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after all.”
    “Has he survived again?” said the Priest in disbelief. He looked down at the golden skull on his fine beige silk robe.
    “Exactly. Against all odds he has survived, which although it does infuriate me in the extreme does not really surprise me. His power must be growing, and eventually it will manifest itself unmistakably.”
    “Our agent assured us that an intermediary considered to be infallible had been hired. He was offered a large sum in gold.”
    “High Priest, let me remind you that we are not dealing with a mere mountain wildling. This is the Marked, someone who is capable of attaining a power akin to my own, and that simply cannot happen. He must be eliminated at any cost.”
    “I understand, my Lady. Forgive me. It’s unfortunate that he’s been raised in the highlands. I’ve been informed that those Norriel are formidable fighters. He will have been well instructed in fighting and the art of the sword.”
    “And do you really believe that has been a coincidence?”
    “No… I’m afraid not. It has to have been deliberate and very well planned…”
    “Of course it has been well planned! Whoever took him to that remote hamlet knew very well what they were doing. They hid him away from our vigilant eyes so that we would never find him. Besides, they made sure he was well brought up and instructed. Not intellectually, perhaps, but enough to survive in case he needed to escape. That damned meddler who killed our Dark Assassins nineteen years ago planned it very well indeed.”
    “Yes, and he disappeared without leaving any trace. We never did find out what became of that dangerous, cunning rival…”
    “If we had found out the identity of the one who took the baby and eliminated all the Assassins who were after him, the Marked would already be dead and the premonition could never come true. I personally would have dragged all the information about the boy’s whereabouts out of him before devouring his soul. But then, complaining has never solved anything. We have to kill the Marked. He has come of age and the prediction will be fulfilled, we have no more time left.”
    “Is he still in Ocorum?”
    “For the moment at least.”
    “In that case our agent will deal with him, Your Majesty.”
    “How sure are you of that, Counselor?”
    “The agent is one of my best disciples, Your Majesty, and he has two acolytes from the Temple with him. The Marked won’t be able to defeat them.”
    “Are you ready to put your life at stake for the success of your disciples, High Priest of Imork?”
    “I beg clemency of you, Your Majesty. How he’s been able to survive until now is beyond my comprehension. It might be because of his power or it might be the help of his friends, but in any case they should all be dead by now, and dead they will be. If my Mistress wishes to take my life for my incompetence, she need only ask and I shall surrender it gladly.” Isuzeni put both hands over his heart and then placed palm over palm in an offering gesture toward his Lady and Mistress.
    The Empress smiled. “I see you are still a master in the art of emotions, my loyal Counselor.” Isuzeni was surprised by this, she rarely showed the least sign of pleasure. “Whenever I want to take your life, I will, at any time and without hesitation, and without asking, of course.” Her face had returned once again to its usual expression of somber hostility.
    Isuzeni kept the fear his Mistress’s words had caused him under control, trying not to appear weak, knowing she would not tolerate that particular flaw of character.
    Yuzumi remained thoughtful for a moment, and Isuzeni watched her fearfully. When the Dark Lady grew angry, the consequences were many and disastrous.
    “It is time to reveal Destiny,” she announced. “If what you propose comes true, Counselor, then the future will change: the premonition will not come true, the Marked will be dead and I will conquer the great continent of the people with