PROLOGUE_NN1 PREPARATIONS_NN2 FOR_IF A_AT1 FEAST_NN1 In_II the_AT dark_JJ heart_NN1 of_IO Cospinol_NP1 's_GE great_JJ wooden_JJ skyship_NN1 they_PPHS2 boiled_VVD a_AT1 demigod_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE wings_NN2 and_CC legs_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN broken_VVN with_IW hammers_NN2 to_TO fit_VVI them_PPHO2 inside_II the_AT iron_NN1 cooker_NN1 --_NN1 a_AT1 witchsphere_NN1 now_RT strengthened_VVD to_TO resist_VVI steam_NN1 at_II high_JJ pressure_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ clamped_VVN in_II a_AT1 mighty_JJ vise_NN1 set_VVN upon_II a_AT1 brazier_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 lead_NN1 pipe_NN1 fed_VVD carbolic_JJ water_NN1 in_RP through_II a_AT1 nozzle_NN1 in_II its_APPGE paneled_JJ shell_NN1 ._. 
Another_DD1 pipe_NN1 channeled_VVD the_AT demigod_NN1 's_GE spirit_NN1 to_II a_AT1 glass_NN1 condenser_NN1 ,_, for_IF collection_NN1 ._. 
For_IF fifty_MC days_NNT2 the_AT slaves_NN2 had_VHD pumped_VVN water_NN1 and_CC stoked_VVN the_AT brazier_NN1 while_CS red_JJ shadow-figures_NN2 loomed_VVD over_II them_PPHO2 like_II some_DD infernal_JJ puppet_NN1 show_NN1 ._. 
Steam_NN1 issued_VVN from_II valves_NN2 and_CC moiled_VVN the_AT tarry_NN1 bulkheads_NN2 ,_, but_CCB the_AT workers_NN2 neither_RR perspired_VVD nor_CC complained_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 moved_VVD with_IW the_AT mute_JJ efficacy_NN1 of_IO men_NN2 long_RR used_VVN to_II a_AT1 task_NN1 ._. 
All_DB around_II them_PPHO2 the_AT Rotsward_NP1 shuddered_VVD and_CC pitched_VVD ,_, her_APPGE joints_NN2 sorely_RR tested_VVN by_II her_APPGE captain_NN1 's_GE desperate_JJ flight_NN1 westwards_RL ._. 
The_AT slaves_NN2 observed_VVN as_CSA sparkling_JJ liquid_NN1 gathered_VVN in_II the_AT condenser_NN1 flask_NN1 like_II a_AT1 colloid_NN1 of_IO starlight_NN1 ,_, then_RT crept_VVD up_RP the_AT glass_NN1 and_CC cascaded_VVD back_RP down_RP in_II furious_JJ scintillations_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD to_TO whisper_VVI to_II itself_PPX1 in_II voices_NN2 edged_VVN with_IW madness_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 paused_VVD to_TO study_VVI the_AT vise_NN1 clamps_VVZ each_DD1 time_NNT1 the_AT cooking_NN1 sphere_NN1 rattled_VVN or_CC boomed_VVD ._. 
Yesterday_RT they_PPHS2 'd_VHD brought_VVN their_APPGE hammers_NN2 and_CC laid_VVN them_PPHO2 out_RP on_II the_AT floor_NN1 where_CS they_PPHS2 could_VM be_VBI reached_VVN in_II a_AT1 hurry_NN1 ,_, poor_JJ weapons_NN2 as_CSA they_PPHS2 were_VBDR ._. 
And_CC then_RT they_PPHS2 added_VVD more_DAR coke_NN1 and_CC curried_VVD the_AT furnace_NN1 with_IW blasts_NN2 of_IO air_NN1 from_II bellows_NN2 ._. 
The_AT booming_JJ sounds_NN2 intensified_VVN as_CSA Carnival_NN1 continued_VVD to_TO kick_VVI within_II her_APPGE pressurized_JJ prison_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 boy_NN1 with_IW hooks_NN2 for_IF fingers_NN2 watched_VVD the_AT stewing_NN1 process_VVI from_II a_AT1 crawl_NN1 space_NN1 above_II the_AT chamber_NN1 ceiling_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE small_JJ red_JJ face_NN1 afloat_JJ in_II the_AT gloom_NN1 up_RP there_RL ._. 
