My Lord, the man blubbered, I cant even if you torture me to death.
Ulath slid down from his saddle and approached the cringing captive. Oh, stop that, the Genidian said. He raised a hand, palm outstretched, over the prisoners head and spoke in a harsh, grating language Sparhawk did not understand but uneasily suspected was not a human tongue. The captured mercenarys eyes went blank, and he fell to his knees. Falteringly and with absolutely no expression in his voice, he began to speak in the same language as Ulath had.
Hes been bound in a spell, the Genidian Knight reported. Nothing we could have done to him would have made him talk.
The mercenary went on in that dreadful language, speaking more rapidly now.
There were two who hired him, Ulath translated, a hooded Styric and a man with white hair.
Martel! Kalten exclaimed.
Very likely, Sparhawk agreed.
The prisoner spoke again.
It was the Styric who put the spell on him, Ulath said. Its one Im not familiar with.
I dont think I am either, Sparhawk admitted. Well see if Sephrenia knows it.
Oh, Ulath added, thats one other thing. This attack was directed at her.
What?
The orders these men had were to kill the Styric woman.
Kalten! Sparhawk barked, but the blond man was already spurring his horse.
What about him? Tynian pointed at the prisoner.
Let him go, Sparhawk shouted as he galloped off after Kalten. Come on!
As they rode over the hilltop, Sparhawk looked back. The two strange Pandions were nowhere in sight. Then, up ahead, he saw them. A group of men had surrounded the rocky knoll where Kurik had hidden Sephrenia and the others. The two black-armoured knights were sitting on their horses coolly between the attackers and the knoll. They were making no effort to fight, but merely stood their ground. As Sparhawk watched, one of the attackers launched a javelin which appeared to pass directly through the body of one of the black-armoured Pandions with no visible effect.
Faran! Sparhawk barked. Run! It was something he seldom did. He called upon Farans loyalty instead of his training. The big horse shuddered slightly, then stretched himself out in a run that quickly outdistanced the others.
The attackers numbered perhaps ten men. They were recoiling visibly from the two shadowy Pandions blocking their path. Then one of them looked around and saw Sparhawk descending upon them with the others rushing along behind him, and he shouted a warning. After a moment of stunned paralysis, the shabby attackers bolted, fleeing across the meadow, fleeing in a kind of panic Sparhawk had seldom seen in professionals. He charged up the side of the outcrop with Farans steel-shod hooves striking sparks from the stones. Just below the crest, he reined in. Is everybody all right? he called to Kurik.
Were fine, Kurik replied, looking over the hasty breastwork of stone he and Berit had erected. It was touch and go until those two knights got here, though. Kuriks eyes looked a bit wild as he stared at the pair who had warded off the assailants. Sephrenia came up to the breastwork beside him, and her face was deathly pale.
Sparhawk turned to the two strange Pandions. I think its time for introductions, brothers, he said, and some explanations.
The two made no reply. He looked at them a bit more closely. The horses upon which they sat now appeared even more skeletal, and Sparhawk shuddered as he saw that the animals had no eyes, but only vacant eye sockets, and that their bones protruded through their tattered coats. Then the two knights removed their helmets. Their faces seemed somehow filmy and indistinct, almost transparent, and they, too, were eyeless. One of them appeared very young, and he had butter-coloured hair. The other was old, and his hair was white. Sparhawk recoiled slightly. He knew both of them; he knew that they both were dead.
Sir Sparhawk, the ghost of Parasim said, his voice hollow and emotionless, pursue thy quest with diligence. Time will not stay for thee.
Why have you returned from the House of the Dead? Sephrenia asked the two in a profoundly formal tone. Her voice was trembling.
Our oath hath the power to bring us out of the shadows if need be, little mother, the form of Lakus replied, his voice also hollow and void of all emotion. Others will also fall, and our company will increase ere the Queen returns to health. The hollow-eyed shade turned then to Sparhawk. Guard well our beloved mother, Sparhawk, for she is in grave peril. Should she fall, our deaths are without purpose, and the Queen will die.
I will, Lakus, Sparhawk promised.
