hurriedly and left.
'You confuse her,' Allenya said quietly.
'I do not mean to,' Ullsaard said, pulling Allenya to her feet. He stooped to embrace her, burying his face in her thick hair. He whispered in her ear. 'She is a lovely woman, full of joy and devotion, and brings out a lust in me that I cannot control. But she is not you, my love.'
Allenya stroked the back of his head and kissed him on the cheek.
'I know,' she sighed. 'Do not trouble yourself over it. I will talk to her. And Luia.'
'If Luia is the price I pay for you, I gladly accept it.' Ullsaard tightened his arms around the wife he loved and wondered why he had ever agreed to the stupid Askhan custom of marrying her sisters.
'Luia is the price you pay for Aalun's favour,' said Allenya, guessing his thoughts. 'You know I would have married a captain and lived happily in Enair.'
'I know,' replied Ullsaard as he straightened. He looked at the thick hangings on the wall, the plates of food on the table, the marble underfoot. 'But then we would have none of this, and you deserve all of it.'
A gong sounded from outside, echoing through the palace. It was followed quickly by two chimes of a bell. Ullsaard pulled himself away, as reluctantly as if he peeled off his own skin.
'Second hour of Dusk,' he sighed. 'I best get ready and go to the king. Hopefully I will not be gone long.'
Allenya took his hand and followed Ullsaard as he made his way back to the hallway, where servants stood waiting with his armour. He gave her hand a squeeze and let go, gesturing to the servants to approach.
'I will wait up for you,' Allenya promised. Ullsaard nodded and his eyes followed her as she walked through the archway to her rooms, his gaze lingering there for a moment after she had disappeared from view.
IV
Ullsaard entered the king's hall with little ceremony; a captain in dress armour opened the high door and announced the general's arrival. Stepping through, Ullsaard saw four men. All looked down the narrow hall towards the door. King Lutaar sat upon a throne of black marble, slight and severe, his skin heavily folded, his hair close- cropped to his balding head. Beside him, Prince Aalun sat on a high-backed chair, his golden sash dangling over its back. On the other side, Prince Kalmud lay on a low bier, head and torso propped up by a hill of cushions. There was a waxy, sallow sheen to his skin and his eyes were sunk in the sockets, dull and listless. The fourth man stood at the king's right shoulder, clad in a black robe with its hood thrown back, face concealed by a silver mask blank save for a mouth-slit, and two oblong holes behind which dark eyes regarded Ullsaard carefully: Udaan, head of the Brotherhood.
'Welcome back, Ullsaard.' The king's voice was strong and deep, carrying down the hall easily as Ullsaard approached the throne. 'I trust that your endeavours in Mekha progress well.'
'It has been a hard summer, Majesty, but as the weather cools I hope that progress will be quicker,' replied Ullsaard, stopping before the throne with a short bow. 'The men have been in good spirits and the Mekhani have suffered their first defeat.'
'If you are in need of anything — soldiers, masons, supplies — be sure to let Aalun know before you leave.'
Ullsaard did not voice his disappointment at this statement, but he could not stop a slight frown.
'Is there something you wish to tell us?' asked Udaan. His voice was a hoarse whisper, given a metallic ring by his mask.
Ullsaard looked to Aalun, seeking help. The prince nodded slightly in response.
'I believe that Ullsaard wishes to discuss the Greenwater campaign,' said the prince. He glanced at his brother and continued. 'Kalmud is not fit to lead his legions for the moment, and I thought it would be wise to discuss the ongoing prosecution of our exploration hotwards.'
Udaan turned to the prince, inscrutable behind his mask, but it was the king that spoke first.
'No decision need be made until the spring. The legions are well-camped and under no immediate threat. If Kalmud is still unwell, Cosuas deserves the honour. In all likelihood he is on his final campaign.'
'A campaign that needs vigour and strength, Father,' Aalun said while Ullsaard fought to quell his anger at having been brought to Askh on a fool's errand. 'As you say, Cosuas is nearing the end of his days. It would be foolish to have to change commanders again soon.'
'Are you saying the king is a fool?' Udaan's whisper left the accusation hanging.
Aalun ignored the Brother and looked directly at his father.
'It is time to let Ullsaard show us his full capabilities,' the prince said evenly. 'The Greenwater campaign is an opportunity for all of us, and it is too important to chance on the vagaries of Kalmud's recovery and the continued health of Cosuas.'
Lutaar pursed his lips and nodded.
'I will consider your petition,' the king said. His eyes fixed on Ullsaard like a hawk spying its prey. 'Is this what you desire? I cannot say when you would be returning, for it would be your task to follow the Greenwater until it reaches the seas. Are you willing to do that?'
'Without hesitation, Majesty,' replied Ullsaard. 'I live to serve Greater Askhor and push back the boundaries of the empire. I would consider it an honour, not a chore.'
'I believe you would,' said the king. He glanced at Aalun and at Udaan. 'I will consider the matter.'
'That is all I ask, Majesty,' Ullsaard said with another bow.
'I sense you have concerns beyond the Greenwater campaign,' said Udaan. 'You have avoided asking them as yet, but you have other questions arising from your brother's condition.'
Ullsaard was amazed that the others spoke as if Kalmud were not a few paces from them. Perhaps, he wondered, the prince's sickness had rendered Kalmud deaf.
'I did not think to raise my questions until Erlaan had returned, since they concern him also,' said Aalun.
'Just say it,' rasped Lutaar. 'What is on your mind?'
'The succession. Kalmud is unfit to become king and you should name me as heir.'
Ullsaard drew in his breath. He studied Aalun's face, but saw no apprehension there.
'No,' the king replied. 'While Kalmud still lives, the succession does not change.'
'The eldest surviving son is heir,' said Udaan. 'The Book of Askhos is clear on this. There are no exceptions.'
'It is too much of a burden for one made so frail,' said Aalun, looking with pity at Kalmud. His face hardened as he returned his gaze to his father. 'While it is the wish of all your subjects that you live forever, such is not possible. You are almost as old as Cosuas, and though strong of will and thought, your body grows weaker. If you should die while Kalmud is still heir, it could be disastrous for the empire.'
'When I die, Kalmud will become king if he outlives me. If not, Erlaan will inherit. This is how it has always been and always will be.'
'Erlaan is barely an adult, no more fit to wear the Crown than his father currently is.'
Lutaar was about to say something when Kalmud stirred. He coughed harshly for a few moments, gauze held to his mouth. As he brought it away there were flecks of blood on the material.
'You have something to say on the matter, my son?'
'I feel no better and no worse than when I was brought here.' Kalmud's voice was quiet, wavering, but his eyes had regained some of the strength Ullsaard had seen in them during previous encounters. 'With the Brotherhood to aid me through my times of weakness, I can still rule Askhor.'
'That settles the matter,' said Udaan. 'Your brother himself claims fit to rule.'
'It matters not,' snapped the king. He lifted his hand to quell Aalun's protest and continued in a calmer voice. 'The succession stays as laid down in the Book of Askhos. To break from that now would invite disaster in generations to come. The Book of Askhos does not give us advice, does not give us guidelines. Its rules are absolute and must be followed as such.'
Lutaar stood and stroked Kalmud's forehead. He paced in front of the throne, stooped and weary, and laid a hand on Aalun's shoulder.
'I know that you do not say this out of malice for me or your brother, and I do not deny you out of malice
