The Third Kingdom

The tattoos covering him had been tedious, time-consuming, and painful. But they had proven to be worth it. Those symbols in the language of Creation not only helped Hannis Arc pull the spirit of Sulachan back from the underworld, they protected him from the spirit king, should he not honor his commitments. They were, in a way, Hannis Arc’s armor when dealing with things dead.

“Now that the barrier is down there is no reason to remain here. I don’t want to waste any time. We need to be on our way.”

The spirit king bowed his head. “By your command, Lord Arc.” He glanced back at the vast army of half people. “We all stand ready and march on your order.”

“First I kill Richard Rahl, and then we march.”

A cunning smile overcame Sulachan’s spirit face. “We should allow some of the Shun-tuk to feast on the captives. Let your enemy, Richard Rahl, be among those eaten. Let him suffer the same terrifying death as the others.”

Hannis Arc shook his head emphatically. “No. No, you’re right that while I have the upper hand I should kill him. I’ve watched him over the years of war and you’re right about how dangerous he is. I must not take any chances.

“But now that the decision has been made, I want to do it myself, with my own hands. I want to watch death take him. I want to see the man die before my eyes so that the threat he represents is ended once and for all. I want him to look up into my eyes and know that it is I, Hannis Arc, banishing him to the world of the dead.

“Before he dies, I want him to know that I am turning the Shun-tuk loose on all his friends to devour the living flesh off their bones.

“I will see Richard Rahl die at my feet.”

The spirit lifted his chin as he drew a breath while gazing out at the desolate countryside. “My first day back in the world of life and already I am well pleased.”

Hannis Arc smiled, already envisioning the terror that Richard Rahl was about to suffer as he met his sad, lonely, violent end. He motioned to Vika.

She took a single stride forward. “Yes, Lord Arc?”

He couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he looked into her blue eyes. “Bring Richard Rahl to me. His time to die has come at last.”

She tipped her head. “Of course, Lord Arc. I will bring him to you at once.”

“Good. And there is no need to be gentle. In fact, make sure he is suffering in agony first, then bring him to me. Make sure, though, that he is still alive so I can kill him.

“I will see to it, Lord Arc,” she said in that chilling tone she had when unleashed to practice her skills.

He gestured toward the distance. “We’re starting out at once. Have the Shun-tuk bring all our supplies, first, then bring Richard Rahl to me.”

“Of course, Lord Arc. I will catch up with you.”

He glanced over at the king. “After I cut his throat with the same knife I used to bleed him over you, we’ll drag him behind as we march, and leave a trail of his blood for the Shun-tuk to lick up.”

Vika looked from the spirit king’s smile to Hannis Arc and then hurried away.

“What a fitting and bloody end this is going to be for the House of Rahl,” Hannis Arc whispered to himself as he started south. Once through the gates out of the third kingdom, he could turn toward the heart of the D’Haran Empire.

CHAPTER

71

The glowing spirit of the dead Emperor Sulachan looked thoughtfully out over the landscape they were passing through. “As long as we are on the subject of rule, do you know, Lord Arc, that I commanded great respect and utter loyalty? That I was never challenged from within?”

“Challenged from within?” Hannis Arc was beginning to see that Sulachan had come back into the world of life with a lot on his mind. “What are you getting at.”

“I mean, no one within my inner circle of command—generals, commanders, advisors—ever rose up to challenge me, ever plotted to take my place.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I eliminated all of those who lusted to take my place, those who thought themselves more clever than I. Sometimes, I eliminated them because I knew they were going to have such thoughts even before they themselves knew they would eventually have such thoughts.”

With a thumb, Hannis Arc rubbed a tattooed symbol laid out along the side of his first finger. It was a symbol warning of hidden threats.

“If I might add something…?” the spirit said, glancing over at Hannis Arc in his silent contemplation.

“Please, state your mind.” Hannis Arc gestured between himself and Sulachan. “We are of one purpose in this, after all. We both work toward the same ends. As you have said, you acquired a lot of experience when you ruled such a vast empire. If you have something useful to say, then I would know it.”

The spirit looked pleased. “You have one who serves you with prophecy.”

Hannis Arc considered for a moment. A number of people served him with prophecy. He finally frowned.

“Do you mean Ludwig Dreier? My abbot?”