This thing you saw, she said seriously. Was there anything else unusual about it?
I cant say for sure, but it seemed to have a sort of greenish light coming from its face. I noticed the same thing last night.
Her face grew bleak. I think wed better leave immediately, Sparhawk.
The soldiers dont know were here, he objected.
They will before long. Youve just described a Seeker. In Zemoch theyre used to hunt down runaway slaves. The lump on its back is caused by its wings.
Wings? Kalten said sceptically. Sephrenia, no animal has wings except maybe a bat.
This isnt an animal, Kalten, she replied. It more closely resembles an insect although neither term is very exact when youre talking about the creatures Azash summons.
I hardly think we need to worry about a bug, he said.
We do with this particular creature. It has very little in the way of a brain, but that doesnt matter because the spirit of Azash infuses it and provides its thoughts for it. It can see a long way in the dark or fog. Its ears are very sharp, and it has a very keen sense of smell. As soon as those soldiers come in sight of Olvens column, its going to know that were not riding with the knights. The soldiers will come back at that point.
Are you saying that church soldiers will take orders from an insect? Bevier asked incredulously.
They have no choice. They have no will of their own any more. The Seeker controls them utterly.
How long does that last? he asked her.
For as long as they live which usually isnt very long. As soon as it has no further need of them, it consumes them. Sparhawk, were in very great danger. Lets leave here at once.
You heard her, Sparhawk said grimly. Lets get out of here.
They rode out of the grove of trees at a canter and crossed a wide green meadow where brown and white spotted cows grazed in knee-deep grass. Sir Ulath pulled in beside Sparhawk. Its really none of my business, the shaggy-browed Genidian Knight said, but you had twenty Pandions with you back there. Why didnt you just turn around and eliminate those soldiers and their bug?
Fifty dead soldiers scattered along a road would attract attention, Sparhawk explained, and new graves are almost as obvious.
Makes sense, I suppose, Ulath grunted. Living in an over-populated kingdom has its own special problems, doesnt it? Up in Thalesia, the Trolls and Ogres usually clean up that sort of thing before anybody chances by.
Sparhawk shuddered. Will they really eat carrion? he asked, looking back over his shoulder for any sign of pursuit.
Trolls and Ogres? Oh, yes as long as the carrions not too ripe. A nice fat church soldier will feed a family of Trolls for a week or so. Thats one of the reasons there arent very many church soldiers or their graveyards in Thalesia. The point, though, is that I dont like leaving live enemies behind me. Those church soldiers might come back to haunt us, and if that thing theyve got with them is as dangerous as Sephrenia says, we probably should have got it out of the way while we had the chance.
Maybe youre right, Sparhawk admitted, but its too late now, Im afraid. Olvens far out of reach. About all we can do is make a run for it and hope the soldiers horses tire before ours do. When we get a chance, Ill want to talk with Sephrenia some more about that Seeker. Ive got a feeling there were some things about it she wasnt telling me.
They rode hard for the rest of the day and saw no signs that the soldiers were anywhere behind them.
Theres a roadside inn just ahead, Kalten said as evening settled over the rolling countryside. Do you want to chance it?
Sparhawk looked at Sephrenia. What do you think?
Only for a few hours, she said, just long enough to feed the horses and give them some rest. The Seeker will know that were not with that column by now, and its certain to be following our trail. We have to move on.
We could at least get some supper, Kalten added, and maybe a couple of hours sleep. Ive been up for a long time. Besides, we might be able to pick up some information if we ask the right questions.
The inn was run by a thin, good-humoured fellow and his plump, jolly wife. It was a comfortable place and meticulously clean. The broad fireplace at one end of the common-room did not smoke, and there were fresh rushes on the floor.
We dont see many city folk this far out in the country, the innkeeper noted as he brought a platter of roast beef to the table, - and very seldom any knights at least I judge from your garb that youre knights. What brings you this way, My Lords?
Were on our way to Pelosia, Kalten lied easily. Church business. Were in a hurry, so we decided to cut across country.
Theres a road that runs on up into Pelosia about three leagues to the south, the innkeeper advised helpfully.
