"Rella, how did you get here?" I asked, stumbling grace-lessly to my feet.
When I heard the hiss of amusement, I turned to find Shikrar on the other side of me. I nodded to him, trying to hide my disappointment at seeing bronze instead of silver.
"Is there any word from Akor?" I asked. "Has anyone found Marik?"
"Lord Akhor bespoke me not long since, Lady," replied Shikrar. "He has overflown the Gedri camp, and says that Mistress Rella speaks truly—all is being removed and taken in darkness to the southern shore. Of Marik there is nor sight nor smell."
"Well, there wouldn't be, would there?" said Rella. "He's been in once and out again and you none the wiser. Have you something he would want, some treasure perhaps? He's here to make his fortune, sure and certain, and if the camp is all broke down he'll take what he's after and straight to the ship with it."
''By the treaty he must meet with us at dawn to tell us he is leaving," said Shikrar, obviously distressed at this reminder of Marik's ability to come and go unnoticed. "If he does not, we are within our rights to attack him."
I could swear Shikrar looked pleased at the idea. I couldn't blame him. So was I.
"Yes, well, he's sure to stick to the treaty, isn't he?" said Rella wryly.
"Why not have all the Kindred go to their own chambers and stay there?" I asked. "If there is something he seeks in one of these caves, I'd guess that finding it occupied would slow him down, at the very least."
"It is well spoken," replied Shikrar. He called out aloud to those of the Kindred who were still nearby. ''Let us return to our homes, my people, and each keep safe his own dwelling. When the intruder is found, the Council will resume. This is the counsel of the Eldest and the Keeper of Souls."
And the Dragons melted away like ice in sunshine, swift and silent, until only Shikrar stood with Rella and me. "I too must go, the Chamber of Souls must be guarded," he said, and suddenly the idea of waiting helplessly so far away and so alone terrified me.
"Let us come with you," I said, ashamed of my fear but sure of what I asked. Shikrar looked surprised, so I added, "We can't go into Akor's chambers. I suspect Rishkaan would take his chances with the Council and kill me if he had half a chance, despite Kédra. And if Marik comes here, hidden from sight and sound—well, it wouldn't be as clean as Rishkaan, but the end would be the same. Please, Shikrar," I begged, despising myself. Just like the idiots in the ballads. Damn.
I did not recognise the Attitude Shikrar took on, but his voice sounded an odd mixture of annoyance and approval. ''Very well. Come, we must hurry. Both of you sit upon my neck, as Akhor bore you, Lanen. It will be the swiftest." And he put his head on the ground.
I was just reaching out to clamber onto his neck when with a hiss and a deep rumbling growl he sat bolt upright, knocking me to the ground, his head whipping round to the southeast as though his gaze would pierce darkness, distance and all. My heart dropped into my stomach, for I knew the instant he did. I cannot imagine how, but I knew, even before Akor's cry echoed in my mind.
The soulgems of the Lost.
Marik had them.
I was stabbed with the theft as with a lance of ice, as I rode the night wind to the north and west seeking I knew not what. My back arched, my neck snapped skyward and I split the night with a plume of Fire to hallow my vengeance, for I was seized in that instant with a purpose beside which all else was nought. I would save the Lost Ones from this final desecration or die in the attempt.
I cried out to Lanen, a wordless cry of loss and desolation, as in my soul I knew this must be the death of all our words in Council. I turned on the wind and flew fast as thought, calling to Shikrar as I went. "Shikrar, Keeper of Souls, command me!"
''Akhor, soulfriend, meet me at the Chamber of Souls,'' cried Shikrar, his mindvoice faint in despair.''Lost, lost, twice cursed and twice bereft, all my ancestors bear me witness I will have them back!''
We are brothers in the soul, after all.
Shikrar crouched to fly but I cried out, aloud and in true-speech, ''Eldest, leave me not here! I know what has befallen, I heard the Lost cry out as did you, bear me hence I beg you!''
I might as well have kept silence. "There is no time!" he cried, and sprang into the night with a clap of his vast wings. It blew us over.
"Damn," I said aloud, as Rella and I stood and brushed ourselves off as Shikrar disappeared. "What in all the Hells is going on?" she asked. "I'll tell you as we run," I replied and was starting to follow after Shikrar when behind and above me I heard a roar like nothing on earth. I threw myself to the ground from sheer instinct and felt the wind batter me, heard the clap of Dragon wings, and watched as another took to the skies. It was hard to tell in the moonlight, but it was too large and too bright for Kédra and I only knew of one other nearby—one whose bright copper hide would reflect moonlight well.
Rishkaan.
Damn, damn, damn!
''Kédra! Swiftly, to me!'' I cried, dragging Rella behind me, and met him coming out of Akor's chambers.
My legs are weak, my old pain has come back even as I run with this burden of wealth. I stumble as fast as I may.
Curse it, the sign Berys warned me of! A tingling at my throat, the amulet drags at my neck and sends sharp stabs into my heart with every step. The wound on my chest where I scratched myself with the spike burns with the nearness of Raksha-fire, and I cannot get rid of the high voices of the gems. How should gems speak? They are cursed, perhaps they are demons themselves, Lords of Hell what have I got?
My two hours are all but sped.
I cannot find the Boundary! How can this be, I returned only last night with no trouble—but the gems, they sing, I hear them try to speak, their sounds confuse me, I cannot see despite the bright moon. The gems and their golden cask drag at me. Hells and damnation, I have to get out of here!
I can only run and hope I will blunder into the Boundary by chance. Lords of Hell, guide my steps who seek to serve you. The first of these gems will I give in free offering to you, if you will get me past the Boundary. Hells and damnation. I hear in every breath their step behind me, feel every moment the hot wind that precedes my death. I saw the fury of the one who destroyed the demon, I know my life is forfeit if my amulet fades while still I walk in the forbidden lands. I remember the corpse of the youth who crossed over, I could not eat for days after—what will they do to me if they catch me with their greatest treasure?
Faster, man, faster! Hell's teeth, the gems are keening high and shrill, terror flows cold up my spine bone by bone, freezing my legs and my heart, threatening to leave me here forever, the frozen statue of a running man. Your life, Marik, stay alive! Run, run with what strength you have left, for the amulet beats now its pulse to match my heart, faster, faster—there!
Dark in the moonlight the Boundary rises before me, safety in wooden rails. Fast as thought, Marik, run, run—through! Through and beyond, tear off the damned amulet that bums now where it touches chest and hand, throw it from me. I slow, out of breath, I watch as it glows brightly once more, bright as it flashed at first, but the glow now is a rich red, like light through blood. It lies on the ground, gleaming brighter and brighter. I cannot look away, it fills my sight like a red star fallen to earth.
I tear my eyes away at last and run, now south, where the ship lies waiting that will carry me safe from this place of horror.