City of Torment (зкs-2) by Bruce R Cordell

Author:Bruce R Cordell [Cordell, Bruce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sf_fantasy

"What now?" said the captain, his eyes almost eager. "We move into the city and discover its heart," said Raidon. "We need to find the creature from which the Dreamheart was carved. If fate is kind, we'll find it before its progeny wake it. Somewhere in this massive structure, aboleths are singing to rouse their father. We must find that chamber and kill the children before the parent can open the rest of its eyes. If destiny is on our side, perhaps we may even hope Angul can slay the Eldest as it sleeps defenseless."

Everyone just looked at the monk. Finally the captain asked, "What odds do you give on the warlock showing up down here and interfering with us?"

Raidon blinked. "Why would he do that?"

Thoster said, "He's connected to this place as much as you—he carries the Dreamheart."

"His presence here seems unlikely. You experienced how difficult a time we had finding and reaching Xxiphu—and I had the Cerulean Sign to guide me. Yes, he has the Dreamheart, though it won't do him any good if we slay the Eldest before all its eyes are open."

The captain said, "I think you're wrong, Raidon."

"What's this about, Thoster?"

The captain clapped! Raidon on the shoulder. "I like to be prepared for contingencies. Think about it—why'd the warlock take off with the Dreamheart to begin with? Because of the girl. If Japheth had got her free from the stone, she'd have woken up by now. She hasn't. Which I think means—"

"That her mind isn't in the Dreamheart," finished Seren, her tone incredulous. "Otherwise, someone with Japheth's arcane connections would have freed her."

"Exactly," said Thoster. "My guess is her mind was sucked down here!"

Raidon shrugged. "Could be. It doesn't change our plans."

"Well, perhaps we should we pack her up so we can carry her easily?"

"Anusha? No, of course not. Bringing an Unconscious person into the city would be a nuisance at best, and a danger to all of us trying to keep her safe in a fight. We'll put your dog in her cabin to watch over her."

Thoster rubbed his chin. "Well, I suppose that's fine."

"Are you worried about facing Japheth?" Seren asked the captain.

"No," said Thoster. "At least, not since your ritual." He put his hand on the amulet cord. "Still, how often does a fellow walk into a primeval relic filled with half-petrified monsters older than gods?"

CHAPTER TWENTY

The Year of the Secret (1396 DR) Xxiphu, Hall of Spawning

The man dreamed.

A many-columned structure stood on a mountain at the edge of a void. Vast scale was implied by the misted clouds that wreathed the peak and edifice alike. The columns surrounded an inner citadel of solid stone—solid but for a gigantic gate of star iron. The enormous valve was pitted and ancient. Sometimes it rattled and shook with the slow cadence of mighty waves, as if something inside strove to throw it open with steady, unrelenting strength.

The man knew with dreamy conviction that on the other side of the gate stretched forgotten dimensions that lay beyond the stars.

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