Constant anticipation?
Yes! Anticipation, as if those scenes are just out of reach you know? He lost his frenzied expression and his face resolved into a mask of thoughtfulness.
Yes, said Nakor softly. I know.
Beks features distorted once again. But if I do the things He held his hand open and looked at his palm. If I hit the girl. Hard. Really hard. Or if I ride the horse over the jump even if it guts itself on the fence or breaks a leg landing or if I run through the door and kill whoevers there
The dreams stop for a while, finished Nakor.
Yes! said Bek, standing up. You do understand! How do you know?
Because many years ago I had dreams, too.
Did they make you do things?
Nakor shrugged. If I acted on them they did stop for a while, yes. I became a gambler and if I cheated someone out of a lot of money, then the dreams would stop for a few days. I became a confidence trickster, and if I swindled someone, they would stop for a week or so. The greater the harm I did by cheating, lying and stealing, the longer I went without the dreams.
Bek shook his head. If I start a fight, or get someone to do something
Bad?
Bek shrugged. I dont understand bad or good, just know what I want to do. If I force someone to do something they dont want to do
Such as?
Bek said, About two years ago Drago and me were in a town near Lanada. Drago was this man I met at a whorehouse down there. We were both drunk and we took these two girls upstairs I dont know whose idea that was, his or mine. Beks eyes grew distant once more, as if he was seeing what he remembered. One of the whores liked being slapped around I always ask for those. This one was a tiger. Shed whoop and holler and scratch and bite. He fell silent for a moment, then shrugged. Anyway, somewhere along the way it got rougher than she liked, I suppose, because she went from whooping and hollering to crying and screaming. Drago grabbed my arm and told me to stop, so I killed him. Then both girls were screaming, so I killed them, too. Bek looked at Nakor. I really dont know how things got so out of hand, but they did.
Yes, they did.
Bek smiled, then said, But it feels good when things get out of control, you know?
Nakor stood. I do. He stepped over to stand next to Bek, who looked up at him with no change in his mad expression.
Youre going to hurt me now, arent you?
Yes, I am, said Nakor, putting out his hand over Beks head. As Bek began to move to defend himself, a light sprang from Nakors palm, freezing the large young warrior where he sat. His teeth clenched and his eyes started to roll in his head, and he began to make an odd sound. It began deep in his chest, a low grunting noise that rose in pitch as it made its way up to his throat where it became a raspy exhalation. The noise became louder, a higher-pitched shout of pain, which rose into agony.
It continued until Bek had no air left in his lungs to exhale, and could only shake uncontrollably. His teeth were still clenched and his face turned red. His eyes had now completely rolled backwards in their sockets, showing only the whites. Then he started turning a darker colour from red to purple and when his complexion approached blue, Nakor removed his hand.
A ragged gasp cut through the quiet as Bek shuddered and fell over backwards. He lay on the ground quivering and twitching, his eyes finally closed.
Nakor remained motionless, watching the huge youth shake like a man in a seizure. After a full five minutes, the frenzy subsided. Then Beks breathing slowed and he became still. He lay as if asleep for another five minutes, then groaned and opened his eyes.
He blinked twice, then settled his gaze on Nakor. Sitting up slowly, he said, That was amazing. He took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then he grinned. I liked it!
Nakor extended his hand and helped Bek to his feet. You enjoy pain?
Bek patted his body to ensure that nothing was damaged as he said, Sometimes I do. Pain wakes things up. It makes you alert, aware. At first theres that desire to pull away, to make it stop, but when it doesnt stop, you can go deeper into it, I suppose you could say. You break through the pain and on the other side theres He looked at Nakor as if fighting for the concept or word.
Clarity.
Beks eyes widened and he nodded. Yes! Clarity. Then you see things differently! Its like nothing else. The pain turns into a feeling like nothing I can describe. But you know what I mean!
Nakor nodded. Sadly, I do.
What did you do to me?
