No worries-that sort of thing is very understandable-I can struggle with writing under the best circumstances, so I can only imagine how difficult something like that would be. Well, I'm a bit of a Karzahni-Artakha nut, so any reference is likely to strike my interest. If you like the idea of fitting him into your mythos, more power to you, but it's certainly fascinating on its own. I always like a good female character, and so far yours are quite enjoyable, especially Merith-she either doesn't know she works for a murderous psychopath or she's very good at coping with it. As for Almatas, my little assumption came mostly from his possession of horns and gauntlets, but then those aren't exactly exclusive are they? So does that mean that Axonn and Brutaka's companion was meant to be Botar, or someone else? Looking forward to this unfolding. EDIT: Another great couple of chapters-likin' Zartross.