But it occurs to me that even as mortals are but pieces on a gameboard, so too are the gods.” “ ‘Elemental forces in opposition,’ ” she said, smiling. Heboric’s brows rose, then he scowled. “A quote. A familiar one—” “It should be. It’s carved into the Imperial Gate in Unta, after all. Kellanved’s own words, as a means to justify the balance of destruction with creation—the expansion of the Empire, in all its hungry glory.”

