Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar 3 - A Darkness at Sethanon

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A darkness at Sethanon

Raymond E. Feist

the Riftwar Saga

book 3

|As Prince Arutha and his companions rally their forces for the final battle|

|with an ancient and mysterious evil, the dread necromancer Macros the Black|

|has once again unleashed his dark sorcery. Now the fate of two worlds will |

|be decided in a titanic struggle beneath the walls of Sethanon, as the link|

|between Kelewan and Midkemia is revived. |

Acknowledgements

As this book marks the end of The Riftwar Saga, the

three-book cole begun with Magician and continued

through Silverthorn, I feel it necessary to again offer

heartfelt thanks to those people who in one way or

another contributed to whatever quality and success my

books have achieved:

The original architects of Midkemia." April and

Stephen Abrams, Steve Barrett, Anita and don Everson,

Dave Guinaso, Conan LaMotte; Tim LaSelle; Ethan

Munson, Bob Potter, Rich SpaLl; Alan Springer, tori

and Jeff Velten.

Those many others who joined us on Fridays over the

years, adding their own touches to the marvellous thing

which is the world of Midkemia.

My friends at Grafton Books, past and current.

Harold Maison, my agent, who gave me my first

break.

Abner Stein, my agent in Great Britain.

And Jammy Wurts, a gifted writer and artist, for

showing me how to get more out of my characters when I

thought I already knew all there was to know about

them.

Each has contributed in his or her own unique way to

the three novels that make up The Riftwar Saga. The

books would have been much the poorer by the absence

of even one of them.

Raymond E. Feist

San Diego, California

Synopsis

Our Story So Far. .

After the Riftwar against the Tsurani, alien invaders from

the world of "Kelewan, peace reigned in the Kingdom of

the Isles for nearly a year. King Lyam and his brothers,

Prince Arutha and Duke Martin, toured the eastern cities

and neighbouring kingdoms, then returned to Lyam's

Capital at Rillanon.

The Princess Carline, their sister, gave

an ultimatum to her lover, Laurie the minstrel.' wed her or

leave the palace. Arutha and Princess Anita became

engaged, and plans were made for their wedding in

Krondor, Arutha's city.

When Arutha finally returned to Krondor, late one

night, Jimmy the Hand, a boy thief, stumbled across and

foiled a Nighthawk, an assassin, whose target was Arutha.

It was a standing order among the Mockers that all new'S

of the Nighthawks be reported at once. Jimmy became

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confused about where his loyalty lay, with the Mockers -

the Guild of Thieves - or with Arutha, whom he had

known the year before. Before he could decide, jimmy

was set up for murder by Laughing Jack, an officer in the

Mockers, proof Jack' was in league with the Nighthawks.

During the ambush, Jimmy was wounded and Laughing

Jack killed. Jimmy then decided to warn Arutha;

Warned of the plot, Arutha, Laurie and Jimmy trapped

two assassins and imprisoned them in the palace. Arutha

discovered the Nighthawks were someHow connected to

the temple of the Death Goddess, Lims-Kragma. He

ordered the High Priestess to attend him, but by the time

she arrived one of the assassins had died and the other was

dying. She sought to discover how her temple had been

infiltrated by the Nighthawks. Upon dying, one of the

captured Nighthawks was revealed as a magically disguised

moredhel, a dark elf. The now dead creature rose

up, called upon his master, Murmandamus, and attacked

the High Priestess and Arutha. Only the magic intervention

of Arutha's adviser Father Nathan baulked the

otherwise unkillable creature.

When the High Priestess and Father Nathan recovered

from their ordeal, they warned Arutha that dark and alien

powers sought his death. Arutha was troubled over the

safety of his brother the King and the others who would be

attending Arutha's forthcoming wedding, especially his

beloved Anita. Deciding upon a quick solution rather than

further magic investigation, Arutha empowered Jimmy to

arrange a meeting for him with the Upright Man, the

mysterious head of the mockers.

In darkness, Arutha met one who claimed to speak with

the voice of the Upright Man, though it was never made

clear to the Prince if the speaker was himself the leader of

the thieves. They came to an understanding on the need to

rid the city of the Nighthawks and, in the Bargain, Jimmy

was given into Arutha's service as a squire of the Prince's

court. Jimmy had broken oath with the Mockers and his

career as a thief was over.

the Upright Man sent word of the location of the

Nighthawks. Arutha and a company of trusted soldiers

raided the Nighthawks' headquarters, the basement of the

most expensive brothel in the city. Every assassin was

killed or committed suicide. The priding of the body of

Golden base, a thief and false friend to Jimmy, revealed

that the Nighthawks had indeed infiltrated the Mockers.

