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that surrounded Cassaria. His hand went inside and his fingers found the glass whistle. He brought it out of the pouch and it shimmered and sparkled brightly. As he stared at its brightness, Lady Dawnstar's voice cut through the deafening chaos and her image appeared in his mind.
    â€˜Another world and it has another use, my dear Frog. Blow it. Blow it with all your might.’
    Frog brought the whistle to his lips. He took in as much breath as he could and pushed the air from his lungs so hard that it hurt. No sound came from the whistle but as he exhaled, it flew from his fingers and landed on the stone floor in front of him. It began to spin, turning faster and faster until it became a blur, then, without warning, it exploded, shattering into fragments of diamond white light, which melted into the walls of the chamber. Everything stopped: the sound, the vibrations and the destruction. Frog could now hear the beating of his heart and the pounding of blood in his ears. Dust settled around them and he saw the form of Cassaria in a heap on the floor, as the Rune Stone once again floated gently and peacefully in its blue orb above the altar.

4
    The Gathering Fury
    Belzeera shrieked with frustration and anger as splinters of light flew out of the glowing water that filled a stone dish in front of her. The shock knocked her twisted wand from her hand and it clattered across the floor.
    â€˜What Magic is this? The Guardian resists, but I sense the presence of another force.’
    She kicked out at the white bones that lay strewn around on the floor of the cave then stretched out her hand and the wand floated back to her grasp. Her eyes turned black and her voice changed from a woman's shrill cry to a deeper, menacing tone. Lord Maelstrom's voice spoke though her and echoed around the cave.
    â€˜The Rune Child is here; the one they call Frog has come to Aridian. Very well, sister, our victory shall be all the sweeter when we spill his blood on the Rune Stone and the Slipstream becomes ours to control. All shall feel my wrath; I will inflict such pain on them that their screams shall be heard across all of the Dimensions. Make preparations, my sister; we shall cause such desolation on Aridian that it will forever stand as a testament to our power. Not one living thingshall escape. Its destiny is to be our servant and to become an instrument of our dark and terrible army. The Rune Stone and the Hourglass shall be ours and with their power I shall be reborn.’
    Belzeera's eyes folded back into her head and she collapsed in a faint. A wicked and cruel grin remained on her face.
    On the sand dunes below, a Dreden hunting party had seen the flash of light coming from the cave and slowly and silently made their way up the rocky slope. They were dressed in camouflage material that even Billy would have admired; it was made from reptile skin, which seemed to change colour, almost chameleon-like, as light and shadow passed across it. They stood at the entrance to the cave and prepared to attack, their jagged swords and spears at the ready.
    The first of them slipped as soundless as a shadow into the cave and the three other shapes followed in rapid succession. Their eyes, already acclimatised to the dark, quickly picked out the cloaked figure that lay on the floor.
    â€˜Get up,’ ordered one of the men, but there was no movement.
    â€˜Get up or I will run you through with my spear,’ he shouted.
    Still there was no movement. He cautiously moved forwards and jabbed the blade of the spear towards the figure, but a hand shot out from the robe and grabbed the spear's staff. Green static was sent crackling along its length until it reached the hand of its owner who froze in shock. The three other men raised their weapons and moved in to strike at the huddled shape,which suddenly rose up with a terrible screech and brought out a wand. The air crackled around the cave as jagged veins of electric green leapt from one man to