***
Fury stood at the bottom of the stairs and waited nervously, wondering why Adrina was taking so long. He hated that part of the building. As a child he had kept away from it, taking immense detours to avoid going anywhere near the stairs or the adjoining corridor.
The stairway had implanted itself deeply in his young mind: not the least because it lay between his sleeping quarters and the urinal. On many a cold winter's night, he had lain in bed, legs crossed, too frightened to go outside and relieve himself.
He had only once mounted the stairs and entered the room above. He'd done so at the insistence of his mother, who had forced him to take part in a special ceremony. And he'd had nightmares ever since. He held his breath to stop his teeth chattering. At the end of the corridor there was a hissing noise.
'Fuuury.'
It sounded like a tormented soul, crying out to be released from captivity. Shivers ran down his spine. Then he recognised his sister's voice. She was whispering his name and banging on the door. He ran and opened it.
'What kept you?'
Adrina pushed past him.
'You were meant to unbolt it. You stupid little blub.'
'I didn't ...'
Fury tried to explain but Adrina was in no mood to listen. She thrust a bundle into his hands and he held it at arms' length.
'I still don't understand why it has to be me?'
Adrina glared at him.
'Do you want to see that girl again?'
'You know I do ...'
'Then do as you're told and stop asking questions.'
She manoeuvred him towards the stairs. 'You don't have long. Mother's guards will be back soon. When you've finished, go to the House of Ways and meet my men. Make sure you get it right this time. If you don't, I'll give the girl to them.'
The thought was horrifying. Fury abandoned all thoughts of vacillation. He held the bundle to his chest, hurried up the stairs and opened the dreaded door. Inside, the scene was much as he remembered. A long table was covered in wooden boxes. One stood out. Black with a golden disc on the lid. He approached it nervously. He'd never held a human head before and didn't relish the thought of starting with Balduur the Great.
The lid came away.
He peered into the box and the head stared back at him.
'Balduur ...' he whispered.
It was a terrifying name from his childhood. A name big boys used when they wanted to frighten little boys. It was the name of the warlord who had come close to destroying his people. Fury picked up the head and was filled with fear and fascination. The skin was shrunken but it was still possible to imagine what the man looked like in life. The famous broken nose was there and so was the gash Balduur received when he was knocked from his horse and killed by Fury's grandfather.