Then the dead assassins rose up, again by some dark

power, and only by burning the entire building were they

destroyed.

At the palace, Arutha decided the immediate danger

was over, and life returned to a semblance of normalcy.

the King, the Ambassador from Great Kesh, and other

dignitaries arrived at the pallaCe, and Jimmy caught a

glimpse of Laughing jack in the crowd. Jimmy was

shocked, for he had been certain the false thief had died.

Arutha alerted his most trusted advisers of the danger

and learned strange things were occurring in the north. It

was decided there was a connection between those events

and the assassins. Jimmy arrived with the news that the

palace was honeycombed with secret pasSages and his fear

that he had seen Jack. Arutha decided upon a course of

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Caution, taking care to guard the palace, but determined to

proceed with the wedding.

The wedding became a gathering point for all those who

had been separated since the Riftwar.' in addition to the

royal party, Pug the magician came from Stardock, site of

the Academy of Magicians. He was a onetime resident of

Crydee, home to the King and his family. Kulgan, his old

teacher, attended along with Vandros, Duke of Yabon,

and Kasumi, the former Tsurani commander, now Earl of

Lamut. With King Lyam came Father Tully, another of

Arutha's boyhood teachers, now an adviser to the King.

Just before the wedding, Jimmy discovered that a

window had been tampered with and Laughing Jack was

secreted in a cupola overlooking the hall. Jack overpowered

the boy and bound him. When the wedding

Started, Jimmy managed to foil Jack's attempt at killing

Arutha by wiggling forward and kicking Jack. They both

fell, but were saved by Pug's magic. But after he had been

cut loose, Jimmy discovered jack's crossbow 'bolt had

struck Anita.

After examining the wounded Anita, Father Nathan, in

conference with Father Tully, announced that the bolt had

been poisoned and the Princess was dying. Jack was

questioned and revealed the truth behind the Nighthawks.

He had been saved from death by a strange power named

Murmandamus, in return for attempting to kill Arutha.

All he knew of the poison was that it was called

Silverthorn. With that he died. As Anita neared death,

Kulgan the magician remembered that a large library

existed at the ishapian abbey at Sarth, a town up the coaSt

of the Bitter Sea. Pug and Father Nathan used their magic

tO suspend Anita in time until a cure could be found.

Arutha vowed to travel to Sarth, and after an elaborate

ruse to confusde possible spies, Arutha, Laurie, Jimmy,

Martin and Cardan, Captain of the Prince's Royal

Household Guard, journeyed north. In the forest south of

Sarth, they were attacked by black-armoured moredhel

riders, under the command of a moredhel recognized by

Lauric as a chieftain from the Yabon mountain clans.

Pursuing Arutha's party to the abbey at Sarth, the

moredhel were repulsed by the magic of Brother Dominic,

an Ishapian monk. The agents of Murmandamus attacked

twice more at the Abbey, almost bringing about the death

of Brother Micah, revealed to be the former Duke of

Krondor, Lord Dulanic. Father John, the Abbot, explained

to Arutha that there waS a prophecy regarding the

return to power of the moredhel, once the 'Lord of the

West' was dead. One of Murmandamus's agents had

called Arutha that, so it seemed the moredhel believed that

the prophecy might be approaching fruition. At Sarth,

Arutha also discovered that "Silverthorn' was a corruption

Of an elver word, so he decided to journey on to Elvandar

and the court of the Elf Queen. Cardan and Dominic

were ordered by Arutha and the Abbot to travel to

Stardock, to carry the latest news to Pug and the other

magicians there.

In Ylith, they encountered Roald, a mercenary and

boyhood friend of Laurie, and baru, a Hadati hillman

from northern Yabon. who was seeking the strange

moredhel ' chieftain, called Murad, wishing to avenge

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Murad's destruction of Baru's village. Both agreed to

continue on with Arutha.

At Stardock, Dominic and Cardan were attacked by

flying elemental creatures, servants of mermandamus, and

were saved by Pug. Dominic met the magician Kulgan

and Katala, Pug's wife, as well as William, Pug's son, and

Fantus the firedrake. Pug listened to what they reported

and asked the other magic users of Stardock for help. A

blind seer, Roger, had a vision of some dread power

behind Murmandamus, which then attacked the old man

across time and apparent probability, in defiance of all Pug

understood of magic. A mute girl, Gamina, Roger's

Ward, shared the vision, and her mental screaming

overwhelmed Pug and his companions. Roger survived

the ordeal, and Gamina used her telepathic ability to recreate

the vision for Pug and the others. They saw a city's

destruction, and the terrible thing in the vision spoke in an

ancient Tsurani tongue. Pug and the others who spoke the

language were stunned at hearing this nearly forgotten

temple language of Kelewan.

