“I fight a war,” Kaide said, and he gestured toward Sandra. “And in a war, you don’t let go of any advantage. Griff, Adam, get in here.”

The two stepped inside, surrounding Jerico.

“Oh, hey boss,” said one. “Didn’t know you was back.”

“I am,” Kaide said. He stared at Jerico, watching, waiting. “Please, take Jerico to his room, and make sure the locks are tight. He’s to be fed and well-treated.”

“No beatings?” asked the other.

“No beatings.”

“Much appreciated,” said Jerico.

They each grabbed him by an arm and led him from the house. Nearby was another building, this one noticeably lacking any windows. The two lugs shoved him inside and slammed the door shut. He heard a loud thud, most certainly a bar of some kind locking into place. The door had a single slit, and the room dimmed as someone stood before it, grinning.

“We’ll treat you like royalty,” he said, laughing. “So take your royal shits in that corner with the bucket, and you’ll get your royal meal at sundown. That’s when we’ll take the bucket.”

The slit closed as something pressed over it, sealing Jerico in darkness.

“Well,” Jerico said, scratching his neck. “I think I preferred the wolf-men. Thanks, Ashhur.”

He leaned against the wall opposite the bucket, closed his eyes, and slept.

*

D arius stood in an open field, facing the west. The sky was an ugly yellow and filled with clouds. They growled with thunder, and lightning streaked pale blue across the horizon. Wind blew against his bare skin, for he was naked as the day he was born. He wished for his sword and armor, but didn’t know where they were.

Darius, cried the thunder, its rumbling forming an unearthly voice, cold and deep. He saw a face in the clouds, and it was the face of his god.

“Karak,” Darius said, falling to his knees. “Forgive me my failures, but my faith is only for you!”