Part 38 (1/2)

Angel swung towards Ekodas. 'Can you do anything, priest?'

'Nothing. His neck is broken, and his spine in two places. And his ribs have pierced a lung.' The priest's tone was light, almost disinterested.

Angel returned his attention to the dying swordsman. 'Fancy letting a creature like that kill you,'

he said gruffly. 'You ought to be ashamed of yourself.'

'I am.' He smiled and closed his eyes. 'There's no pain. It's very peaceful really.' His eyes flared open, and fear was in his voice. 'You'll carry me out, won't you? Don't want to spend eternity down here. I'd like to be able ... to feel the sun ... you know?'

'I'll carry you myself.'

'Miriel...!'

'I'm here,' she said, her voice trembling.

'I'm...sorry... I had such...'His eyes closed again. And he was gone.

'Senta!' she shouted. 'Don't do this! Get up. Walk!' Standing she dragged on his arm.

Angel rose and grabbed her. 'Let him go, princess. Let him go!'

'I can't!'

He drew her into a tight embrace. 'It's over,' he said softly. 'He's not here any more.'

Miriel pulled away from him, her face set, eyes gleaming. Spinning on her heel she walked to the dead beast, dragging her sword clear. Then she turned on Ekodas. 'You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You stood by and did nothing. He would be alive but for you.'

'Perhaps,' he agreed. 'Perhaps not.'

'Now you die,' said Miriel, suddenly running forward. Ekodas raised his hand. Miriel groaned and halted so suddenly it seemed she had run into an invisible wall.

'Calm yourself,' said Ekodas. 'I didn't kill him.'

'Destroy the crystal, priest,' said Angel, 'before it destroys you.'

Ekodas smiled. 'You don't understand. No one would who had not felt its power.'

'I can feel it,' said Angel. 'At least I would guess it is the crystal that is filling me with the desire to kill you.'

'Yes, that is probably true. On a lesser mind the crystal would have that kind of effect. I should draw back. Return to the fortress.'

'No,' said Angel. 'You were sent here by those who trusted you. They believed only you had the strength to resist the ... thing. They were wrong, weren't they? It's overpowered you.'

'Nonsense. It has merely enhanced my considerable Talents.'

'So be it. We'll wait for you at the fortress,' said Angel, with a deep sigh. He stepped forward.

'One small point, though ...'

'Yes?'

Angel leaned back, and kicked out and up, his boot hitting the crystal, sending it spinning from the priest's hand. Ekodas tried to punch out, but the warrior rolled away from the blow and swung his elbow into the priest's face. Ekodas staggered. Angel sent a thundering left cross that cannoned into his opponent's chin. Ekodas. .h.i.t the floor face-first - and did not move.

Miriel, freed from whatever spell Ekodas had cast, moved towards the still body.

'Leave him be, child,' said Angel. 'He was not responsible.' Moving to the crystal Angel felt its power reaching out to him, with promises of strength, immortality and fame. Angel reeled back.

'Give me the sword,' he told Miriel. Taking the hilt in both hands he smote the crystal with one terrible blow.

It exploded into bright, glittering fragments, and a great rush of cool air filled the hall.

Ignoring the fallen priest Angel walked wearily back to Senta's body and lifted it, letting the head fall against his shoulder.

'Let's take him back to the sunlight,' he said.

20

Zhu Chao was trembling, sweat trickling down his cheeks. He struggled for calm, but his pulse was racing and he could feel the erratic hammering of his heart.

He cannot reach you, he told himself. He is one man. I have many men. And there are the dogs.

Yes, yes, the dogs. They will sniff him out! He sat down at his desk and stared at the open doorway, where the two guards waited, swords drawn.

The hounds had been s.h.i.+pped from Chiatze, formidable beasts with huge jaws and powerful shoulders. Hunting dogs, they had been known to drag down bears. They would rend him, tear the flesh from his bones!

The sorcerer poured himself a goblet of wine, his trembling causing him to spill the liquid over several parchments lying on the oak-topped desk. He didn't care. Nothing mattered now, save that he lived through this fear-filled night.

'Lord!' pulsed Casta.

'Yes?'

'One of the dogs is dead. The others are sleeping. We found the remains of fresh meat by one of them. I think he poisoned them. Lord! Can you hear me?'

Zhu Chao was stunned, and felt his reasoning swept away on a tide of panic.

'Lord! Lord!' pulsed Casta. But Zhu Chao could not respond. 'I've ordered all the men into the main palace grounds,' continued Casta. 'And we've sealed the ground floor, and I have men guarding all three stairways.'

The sorceror drained his wine and poured a second goblet. The spirit steadied his failing courage. 'Good,' he pulsed. He stood -and swayed, catching hold of the side of the desk. Too much wine, he realised, and drunk too swiftly. Never mind. It would pa.s.s. He took several deep breaths, and felt his strength return.

Swiftly he crossed the room and stepped into the corridor. The two guards snapped to attention.

'Follow me,' he ordered, and marched towards the stairwell leading to the dungeon chambers. He made one man walk before him on the stairs, the other following sword in hand. At the foot of the stairwell they emerged into a torch-lit corridor. Three men were playing dice at the far table. They sprang to their feet as Zhu Chao stepped into the light.

'Bring the prisoners to the Inner Sanctum,' he said.

'Lord!' pulsed Casta, his voice triumphant.