Why_RRQ did_VDD n't_XX the_AT demigod_NN1 just_RR die_VVI ?_? 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD never_RR seen_VVN Cospinol_NP1 's_GE workers_NN2 take_VV0 so_RG long_RR over_II a_AT1 boiling_JJ ._. 
Only_RR after_II the_AT light_NN1 had_VHD bubbled_VVN clean_JJ out_II21 of_II22 her_PPHO1 would_VM they_PPHS2 tip_VVI out_RP the_AT water_NN1 from_II the_AT sphere_NN1 and_CC let_VV0 him_PPHO1 fill_VVI his_APPGE kettle_NN1 ._. 
The_AT black_JJ tin_NN1 vessel_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT only_JJ one_PN1 of_IO his_APPGE meager_JJ possessions_NN2 that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD not_XX stolen_VVN ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 glared_VVD at_II it_PPH1 now_RT accusingly_RR ._. 
It_PPH1 remained_VVD mournfully_RR empty_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD on_RP for_IF a_AT1 while_NNT1 longer_RRR then_RT scratched_VVD another_DD1 line_NN1 into_II the_AT ceiling_NN1 joist_NN1 ,_, joining_VVG up_RP four_MC vertical_JJ gouges_NN2 with_IW a_AT1 long_JJ diagonal_JJ ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 turned_VVD and_CC wriggled_VVD back_RP down_II the_AT passage_NN1 in_II the_AT direction_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD come_VVN ._. 
Smoke_VV0 from_II the_AT burning_JJ city_NN1 below_II the_AT skyship_NN1 had_VHD leached_VVN freely_RR into_II her_APPGE tattered_JJ wooden_JJ hull_NN1 ._. 
Air_NN1 currents_NN2 buffeted_VVD her_PPHO1 endlessly_RR ._. 
She_PPHS1 rolled_VVD and_CC creaked_VVD ;_; she_PPHS1 sounded_VVD as_CS21 though_CS22 she_PPHS1 would_VM not_XX survive_VVI for_IF much_RR longer_RRR ._. 
The_AT boy_NN1 hummed_VVD a_AT1 fragment_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 battle_NN1 march_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD once_RR heard_VVN ,_, repeating_VVG the_AT same_DA notes_NN2 over_RP and_CC over_RP again_RT just_RR to_TO block_VVI out_RP the_AT other_JJ frightening_JJ sounds_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 blinked_VVD and_CC rubbed_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 with_IW his_APPGE sleeve_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE shirt_NN1 smelled_VVD of_IO brimstone_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 crawled_VVD onwards_RL ,_, deeper_RRR into_II the_AT maze_NN1 of_IO filthy_JJ ducts_NN2 and_CC passageways_NN2 ._. 
Urgent_JJ voices_NN2 came_VVD from_II the_AT stern_NN1 :_: the_AT god_NN1 of_IO brine_NN1 and_CC fog_NN1 himself_PPX1 ,_, clearly_RR angry_JJ ,_, and_CC a_AT1 woman_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 strange_JJ soft_JJ accent_NN1 ._. 
The_AT hook-fingered_JJ boy_NN1 wormed_VVD around_RP another_DD1 bend_NN1 and_CC found_VVD a_AT1 place_NN1 where_RRQ he_PPHS1 could_VM peer_VVI down_RP through_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT many_DA2 chinks_NN2 in_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
"_" &hellip;_... The_AT assassin_NN1 saw_VVD everything_PN1 ,_, "_" Cospinol_NP1 was_VBDZ saying_VVG ._. 
"_" Coreollis_NP1 is_VBZ leveled_VVN ,_, Rys_NP1 's_GE palace_NN1 reduced_VVN to_II ashes_NN2 by_II some_DD unknown_JJ cataclysm_NN1 ._. 
Are_VBR my_APPGE brothers_NN2 dead_JJ or_CC simply_RR scheming_VVG ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 paced_VVD before_II a_AT1 bank_NN1 of_IO windows_NN2 at_II the_AT far_JJ side_NN1 of_IO the_AT room_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE crab-shell_JJ armour_NN1 clicking_VVG with_IW each_DD1 step_NN1 ._. 
