The Perilous Tower: The Gates of Good & Evil Book 3 by Ian Irvine

Author:Ian Irvine [Irvine, Ian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Santhenar Press

31

The Ecstasy Was On Him Now

Two days after his return from the Sink of Despair Skald was ordered to the rooftop again, where six soldiers were waiting, and Durthix. Dagog scowled in the background.

‘We’ve located the secret weapon,’ said Durthix, ‘in a cave high on the mountainside.’

‘How was it found, High Commander?’ said Skald.

‘You don’t need to know. Your orders are to bring back the secret weapon and kill the three enemy.’

‘Yes, High Commander, though …’

‘Is there a problem?’

‘This will require my third and fourth long-distance gates in two days, High Commander. And such gates are very draining.’

‘Are you saying you’re not up to the job? After begging for it, and swearing on my honour?’

‘Not at all,’ Skald said hastily. ‘I’m worried that I may be short on power to make the return gate.’

Durthix handed him a primed crystal. ‘This focus has been improved. It’s more accurate and will take less out of you. However, at need, you may replenish yourself by drinking lives.’ Durthix’s mouth turned down. Most Merdrun considered that act, necessary though it might occasionally be, as dishonourable.

‘What if there aren’t any enemy lives available?’

Dagog came forwards, panting and licking his lips.

‘Do whatever is needful to recover the secret weapon and bring it back undamaged, Captain,’ said Durthix.

That was clear enough. ‘Yes, High Commander.’

‘If you succeed, your previous failure will be forgotten.’

‘And the price of failure?’ said Dagog.

‘If Skald fails,’ said Durthix, ‘the price of his oath will be paid. I’ll leave that to you.’

That was also clear – the magiz would drink Skald’s life, if he had survived, and the lives of all his relatives. He licked his lips again; he ached for Skald to fail.

Skald looked into the primed focus and saw the destination – a wide-mouthed cave high on a mountainside – as clearly as if it had only been fifty yards away. He conjured the gate.

Because he had not fully recovered his inner power it was much harder this time. It took most of his reserves to direct the gate hundreds of leagues south, to the cave. But if it proved sufficiently accurate they would take the enemy by surprise, kill them and seize the secret weapon in under a minute.

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