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separate thumb onto the mat and handed the book to Grimtooth.
    “There you go. Interesting puzzle. How did you get the book into the hand like that?”
    Grimtooth was showing his teeth again but this time it was because he had gone slack jawed with seeming amazement. “You broke the hand.”
    “Wasn’t that the point? Like I said, a clever puzzle as there was the inherent idea of preserving hand and book, but in fact all you wanted was the book.”
    Morden was still holding out the book and Grimtooth was making no effort to take it from him.
    “Open the book,” said Grimtooth, his voice a stunned monotone.
    Morden shrugged again. “Sure.” He held the book in the flat of his left hand and reached for the cover to open it. There was an audible intake of breath. He flipped open the cover onto the first page. There was a whistle as breath escaped between teeth.
    “What does it say?” asked Grimtooth.
    The paper was unlike anything that Morden had seen before; though of a similar texture to normal paper, it was thick, almost skin-like, and light seemed to skate over its surface. It was also blank.
    “It doesn’t say anything,” said Morden, looking up at Grimtooth.
    “Nothing?”
    “Not a word. It’s blank. See?” He held the book up.
    Slowly, Grimtooth’s face broke into a wide smile. The kind of smile that Morden knew was the one where the teeth were going to get used.
    Then a thought occurred to him and he flipped the book over. With some relief he could see spidery writing.
    “Oops. Wrong way up.”
    Grimtooth’s smile froze and Morden hurriedly read the title page:
     
    The Dark Lord’s Handbook
    A Guide
     
    Words appeared on the page, filling it as Morden read,
     
    Know this young Morden: it is your destiny to rule. You will be the greatest Dark Lord this world has ever seen. You will cast your shadow across all the lands and your name will be whispered in every corner of every city, town and hovel. You will have great wealth and be successful with women (or men if you prefer). Do not doubt this. It will come to pass.
    Along the way you will doubtless need help; after all, you are still young in years, so there are two things you must do:
    Listen to Grimtooth. He is older than he looks and will be the rock on which you build your empire.
    Read this guide whenever you have a problem. By all means seek the advice of others but ignore it. They are all fools. Instead, take heed of Grimtooth and the words you read herein above all.
    As Morden read it was as though everything slipped into place and, when he dragged his eyes from the text to look at the still grinning Grimtooth, he was no longer Morden the boy, entrepreneur and criminal genius but Morden the soon-to-be Dark Lord. It was exciting.
    It was also odd.
    “It says I am going to rule the world,” said Morden.
    The smile vanished from Grimtooth’s face. “You can read the book?”
    Morden read the first line out loud, and as he did the orcs behind Grimtooth flattened themselves on the straw mats and started a throaty chant. Even Grimtooth lowered his gaze.
    “Is this some kind of jest?” asked Morden. “Are you trying some kind of scam? It says you will be the rock on which I build my empire. How could this possibly have your name written in it? For that matter, how could my name be in it unless written by someone who knows us both?”
    “My name is written?”
    “Strange, isn’t it? Look.” Morden turned the book around so Grimtooth could see the text. Behind Grimtooth, the other orcs were straining to catch a surreptitious glance. A glare from Morden and they resumed their prostrate positions.
    Grimtooth’s eyes glanced down and then back to Morden. “Only a Dark Lord can read this book. The words mean nothing to me.”
    “Well it’s right here,” said Morden, spinning the book back around. “It says you are older than you look and that I should seek council from you.” Morden snapped the book shut. “How old are you,