Lank_VV0 strands_NN2 of_IO grey_JJ hair_NN1 fell_VVD back_RP from_II his_APPGE noble_JJ face_NN1 and_CC rested_VVN in_II the_AT hollow_NN1 between_II his_APPGE wings_NN2 ._. 
Behind_II him_PPHO1 the_AT windows_NN2 framed_VVD nothing_PN1 but_II fog_NN1 ,_, crosshatched_VVN by_II the_AT dim_JJ lines_NN2 of_IO the_AT Rotsward_NP1 's_GE gallows_NN2 ._. 
"_" All_DB Rys_NN2 's_GE Northmen_NN2 are_VBR now_RT slain_VVN or_CC have_VH0 fled_VVN ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 went_VVD on_RP ._. 
"_" Pollack_NP1 's_GE Outcasts_NN2 ,_, too_RR ._. 
The_AT war_NN1 was_VBDZ over_RP when_CS King_NNB Menoa_NP1 released_VVD his_APPGE arconites_NN2 ._. "_" 
A_AT1 female_JJ voice_NN1 responded_VVD :_: "_" The_AT war_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX over_RP ,_, Lord_NNB Cospinol_NP1 ._. 
Have_VH0 some_DD faith_NN1 in_II providence_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT hook-fingered_JJ boy_NN1 adjusted_VVN his_APPGE position_NN1 over_II the_AT hole_NN1 to_TO see_VVI who_PNQS had_VHD spoken_VVN ._. 
Directly_RR underneath_II his_APPGE hiding_NN1 place_NN1 sat_VVD a_AT1 woman_NN1 in_II a_AT1 cowled_JJ grey_JJ robe_NN1 ,_, glittering_VVG red_JJ gloves_NN2 clutching_VVG a_AT1 tiny_JJ scrag_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 dog_NN1 to_II her_APPGE chest_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB then_RT the_AT boy_NN1 peered_VVD closer_RRR and_CC saw_VVD that_CST the_AT gloves_NN2 were_VBDR n't_XX gloves_NN2 at_RR21 all_RR22 :_: The_AT woman_NN1 had_VHD glass_NN1 scales_NN2 for_IF skin_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 Mesmerist_JJ witch_NN1 ?_? 
Cospinol_NP1 halted_VVD his_APPGE pacing_VVG ,_, his_APPGE pinched_JJ expression_NN1 evidence_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 verbal_JJ lash_NN1 against_II his_APPGE pride_NN1 ._. 
"_" Whose_DDQGE providence_NN1 ?_? 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 Ayen_NP1 's_GE ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 snapped_VVD ._. 
"_" Or_CC were_VBDR you_PPY referring_VVG to_II my_APPGE missing_JJ brothers_NN2 ?_? 
Are_VBR they_PPHS2 truly_RR lost_VVN ?_? 
It_PPH1 matters_VVZ little_DA1 ._. 
Mirith_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 mad_JJ coward_NN1 and_CC knew_VVD nothing_PN1 of_IO warfare_NN1 ._. 
Rys_NN2 ,_, Hafe_NP1 ,_, and_CC Sabor_NP1 possessed_VVD some_DD skill_NN1 on_II the_AT battlefield_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 were_VBDR all_DB in_II Rys_NP1 's_GE bastion_NN1 when_CS it_PPH1 fell_VVD ._. 
Likely_RR their_APPGE souls_NN2 are_VBR now_RT lost_VVN in_II Hell_NN1 ._. 
And_CC Hasp_NN1 is_VBZ useless_JJ to_II us_PPIO2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD away_II21 from_II22 the_AT woman_NN1 ._. 
"_" No_AT offense_NN1 intended_VVD ,_, Hasp_NP1 ._. "_" 
From_II up_RP here_RL the_AT boy_NN1 could_VM not_XX see_VVI the_AT room_NN1 's_GE third_MD occupant_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT reply_NN1 sounded_VVD gruff_JJ and_CC fierce_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 am_VBM well_JJ aware_JJ of_IO my_APPGE value_NN1 to_II you_PPY ,_, Cospinol_NP1 ._. "_" 
The_AT woman_NN1 glanced_VVD back_RP at_II the_AT hidden_JJ speaker_NN1 before_II returning_VVG her_APPGE gaze_NN1 to_II the_AT old_JJ sea_NN1 god_NN1 ._. 
