“How many?” Farfalee asked.

“Several hundred,” he replied, “including a multitude of cunning chieftains.”

Jason shivered. How could they possibly get past an army of several hundred zombies?

“Perhaps you can aid us,” Farfalee allowed. “We have to cross your land and reach the Prophetess of Mianamon to the south.”

The rider hesitated before responding. “You’re aware that none who enter Ebera are permitted to leave.”

“Our need is an exception,” Farfalee stated.

His unblinking eyes did not leave hers. “We allow no exceptions. Do you understand the virulence of this condition? A mighty kingdom succumbed within days. We sentinels have stood watch ever since to contain the epidemic. Without our efforts and our fortunate geography, all of Lyrian would share our fate.”

“I am Farfalee, daughter of Hessit,” Farfalee said calmly. “What is your name?”

“Borial.”

“Inform us about the condition, Borial.”

“The goma worms inhabit human flesh,” Borial said. “We have encountered no other susceptible animal. The worms were perfectly engineered in that respect. They feed on blood, preferably human, but any fresh blood can nourish them. Introduced to a living subject, the worms multiply and consume all internal blood within two days. Once the blood is depleted, the worms keep the body operational and share the desire for more blood with their host.”

“How did you resist the urges?” Farfalee asked.

“Strength of will, I suppose,” Borial said. “I’ve always had a deep sense of self and a strong respect for propriety, which is common among those who have resisted. My aptitude for resistance may also be physiological, a consequence of how the worms physically interact with my tissue and my brain. Most could not suppress the urge, which helped the disease spread. Without the blood of animals, the hunger would eventually govern even the strongest of us. As we’re injured, or as we age, some among us lose our restraint.”

“You appear young,” Farfalee observed.

“The worms preserve our bodies at the age we were taken,” he said. “They can work remarkable feats of healing. But every injury takes a toll, particularly where the brain is involved.”

“Some of the walking dead seem to have lost their humanity,” Nedwin observed. “But the leaders among those we faced were still capable of speech.”

“Succumbing to the hunger seems to accelerate the decline of the mind,” Borial said. “In the end, they become the mindless ones. Some hold on to awareness longer than others. The hungry ones lack restraint but retain some human cunning.”

“Why haven’t they sought to escape Ebera?” Farfalee asked.

“Some have tried,” Borial said. “We don’t let them. We have patrolled the borders since we first established any stability. King Linus helped protect the reasoning individuals among the infected and saved Lyrian. He burned the ships, wrecked the ferries, demolished the bridges, and closed the borders. He retained his reason after becoming infected, and helped those of us with self-possession to wall ourselves away from the others.

“The early days were ugliest. An endless massacre on both sides. Entire towns burned. Fire is the best way to ensure the destruction of the worms. They can hibernate for centuries. Over time they can knit broken bodies back into functionality.

“I do not believe Kel Jerud meant to destroy the world if thieves invaded his tower. Just Ebera. For all their adaptability, he designed the worms with several weaknesses. They are not fond of sunlight. They detest extreme heat and cold. They abhor water. And they perish in fire.”

“I see,” Farfalee said. “The abhorrence of water keeps them off the sea and away from the rivers. The dislike of cold keeps them from scaling the mountains or working their way into the tundra. Their distaste for sunlight further discourages travel. And should all else fail, the reasoning dead hold them in check.”

“Correct,” Borial confirmed. “I’m not sure Kel Jerud anticipated the reasoning dead. We’re actually most important for people like you. Mortals who cross into Ebera and who might exit contaminated actually pose the greatest threat. King Linus still wears the crown, and his incontrovertible edict is that all who enter Ebera must remain. We will attempt to let you dwell among us without contamination for as long as possible. Our settlements are within strong walls, though the largest tribes of hungry ones have found ways to threaten our security of late.”

“Did they only recently become organized?” Nedwin asked.

“To this scale, yes,” Borial replied. “A startling adaptation. One of our great advantages, despite our limited numbers, has always been our capacity for teamwork. Over the years, we began to realize our dream of hunting the mindless ones into extinction. We bred livestock behind our walls while in the surrounding countryside easy prey had grown scarce. The most devious of the hungry ones kept out of our way, hiding in deep lairs. In recent years they have begun to unite and attract followers. All of us can detect blood from great distances, and the blood of our livestock called to them. Unity was the only way to rob us, so they united, and some of our strongholds have fallen, along with some of our most stalwart warriors. Only the three strongest settlements remain, defended by fewer hands than any of us would prefer.”

“And you want our help defending your walls,” Farfalee concluded.

“That, and more,” Borial acknowledged. “Human blood is irresistible to our foes. They can survive on animal blood, but yours is nectar. The scent of your blood could lure them into folly. If we can finally trap them and burn them, all of Lyrian will be safer.”

“We are also on a mission to save Lyrian,” Farfalee explained.

“From what threat?” Borial inquired.

“The emperor Maldor,” Farfalee said. “The former apprentice to Zokar is poised to bring all of Lyrian under his dominion. Our party represents the last hope for the races of Eldrin and any who oppose darkness, injustice, and tyranny.”

“I am willing to accept that your cause is just and good,” Borial said. “However our duties as the sentinels of Ebera transcend all matters of politics and personal interest. None who enter Ebera may leave for any reason. We will faithfully uphold that decree until the last of us expires.”

“We’re not infected,” Drake said with some heat in his voice. “If we were compromised, yes, by all means, prevent us from leaving. But since we’re whole, why not help us make it through your kingdom without contamination?”