Zyung’s finger pointed to a stylized city etched upon the floating light-map, the representation of a metropolis with tiny towers and domes encircled by a high wall. It sat upon the eastern shore of the greater land mass. “Here lie the ruins of Shar Dni, destroyed eight years ago by the wrath of its enemies Ianthe and Gammir. These ruins are uninhabited save for ghosts and blood spirits. It lies in a fertile valley at the mouth of a mighty river. There are abundant croplands for our slaves to work. Our legions will be well fed. Here we will build a new Holy Mountain from the shattered stones of the dead city.”
Sungui scanned the lands beyond the valley of Shar Dni. To its north lay a continent-spanning range of high mountains. Beyond that, the forests of the Giantlands and the city called New Udurum. To the valley’s west lay the broad plains of the Stormlands, marked with the gold-green city of Uurz. South of Uurz stood a mighty cliff labeled as the Earth Wall, and beyond that a realm of untamed wilderness. In the southern half of the continent he counted three great cities: Mumbaza and Yaskatha on the western coast, and Khyrei on the eastern coast directly across the Golden Sea from Shar Dni’s ruins. Two peninsulas of rugged mountains and volcanoes hemmed the Golden Sea to north and south. The Jade Isles of Ongthaia did not appear on this map. The Almighty must believe them unimportant to his invasion. A few stepping stones to cross on the way to his true prize.
“Holiness, what of this Khyrei?” Lavanyia pointed at the city. It gleamed with dark purple light. “Should we not establish a foothold there as well to secure the southern half of the continent?”
Gammir shifted in his seat. “That is my city,” he said, glaring at Lavanyia with a wolf’s inscrutable calm. His eyes shifted to Ianthe and he corrected himself. “Our city. A revolt of slaves and sorcerers has temporarily removed it from our power. His Holiness has promised to restore it to our care. We shall rule it in his name.”
Lavanyia stared at Sungui. Her look said: These traitorous fools should not be here.
Sungui offered her the slightest of smiles.
“Khyrei will be spared until we have conquered the Stormlands,” said Zyung. “Then we will send legions south with Wolf and Panther to take back their city. A few of the High Seraphim will join them. When Khyrei is secure, these southern forces will move upon Yaskatha and Mumbaza. Yet our greatest concerns at present are these two northern cities. Uurz must fall first, followed by Udurum, City of Men and Giants. The Giant-King’s armies must be destroyed when he comes to the aid of Uurz, as I am told he will surely do. Without the power of the Giants, Udurum cannot stand for long.”
“You speak of sorcerers, Wolf,” said Sungui. “How many are there to oppose us?”
Ianthe laughed and answered for Gammir. “A handful of the Old Breed,” she said. “Iardu the Shaper struggles to rouse more of them, but most will continue to languish in their long sleep.”
“Yet there were enough to steal away your southern city,” said Lavanyia.
Ianthe’s eyes focused on her. Sungui expected bolts of flame to leap from them and reduce the highest of the High Seraphim to ash. The Pale Panther only smiled.
“We did not yet stand in the grace of the Almighty when this happened,” said Ianthe. “By his power we will shatter our old foes. In his presence we grow mightier than ever.”
“Indeed,” said Lavanyia. Her eyes returned to the glimmering map.
“When we reach the Sharrian valley,” said Zyung, “the High Seraphim will conjure up these blood spirits and bind them to aid us in the siege of Uurz. The Lesser Seraphim will begin construction of the new Holy Mountain and a city to serve it. Any slaves taken from the interior will be sent to work there. What was once Shar Dni shall stand again as New Zyung, Heart of the Extended Empire.”
Zyung’s listeners bowed their heads in a simultaneous gesture of understanding.
“Lavanyia, Sungui, you will travel among the Seraphim tomorrow and dispense these new commandments. When you have accomplished this, report to me your success. We have only a few more days until we see the Isles of Ongthaia. After that, a single day will bring us to the Land of the Five Cities.”
Again the four heads bowed. The floating map faded like a snuffed torch. Sunrays gleamed in Zyung’s great eyes. Or perhaps they beamed from his eyes. Sungui could not be certain which was true.
“Rejoice, my children,” said Zyung. “You will bring abiding peace to a realm that has known only war, strife, and chaos for ages. Through these mighty works of ours, future generations of Khyreins, Uurzians, Yaskathans, Udurumites, and Mumbazans will know the bliss of ultimate order, the strength of holy unity, and the sweetness of a universal harmony that spans the entire world. Rejoice, for the future of mankind grows brighter with every league we travel.”