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Chapter 23



Everyone in the Cove had rushed outside once they’d heard the strange noise, so they all saw the strange beam cutting across the sky. It was bright as the sun, but stretched out, creating a line of light that lingered even after the eyes were closed.

Keta stood on the roof of the headquarters of the Sons of the Black Sword, along with Thera and her risalders, awestruck by what they were witnessing. He could yell to the people on the terraces below about how this was prophecies being fulfilled, only no one would hear him over the continuous thunder.

Following the beam were violent whirling clouds, as it boiled the unfallen rain into steam.

The Keeper of Names looked to his prophet, knowing that she had seen a sign like this once before. Thera had only been a child when the bolt from heaven had struck her down, but from what he’d been told there had been similar violence in the sky. The thing that had hit Thera had been tiny. The projectile was still sufficient to fell a daughter of Vane, splitting her skull and putting her in a coma, and the Voice had dwelt within her ever since.

“Is this like what your people saw when you were young?” Keta shouted.

“This is bigger!” Thera answered. “This is no bolt from heaven.”

This was a flaming spear, hurled by an angry god.

This sign wasn’t just for the population of the Cove. Surely the whole world would see this spectacle. The faithful fell to their knees, praying for mercy, begging the Forgotten to spare them. Even the mighty Sons, fearless in battle, cowered beneath this display of heavenly might. It was a fire sufficient to smite them all.

The tip of the spear vanished behind the mountaintops, heading for some distant point far over the horizon. The thunder died to a rumble.

“The Voice warned of us this day!” Keta bellowed, hoping his people could heed his words over the sudden wind. “All will see this sign. Be not afraid, for we are the chosen people who—”

The northern horizon flashed red. Children wailed. Animals stampeded.

Thera swooned as the Voice came upon her.

The brave bodyguard Murugan caught hold of her arm to keep her from falling, but the sudden manifestation of the gods hurled him violently away from his charge.

Thera was consumed in light, blinding as the thing in the sky.

The time of war is upon you.

As the Voice hammered the insides of their heads, everyone in the Cove went to their knees.

The light dimmed just enough for all to see that the Forgotten had appeared in their midst, insubstantial in form, a giant made of fog and light, towering over them. It swept one mighty hand toward the north.

The final arrow has flown. Upagraha’s quiver is empty.

Keta had to lift his hand to shield his eyes from the glory. Deep within the center of the giant was Thera, head down, limp, floating helpless, while she served as a conduit for the gods.

Only the Sons of Ramrowan can save man from the demons now. Only my chosen servants can save the Sons of Ramrowan from the Law.

In all the times he had served as witness, Keta had never questioned the gods before, but desperation overrode his fear. “But how? We have tried to protect the casteless! What would you have us do? Oh, Forgotten, please show us the way!”

The glowing giant turned to regard Keta, and for just a moment, the Keeper of Names looked into the eyes of a god.

Without water they will fall.


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Framed