The Lesser Kindred by Elizabeth Kerner

Author:Elizabeth Kerner
Language: eng
Format: epub

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Marik

Berys finally replied to my message by sending Durstan to bring me to him.

"It's about damned time, Berys, what in the Hells have you been doing?" I growled when I was shown into his rooms.

"A few necessary things," he said, not bothering to rise. He was stretched out on his bed in what looked like a nightshirt.

"Like neglecting me, for example," I snarled. "You were in such a tearing hurry to heal me so I could be of use to you. Do you have the slightest interest in what I have learned from the dragons? Or would you rather laze about like a bored merchant's wife?"

"If you were not so useful, Marik, I would have your throat cut for that," said Berys offhandedly. The worst of it was that, despite his tone of voice, he meant it and I knew it. He would happily kill me if it suited him and I never for¬got it.

"But I am useful. I am suddenly the most useful man you know, Berys, and you will soon believe me on that score." I sat beside the table and poured myself a cup of wine. "What have you been so busy doing?"

"Ensuring my victory," he purred. "Maikel pursues Lanen even now. In three days' time—no, just over two days' time, now, when I am recovered from my labours, or as long as it takes him to find her—he will build an altar and conve¬niently die when the demon emerges to plant the Swiftlines."

"What in the hells are Swiftlines?" I asked. "You never told me about this. I thought you said you couldn't find Lanen!"

"Swiftlines are—well, some call them demonlines. They are instant transportation. I don't even have to know where the other ends are, for there are two, one each way. I can step through, capture her and be back before anyone notices. As for Lanen—remember the report from our healer in Kaibar?" I nodded. "It was accompanied by a sample of her blood which I have made good use of."

I snorted. "Ever find out what that dragon was that the Rikti said was protecting her?"

Berys, for all that he looked exhausted, managed to sneer. "The Rikti was mistaken. She passed through Kaiba1r and there was no sight nor sound or smell of a dragon. Or per¬haps the Rikti was right and it has left her. In either case I do not fear the wrath of the Kantri here in Kolmar. My folk would have heard if one had been seen, and they cannot make themselves invisible!"

I laughed, low, almost to myself. "Well, Berys, I wish you good fortune. That girl finds protectors in the strangest places. Didn't our man in Kaibar say the humpbacked woman was with her again?"

"Yes, Rella seems to have joined her," said Berys casu¬ally, "along with two men he didn't have the names of and I don't recognise. It makes no difference. They will not be able to prevent me."

"They may not have to," I said grimly. "That is what I've come to tell you.

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