[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Khamul stepped close to the Lady Arshalous. He loomed over her, a black shape against the smoke and reek that lay over the City. He stayed that way for a time, gazing down at her, and at first she was able to return into the blank space beneath his cloak a gaze that was strong and determined. But quickly, her face faltered and fell, and she sagged visibly. But still Khamul bore down upon her with the force of his terrible will, pushing her to the ground where she kneeled as though under the scourge of whips. Khamul reached toward her with his hand, the Ring now glowing upon it like an angry red eye.

Seizing her about the neck he lifted her once more to her feet where two orcs took hold of her arms and held her upright, for she fainted from the black terror of the Breath that had come over her, and her neck burned with the fierce freezing cold of his black hand.

Khamul felt the presence of Ashnaz in the courtyard and he turned from his prey to greet his friend. To mortal eyes there was no way to distinguish between the wraiths, but to Khamul his friend glowed forth with the white light of virtue through the robes that obscured his true form. His blade was out and it shone red with blood and fire. "We have slain many of the Elves!" he cried, "but too many as well have escaped. There are those among the mortals of this realm who sympathise with the Avari, and who have helped them out of the City."

"What of the Royal Children?" Khamul asked. "Have they been found?"

"No. But there are rumours that at least one of them has left the City and sought the help of the Army."

Khamul hissed. "Treachery! Blasphemous treachery of the most detestable kind!"

"Indeed brother, but fear not. I have sent messages to the orc commanders. Most of their maggots have gone wild with their play. They have taken to fighting with one another over the spoils of this place, but there are enough of the dougtier races who have remained controllable. I have ordered that they be assembled here with all speed, although it may yet take some time."

"Good, good, brother, but we must not forget the demon Priestess and her followers. They must be found!"

"I have taken thought to that -- a batallion scours the quarter where they were last seen, they shall soon be found."

"Very well," Khamul cried. "Let the traitors come to us with their pathetic army. We shall crush them here, in the very square of their now dead Goddess, and with their bones we shall kindle a pyre in praise of Morgoth!"