exhausted the supply of foul necrotite in the ship’s hold. Te Cryxians had intended to get this machine all the way to Cryx, so they must have had another vessel loaded with that fuel or had expected to resupply on the way. From what Blaize knew of necrotite, the fuel could burn far longer and more efficiently than coal. Cryxian warjacks that relied upon it had smaller fuel reserves but could operate longer in the field. But how much longer these engines could run, none could guess. All she could do was pray there was enough left within their hoppers to maintain the field until they reached their final destination. Te river had been difficult and presented obstacles already, as their boat had not been built for this route. Any delays they faced threatened to compromise the mechanism which she suspected both kept something unholy imprisoned and also protected them from its influence. She could imagine no other purpose, for all her prayers and contemplation. Corley cleared his throat, bringing Blaize out of her thoughts. She said, “Very well. Let us go topside. Musing over this machine in the dark while breathing necrotite fumes won’t do anything to improve matters.” Corley nodded. “Besides, it will do the faithful good to see your face. Everyone needs a light to follow.” “Perhaps,” Blaize said. Te two of them strode from the hold. A dozen Precursor knights strode about on the deck, brothers and sisters armored by their faith. Te trenchers likewise patrolled from bow to stern. Most of the regular army infantry with Blaize had been loaned to her by Stryker after the river battle, and they had integrated smoothly with her own Church forces, the men establishing an easy accord with one another. Still, Blaize had laid many of her own troops to rest after the last battle, and she was not the only one in mourning for them. It would be a misstep to hide