In Elvandar, Arutha and his company met the gwali

gentle apelike creatures who were visiting the elves. The

elves told of strange encounters with moredhel trackers

near the northern borders of the elver .forests. Arutha

explained his mission and was told of Silverthorn by

Tathar, adviser to Queen Aglaranna and Tomas, the

Prince Consort and inheritor of the ancient power of the

Valheru - the Dragon Lords. Silverthorn grew in one

place, on the shores of the Black Lake, Alornelin, a place

of dark powers. Tatham warned Arutha that it would be a

dangerous journey, but Arutha vowed to continue.

At Stardock, Pug determined that what menaced the

Kingdom was of Tsurani origin. Somehow Kelewan and

Midkemia again seemed to have their fates intertwined.

The only possible source of knowledge about this threat

would be the Assembly of Magicians upon Kelewan,

thought to be forever closed off to them. Pug revealed to

Kulgan and the others that he had found a means of

returning to Kelewan. Over their objections, he decided to

go back to see what he might do to gain knowledge. Once

it was decided, both Meecham the forester, Kulgan's

companion for years, and Dominic forced Pug to take

them along. Pug established a rift between the two worlds

and the three passed through. Back in the Empire of

Tsuranuanni, Pug and his friends spoke first with Netoha,

Pug's old estate manager, then with Kamatsu, Lord of the

Shinzawai, Kasumi's father. The Empire was in turmoil,

on the verge of an open break between Warlord and

Emperor, but Kamatsu vowed to carry Pug's warning of

this alien terror to the High Council, for Pug was

convinced that should Midkemia fall, Kelewan would

follow. Pug was met by his old friend Hochopepa, a

fellow magician, a Great One of the Empire. Hochopepa

agreed to plead Pug's case before the Assembly, for Pug

had been named traitor to the Empire and was under

sentence of death. But before he could depart, they were

assaulted magically and captured by the Warlord's men.

Arutha and his party reached the Black Lake,

Moraelin, avoiding a number of moredhel patrols and

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sentries. Galain the elf was sent by Tomas to carry news of

another possible entrance to Moraelin. He told Arutha he

would accompany them to the edge of the 'Tracks of the

Hopeless', the canyon surrounding the plateau where

Moraelin lay. Arutha and his company made their way to

the Black Lake and discovered a strange black building,

which they took to be a Valheru ediface. The search for

Silverthorn was fruitless, and Arutha and the others spent

the night in a cave below the surface of the plateau, where

they decided they must enter the building.

Pug and his companions awoke in a cell and found

their magic blocked by an enchantment. Pug was

questioned by the Warlord and his two magician allies, the

brothers "Ergoran and Elgahar, about his purpose in

returning to the Empire. The Warlord was convinced it

had to do with political opposition to his plans to take

control of the Empire from the Emperor. Neither he nor

Ergoran believed Pug's story of a strange power of

Tsurani origin menacing Midkemia. Elgahnr later came to

Pug's cell to discuss the matter further, and said he would

consider Pug's warning. Before he left, he whispered a

speculation to Pug, which Pug agreed was possible.

Hochopepa asked Pug what that speculation was, but Pug

refused to discuss it. Later, Pug, Meecham, and Dominic

were put to torture After Dominic entered a trance to

block the pain, and Meecham was rendered senseless,' Pug

Was tortured. The pain and his resistance to the magic

blocking his own caused Pug to succeed in using Magic of

the Lesser Path, something thought impossible heretofore.

He freed himself and his companions as the Emperor

arrived with the Lord of the Shinzawai. The Warlord was

executed for treason and Pug was granted permission to

conduct research in the Assembly. Elgahar was instrumental

in freeing Pug and, when asked why, revealed the

speculation he shared with Pug. Both believed the Enemy,

the ancient terror that drove the nntzons to Kelewan at the

time of the Chaos Wars, had returned. At the Assembly,

Pug discovered a reference to strange beings living in the

polar ice, the Watchers. He parted company with his

friends and left to seek the Watchers, while Hochopepa,

Elgahar, Dominic and Meecham returned to Midkemia

and the academy.

