Part 16 (1/2)

Now hurry and do so again, my love, because this pain is too much for me to bear.

Colwyn regarded the stain on the earth that had only a few moments earlier been the beautiful young woman he'd held so tenderly in his arms. There was nothing left to indicate that she'd ever been.

He knelt to touch the ground. It was already turning cold.

You were wrong, Vella, he thought to himself. You didn't die an inhabitant of some nether region between humankind and Beast-thing. You died as a woman. I would have been proud to have been your lover.

Vella's final scream had awakened Torquil. As he arrived to confront Colwyn, his eyes took in the stain on the ground, the absence of the peasant girl. He looked questioningly at his leader.

”She was something of his,” Colwyn explained sadly, ”but only until the end.

She died Vella, a young woman of Merith's village. I would have her remembered that way.”

Torquil's glance traveled down his friend's form. ”She didn't harm you?”

”Only in my heart, and I forgive her for that. She only did her master's bidding.” He raised his eyes to the trees towering overhead, half wis.h.i.+ng that the Beast would appear before him in human form.

Torquil thought a moment. ”Another changeling, like the one that took the place of the emerald seer.”

”Yes, like the seer,” Colwyn agreed, ”only even more perfect, if such a thing is possible.”

”Such magic must take a great effort, even for one as powerful as the Beast.

She seemed as human as Merith.”

”In some ways more human, I think.”65 Torquil studied the woods as if at any moment they might produce still another lethal deception. ”He extends himself to produce something so perfect. I think maybe he's a little worried about you, Colwyn.”

”Why?” He gestured at the earth. ”Because I was able to survive this latest attack?”

”Because of that, yes. Believe it, Colwyn.”

”Difficult to imagine, but a good thing to think of. I'd like to believe he's worried about us, yes. With luck we'll do more than worry him.” He turned to glance back toward the mountain. ”I wonder at Ynyr's absence. He should be back by now.”

”How can we judge his needs? To penetrate the dangers of the web may require much time.”

”Ynyr has little time left to spend, and less strength.” He started toward the dark cliff that bulked sharply against the star-filled sky. ”I'm going after him.”

”He said that we were to wait here for his return.”

”He also said that he'd be back soon. It is past soon. Stay and explain to the others.”

”Is that the thanks I get for the help I've given you this far? I'm coming with you.”

Colwyn glanced back, grinning. ”I'd hoped you might.”

”What, did you think I'd let you go on alone?”

”It had occurred to me.”

”Well,” the bandit leader said sheepishly as he lengthened his stride, ”it had occurred to me too. Now we can forget about it.”

Colwyn nodded, increased his pace to match Torquil's.

At the base of one of the forest giants, t.i.tch lay sound asleep in the fragrant gra.s.s. The puppy that snuggled tight against him lay on its back, all four legs in the air. Every so often its nose twitched, as though checking the air for unfamiliar smells even as it slept.

Across the dying campfire Rell leaned on his trident, his single eye half-closed. Sensing movement, he looked toward the mountain. Two men stood close together, whispering. Together they turned and started toward the distant slope.

Rell straightened, stretched, and yawned as he considered the peaceful camp.

Wisps of smoke rose aimlessly from the coals left behind by the fire. Wheezes and grunts came from sprawled, somnolent figures. He was part of this troupe and yet he was not. He made his own decisions.

Holding the trident at the ready he tiptoed through the sleepers and followed silently in the wake of the two who had departed.

The path down the mountainside was fit only for sharp-eyed goats and the darkness made matters worse. Ynyr staggered downward, his tired old eyes intent on the trail and the rocks that hid in wait to trip him. He knew that he must not fall.

If he went down he was certain he would not be able to rise again. His breath came in long, painful gasps, each lungful the result of an agonizing battle his chest waged with the air. He gave silent thanks his course was all downhill.

Night creatures scampered clear of his legs or emerged from their hiding places to watch curiously as he stumbled onward. He could feel his strength leaving him even as the grains of sand trickled through his clenched fingers. He needed no such visual metaphors to know that precious little time remained. As she'd promised, Lyssa had drawn on his own reserves to keep the spider from him until he was clear of the cave. Those reserves could not be replaced. He was too old for rejuvenations.

How much farther could it be? He'd had the forest in sight for some time now, but mountain air and distances were ever deceiving, the more so on this night because of the size of the trees that formed the giant woods. He could feel the energy ebbing from his body. Despite the nearness of death he was calm. He'd been looking forward to greeting that old fakir for a long time.

But not until he'd imparted to Colwyn the vital information obtained at so high a price.

His legs felt rubbery and twice he nearly stumbled. I'm not going to make it, he thought sadly. Everything's been for naught: Lyssa's sacrifice, my own, the long journey from Eirig, all the old plans and hopes. But I have to make it.

Colwyn's got to know.

Suddenly there were strong arms, young arms, supporting his own, easing his66 pale, trembling body to the ground. He blinked away the sweat, saw Colwyn standing over him staring anxiously down into his face. The thief Torquil stood nearby.

A good man, that Torquil, he mused. Strange how life forces both good men and bad into narrow corridors from which only extraordinary circ.u.mstances give them any opportunity to escape. If not for chance and accident, he and Torquil might have exchanged places in the scheme of things.

But not Colwyn. Colwyn's place had been carefully chosen.

He thought he detected a third figure lurking in the background but he couldn't be sure. It was growing darker by the minute. Even the stars were fading.

He reached up and clutched Colwyn's jersey.

”At sunrise... at sunrise the Fortress will materialize in the Iron Desert.

It will stay there until the following sunrise. You must reach it by then.”

Colwyn looked to Torquil. The bandit leader was shaking his head sadly.

Colwyn had studied his geography well, while Torquil had much practical knowledge of it. Both knew they could not possibly cover such a distance in a single day and night.

Ynyr's hand tightened, pulling Colwyn close. ”You must reach it there or you will never find it again.”

Gently Colwyn loosened the old man's fingers and tried to make him relax.

”We'll reach it. Have no fear of that. And you'll be with us, to guide and counsel me.”