Undead (41 page)

“To keep the other zulkirs from starting a new war?”

“Upon further consideration, I’ve concluded that’s unlikely. Their remaining dominions lack the resources, and when we construct our own fleet and build up our coastal defenses, they’ll recognize that their prospects have become even more hopeless.”

“I still think you’d be safer to kill them.”

“Theoretically speaking, you might be right, but after

ten long years of playing chess with them, I begrudge them any more of my time. My instincts tell me the blue fires and earth tremors will subside by the end of the year, and then my real work can begin. Speaking of which, I thought you might appreciate a look at this.” Malark somehow missed the instant it appeared, but the lich held a thick, musty-smelling book bound in flaking black leather.

Malark swallowed. “Is that really it?”

Szass Tam smiled. “Yes. The boldest, most brilliant arcane treatise ever written, penned by an unknown genius at the dawn of time and unearthed by Fastrin the Delver when Netheril was young.”

Undead

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