Roads wander around a lot, Kalten said, and like I told you, were in a hurry.
Anything interesting happening hereabouts? Tynian asked as if only mildly curious.
The innkeeper laughed wryly. What can possibly happen in a place like this? The local farmers spend all their time talking about a cow that died six months ago. He drew up a chair and sat down uninvited. He sighed. I used to live in Cimmura when I was younger. Now, theres a place where things really happen. I miss all the excitement.
What made you decide to move out here? Kalten asked, spearing another slice of beef with his dagger.
My father left me this place when he died. Nobody wanted to buy it, so I didnt have any choice. He frowned slightly. Now that you mention it, though, he said, returning to the previous topic, there has been something a little unusual happening around here for the last few months.
Oh? Tynian said carefully.
Weve been seeing bands of roving Styrics. The countrysides crawling with them. They dont usually move around that much, do they?
Not really, Sephrenia replied. Were not a nomadic people.
I thought you might be Styric, lady judging from your looks and your clothes. Weve got a Styric village not far from here. Theyre nice enough people, I suppose, but they keep pretty much to themselves. He leaned back in his chair. I do think you Styrics could avoid a lot of the trouble that breaks out from time to time if youd just mingle with your neighbours a little more.
Its not our way, Sephrenia murmured. I dont believe Elenes and Styrics are supposed to mingle.
There could be something to what you say, he agreed.
Are these Styrics doing anything in particular? Sparhawk asked, keeping his voice neutral.
Asking questions is about all. They seem to be very curious about the Zemoch war for some reason. He rose to his feet. Enjoy your supper, he said and went back to the kitchen.
We have a problem, Sephrenia said gravely. Western Styrics do not wander about the countryside. Our Gods prefer to have us stay close to their altars.
Zemochs then? Bevier surmised.
Almost certainly.
When I was in Lamorkand, there were reports of Zemochs infiltrating the country east of Motera, Kalten remembered. They were doing the same thing wandering about the country asking questions, mostly having to do with folk-lore.
Azash seems to have a plan that closely resembles ours, Sephrenia said. Hes trying to gather information that will lead him to Bhelliom.
Its a race then, Kalten said.
Im afraid so, and hes got Zemochs out there ahead of us.
And church soldiers behind, Ulath added. Youve gone and got us surrounded, Sparhawk. Could that Seeker be controlling those wandering Zemochs the same way its controlling the soldiers? the big Thalesian asked Sephrenia. We could be riding into an ambush if it is, you know.
Im not entirely certain, she replied. Ive heard a great deal about Othas Seekers, but Ive never actually seen one in action.
You didnt have time to be very specific this morning, Sparhawk said. Exactly how is that thing controlling Anniass soldiers?
Its venomous, she said. Its bite paralyses the will of its victims or of those it wants to dominate.
Ill make a point of not letting it bite me then, Kalten said.
You may not be able to stop it, she told him. That green glow is hypnotic. That makes it easier for it to get close enough to inject the venom.
How fast can it fly? Tynian asked.
It doesnt fly at this stage of its development, she replied. Its wings dont mature until it becomes an adult. Besides, it has to be on the ground to follow the scent of the one its trying to catch. Normally, it travels on horseback, and since the horse is controlled in the same way people are, the Seeker simply rides the horse to death and then finds another. It can cover a great deal of ground that way.
What does it eat? Kurik asked. Maybe we can set a trap for it.
It feeds primarily on humans, she told him.
That would make baiting a trap a little difficult, he admitted.
They all went to bed directly after supper, but it seemed to Sparhawk that his head had no sooner touched the pillow than Kurik was shaking him awake.
Its about midnight, the squire said.
All right, Sparhawk said wearily, sitting up in bed.
Ill wake the others, Kurik said, and then Berit and Ill go saddle the horses.
After he had dressed, Sparhawk went downstairs to have a word with the sleepy innkeeper. Tell me, neighbour, he said, is there by any chance a monastery hereabouts?
The innkeeper scratched his head. I think theres one near the village of Verine, he replied. Thats about five leagues east of here.