Know also one last thing. In Ehlanas death, thou shalt lose more than a queen. The darkness hovers at the gate, and Ehlana is our only hope of light. Then the two of them shimmered and vanished.
The four other knights came charging up the rocky slope and reined in. Kaltens face was pallid and he was visibly trembling. Who were they? he asked.
Parasim and Lakus, Sparhawk replied quietly.
Parasim? Hes dead.
Sos Lakus.
Ghosts?
So it would seem.
Tynian dismounted and pulled off his massive helmet. He was also pale and sweating. Ive dabbled at times in necromancy, he said, though not usually by choice. Usually a spirit has to be summoned, but sometimes theyll appear on their own particularly if they left something important unfinished.
This was important, Sparhawk said bleakly.
Was there something else you wanted to tell us, Sparhawk? Ulath asked then. You seem to have left a few things out.
Sparhawk looked at Sephrenia. Her face was still deathly pale, but she straightened and nodded to him.
Sparhawk took a deep breath. The spell that sustains Ehlana and keeps her sealed in that crystal was the result of the combined efforts of Sephrenia and twelve Pandions, he explained.
Id been sort of wondering how you did that, Tynian said.
Theres only one problem with it, Sparhawk continued. The Knights will die one by one until only Sephrenia is left.
And then? Bevier asked, his voice shaking.
Then I will also depart, Sephrenia replied simply.
A stifled sob escaped the young Cyrinic. Not while I have breath, he said in a choked voice.
Someone, however, is trying to speed things up, Sparhawk went on. This is the third attempt on Sephrenias life since we left Cimmura.
But I have survived them, she said as if they were of no moment. Were you able in any way to identify the people behind this attack?
Martel and some Styric, Kalten told her. The Styric had put a spell on the mercenaries to keep them from talking, but Ulath broke it somehow. He spoke with a prisoner in a language I didnt understand. The man answered in the same tongue.
She looked inquiringly at the Thalesian knight.
We spoke in the language of the Trolls, Ulath shrugged. Its a nonhuman tongue, so it circumvented the spell.
She stared at him in horror. You called upon the Troll-Gods? she gasped.
Sometimes its necessary, Lady, he replied. Its not too dangerous, if youre careful.
We spoke in the language of the Trolls, Ulath shrugged. Its a nonhuman tongue, so it circumvented the spell.
She stared at him in horror. You called upon the Troll-Gods? she gasped.
Sometimes its necessary, Lady, he replied. Its not too dangerous, if youre careful.
Beviers face was tear-streaked. An it please you, my Lord Sparhawk, he said, I shall personally undertake the protection of the Lady Sephrenia. I shall remain constantly at this valiant ladys side, and should there be further encounters, I pledge you my life that she shall not be harmed.
A brief expression of consternation crossed Sephrenias face, and she looked appealingly at Sparhawk.
Probably not a bad idea, he said, ignoring her unspoken objection. All right then, Bevier. Stay with her.
Sephrenia gave him a withering look.
Are we going to get the dead under the ground? Tynian asked.
Sparhawk shook his head. We dont have time to be gravediggers. My brothers are dying one by one, and Sephrenias at the end of the list. If we see some peasants, well tell them where the bodies are. The loot theyll get will more than pay for the digging. Lets move along.
Borrata was a university town that had grown up around the stately buildings of the oldest centre of higher learning in Eosia. On occasion in the past, the Church had strongly urged that the institution be moved to Chyrellos, but the faculty had always resisted that notion, obviously desiring to maintain their independence and the absence of Church supervision.
Sparhawk and his companions took rooms in one of the local inns late in the afternoon on the day they arrived. The inn was more comfortable and certainly cleaner than the roadside ones in which they had stayed in Elenia and here in Cammoria.
The following morning, Sparhawk put on his mail coat and his heavy woollen cloak.
Do you want us to go with you? Kalten asked as his friend came down into the common room on the main floor of the inn.
No, Sparhawk replied. Lets not turn it into a parade. The university isnt very far from here, and I can protect Sephrenia along the way.