Its just a trick I know, said Nakor. Theres something inside of you, the thing that makes you the way you are. I had to find it, then I had to confine it.
Bek stood with his hands on his chest as if feeling for something. Confined? I dont feel any different.
Nakor turned, looking over the horizon. I know. But for a while youll find yourself less inclined to cause trouble. And you wont dream either. He turned back towards Bek. The day is still young and I need to do some work. Im going to leave you here for a few minutes. Ill be back shortly. He reached into his rucksack and took out a golden-coloured orb. He pushed a preset button and vanished.
Pug looked up as Nakor appeared in his study. What is it?
Remember that youth I mentioned in my message yesterday?
The one who tested Tomas? Of course.
Ive had suspicions about him since the moment he arrived at the cave, and now Im certain.
Certain of what, Nakor?
I told you about the gods dreams and memories. But what have I told you of fragments?
Pug said, That occasionally a god will manifest his power directly in a mortal. A tiny piece of the god is placed within the soul of a person. Why?
I dont believe it any longer. I know it. Bek is such a person.
Youre certain?
Yes, and he is both a great opportunity and a great danger.
Pugs eyes narrowed as he stared at Nakor. Go on.
I used a trick that I have to touch something inside a person. Its handy when you want to know if someone has something unusual inside them, like being possessed by a demon.
I can see where that would be handy.
Nakor said, It also helps you know when someones lying to you. But thats not whats important. When I searched Bek, I found the tiniest fragment of a god. The smallest possible manifestation of divine consciousness, and with it the powers that make Bek so dangerous and unpredictable.
Pug, Bek possesses a fraction of the Nameless One.
Pug sat back, his face an expression of pure astonishment, followed an instant later by alarm. Youre sure?
Absolutely. I am certain.
Pug sat back. What does this mean?
It means that forces are at play on a larger scale than we suspected, for if the Nameless One can manifest even the tiniest part of his being here
Eventually he will be able to manifest his full being.
Yes, Pug. Nakor looked at his friend of many years. He has found his way back into Midkemia. And we must find a way to prevent his return.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Conspiracy
THE RIDERS CAME TO A HALT.
The three dust-covered figures stood on the crest of a rise on the road from Khallara to the city of Kesh. Caleb pointed to the lights playing against the underside of clouds in the distance and said, Thats Kesh.
Zane asked, How big is it?
Caleb dismounted. Very big. Its the biggest city in the world.
They had been riding for four days long enough for the boys to gain more experience on horseback and cover themselves in enough road grime and sweat to convince the guards at the city gates that they had ridden all the way from the Vale of Dreams. Even if they had traded for fresh mounts along the way, the journey should have taken three months or more. But the boys were quickly learning that their stepfather had resources they could not have possibly imagined a year before.
They had all left Stardock the day after the wedding, ostensibly returning north to some vague destination where Calebs family lived. Instead, once they were clear of the town, Caleb had used one of those spheres that the boys had come to think of as travel orbs, to transport himself, Marie and the boys to Sorcerers Isle.
Caleb had taken a full day to acquaint his new wife with his family and the decidedly unexpected inhabitants of the island. Most of the concepts behind the place great magic, alien words and travel to them, races not of Midkemia were understandably lost on her, though he knew that shed come to understand in time. But her poise when confronting the many unexpected sights, pleased Caleb, as did her attempts to be at ease with his parents. He was even more pleased by her obvious joy at their living quarters, which were palatial compared to what she had known in Stardock, and that she gained the affection of his parents easily.
The one tense moment had arrived with the appearance of the six sisters of the Pithirendar, bedecked in garlands of white oleanders and little else, to welcome the boys back to the island. Their overt displays of affection were more than Marie could bear to watch.
Caleb had steered her away from the reunion and had said, Much of what you see here will be strange, but keep one thing in mind above all others: there is no one on this island who wishes you or the boys aught but good.
