Chapter one
We ride into MagdagWe rode, Duhrra of the Days and I, into Magdag. Magdag, the city of the megaliths, the chief city of the Grodnims, those devoted followers of Grodno the Green, stank in our nostrils, us followers of the true path of Zair.
“This place is a cesspit of vileness.” Duhrra spat, juicily, into the dust of the roadway. “It should be smashed like my hand and cauterized like my stump.”
“Amen to that, Duhrra. You know I am taking ship here for Vallia. You are gladly welcome to join me. If you wish to smash and cauterize Magdag, kindly give me time to go aboard and weigh.”
He gazed at me, his big moonface sweating, his foolish-seeming mouth gaping.
“Duh — you’re a hard man, Dak.”
“Aye — and I should be harder. Now shut your black-fanged wine-spout. Here is a pack o