Thanks, neighbour, Sparhawk said. He looked around. Youve got a nice, comfortable inn here, he said, and your wife keeps clean beds and sets a very fine table. Ill mention your place to my friends.
Why, thats very kind of you, Sir Knight.
Sparhawk nodded to him and went outside to join the others.
Whats the plan? Kalten asked.
The innkeeper thinks theres a monastery near a village about five leagues away. We should reach it by morning. I want to get word of all this to Dolmant in Chyrellos.
I could take the message to him for you, Sir Sparhawk, Berit offered eagerly.
Sparhawk shook his head. The Seeker probably has your scent by now, Berit. I dont want you getting ambushed on the road to Chyrellos. Lets send some anonymous monk instead. That monasterys on our way anyhow, so we wont be losing any time. Lets mount up.
The moon was full and the night sky was clear as they rode away from the inn. That way, Kurik said, pointing.
How do you know that? Talen asked him.
The stars, Kurik replied.
Do you mean you can actually tell direction by the stars? Talen sounded impressed.
Of course you can. Sailors have been doing that for thousands of years.
I didnt know that.
You should have stayed in school.
I dont plan to be a sailor, Kurik. Stealing fish sounds a little too much like work to me.
They rode on through the moon-drenched night, moving almost due east. By morning they had gone perhaps five leagues, and Sparhawk rode to a hilltop to look around. Theres a village just ahead, he told the others when he returned. Lets hope its the one were looking for.
The village lay in a shallow valley. It was a small place, perhaps a dozen stone houses with a church at one end of its single cobbled street and a tavern at the other. A large, walled building stood atop a hill just outside the town. Excuse me, neighbour, Sparhawk asked a passer-by as they clattered into town. Is this Verine?
It is.
And is that the monastery up on that hill there?
It is, the man replied again, his voice a bit sullen.
Is there some problem?
The monks up there own all the land hereabouts, the fellow replied. Their rents are cruel.
Isnt that always the way? All landlords are greedy.
The monks insist on tithes as well as the rent. Thats going a bit far, wouldnt you say?
Youve got a point there.
Why do you call everybody neighbour? Tynian asked as they rode on.
Habit, I suppose, Sparhawk shrugged. I got it from my father, and I think it puts people at their ease.
Why not call them friend?
Because I never know that for sure. Lets go talk to the Abbot of that monastery.
The monastery was a severe-looking building surrounded by a wall made of yellow sandstone. The fields around it were well-tended, and monks wearing conical hats woven from local straw worked patiently under the morning sun in long, straight rows of vegetables. The gates of the monastery stood open, and Sparhawk and the others rode into the central courtyard. A thin, haggard-looking brother came out to meet them, his face a little fearful.
Good day, brother, Sparhawk said to him. He opened his cloak to reveal the heavy silver amulet hanging on a chain about his neck which identified him as a Pandion Knight. If its not too much trouble, wed like to have a word with your Abbot.
Ill bring him immediately, My Lord. The brother scurried back inside the building.
The Abbot was a jolly little fat man with a well-shaven tonsure and a bright red, sweaty face. His was a small, remote monastery and had little contact with Chyrellos. He was embarrassingly obsequious at the sudden, unexpected appearance of Church Knights on his doorstep. My Lords, he grovelled, how may I serve you?
Its a small thing, my Lord Abbot, Sparhawk told him gently. Are you acquainted with the Patriarch of Demos?
The Abbot swallowed hard. Patriarch Dolmant? he said in an awed voice.
Tall fellow, Sparhawk agreed. Sort of lean and underfed-looking. Anyway, we need to get a message to him. Have you a young monk whos got some stamina and a good horse who could carry a message to the Patriarch for us? Its in the service of the Church.
O-of course, Sir Knight.
Id hoped youd feel that way about it. Do you have a quill pen and ink handy, My Lord Abbot? Ill compose the message, and then we wont bother you any more.
One other thing, My Lord Abbot, Kalten added. Might we trouble you for a bit of food? Weve been some time on the road, and our supplies are getting low. Nothing too exotic, mind a few roast chickens, perhaps, a ham or two, a side of bacon, a hindquarter of beef, maybe?