magus... are you from Fharas?" She didn't look the part.

The lights vanished. Tivera covered her ears with her hands. "Don't say it! Don't say it! La-la-la..."

If she is an augur, then she is an insane augur, Marcus thought. Power and insanity was not a good combination, as he learned from the history books.

He forced her hands off her ears. "I must take you to the Augur Collegium and see if they will admit you."

"Mother and Father will find me," Tivera whined. She started shaking again. "Please don't take me there."

"The collegium will not deliver you to your parents," Marcus said calmly but firmly. "I will ensure it. Now come with me. You're better off at the collegium than here, I tell you."

Marcus looked into Tivera's eyes and sawseriously, and I hereby make an oath not to harm you. By coming here you have shown your mettle. Come with me, Lord Silvestro; I know your name, for my god has told me."

"Very well." Silvestro looked back at the hundred-and-one men behind him. "Wait for me."

Heads stuck to the black gate, impaled on spikes. Silvestro shivered. Slowly it cranked open. He had hardly taken one step when Kyra thrust a foul-smelling cloth over his mouth. He slipped into unconsciousness before he could catch a glimpse of the city.

## CHAPTER FOUR:  
The White Throne

Julia Seánus Algabal, Empress mother

"You aren't even an Imperial!" the traitor said as the Imperial Guard grabbed him by the arms.

It was half-true, Julia knew, but it didn't matter. The former emperor, Julio Seánus,