Part 36 (1/2)

'How do you know?' asked Valko.

The ma.s.sive warrior turned and with a grin that was nearly demonic said, 'I know. You are safe. The Dark One is busy and will not return. He is leaving this world very soon. I can go now.' Suddenly a crimson light shone around the large warrior and he fell over.

A disembodied voice said, 'I am Kantas-Barat! I have returned.'

The Deathknights looked from one to another, and Father Juwon said, 'The old G.o.ds are returning!'

Hirea hurried over to Bek and examined him. Looking up, he said, 'He's dead!'

Martuch shook his head. 'That one has been dead a long time, I think. Whatever was inside him has no more use for him. I hope for a good cause.' To those a.s.sembled, he raised his voice. 'Come, it's time to end this insanity and begin rebuilding our nation.'

Most cheered, including Valko, but he looked out of the window at the city in turmoil, with fires and smoke everywhere, and he knew that despite this feigned optimism, the conflict was not yet over.

Pug dozed. He came awake with a start and looked around.

'What?'

'Father,' said Magnus. 'What is it?'

'Something...' He stood up and looked off into the night. 'Something's changing.'

He had been lying inside a tent hastily erected near the command pavilion occupied by the Emperor and his generals. He looked around and saw the ma.s.sive rift a short distance away, torchlight casting the entire tableau into an eerie chiaroscuro, punctuated by flickering amber and red glows.

The stream of refugees was now a river, and as he silently watched, hundreds walked through the rift and into another world.

'How many?' he asked Magnus.

'No one knows, Father. Maybe a million by now, through all the gates. Maybe more.'

'Maybe less.'

Magnus shook his head in resignation. 'We're doing all we can.'

'Where's the sphere?'

'It's about fifty miles north of the City of the Plains.'

Pug almost wept. When he had last asked, it had been over a hundred miles away. He let out a long breath. 'Unless something miraculous happens, we will lose the rifts by late afternoon tomorrow.'

Magnus knew what his father was saying. All rifts off this world had to be closed before the Dark One reached them. If he was to take Kelewan, so be it. They could regroup on Midkemia and decide how best to confine him to this world, if that was possible.

But if he managed to gain access to the new Tsurani world or to Midkemia, the horror they had been watching here for days would repeat itself eventually.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew everything back as a huge thunder peal sounded around them. Lightning danced across the surface of the Black Mount and Pug shouted, 'Now! Get the Emperor through that gate!'

Imperial Guards raced to the command tent.

'What happened?' asked Magnus.

'I don't know, but we don't have until late afternoon tomorrow.'

The Black Mount was not fifty miles north of the city any more. It was now less than a mile north of the rifts, which meant that at least a million people had been swallowed up by it.

Pug felt tears come unbidden.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - Oblivion.

THE DASATI ATTACKED.

The screaming alerted Pug and the other magicians who had congregated around the Emperor's pavilion. The argument had been underway for the better part of an hour, all decorum and rank put aside.

The young ruler was being intransigent about staying to the very last, and finally Pug said, 'Majesty, no one here doubts your heart or your bravery. We know that you die each time one of your subjects is taken, but your people, more than ever, need your guidance.'

He indicated the sea of faces crowded around the large tent, looking in through the large opening, waiting to hear the Light of Heaven's order. Pug saw priests and high priests of every order, remaining close in case the Emperor ordered them to fight to the death. Pug's hand inscribed an arc in the air, encompa.s.sing everyone outside. 'Your brave Tsurani n.o.bles are for the most part dead, and each of them gave their lives dearly. That leaves you with only children to claim the t.i.tles of Ruling Lords, and a frightened populace. Your people are good people, honest and hard-working, but they will need guidance. Order your magicians and priests, and whoever is left of the n.o.bility, through the rift now.'

He could hear the fighting approaching, no more than a few hundred yards away. 'Soon panic will set in and no one will be able to get through the rift... before I must close it!'

The Emperor looked determined. 'No, Great One. I will fight.'

Pug felt exasperated. This was not the time for youthful defiance. But he realized he was talking to a young man whose every whim had been obeyed for most of his life. 'Sire, have you heard the tale of Emperor Ichindar, the ninety-first emperor, at the first peace talks between the Empire and the Kingdom of the Isles?'

'No,' said the young ruler, suddenly uncertain as to where this conversation was going.

'Good,' said Pug, and he put out his hand. The young Emperor's eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed. Half a dozen Imperial Guards drew their swords and Pug shouted, 'Hold! The Light of Heaven merely sleeps.'

The Emperor's First Adviser Chomata chuckled. 'I know that story, Great One. It was Kasumi of the s.h.i.+nzawai who knocked Emperor Ichindar unconscious so that he could be taken back through the rift to safety.'

'Good,' said Pug. 'You can explain it to him when he revives.'

To two guards he said, 'Pick up the Emperor and bear him through the rift. '

General Alenburga looked at Pug and then turned to face the throng outside the door. With the tent flaps pulled back, he had an almost panoramic view of the distant battle. He looked down at the faces of those waiting to be told what to do next. 'You, the priests and magicians and remaining ruling lords, if you love your nation, it is time. Go through the rift and care for your people. Build a new Tsuranuanni. Go!'

Many hesitated, but many moved the moment the order was given towards a smaller rift Pug had prepared to get the command staff away to safety. Magnus said, 'Father, what about you?'

'I'm staying a little longer,' Pug said. 'It's all but over here, but there are things I alone can do, and they must be done.'

'What shall I tell Mother?'

'Tell her under no circ.u.mstances is she to return here.' He looked out at the distant fighting. 'Tell her I love her and I will be home soon.'