02 Return of the Crimson Guard by Esslemont Ian C

Author:Esslemont, Ian C [C, Esslemont, Ian]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-10T11:10:33.240000+00:00

Without turning his head, Ereko. slid his bright gaze to Kyle in a strange sort of sideways regard. He bared his tusk-like teeth in a one-sided grin. `You can pray, Kyle.'

Kyle flinched away. Pray? Is there so little hope? He moved off to lie down next to the Lost brothers wrapped in cloaks and blankets. Pray? - To who? He thought of the bewildering array of Gods, spirits and heroes he'd heard mentioned since leaving Bael lands. None appealed to him. That left his old guardian and tribal ancestral spirits going back all the way to their legendary progenitor, Father Wind. Perhaps that very entity taken from him by the very company he joined? Yet, as time has passed, it all seemed so unreal to him.

The gentle night waves rocked the Kite, and the susurration of the nearby surf whispered rhythmically. Kyle eventually did slip into an uneasy sleep. He repeated his people's ancient invocation:

Great All Father,

Whose breath cleanses, brings life,

Guide me. Show me my path.

Kyle awoke, spluttering and coughing on a mouthful of smoke. He lay in a tent made of roughly sewn hides. But not a tent like the one he'd recently slept in; this one was cramped and dark, its ceiling low. A hunched figure,, a man or a woman, occupied half the sagging quarters. A brazier next to the occupant sent out gouts of smoke that made Kyle's' eyes water and his breath catch in his throat. Outside, a strong wind blew, gusting at the sides of the frail construction. The figure waved a hand wrapped in tatters of cloth. Its shape was unnervingly strange and distorted. `Apologies for the poor domestic arrangements. Recent setbacks have reduced my circumstances.'

`Where am I? Where is everyone?'

`You are not so far away from your ship and your friends, Kyle.'

`Who are you?'

'Who am I?' The shape rocked back and forth, cackling. `A friend, of course. One who has, how shall I put it - intervened - to help.'

`Help?'

`Yes. Help you. Whereas those you erroneously pray to ignore your pleas, I, however, am always responsive.'

Kyle attempted to wave the choking fumes from his face. `How did I get here?'

A great gust of wind kicked the frail tent and the figure hissed indistinct mouthings under its breath. `Never mind that, Kyle. Time is pressing. Your friend is ill. It lies within my power to ease his sufferings. What say you? For a small price I will soothe his misery, calm his nightmares. Do you not wish to see him revive?'

`Yes, of course - but what price?'

`Oh, nothing awful, I assure you. Nothing like your blood or your spirit or anything absurd like that. No. However, I am interested in that sword you carry. It has unusual characteristics. You could say I have an interest in uncommon weapons.' The, arms opened in a shrug. `There you have it. Nothing unreasonable. Surely you do not value this blade above your friend's health and recovery?'

Kyle blinked to clear his blurring vision, coughed into a fist. `No, of course not.

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