in a cave that is special to Lyana. Don't interrupt; it is all bad news, just let me say it. Iridor wanted to stop Lazar but he remained silent and allowed the misery to wash over him. Ana is dead. She has also been stolen from me.

Dead? No, that's not right. That can't be, Lazar! I go first. I always go first!

Lazar ignored him. The only thing I can think of is that Ellyana took her whilst I was fetching Ana some water. I found her robe discarded. She had been bleeding badly. It seemed unnatural bleeding but what would I know about childbirth? The baby is safe. A boy. He looks like his mother. And for him alone I keep going.

I didn't say good-bye, I didn't- Neither did I. She was alive, she asked me to kiss her. Only she knew it was her time. Don't make this harder than it is. I am bringing my son to Percheron.

Iridor had to set aside his grief momentarily. You will be days, then, I am- Not days, minutes, I'm told. That's what I'm trying to tell you. Beloch is coming for me.

Beloch the giant?

One and the same. He has broken free of the spell that cast him in stone. Both he and his brother were, when I last spoke, about to wreak havoc on the Galinseans, who, incidentally, have begun their attack on Percheron.

How is Beloch free?

I freed both giants. I'm still not sure how. All I know is that Beloch is coming to find me and the boy and will take us back to Percheron.

What about Maliz? What happened in the fortress and where is Boaz?

He heard Lazar sigh. I have little time, so I shall not try to say this with care. Here are the facts. Maliz possessed Boaz.

What? Iridor nearly overbalanced. How?

I don't know. It happened and it's irrelevant now because the Zar is dead.