Wrath of Lions by David Dalglish, Robert J. Duperre

than you, but please understand that all is not lost. As much as you love your children in Erznia, the fact remains that they have ignored your edicts for months. I sent Handrick there to force their complicity. Darakken is a simple beast, one that understands only death, destruction, and loyalty to you. It simply doled out punishment in the only way it knows how.”
    Karak scowled at him, and for a moment Velixar thought the deity would strike him dead.
    “You said you could control the beast,” Karak said. “This is not the first time it has acted on its own. I do not want my people killed without reason. Chaos lies that way.”
    “I can control it, and I have. The spirit of Clovis Crestwell still lives and still elicits a small amount of influence on Darakken’s actions.”
    “Yet it went against my decree.”
    Velixar shook his head. “It did not. It was the
soldiers
who disobeyed, not the beast. They all knew what was expected of them, but they succumbed to their bloodlust. The demon had no part inthe plan, had no
knowledge
of the plan. It is
they
who should be held accountable, not Darakken.”
    Karak’s visage softened ever so slightly. “We cannot have disorder in the ranks of our fighting men.”
    “I agree, my Lord, but that is the way of humanity. They are weak creatures, guided by instinct and emotion. That is the reason I chose you over your brother. He wishes to nurture their deficiencies, whereas you wish to mold them into something more, for only then will their freedom mean anything.”
    “You speak of them as if they are separate from yourself. You too are human.”
    “Not any longer, my Lord. Now I am something greater.”
    Karak chuckled at those words that caused anger to rise up in him once more. So even his chosen deity wished to mock him as Handrick had.…
    Velixar cleared his throat, trying to swallow down his frustration.
    “My Lord,” he said evenly, “I understand all of this, and I will work with the leaders of our army to instill a greater level of order and respect among the fighting men. I am Highest now, and they will learn to respect that. However, I must first confront the demon. Although I understand its actions, I agree that it cannot be allowed to operate in such a way, and will show it the error of its ways.”
    “Do you know where it is?” the god asked, his giant head tilting to the side.
    “I do. A scrying spell revealed that the demon remains in Erznia.” He swallowed hard, dreading his next words. “I wish to confront it immediately but lack the power to do so on my own.”
    “You are weakened.”
    It was a statement, not a question, and unfortunately it was true. Velixar had no dragonglass mirror to step through in Erznia, a tactic that had in the past allowed him to move from one point to another in an instant. And though the essence of the Beast of a Thousand Faces had strengthened his innate abilities, and he could ride theshadows, using them as portals just as Karak did, his ability to do so was weaker now than ever, presumably because that power was being exhausted by his newer talents. It would take him hours to cross the hundred miles between Veldaren and the Erzn Forest, and by the time he reached his destination, he would not have the strength to return.
    “I am,” he said.
    Karak flicked his wrist at the torches on the far wall, extinguishing them, creating a deep pool of darkness between cascades of light. He then looked Velixar in the eye, his mouth firm, his glowing gaze as serious as a blade to the throat.
    “My power is yours to use, my Highest,” he said. His booming voice grew softer, but it still possessed a threatening undertone. “You are my greatest ally, the best of all my children. I trust you with the fate of my kingdom. Do not prove that trust unwise.”
    Velixar bowed his head. “I will not, my Lord. That is my solemn promise to you.”
    The god held out his hand, and Velixar took it. Energy surged through him, prickling his