He did not trust these Tervingi, not even a little. Adalar knew lords like Earnachar, treacherous and slippery, keeping the letter of their promises while ignoring the spirit. If Earnachar had indeed betrayed Mazael, if he had sided with the Skuldari and the soliphages and whatever mysterious dark power moved behind them, there would be more fighting before the sun set, fighting that would end with Earnachar’s head upon a spear. Or so Adalar hoped. They outnumbered the Tervingi horsethains, but if Earnachar brought up more men and decided to make a fight of it, things might not go so well. Perhaps it was inevitable, just as the runedead and the destruction of Mastaria had been inevitable. If it was, Adalar would make a good accounting of himself before he fell. Fifty more Tervingi horsethains awaited nearby, and Adalar reined up as the column came to a halt. ### “Tell me,” murmured Mazael, “if any of the Tervingi have spiders inside of them.” Romaria offered a faint nod, her expression distracted.
