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The fighting pits were part of Vin Thalun tradition, had been part of the three islands for as long as Lykos knew. Men could end up there by many roads–taken on a raid, owing a blood debt, even from a very bad night with dice and a throw-board. There was only one road out, though, and that was to fight your way out, tooth and nail if you had to.
‘Strike first,’ he said, ‘else you might not get a chance to strike at all. That’s a Darkwood education.’
‘Because Corban is the Bright Star, the Seren Disglair, avatar of Elyon.’ There was a long silence, then Dath laughed.
Come then, Death, take me across your bridge of swords, but know this: I won’t be coming alone.
The Kurgan here, ruling in the south, the Jotun in the north, the Benothi in the west, the Shekam in the east, and the Hunen in the central regions–where Helveth, Carnutan and Forn are situated now.’
‘And what of the Firstborn? Where are they now? In the end-days they shall tread this earth, Halvor says, the Faithful and the Fallen, strange-eyed men clothed in flesh and bone, one Ben-Elim, the other dread Kadoshim. One Lightbearer’s servant, Black Heart, Spider that spins the web, high king’s counsel, one guide of the Hundred, Outcast, messenger of dread.’
‘All men feel fear,’ Corban said. ‘Gar told me that. It’s what you do about it–stand or run, fight or give up–that’s what makes you a coward or hero. Without fear there is no courage.’
You humans are all the same. Willing to live a lie, any lie, as long as it is prettier than the truth.
This world may be full of greed and tragedy and darkness, but I am fortunate beyond measure to have such people about me.
‘Sometimes it’s not about the winning, Con. It’s about how you lose.’
‘Memory is a double-edged sword, Uthas. It can keep you strong through dark times, but it can also cripple you, keep you locked in a moment that no longer exists.’