Sir Bevier looked as if he were about to protest. He had taken his self-appointed role as Sephrenias protector very seriously, seldom moving more than a few feet from her side during the journey to Borrata. Sparhawk looked at the earnest young Cyrinic. I know youve been keeping watch outside her door every night, Bevier, he said. Why dont you get some sleep? You wont be much good to her or the rest of us if you fall out of your saddle.
Beviers face stiffened.
He didnt mean it personally, Bevier, Kalten said. Sparhawk just hasnt quite figured out the meaning of the word diplomatic yet. Were all hoping that someday it might come to him.
Bevier smiled faintly, then he laughed. I think it might take me some time to adjust to you Pandions, he said.
Look upon it as educational, Kalten suggested.
You know that if you and the Lady are successful in finding that cure, were likely to encounter all kinds of trouble on the way back to Cimmura, Tynian said to Sparhawk. Well probably run into whole armies trying to stop us.
Madel, Ulath suggested cryptically, or Sarrinium.
I dont quite follow, Tynian admitted.
Those armies you mentioned will try to block the road to Chyrellos to keep us from getting there and then on into Elenia. If we ride south to either of those seaports, we can hire a ship and sail around to Vardenais on the west coast of Elenia. Its faster to travel by sea anyway.
Lets decide that after we find the cure, Sparhawk said.
Sephrenia came down the stairs with Flute. Are you ready then? she asked.
Sparhawk nodded.
She spoke briefly to Flute. The little girl nodded and crossed the room to where Talen sat. Youve been selected, Talen, Sephrenia told the boy. Watch over her while Im gone.
But he started to object.
Just do as she says, Talen, Kurik told him wearily.
I was going to go out and have a look around.
No, his father said, as a matter of fact, you werent.
Talens expression grew sulky. All right, he said as Flute climbed up into his lap.
Since the university grounds were so close, Sparhawk decided against taking their horses, and he and Sephrenia walked through the narrow streets of Borrata. The small woman looked around. I havent been here in a long time, she murmured.
I cant imagine what interest a university could hold for you, Sparhawk smiled, considering your views on reading.
I wasnt studying, Sparhawk. I was teaching.
I should have guessed, I suppose. How are you getting on with Bevier?
Fine except that he wont let me do anything for myself and that he keeps trying to convert me to the Elene faith. Her tone was slightly tart.
Hes just trying to protect you your soul as well as your person.
Are you trying to be funny?
He decided not to answer that.
The grounds of the University of Borrata were parklike, and students and members of the faculty strolled contemplatively across the well-kept lawns.
Sparhawk stopped a young man in a lime-green doublet. Excuse me, neighbour, he said, but could you direct me to the medical college?
Are you ill?
No. A friend of mine is though.
Ah. The physicians occupy that building over there. The student pointed at a squat-looking structure made of grey stone.
Thank you, neighbour.
I hope your friend gets better soon.
So do we.
When they entered the building, they encountered a rotund man in a black robe.
Excuse me, sir, Sephrenia said to him. Are you a physician?
I am.
Splendid. Have you a few moments?
The rotund man had been looking closely at Sparhawk. Sorry, he said curtly. Im busy.
Could you direct us to one of your colleagues, then?
Try any door, he said, waving his hand and walking quickly away from them.
Thats an odd attitude for a healer, Sparhawk said.
Every profession attracts its share of louts, she replied.
They crossed the antechamber and Sparhawk rapped on a dark-painted door.
What is it? a weary voice said.
We need to consult a physician.
There was a long pause. Oh, all right, the weary voice replied, come in.
Sparhawk opened the door and held it for Sephrenia.
The man seated behind the cluttered desk in the cubicle had deep circles beneath his eyes, and it appeared that he had forgone shaving some weeks ago. What is the nature of your illness? he asked Sephrenia in a voice hovering on exhaustion.
Im not the one whos ill, she replied.
Him, then? The doctor pointed at Sparhawk. He looks robust enough to me.
No, she said. Hes not ill either. Were here on behalf of a friend.
I dont go to peoples houses.
We werent asking you to do that, Sparhawk said.
Our friend lives some distance away, Sephrenia said. We thought that if we described her symptoms to you, you might be able to hazard a guess as to the cause of her malady.