Anyone who looked that innocent couldn’t have the nerve or instinct to kill. They soon found themselves wrong on all counts, not to mention dead. Piaras wasn’t a killer, but two months ago, his mind had been briefly taken over by Sarad Nukpana. The goblin’s link with Piaras and his ultimately unsuccessful attempt to control his mind had left the kid with the goblin’s masterful skill with a sword, among other deadly talents. Nukpana knew only too well how to kill, and as a result, so did Piaras.

Two Khrynsani found that out the hard way.

Seconds later, an explosion blew the door off its hinges as well as disintegrated a goodly chunk of the stone wall around it. Several Khrynsani who’d had the misfortune to be standing too close went flying.

Tamnais Nathrach was reckless, his magic powerful, and danger was just another way to have a good time. The man also knew how to make a damned fine entrance. Tam had weapons anywhere he could strap them. He was going home and was amply prepared for a less-than-warm reception. Tam followed up the concussion spell he’d used to destroy the door with his armored fists.

Behind Tam came Imala, Prince Chigaru, and his two bodyguards. Since we’d be stepping through a mirror to Regor, they were all armed and armored for trouble. That was good, because we had plenty of trouble right here, no walking through a mirror needed.

Carnades Silvanus was now somewhere behind me. He was even more likely to kill me than the goblins were. Fry me where I stood, then claim that one of the goblins had done it, or that his shot went wide and it was a horrible accident. With all the heavy firepower flying around, accidents weren’t just possible, they were likely, and I was the first person one was likely to happen to. In an enclosed space, spells were just as likely to hit your own people as taking out the people you were actually aiming at.