There was a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that had nothing to do with the alcohol. Yesterday he'd stood here with Balidor and Alonjz and the others and they'd cut crude jokes and pissed on the char zone, waiting for nothing to happen.

That was over now. Over forever. This last visit to the wall was just a courtesy, and she'd made him beg even for that. Stjepan screamed his frustration but there was nothing to fight. Never would be. He hurled his sword at the Green, at Tihana, but it stuck itself in the charred earth.