Chapter 34Hawklan and his escort rode at full gallop after the main body of the patrol. The huge column of smoke loomed over the whole City, ominous and bloated, dwarfing even the towers of the Palace. Then, like a sinister giant raising its hoary head, a second column, white in colour, began to rise beside it. Strange sounds drifted towards them and a foul smell began to mar the summer scents. Hawklan reined Serian to a halt, his nose wrinkling.
‘What unholy creation could make such a smell?’ he said, largely to himself.
Isloman’s face was stony. ‘It has the feel of that tinker’s work,’ he said. ‘No natural thing would die like that.’
Hawklan turned to the nearest Mathidrin. ‘What buildings are burning? Can you tell from here?’
The man looked uncertain and then spoke briefly to his fr