While hiding, Jimmy overheard some conversation

between a moredhel and two human renegades, which

gave him a clue something was not right about the black

building. Jimmy convinced Arutha he should explore

alone, as he was less likely to fall prey to any trap or

ambush. Jimmy entered the strange black building and

discovered what looked to be Silverthorn, but too many

things about the place rung false. Jimmy returned to the

Cave with news that the building was one giant trap.

Further exploration revealed the cave to be part Of a large

underground Valheru abode, nearly unrecognizable after

years of erosion. Jimmy then determined that Silverthorn

must be under water, as the elves had stated it grew close

to the edge of the water and the rainfall that year had been

heavy. That night they found the plant and began their

flight. Jimmy was injured and the party slowed. They

eluded the moredhel sentries but were forced to kill one,

alerting Murad, who led the force set to capture Arutha.

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Near the d f tb I f t tb h t d t

n m Bri t e at er e yen warriors. T e mst band of

db I kA h d b b

myers. Baru challenged Murad to single combat, and the

h d f

O

his returning from the dead. Baru was cut down by a

da I

r y

overwhelmed, the elves arrived and drove off the

d n e

elves carried the Prince and his party to the safety of

Elvandar. The dead Black Slayers returned to life and

pursued the elves to the edge of Elvandar, where Tommas

arrived with the S Il and destroyed the Black

Slayers. At a celebration that night, A tb I mr d h t

Baru would live after a long convalescence. Arutha and

Alnrtzn considered the end of their quest, both knowing

the battle was only a part of a larger conflict, whose final

outcome had not been decided.

Pug reached the northern edges of the Empire and,

leaving his Tsurani guards, set off across the Thun-held

tundra. The strange centaur-like creatures, who called

themselves the Lasura, sent an old warrior to converse

with Pug. The creature revealed the existence of dwellers

in the ice and ran off declaring Pug mad. Pug at last

reached the glacier, where he was met by a cowled being.

The Watcher who greeted Pug took him down below the

icecap to where a fabulous, magic forest existed. It was

Called Elvardein and was twin to Elvandar. Pug diScovered

the Watchers to be elves, the long-vanished eldar,

or elder elves. Pug was tO Stay with them a year and learn

BE beyond those he already had at his command.

Arutha reached Krondor safely with the cure for Anita.

She was revived, and plans were made to finish the

wedding. Carline insisted Laurie and she also get married

at once, and for the time being, the palace at Krondor was

the scene of joy and happiness.

Peace returned to the Kingdom of the Isles, for almost a

year.

BOOK IV

Macros Redux

Lo Death has reared himself a throne

In a strange city.

PoE, The City in the sea, .

Prologue

darkwind

The wind came from nowhere.

Ringing into existence with the reverberation of a

hammer striking doom, it carried the heat of a forge that

fashioned hot war and bearing death. It came into being

in the heart of a lost land, emerging from some strange

place between that which is and that which seeks to be. It

blew from the south, when snakes walked upright and

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spoke ancient words. Angry, it stank of ancient evil,

echoing with long forgotten prophecies. In a frenzy the

wind spun, swirling out of the void, as if seeking a

course, then it seemed to pause, then it blew northward.

The old nurse hummed a simple tune, one handed down

from mother to daughter for generations, while she

sewed. She paused to glance up from her needlework.

Her two small charges lay sleeping, tiny faces serene

while they dreamed their tiny dreams. Occasionally

fingers would flex or lips would purse in sucking motions,

then one or the other would return to quiescence. They

were beautiful babies and would grow to be handsome

lads, of this the nurse was certain. As men they would

have only vague memories of the woman who sat with

them this night, but for now they belonged as much to

her as their mother, who sat with her husband presiding

over a state dinner. Then through the window a strange

wind came, chilling her despite its heat. It carried a hint

of alien and distorted dissonance in its sound, an evil

rune barely perceived. The nurse shivered and looked

toward the boys. They became restless, as if ready to

wake crying. The nurse hurried to the window and closed

the shutters, blocking out the strange and disquieting

night air. For a moment it seemed all time held its

breath, then, as if with a slight sigh, the breeze died away

and the night was calm again. The nurse tightened her

shawl about her shoulders and the babies stirred fitfully

for another moment, before lapsing into a deep and quiet

sleep.

