[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Erejzan massaged the back of his neck, working kinks from too-tense muscles. "I thought the Skull Breakers were awful enough," he said. "Must we fight more monsters?" "Many more, I fear." "Vraduir?" "Beyond those ridges," Tyrus said. "Very near. He is watching, and he is not watching. He senses that another sorkra is somewhere about. But he does not know who I am or precisely how far I have come into his territory. And he is still quite intent on Jathelle's army. They seem to be making a fine show to the westward. Vraduir is uncertain if that is a genuine threat or a mere nuisance he can ignore." Erejzan addressed the distant warlord, "Keep his attention fast, Lord General Zlan. Hold him, and we will tear out his evil heart!" Involuntarily Tyrus winced. Blood called to blood, even after all Vraduir had done. He had pondered this often the past year. Did he have the will to slay his own sire? Would not the gods curse him forever if he did? Tyrus forced his thoughts from that. "Before we confront Vraduir, we must try to rescue his victims. I hope Uissa and the harper of Atei and the peasants are still alive." "Uissa& " Erejzan stared into nothing. "Tyrus, I& I have never felt so about a woman. I was no moon calf ere Vraduir enchanted me. I have known women. But Uissa& it is as if our souls are bound, as if she owns Page 106 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html the spirit of my poor, lost Dalaen. I did not think I would ever taste such sweetness again. We will save her! I vow it on my very life!" Jathelle was walking toward them and she heard his final words. "Your resolve is companion to my own, Erejzan." Her face was ashen and tear-streaked, and much of her braids had come loose during the struggle in the Forest. With a tremble in her voice, she exclaimed, "But the cost& !" Suddenly, she was swaying and would have fallen if Tyrus had not hastily put his arms about her. Jathelle clung to him helplessly and he embraced her more tightly, pillowing her head on his shoulder. He had acted instinctively, out of kind concern. But as he held Jathelle close, much more personal sensations stirred, ones most pleasant. Above Jathelle's fair head, Tyrus saw Aubage glaring at him jealously. Jathelle was not his betrothed and Aubage owned no claim or right to her affections at all. Yet it was obvious he bitterly resented any other man who won her favor. He seemed especially furious that it was Tyrus who was so honored and that Jathelle leaned upon him without any care for rank or birth. Tyrus answered Aubage's red-faced anger with a coldly superior smile, perversely enjoying the situation. Erejzan had fetched a waterskin and steadied Jathelle's shaking hands as she drank. Gradually, color came back to her cheeks and she thanked him with a smile. Then she said in some embarrassment, "I& I did not mean to play the frail damsel." Tyrus sensed she wanted to prove her strength and stand alone. As she moved out of his arms, he felt bereft. Jathelle said earnestly, "I will not yield to such weakness again." "There is no shame in it, and I did not mind. It was a harrowing experience for all of us, LaRenya." The brigands had recuperated faster than the others in one way, for reasons of greed. They were squatting around an open saddle pack, snarling and arguing. One of the deserters' horses had eluded the Skull Breakers and escaped the Forest with the rest of the animals. Its dead owner's pack carried his share of the coins and gems Jathelle had given him. His heirs now bickered over the treasure. Tyrus shook his head in disgust and turned away from that ugly scene as Jathelle said, "Dorche came of one of Couredh's bravest tribes. This is such a cruel death for him to suffer." "You are not blaming yourself?" Tyrus asked and quickly added, "We are all at risk, LaRenya. You as much as the others. The gods will choose when we will die and who will live. Your grief is an adornment he will carry with him to Keth's gates." "I will make sacrifices in his name when we return to Couredh." "An honor and a proper lament for him who died in good cause." "Did he?" Aubage cut in sharply. "Dorche died for this quest of yours, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |