Nazir leads Dismet, Hyuga and Anstran to the east in a flight which takes twenty hours on the wing. Little is said, for the apprehension is understandable. The closer to Rauxes the more certain that the mate awaiting Dismet is Maltorb. The massive city of Rauxes, capital of the greatest empire Greyhawk has ever seen, looms beneath them and they decide to set down outside it and walk in.

They breach the gates and are instantly spotted by alert guards, who usher them into the palace as quickly as possible. Hyuga and Anstran share a cautious alertness as they enter the most heavily defended palace they have ever seen. To the court they march and are first contacted by Yakan, a Nyrondian who is the chancellor to Maltorb. He expresses concerns about the meeting and briefs them into the do's and don'ts of court behaviour.

Maltorb sits proudly upon a magnificent throne, flanked by the Black Watch - ten of the finest warriors in the palace who are the personal bodyguards to Maltorb. The reputation of Anstran and Hyuga makes them suitably alert. Svenig, the minister of wisdom (a great arch mage) is also there. The tension remains as Maltorb instructs Ursula - his most experienced concubine - to prepare Dismet for the evening to come.

The emperor talks at length with Hyuga and Anstran until the tension is at it's peak. Almost enjoying their discomfiture he instructs Yakan to take them to their quarters until the required elements of the 'event' have taken place.

Dismet is bathed and gowned by Ursula, whose kindness is tinged with a hidden warning. Dismet is not overly perturbed, for she realises that Maltorb is not going to harm her - even if the prospect of his lovemaking fills her with dread. Later, Maltorb arrives and dismisses Ursula. He is a surprisingly gentle lover, although Dismet can feel his raw power that sets him aside from any man on Greyhawk and made him the perfect choice for the Bloodlines.

Meanwhile, Hyuga, Anstran and Nazir spend an awkward tense night in the guest quarters of Rauxes. Expecting an attack at any time they remain alert and ready for an ambush. They are surprised, however, when Yakan arrives just after midnight. The Nyrondian is furtive an careful. He tells them that the emperor plans to kill them all. Strangely Yakan offers them an escape route. Naturally suspicious Anstran and Hyuga question him thoroughly but the Nyrondian's answers are straightforward and truthful. He tells them to be ready, for during the night he will bring Dismet to them and ensure that they can exit the palace without hindrance. After that they are on their own.

True to his word Yakan delivers Dismet to her friends and they waste no time in fleeing. They decide that aerial escape is out of the question so make haste on foot. The seed of the universe is within Dismet and they head east quickly. As the dawn breaks they are five leagues from Rauxes and riding for their lives...and for the lives of every creature on Greyhawk...

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