In another room nearby, a young man worked over a list

struggling to put aside personal likes and dislikes as he

decided who was to serve at a minor function the next

day., It was a task he hated, but he did it well. Then the

wind made the window curtains blow inward. Without

thinking, the youngster was half out of his chair in a

crouch, a dirk seeming to fly from his boot top to his

hand, as a street-born sense of wariness signalled danger.

Poised to fight, he stood with heart pounding for a long

moment, as certain of a death struggle as he had ever

been in his conflict-torn life. Seeing no one there. the

young man slowly relaxed. The moment was lost. He

shook his head in perplexity. An odd disquiet settled in

the pit of his stomach as he slowly crossed to the

window. For long, slowly passing minutes he gazed

toward the north, into the night, where he knew the

great mountains lay, and beyond, where an enemy of

dark aspect waited. The young man's eyes narrowed as

he stared into the gloom, as if seeking to catch a glimpse

of some danger lurking out there. Then as the last of the

rage and fear fled, he returned to his task. But

throughout the balance of the night he occasionally

turned to look out the window.

Out in the city a group of revellers made their way

through the streets, seeking another inn and more merry

companions. The wind blew past them and they halted a

moment, exchanging glances. One, a seasoned mercen-

ary, began to walk again, then halted, considering

something. With a sudden loss of interest in celebration,

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he bade his companions good night and returned to the

palace where he had guested for almost a year.

The wind blew out to sea where a ship raced toward its

home port after a long patrol. The captain, a tall old man

with a scarred face and a white eye, paused as he was

touched by the freshening wind. He was about to call for

the sheets to be shortened when a strange chill passed

through him. He looked over to his first mate, a pock-

faced man who had been at his side for years. They

exchanged glances, then the wind passed. The captain

paused, gave the order to send men aloft, and, after

another silent moment, shouted for extra lanterns to be

lit against the suddenly oppressive gloom.

Farther to the north, the wind blew through the streets of

a city, creating angry little dust swirls that danced a mad

caper across the cobbles, skittering along like demented

jesters. Within this city men from another world lived

beside men born there. In the soldiers' commons of the

garrison, a man from that other world wrestled one

raised within a mile of where the match was taking place,

with heavy wagering among those who watched. Each

man had taken one fall and the third would decide the

winner. The wind suddenly struck and the two opponents

paused, looking about. Dust stung eyes and several

seasoned veterans suppressed shudders. Without words

the two opponents quit the matchh, and those who had

placed wagers picked up their bets without protest.

Silently those in the commons returned to their quarters,

the festive mood of the conies having fled before the

bitter wind.

The wind swept northward until it struck a forest where

little apelike beings, gentle and shy, huddled in the

branches, seeking a warmth that only close physical

contact can provide. Below, on the floor of the forest, a

man sat in meditative pose. His legs were crossed and he

rested the backs of his wrists upon his knees, thumbs and

forefingers forming circles that represent the Wheel of

Life to which all creatures are bound. His eyes snapped

open at the first caress of the darkling wind and he

regarded the being who sat facing him. An old elf,

showing but the faint signs of age native to his race,

contemplated the human for a moment, seeing the

unspoken question. He nodded his head slightly. The

human picked up the two weapons that lay at his side.

The long sword and half-sword he placed in his belt sash,

and with only a gesture of farewell he was off, moving

through the trees of the forest as he began his journey to

the sea. There he would seek out another man, one who

was also counted friend to the elves, and prepare for the

final confrontation that would soon begin. As the warrior

made his way toward the ocean the leaves rustled in the

branches over his head.

In another forest, leaves also trembled, in sympathy with

those troubled by the passing darkwind. Across an

enormous gulf of stars, around a greenish yellow sun

spun a hot planet. Upon that world, below the cap of ice

at the north pole, lay a forest twin to that left behind by

the travelling warrior. Deep within that second forest sat

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a circle of beings steeped in timeless lore. They wove

magic. A soft, warm glow of light formed a sphere about

them, as each sat upon the bare earth, richly coloured

robes unblemished by stain of soil. All eyes were closed,

but each saw what he or she needed to see. One, ancient

beyond the memory of the others, sat above the circle,

suspended in the air by the strength of the spell they all

wove together. His white hair hung below his shoulders

held back by a simple wire of copper set with a single

jade stone upon his forehead. His palms were held up

and forward, and his eyes were fixed upon another, a

black-robed human, who floated opposite him. That

other rode the currents of arcane energy forming a

matrix about him, sending his consciousness along those

lines, mastering this alien magic. The black-robed one sat

in mirror pose, his hands held palm out, but his eyes

were closed as he learned. He mentally caressed the

fabric of this ancient elver sorcery and felt the inter-

twined energies of every living thing in this forest, taken

and lightly turned, never forced, toward the needs of the

community. Thus the Spellweavers used their powers:

gently, but persistently, spinning the fibre of these ever

present natural energies into a thread of magic that could

be used. He touched the magic with his mind and he

knew. He knew his powers were growing beyond human

understanding, becoming godlike in Comparison to what

he had once thought were the limits of his talents. He

had mastered much in the passing year, yet he knew

there was much more to learn. Still, with his tutoring he

now had the means to find other sources of knowledge.

