He went with them without resistance because he was pragmatic enough to know that it had to come sooner or later, that they were just waiting for a valid excuse, because they hated him. They marched swiftly through the Corridor and perhaps they were surprised that he came so willingly. Into a deserted Stairwell and Upshaft. To the Hall of Combat. Empty shadows and dusty silence. Grey air hanging in sheets on the dim light, bars of dark and light. The presence of ancestors unseen and forgotten, talking of bygone millennia, the descent into earth, a legacy of—what? ‘Draw it,’ grated the voice. ‘All my plans done in by you.’ Korlik faced him while the others looked on. Perhaps Korlik wanted an audience. More likely they wanted to be here when it happened. He did not think about that. ‘I wanted to go Upshaft with him more than anything else. Because of you—’ It was as good as anything else. Silence. ‘Draw it,’ Korlik said again, grinding his teeth. ‘Come on.’ He waved his sword.