Glancing over her shoulder at the girls who had thrown their arms around her sons necks, she had frowned. That appears to be a little more than good, Caleb.
Youre from Stardock, Marie. Youve seen different people from the Kingdom and the Empire. Each nation has different customs and beliefs. Youve already seen everything one can imagine about people.
Ive not seen green-skinned girls trying to undress my boys in broad daylight!
Caleb had laughed at that. They only want the boys to go swimming with them. He pointed. My father built a lake down there before I was born
He built a lake?
because my mother hated walking all the way to the beach to go swimming. Anyway, the youth of the Pithirendar need to spend a great deal of time in or near water. Its vital for their health.
Marie hadnt looked convinced, but Caleb had understood that for mothers, sons never truly grow up. He knew that from personal experience.
They had spent one more night together, and the next morning, Caleb and the boys had left Sorcerers Isle. They had used an orb to reach a stable in Landreth owned by the Conclave and then used it again to transport themselves to the road upon which they now travelled.
Caleb unsaddled his horse and the boys did the same. Why arent we pushing on now? asked Tad. The lights look close.
Because theyre not. Its a half a days ride to the foul borough outside the ancient wall and then another two hours of riding to reach the gates. Well be there by late afternoon tomorrow.
Zane put his saddle down and tied off his horse where he could crop grass by the road. Kneeling he said, It must be big. Ive never seen so many lights in the sky.
Thousands of lanterns and torches, Zane, said Caleb.
Tad joined his foster brother and they both watched the city in the distance which appeared brighter in contrast to the darkening sky.
Caleb made a fire and after they had eaten their rations, he sat back and said, Again.
The boys looked at one another, and Tad gestured that Zane should begin.
Youre a trader from the Vale, by the name of Caleb.
Tad added, I think we can remember that much.
Caleb picked up a pebble and tossed it at him. Tad grinned as he dodged it easily. We are your two very talented, very bright and able, handsome, and very brave apprentices, Tad and Zane.
Zane nodded. Also easy enough to remember.
What do we trade?
Tad said, Anything and everything. We are always looking for rare items of great worth to sell in the Kingdom. Gems, jewellery, fine craftsmanship, anything that is easy to transport and renders a large profit.
But we dont carry large amounts of gold, Zane added. We deal in letters of credit, and know money lenders from here up to Krondor.
Why are you not with your master?
Zane said, He has sent us out into the bazaar to seek out items that nobles and wealthy commoners in the north might wish to purchase. If we see something noteworthy, we report it to our master who returns to judge if the item is worth purchasing.
Tad added, We are not permitted to bind our master to any transaction and if we give the impression of committing to a sale we shall be severely beaten.
Caleb kept drilling the boys in their story and provided them with enough basic questions and things to look out for to allow them to pass as traders apprentices. Then he started running them through the other things they needed to know: who to contact if something happened to him, places they could find a safe haven, and finally, what to do if they knew he was dead.
He saved that point for last, for he wanted to impress on the boys just how dangerous the way before them might prove. It had taken several conversations to convince them that he was not overstating the danger of belonging to his family and working on behalf of those on Sorcerers Isle.
The boys turned in and Caleb took the first watch. He noticed how quickly Tad and Zane fell asleep. In the flickering light of the campfire, they looked like the boys they had been, rather than like the men they were becoming. For not the first time he silently prayed he had not overestimated their potential, or underestimated his own ability to keep them safe.
The three rode slowly through the crowds, trying to navigate while the boys gawked at the exotic sights of Kesh. It was just as Caleb had promised a city unlike any other on the world of Midkemia.
They had come to appreciate the incredible scale of the place about mid-morning, after they had seen the upper city and the citadel on top of the plateau overlooking the lower city and the shores of the Overn Deep. From a distance it had looked like the top of a faraway mountain, but as they approached, the view resolved itself into what it was a massive palace surrounded by a fortress-city, built high above every approach from land or by water: the heart of the Empire of Great Kesh.