The Spawn-Mother screamed.It was not the wet, layered chorus from before. This was a single, shrill sound that cracked the stalactites overhead and sent dust raining across the cavern floor. It tore its ruined wrist free from the knight's grip and scrambled backward, its mouths gaping in pure animal terror.The knight rose.Slowly, without hurry, the way a man stands up from a table after a long meal. The tattered cloak settled around its shoulders. The violet fire behind its visor burned steady and cold."You have grown bold, little mother," it said.The creature hissed, backing toward the black pool."Once, you ran from the sound of my name." The knight drew the pitch-black sword from its hip, and the thousand tiny names along the blade flickered with pale light. "Now you lay a claw on my liege?"Kael tried to speak. All that came out was a wet cough."Be still, my lord." The knight did not turn its head. "You are bleeding. Let me handle the vermin.""I don't..." Kael coughed again