The secrets known to few but the greatest masters - to

pass between worlds by strength of will, to move through

time, and even to cheat death - he now understood were

possible. And with that understanding, he knew he

would someday discover the means of mastering those

secrets. If he was granted enough time. And time was at

a premium. The leaves of the trees echoed the rustle of

the' distant darkwind. The man in black set dark eyes

upon the ancient being floating before him, as both

withdrew their minds from the matrix. Speaking by

strength of mind, the man in black said, So soon, Acaila.?

The other smiled, and pale blue eyes shone forth with

a light of their own, a light which when first seen had

Startled the man in black. Now he knew that light came

from a deep power beyond any he had known in any

mortal save one. But this was a different power, not the

astonishing might of that other but the soothing, healing

power of life, love, and serenity. This being was truly

one with all around him. To gaze into the glowing eyes

was to be made whole, and his smile was a comfort to

see. But the thoughts that crossed the distance between

the two as they gently floated earthward were troubled.

It has been a year. It would have served us all had we

more time, but time passes as it will, and it may be that

you are ready. Then with a texture of thought the black-

robed man had come to understand was humour, he

added aloud, "But ready or unready, it is time.'

The others rose as one and for a silent moment the

black-clad one felt their minds join with his, in a final

farewell.They were sending him back to where a struggle

was under way, a struggle in which he was to play a vital

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part. But they were sending him with much more than he

had possessed when he had come to them. He felt the

last contact, and said, 'Thank you. I will return to where

I can travel quickly home.' Without further words he

closed his eyes and vanished. Those in the circle were

silent a moment, then each turned to undertake whatever

task awaited him or her. In the branches the leaves

remained restless and the echo of the darkwind was slow

in fading.

The darkwind blew until it reached a ridge trail above a

distant vale, where a band of men crouched in hiding.

For a brief moment they faced the south, as if seeking

the source of this oddly disquieting wind, then they

returned to observing the plains below. The two closest

to the edge had ridden long and hard in response to a

report by an out-riding patrol. Below, an army gathered

under banners of ill-aspect. The leader, a greying

man with a black patch over his right eye hunkered down

below the ridge. "it's as bad as we feared,' he said in

hushed tones.

The other man, not as tall but stouter, scratched at a

grey-shot black beard as he squatted beside his com-

panion. "No, it's worse,' he whispered. 'By the number

of campRres, there's one hell of a storm brewing down

there . '

The man with the eye-patch sat silently for a long

moment, then said, 'Well, we've somehow gained a year.

I expected them to hit us last summer. It is well we

prepared, for now they'll surely come.' He moved in a

crouch as he returned to where a tall, blond man held his

horse. 'Are you coming?'

The second man said, 'No, I think I'll watch for a

while. By seeing how many arrive and at what rate, I

may hazard a good guess at how many he's bringing.'

The first man mounted. The blond man said, "What

matter? WheN he comes, he'll bring all he has.'

'I just don't like surprises, I suppose.'

(How long?' asked the leader.

'Two, three days at most, then it will get too crowded

hereabouts . '

"They're certain to have patrols out. Two days at the

most.' With a grim smile, he said, "You're not much as

company goes, but after two years I've grown used to

having you around. Be careful.'

The second man flashed a broad grin. 'That cuts two

ways. You've stung them enough for the last two years

they'd love to throw a net over you. It wouldn't do to

have them show up at the city gates with your head on a

battle pike.'

The blond man said, "That will not happen.' His open

smile was in contrast to his tone, one of determination

the other two knew well.

'Well, just see it doesn't. Now, get along.'

The company moved out, with one rider staying behind

to accompany the stout man in his watch. After a long

minute of observing he muttered softly, 'What are you

up to this time, you misbegotten son of a motherless

whoremonger? Just what are you going to throw at us

this summer, Murmandamus?'

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Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar 3 - A Darkness at Sethanon

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