Part 30 (1/2)

Waylander blocked two thrusts, slas.h.i.+ng his blade into the already open ribcage. It did not even slow the headless opponent. Laughter came from the air. 'Are you beginning to know fear?'

Morak's voice echoed in the hall, the air filled with screaming obscenities.

Ducking under a wild cut Waylander ran to the head, lifting it by the hair. Spinning round he hurled it towards the doorway. It bounced and rolled through the gap. A serpent lunged, the great mouth snapping shut. The screams stopped instantly.

The headless body collapsed.

Waylander whirled, awaiting the next attack.

'How did you know which door to take?' asked another voice. Waylander searched for the source of the sound, but could see no one.

'It was not difficult,' he answered, holding his blade at the ready.

'Yes, I can see that. The sunlight and the white robe was a little too obvious. I won't make that mistake again. I must say Morak was a disappointment. He gave you a much greater battle while alive.'

'He had more to fight for,' said Waylander. 'Who are you? Show yourself!'

'Of course, how impolite of me.' A figure s.h.i.+mmered into being on the far side of the hall, a tall man wearing purple robes. His hair was waxed flat to his skull, save for two braided sideburns that hung to his slender shoulders. 'I am ZhuChao.'

'I have heard the name.'

'Of course you have. Now, let us see what we can conjure for our pleasure. Something from your past, perhaps?' Zhu Chao extended his arm, pointing at a spot midway into the hall. Black smoke swirled there, forming into a beast more than eight feet high. It had the head of a wolf, the body of a giant man. 'Such a shame you do not have your little bow with you,' said Zhu Chao.

Waylander backed away as the beast advanced, its blood-red eyes focused on its prey. A silver arrow lanced across the hall, spearing into the creature's neck. A second followed it, piercing the great chest. The beast slumped to its knees then fell headfirst to the flagstones.

Waylander spun. Miriel, bow in hand, Angel beside her, was standing by the doorway. Angel ran forward.

'Get back!' ordered Waylander, sword raised.

'What the h.e.l.l is the matter with you?' asked Angel.

'Nothing is as it seems in this place,' Waylander told him. 'And I'll not befooled by a demon just because he looks like a friend.'

Miriel advanced. 'Judge by actions, Father,' she said. Waylander's crossbow materialised in his hand, a full bolt quiver appearing at his belt.

'How did you come here?' he asked, still wary.

'Kesa Khan sent us. Now we must get out of this place.'

Loading his crossbow, Waylander swung back to where Zhu Chao had been standing.

But the wizard had gone.

There were many doors on both sides of the hall. Miriel ran towards the nearest, but Waylander called her back.

'What is this place?' he asked her.

'It exists in the Void. The castle was created by Zhu Chao as a trap for you. We must get out, move beyond his power.' Once more she started for the door, but he grabbed her arm, his dark eyes showing his anger.

'Stop and think!' he snapped. 'This is his creation, so none of the doorways will lead to freedom.

Beyond them is only more peril. '

'What do you suggest?' asked Angel. 'Do we just wait here?'

'Exactly. His powers are not inexhaustible. We stand, and we fight. Whatever comes we kill.'

'No,' insisted Miriel. 'You have no conception of what exists in the Void. Demons, monsters, spirits-creatures of colossal evil. Kesa Khan warned me of them.'

'If Zhu Chao had the power to conjure such creatures I would already be dead,' said Waylander softly. 'But whatever surprises he has for us are waiting beyond those doors. There or here. Those are our only choices. And here we have s.p.a.ce. Tell me of the Void,' he ordered Miriel.

'It is a place of spirit,' she told him, 'of wandering. It is the Great Emptiness between what was and what is.'

'Nothing is real here?'

'Real and yet not real. Yes.'

This crossbow is not ebony and steel?'

'No. It is a thing of spirit - your spirit. An extension of your will.'

Then I need not load it?'

'I... don't know.'

Waylander levelled the bow and loosed the triggers. The bolts flashed across the hall, hammering into a black door. He gazed down at the weapon, the strings hanging slack. Then he raised it again. Instantly two bolts slashed through the air. 'Good,' he said. 'Now let them come.

And I will have my knives.' A baldric appeared on his chest, three knives in sheaths hanging from it. His chain-mail shoulder-guard materialised, not black, but of s.h.i.+ning silver. 'What of you, Angel?' he asked, with a wide grin. 'What do you desire?'

The gladiator smiled. Two golden swords and armour, encrusted with gems.'

'You shall have them!'

A golden helm appeared, a white-crested plume arcing back from brow to nape of neck. And a breastplate and greaves, glittering with rubies and diamonds. Two scab-barded swords s.h.i.+mmered into place at his side.

All the doors in the hall swept open and a host of shadow shapes swarmed towards the waiting warriors.

'I'll have light also!' yelled Waylander. The ceiling disappeared and sunlight filled the hall, spearing through the dark horde, which vanished like mist in a morning breeze.

Then a black cloud formed above them, obliterating the light, and a cold voice hissed from all around them. 'You learn swiftly, Waylander, but you do not have the skill to oppose me.'

Even as the echoes died away nine knights in black armour appeared, long triangular s.h.i.+elds upon their arms, black-bladed swords in their hands. Waylander spun and sent two bolts at the first.

They thudded into the knight's s.h.i.+eld. Miriel loosed a shaft, but this also was turned aside. And the knights advanced.

'What do we do?' whispered Angel, drawing both his swords.