Free Empire of Bones by Christian Warren Freed

are suddenly important and awake. Kingdoms will tremble under their boots, Grugnak. Don’t be so foolish as to dismiss this unlocked potential. Even if they don’t follow your command.”
    The Goblin’s eyes narrowed threateningly, even though he was no match for the impossible powers of the Dae’shan. Feeling helpless, Grugnak meekly stood by while the monster hovering before him continued to dissemble.
    “It’s not about who commands the sheep, but who stands atop the pedestal when the dust settles. Others have tried to accomplish what you are so close to. The Silver Mage nearly succeeded, but was found wanting. The crystal of Tol Shere proved too much for his limited mind to comprehend. It drove him mad and was regrettably lost when a small band of heroes were coerced to stand up to him.”
    “Why are you telling us this?” Badron asked. He failed to see how the abysmal performance of one Man was comparable to his long-term suffering.
    “One Man cannot succeed alone,” Amar answered too quickly for Badron’s liking. “Therein lays the great failing of Mankind. Your lack of vision hampers any ability to achieve true greatness. Would you cripple your campaign to control the north? To turn it into an empire rivaling mighty Averon to the south? All your life you’ve plotted, impatiently waiting for this day, and now you so willingly abandon it? This is one of the reasons I gave up my mortality. The acuity of your dreams is a waste of precious life spark.”
    “I did not ask you to bandy words of pettiness over my character, demon,” Badron retorted. “I need counsel. All of my advisors have abandoned me. Even fortune has turned her back, leaving me you.”
    Amar held up a hand, his bony fingers glowing in the faint light. “Mind your next words. Lesser Men have suffered worse for such.”
    “You offer platitudes and fragmented wisdom but no clear path out of the darkness,” Badron said with measured tones. “Where is the end? The way out of this building nightmare? I need answers, Amar Kit’han. Not mixed words meant to confuse.”
    “The toughest answers must be found from within. No outside influence is capable of enlightening you,” Amar replied.
    Badron lowered his head into his hands in defeat. “Then I have no choice but to abandon the city before Rolnir arrives.”
    “Minor defeats are to be expected along the way, King,” Amar soothed. “Perhaps leaving Rogscroft is your best answer. The Goblin army will not arrive in time. In fact, I’ve given instructions for them to bypass this ruined city at all costs.”
    “You betray me, demon.”
    Lightning flashed, blinding Man and Goblin. Heat sizzled off the Dae’shan’s black robes. “Enough! The Goblin relief force must arrive in Delranan intact. They will have a hard enough time crossing Dwarf lands. I don’t need them wasting unnecessary lives here in what is sure to be a pointless conflict. Take what forces you have left and flee towards the mountains.”
    “The mountains? You are trying to get me killed,” Badron accused. He no longer saw hope. The dawn would come and claim him, leaving his corpse to the wolves. “Even should we make it that far, the Pell Darga will fall upon us before we can begin the climb.”
    Grugnak actually snorted laughter. “You say Pell Darga are on their way here. Who remains in the mountains?”
    “Precisely, Grugnak,” Amar praised. “I have several agents that will assist your passage across the Murdes Mountains and further west into Delranan. Do not fear. You will be strong when the time comes to reclaim your lost crown.”
    “What of Rogscroft? I am a Man of two crowns. I will not abandon what I have fought so hard to conquer.”
    “Nor should you, but there will come a time to focus your thoughts back on this frozen land. The time is fast approaching when the conflict will come to an end. Take heart, King, your hour of glory rises.”
    Shadows swirled, folding in on themselves as Amar Kit’han