"_" Your_APPGE own_DA providence_NN1 ,_, Lord_NNB Cospinol_NP1 ._. 
You_PPY must_VM seize_VVI control_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 wayward_JJ situation_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 of_IO Rys_NP1 's_GE Northmen_NN2 fled_VVD the_AT battlefield_NN1 at_II Larnaig_NP1 ._. 
Hafe_NP1 's_GE troops_NN2 are_VBR now_RT leaderless_JJ and_CC there_EX are_VBR militia_NN abroad_RL ._. 
Tens_MC2 of_IO thousands_NNO2 of_IO men_NN2 ,_, armed_JJ and_CC ready_JJ to_TO fight_VVI ._. "_" 
UNDER_II HELL_NN1 The_AT River_NN1 of_IO the_AT Failed_JJ was_VBDZ quick_JJ and_CC cunning_JJ and_CC carnivorous_JJ ._. 
In_II its_APPGE many_DA2 disparate_JJ parts_NN2 it_PPH1 tore_VVD the_AT fallen_JJ gallowsmen_NN2 to_II pieces_NN2 ._. 
Columns_NN2 of_IO lamplight_NN1 dropped_VVN from_II windows_NN2 in_II the_AT base_NN1 of_IO Hell_NN1 and_CC lit_VVD up_RP the_AT scene_NN1 ._. 
Red_JJ figures_NN2 rose_VVD from_II the_AT bubbling_JJ waters_NN2 and_CC set_VVN upon_II their_APPGE foes_NN2 with_IW no_AT weapons_NN2 except_II their_APPGE newly_RR forged_JJ hands_NN2 and_CC teeth_NN2 ._. 
Their_APPGE hardened_JJ liquid_JJ forms_NN2 could_VM be_VBI mutilated_JJ and_CC scattered_VVN by_II blades_NN2 and_CC spears_NN2 ,_, yet_RR the_AT Failed_JJ themselves_PPX2 remained_VVD immune_JJ to_II death_NN1 ,_, for_IF the_AT river_NN1 was_VBDZ their_APPGE common_JJ flesh_NN1 ._. 
Anchor_NN1 turned_VVD his_APPGE back_NN1 on_II the_AT slaughter_NN1 as_II the_AT screams_NN2 of_IO Cospinol_NP1 's_GE warriors_NN2 filled_VVD that_CST vast_JJ emptiness_NN1 underlying_JJ Hell_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 fought_VVD with_IW increased_JJ desperation_NN1 but_CCB ultimately_RR they_PPHS2 fought_VVD in_RR21 vain_RR22 ._. 
The_AT river_NN1 learned_VVN from_II its_APPGE mistakes_NN2 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 adopted_VVD new_JJ tactics_NN2 to_TO trick_VVI its_APPGE foes_NN2 ._. 
Giants_NN2 rose_VVD in_II places_NN2 where_RRQ the_AT smaller_JJR constructs_NN2 were_VBDR destroyed_VVN ,_, great_JJ brutes_NN2 with_IW clubs_NN2 for_IF fists_NN2 that_CST terrified_VVD the_AT gallowsmen_NN2 and_CC caused_VVD them_PPHO2 to_TO flee_VVI ._. 
Long_RR muscular_JJ shapes_NN2 with_IW fins_NN2 and_CC jaws_NN2 lashed_VVN through_II the_AT water_NN1 ._. 
Red_JJ threads_NN2 reached_VVD up_RP and_CC wound_VVD themselves_PPX2 around_II the_AT gallowsmen_NN2 's_GE weapons_NN2 ,_, entangling_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
Vortexes_NN2 chewed_VVN at_II their_APPGE shins_NN2 ,_, forcing_VVG them_PPHO2 to_TO retreat_VVI to_II higher_JJR ground_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT red_JJ river_NN1 swelled_VVN around_II them_PPHO2 and_CC hardened_VVN itself_PPX1 into_II walls_NN2 that_CST funneled_VVD its_APPGE victims_NN2 into_II pens_NN2 where_CS they_PPHS2 could_VM be_VBI murdered_VVN more_RGR efficiently_RR ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 brief_JJ time_NNT1 it_PPH1 rained_VVD upwards_RL ._. 
