Demonstorm

'And is what we do for you any different? It is slow but we will be overwhelmed eventually. That is, unless we disrupt their chain of command and damage their morale and belief now. Now.'

'I'm sorry, Tessaya, but I will not commit my mages and warriors to battles they cannot win. Their souls are vulnerable in a way yours are not.'

'Vulnerability is no excuse for cowardice.' Tessaya took a pace towards Dystran, feeling his anger infuse his body. 'And that is what you are. You and all those that follow you and do your bidding. Cowards deserving of nothing but my contempt.'

'I will not stand by and let that slur stain me,' said the soldier Tessaya didn't recognise.

'And who are you, hiding behind your ruler's platitudes?'

'I am Chandyr, commander of the Xeteskian armies, such as they are.'

'Then stand by me, Chandyr. Fight for your freedom. You are clearly no stranger to battle. And you, Captain Suarav, my words do not apply to one such as you.'

'Chandyr, you will not walk outside of this complex without my express permission,' spat Dystran. T will not have this man making demands in my college.'

Chandyr walked calmly in front of Dystran. 'Go ahead and hide, Dystran. I will not do so. The fact is that Tessaya speaks wisely and you know he does. All stood here know that your decisions are based on your fear of the order of power should the demons be defeated and you will risk all of us to hang onto that power.'

'Commander Chandyr, I will say this just once,' began Dystran.

'Save it for someone who will listen,' said Chandyr. He tore the insignia from his chest and arms. 'I resign my commission and fight as a free man. And I encourage any who despair of your weakness to do the same.' Chandyr smiled. 'What of your power now? To cast to stop me you will have to place yourself at risk. I would like to see that, I really would. At least it would show some courage.'

Behind Chandyr, Tessaya nodded, knowing this man had true spirit. Here was a man he could respect and trust to fight next to him. Chandyr turned to him.

'Lord Tessaya, I place myself at your command.'

'As do I,' said Suarav.

'And already you are heroes. Come, let us do that which your leader dare not and try to save us all.' He jabbed a finger at Dystran. 'You have until dawn to schedule your remaining warriors and mages to the defence of this college or I will do it for you. Pheone, Dila'heth, I urge you, work with me.'

He turned and strode from the dome,.his heart swelling with new belief and his brain racing with the possibilities. Should they defeat the demons, he would be the most powerful man on Balaia. He roared a battle cry and charged back into the fray in the dying light of a freezing day, his warriors at his back.

'How long is the journey?' asked Denser.

T don't know,' said Hirad. 'But they are coming. We'll have warning, I'm sure.'

He turned his head to the scene outside the cave. Demons crowded the entrance. Some strains he recognised, some he did not. In the darkening sky, he saw reavers hovering, screeching orders at the lesser demons in front of them. He saw ul-karron beating on the face of the Cone; and there were other, smaller wingless demons, completely hairless and pure white. Their thin fingers leeched into the Cone, trying to disrupt the construct. So far it was holding but there were signs of stress on Eilaan's face.

'How long can he hold on?' asked Thraun.

'Hard to say,' said Erienne. 'He will let us know if he comes under serious threat.'

The cave was quiet and warm. They were trying to relax. Erienne had slept for a long period and looked a little refreshed. Ark and The Unknown also slept as did the elven warrior trio. Outside, the cacophony would be undimmed but Denser's casting of a Sound-Bell had shut off the din, leaving them in a bubble of relative calm.

'We know Denser can cast the same spell. What can you do?' asked Hirad.

'Something similar but I'd be loath to try it. I need my strength, Hirad, and I don't need to experiment with new castings right now.'

'But if we had to call on you?'

'Hirad, do you really have to ask?'

The barbarian smiled. 'No. Just making conversation. All right,

let's try something else. How far does Eilaan reckon the power source is?'

'Close. Probably no more than a short run,' said Denser. 'It's impossible to say after that.'

'What will it be?'

Denser scratched at his beard. 'Gods, Hirad, how the hell do you expect me to know that? All we can tell is that it's a massive mana construct and it is driving mana out of this dimension and obviously into ours. There's still a significant density here but it's interesting that where we landed there was a relative lack. Whatever it is they have done, it is attracting mana into a huge concentration to pump it out.'

'What's interesting about that?'

'Well, that as far as our writings are concerned, what is happening is impossible. That makes whoever is doing this very powerful indeed. And we have to kill it or them. And that's after we get through the hordes waiting outside our front door.'

'Should be fun.'

T very much doubt it,' said Erienne.

'Now, surely it's your turn to get some rest, Hirad,' said Denser.

'What makes you say that?'

'Because your inane questioning is setting my teeth on edge.'

Hirad thought to retort but when he considered it, was too tired. The hours they'd had behind the ForceCone had allowed Denser and Erienne to deliver a few key healing casts and they were as fit as they would ever be. But nothing was going to take away the raw fatigue.

Hirad lay back on his pack, punching it into an acceptable pillow and trying to ignore the stink. He closed his eyes and was immediately suffused by feelings of warmth and speed.

'No time for rest, my Dragonene. We are come.'

Hirad shot to his feet. 'Game time, everyone. Hope you're feeling good. We're about to get help.'

Chapter 44

'Maces everyone, we aren't going to have spell back-up on the run. Mages, do whatever you can, just don't risk yourselves.'

The Unknown's words were bawled into the tumult from outside the ForceCone Eilaan still held. The Raven were formed up to run. Packs were discarded at the back of the cave, empty waterskins with them. The demons knew they were ready to break out. Their excitement had reached fever pitch and the thudding on the Force-Cone reached new pressure. Eilaan grunted.

'Just a little longer,' said Rebraal, his hand on the young mage's shoulder. 'You'll make a fine Al-Arynaar.'

'They have no idea what's about to happen,' said Hirad. 'No idea at all.'

He could feel the closeness of Sha-Kaan. The great dragon brought with him the largest assembly of his kind ever to fight together. It was going to be some spectacle. They were all homing in on Hirad's position and they all knew what they had to do. The only question remaining to be asked was whetiier they would prove to be enough.

They were just about to get their answer.

'Ready, Raven,' said Hirad. 'Here it comes.'

Hirad felt the jolt through him as Sha-Kaan entered the demon dimension. He heard the bark of die Great Kaan taken up by a thousand throats and the dragons joined the fight for survival. Shadows passed over the darkening landscape. Demon voices stilled then raised in alarm. Flame swept across the mouth of the cave and in a swath forty yards at least down the slope away from them. The demons in its path were simply obliterated, scorched to ash by the extraordinary heat. Never mind their mana protection, nothing withstood dragon breath.

'Yes!' Hirad punched the air. 'Come on Sha-Kaan.'

His mind warmed again. 'We are with you. You have safe exit.'

'Raven! Raven with me!'

Rebraal squeezed Eilaan's shoulder and the mage dispersed the ForceCone. He was dragged to his feet and the run began. Auum and Evunn sprinted from the cave and turned immediately right and away. The Raven followed in standard formation with Rebraal and Eilaan bringing up the rear.