“ The one w ho can humiliate you without beating you is stronger than anyone who wields a sword.” Malcanthet, Queen of the Succubi     Third Void Day of Mortis, 126 HR After the battle against the nagas, there had been no further incidents. They still had to travel for almost two hours through the dusty savanna, and Morânia was glad that they – all except Kiyoshi and Sekhemkare - were protected by a spell against the oppressive heat. Otherwise, they would have arrived at their destination completely exhausted. The battle against the dark nagas had been fatiguing enough. They spoke little during the rest of their journey, only the crunch of sand under their feet and the occasional cry of a bird breaking the silence. As they approached the Opal Tears Palace, they could see that it was surrounded by palm trees and lush grass. It lay at the center of an oasis that looked like a green jewel amidst the ubiquitous gold of the savanna. When they reached the first...