The_AT tiny_JJ droplets_NN2 were_VBDR as_RG cunning_JJ as_CSA their_APPGE source_NN1 and_CC trickled_VVD up_RP across_II the_AT warriors_NN2 '_GE skin_NN1 and_CC into_II their_APPGE mouths_NN2 and_CC eyes_NN2 ._. 
So_RR afflicted_VVN ,_, a_AT1 knight_NN1 in_II blasted-steel_NN1 plate_NN1 rushed_VVD blindly_RR through_II a_AT1 frothing_JJ channel_NN1 and_CC scratched_VVN at_II his_APPGE eyes_NN2 and_CC cried_VVN ,_, "_" Teeth_NN2 ,_, teeth_NN2 !_! "_" 
Downstream_RL from_II him_PPHO1 a_AT1 short_JJ ,_, wiry_JJ way-ganger_NN1 clung_VVN to_II his_APPGE useless_JJ bow_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 struggled_VVD against_II the_AT red_NN1 threads_VVZ that_CST tried_VVD to_TO pull_VVI him_PPHO1 under_RP ._. 
Three_MC warriors_NN2 clad_VVN in_II coloured_JJ enameled_JJ armour_NN1 stood_VVD back_RP to_II back_NN1 atop_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT larger_JJR islands_NN2 ,_, driving_VVG spears_NN2 into_II the_AT crimson_JJ shapes_NN2 that_CST crawled_VVD up_RP the_AT rubble_NN1 towards_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
Before_II long_RR this_DD1 trio_NN1 became_VVD the_AT only_JJ effective_JJ resistance_NN1 that_CST Anchor_NN1 could_VM see_VVI ._. 
The_AT river_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO have_VHI momentarily_RR neglected_VVN them_PPHO2 ,_, but_CCB then_RT the_AT waters_NN2 receded_VVD suddenly_RR and_CC surged_VVD back_RP over_II the_AT warriors_NN2 '_GE island_NN1 ,_, knocking_VVG them_PPHO2 into_II the_AT surrounding_JJ channel_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA Anchor_NN1 walked_VVD away_RL ,_, he_PPHS1 felt_VVD a_AT1 chill_NN1 in_II his_APPGE heart_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 dragged_VVD a_AT1 hand_NN1 through_II the_AT fast-flowing_JJ waters_NN2 around_II his_APPGE midriff_NN1 ._. 
Surely_RR no_AT army_NN1 could_VM defeat_VVI such_DA an_AT1 amorphous_JJ foe_NN1 ._. 
Here_RL was_VBDZ the_AT antithesis_NN1 of_IO Iril_NP1 --_JJ brute_NN1 power_NN1 without_IW any_DD structure_NN1 that_CST could_VM be_VBI dominated_VVN by_II physical_JJ force_NN1 ._. 
How_RRQ could_VM one_PN1 fight_VVI absolute_JJ chaos_NN1 ?_? 
Anchor_NN1 carried_VVD Harper_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE large_JJ hands_NN2 grasping_VVG her_APPGE waist_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD stopped_VVN supping_VVG the_AT fluid_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT river_NN1 would_VM have_VHI taken_VVN the_AT gallowsmen_NN2 anyway_RR ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 declared_VVD ._. 
"_" Cospinol_NP1 had_VHD no_AT choice_NN1 but_CS to_TO sacrifice_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
By_II doing_VDG so_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 has_VHZ gained_VVN its_APPGE favour_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" For_IF now_RT ,_, "_" Anchor_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 are_VBR still_RR at_II its_APPGE mercy_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 think_VV0 ._. 
If_CS it_PPH1 decides_VVZ to_TO eat_VVI us_PPIO2 ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 not_XX know_VVI how_RRQ to_TO stop_VVI it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" Then_RT let_VM21 's_VM22 try_VVI not_XX to_TO do_VDI anything_PN1 to_TO upset_VVI it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" How_RRQ do_VD0 you_PPY upset_VVI a_AT1 river_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" The_AT river_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 god_NN1 ,_, and_CC this_DD1 god_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 child_NN1 ._. 
