THE LORD CIARAN SPOKE, ignoring Stark. "It was the sacred talisman of Kushat. Without it, the city is like a man without a soul."
As the Veil of Tanit was to Carthage, Stark thought, and reflected on the fate of that city after the Veil was stolen.
"The nobles were afraid of their own people," the man in armor said. "They did not dare to tell that it was gone. But we know."
"And," said Stark, "you will attack Kushat before the thaw, when they least expect you."
"You have a sharp mind, stranger. Yes. But the great wall will be hard to carry, even so. If I came, bearing in my hands the talisman of Ban Cruach..."
He did not finish, but turned instead to Thord. "When you plundered the dead man's body, what did you find?"
"Nothing, Lord. A few coins, a knife, hardly worth the taking."
"A
