Miraculously, only a few of the people of Bskavi were harmed by the fire. Most were only frightened. When they learned who their savior was, they flocked to Rogned with adoration. The women clutched at him as he rode; the children threw leaves and coins at him; the men stood in rows as he passed, raising their swords and their spears in salute.
For the first time, Rogned understood the lure of power.
He couldn’t sleep that night. He kept seeing the brigands writhing in the jaws of the earth monsters. He studied their surprised faces and their final curses. But he found that he didn’t regret his decision.
Finally, when the sun began to hint at rising, he fell asleep.
His Palymi stood at the gate of another, even higher terrace. The wall and the gate were entirely of lapis lazuli, which