Anything_PN1 might_VM cause_VVI a_AT1 tantrum_NN1 ._. "_" 
After_CS some_DD distance_NN1 the_AT Rotsward_NP1 's_GE rope_NN1 tugged_VVD at_II Anchor_NN1 's_GE harness_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 felt_VVD the_AT familiar_JJ pull_NN1 of_IO the_AT skyship_NN1 against_II his_APPGE back_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 took_VVD a_AT1 deep_JJ breath_NN1 and_CC bulled_VVD forward_RL ._. 
The_AT skyship_NN1 felt_VVD so_RG much_DA1 lighter_JJR than_CSN before_RT ._. 
He_PPHS1 hardly_RR noticed_VVD as_CSA ,_, behind_II him_PPHO1 ,_, the_AT great_JJ wooden_JJ vessel_NN1 shifted_VVN and_CC scraped_VVN across_II the_AT drowned_JJ floor_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 subterranean_JJ realm_NN1 ._. 
The_AT upper_JJ part_NN1 of_IO the_AT scaffold_NN1 remained_VVD buried_VVN in_II the_AT base_NN1 of_IO the_AT Maze_NP1 ,_, but_CCB its_APPGE timbers_NN2 would_VM not_XX be_VBI broken_VVN by_II mere_JJ bricks_NN2 and_CC iron_NN1 ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 very_RG strange_JJ place_NN1 ,_, "_" Anchor_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" You_PPY get_VV0 used_JJ to_II it_PPH1 ,_, "_" Harper_NP1 replied_VVD ._. 
"_" Hell_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI if_CSW this_DD1 place_NN1 down_RP here_RL can_VM still_RR be_VBI called_VVN Hell_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Maze_NP1 ends_VVZ up_RP there_RL ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 slipped_VVD the_AT luminous_JJ wand_NN1 behind_II her_APPGE ear_NN1 ,_, and_CC nodded_VVD at_II the_AT ceiling_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 was_VBDZ my_APPGE home_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 very_RG long_JJ time_NNT1 ._. "_" 
The_AT big_JJ man_NN1 grunted_VVD ._. 
"_" The_AT way_NN1 you_PPY speak_VV0 &hellip;_... 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 you_PPY miss_VV0 it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 ._. 
Your_APPGE soul_NN1 imposes_VVZ its_APPGE own_DA order_NN1 on_II its_APPGE surroundings_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY become_VV0 a_AT1 world_NN1 amongst_II many_DA2 others_NN2 ,_, but_CCB still_RR joined_VVN ._. 
If_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX for_IF overcrowding_VVG and_CC the_AT Mesmerist_JJ threat_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI paradise_NN1 ._. 
Imagine_VV0 the_AT sex_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 laughed_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ when_RRQ others_NN2 impose_VV0 their_APPGE will_NN1 upon_II you_PPY that_CST things_NN2 become_VV0 difficult_JJ ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 looked_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 meaningfully_RR ._. 
"_" Would_VM n't_XX you_PPY agree_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 chose_VVD to_TO become_VVI a_AT1 slave_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" But_CCB you_PPY regret_VV0 it_PPH1 now_RT ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 chose_VVD not_XX to_TO answer_VVI ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY think_VVI Heaven_NN1 is_VBZ like_II the_AT Maze_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Not_XX while_CS Ayen_NP1 remains_VVZ dominant_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 expelled_VVD her_APPGE own_DA sons_NN2 just_RR to_TO maintain_VVI order_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE version_NN1 of_IO order_NN1 ._. 
If_CS there_EX are_VBR still_RR any_DD souls_NN2 left_VVN in_II Heaven_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 doubt_VV0 they_PPHS2 're_VBR at_RR21 all_RR22 free_JJ ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 gazed_VVD up_RP at_II the_AT ceiling_NN1 ._. 
