(eng) Michael Scott Rohan - Winter of the World 06 by Shadow of the Seer

Author:Shadow of the Seer [Seer, Shadow of the]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Jewels in the Snow

ASQUAN flung back the door, and stopped dead. The mist filled the misshapen frame from floor to roof like a wall of pearl, and cascaded in about him, spreading its pale chill tendrils across the floor. He swung the brand high, fanning it to flame; but it showed them nothing save pale shadows that might be cane-stems a few feet away.

‘Wake the others!’ he said savagely. Alya nodded; they must not go rushing out into that, only two of them. He prodded the first heap of blankets, but it only stirred and mumbled. Kalkan, by the sound of it. He prodded harder, then kicked; but Kalkan snored loudly and rolled over, not waking even when Alya shook his shoulder. The same for the next, Darzhan, and Fazdshan beside him. ‘As if they’re drugged!’ hissed Alya.

And the next space was empty. Vansha’s. Beyond that Chiansha mumbled insults, even when Alya kicked him with bruising force, and curled up like a child. Alya cursed and ran back round to the door, but stumbled over one more heap of blankets, and stooped to shake its shoulder furiously.

Instead he found his hand on a flat breast, and his wrist clamped in a clawlike grip; but not thrust away, met instead with a sleep-sodden chuckle. ‘You? Of all people! Never’d have thought it! No wonder, all these dreams!’

‘It’s not that, woman! Wake up! Something’s happening!’

‘What?’ The dreamy slur vanished from Rysha’s voice.

‘Two of us are gone! And the women! Outside!’

She started to snigger. ‘What, to water the cane together? Or a round of—’ Then she saw the mist that billowed across the floor, rising in eerie curlicues around the warm air of the open stove. ‘Out in that?’ She scrambled to her feet, still in her shirt, hopping to jam feet into boots. Not bloody likely, is it?’

‘No! And the others won’t wake up. Only me and Asquan.’

‘Half done myself. Feels like something dragging me down, still. You’re right, my lad, there’s something stirring here. Besides your hand. Be a bit less rough next time, eh? Or a bit lower down?’

Alya swore in exasperation and dragged her after him.

‘Just her?’ hissed Asquan. ‘Better than nothing. Can you do anything, woman?’

‘Can I do anything!’ she sneered. ‘Sight more than you can, I’ll wager! Piss out that light, for a start! It’ll only serve to mark us!’

Asquan shook his head. ‘Anything out there can surely see without light. Or doesn’t need to! Hurry, woman! You make your tricks shine in darkness. Can you kindle a better light for us?’

‘Not light! Just the look of it. To be seen, not see by.’ She bit her lip between long teeth. ‘Not so common down our way, mist; but maybe I can use it. Can’t lead you to whatever’s out there; but maybe I can do it the other way around! Supposing you’ve the nerve, this is!’

‘Stop wasting time, woman!’ snarled Asquan.

‘I kneel before you, oh master!’ she sneered. ‘Or would you rather I bent over?’

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