"_" No_UH ,_, Heaven_NN1 is_VBZ for_IF sheep_NN ,_, and_CC Hell_NN1 is_VBZ for_IF --_JJ "_" "_" Goats_NN2 ?_? "_" 
"_" Wolves_NN2 ,_, John_NP1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Wolves_NN2 ._. "_" 
Harper_NP1 could_VM hear_VVI Anchor_NN1 's_GE roars_NN2 of_IO laughter_NN1 from_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO the_AT bar_NN1 ,_, even_RR over_II the_AT ruckus_NN1 made_VVN by_II the_AT other_JJ patrons_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD been_VBN here_RL for_IF about_RG three_MC or_CC four_MC months_NNT2 now_RT ,_, she_PPHS1 reckoned_VVD ,_, but_CCB then_RT the_AT passage_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 was_VBDZ hard_JJ to_TO judge_VVI in_II Hell_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD just_RR ordered_VVN another_DD1 drink_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 heard_VVD a_AT1 shout_NN1 from_II the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 found_VVD another_DD1 one_PN1 !_! "_" 
A_AT1 wiry_JJ little_JJ man_NN1 with_IW three_MC days_NNT2 of_IO stubble_NN1 was_VBDZ leaning_VVG into_II the_AT main_JJ saloon_NN1 ._. 
Harper_NP1 recognized_VVD him_PPHO1 as_CSA one_MC1 of_IO the_AT submarine_NN1 captains_NN2 from_II the_AT battle_NN1 of_IO the_AT Ninth_MD Citadel_NN1 ,_, but_CCB could_VM n't_XX recall_VVI his_APPGE name_NN1 ._. 
The_AT surrounding_JJ crowd_NN1 all_RR scrambled_VVN for_IF the_AT door_NN1 in_II their_APPGE haste_NN1 to_TO get_VVI outside_RL ,_, but_CCB the_AT engineer_NN1 waited_VVD until_CS her_APPGE drink_NN1 arrived_VVD before_II joining_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
Outside_RL ,_, a_AT1 broad_JJ terrace_NN1 overlooked_VVD the_AT Maze_NP1 ._. 
The_AT tavern_NN1 itself_PPX1 was_VBDZ still_RR creeping_VVG over_RP a_AT1 vast_JJ area_NN1 they_PPHS2 had_VHD started_VVN calling_VVG The_AT Chessboard_NN1 on_II31 account_II32 of_II33 the_AT regular_JJ patterns_NN2 of_IO quadrangles_NN2 found_VVN here_RL ._. 
Dividing_VVG walls_NN2 constantly_RR crumbled_VVN under_II the_AT building_NN1 's_GE foundations_NN2 as_CSA they_PPHS2 moved_VVD from_II one_MC1 flooded_JJ square_NN1 to_II the_AT next_MD ,_, leaving_VVG a_AT1 series_NN of_IO gaps_NN2 in_II their_APPGE wake_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 bloodmist_NN1 rolled_VVN across_II the_AT landscape_NN1 half_DB a_AT1 league_NN1 away_RL ,_, heading_VVG for_IF the_AT remains_NN2 of_IO an_AT1 Icarate_JJ temple_NN1 ._. 
The_AT bar_NN1 patrons_NN2 had_VHD crowded_VVN along_II one_MC1 edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT terrace_NN1 ,_, all_DB jostling_VVG and_CC arguing_VVG cheerfully_RR with_IW one_PPX121 another_PPX122 ,_, but_CCB Harper_NP1 could_VM n't_XX tell_VVI what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ they_PPHS2 were_VBDR clamouring_VVG to_TO see_VVI ._. 
Recently_RR they_PPHS2 had_VHD rescued_VVN all_DB sorts_NN2 of_IO strange_JJ refugees_NN2 from_II the_AT surface_NN1 of_IO Hell_NN1 :_: men_NN2 ,_, demons_NN2 ,_, angels_NN2 ,_, ghosts_NN2 ,_, and_CC machines_NN2 ._. 
The_AT barman_NN1 ,_, Tooks_NP1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE new_JJ hook-fingered_JJ apprentice_NN1 ran_VVD a_AT1 sweepstakes_NN2 between_II them_PPHO2 ,_, but_CCB Harper_NP1 had_VHD n't_XX participated_VVN with_IW the_AT other_JJ clientele_NN1 ._. 
The_AT objects_NN2 they_PPHS2 threw_VVD into_II the_AT pot_NN1 as_CSA bets_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX always_RR things_NN2 she_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO win_VVI ._. 
