On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers, Anthony [Piers, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Magic, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Humor, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780606025980
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 1989-04-15T10:29:20+00:00

Chapter 8 - GREEN MOTHER

A light was flashing on the dash. That meant Mortis had something to tell Death. “Brace yourself,” Zane told Luna. “We're about to be on the Death horse.”

“I love horses,” she said. “I'm a girl at heart.” He pressed the button, and they were on the stallion, Luna sitting behind him. “What is it?” Zane asked. “My countdown is turned off; I'm pretty well caught up on my backlist, and I don't begrudge my upcoming clients a few more hours of life.”

The horse neighed urgently and swished his tail. “Idiot—turn on your translator,” Luna murmured. Zane hastily set the language gem in his left ear. It was uncomfortable to wear continuously, as he had never gotten his ear pierced so he could use it as an earring, and he normally removed it during off hours. He hadn't realized it could be used to talk to Mortis!

“Nature summons you,” the neigh-voice said.

“I can wait till I get home,” Zane muttered, conscious of Luna's presence.

“The Incarnation Nature,” the horse clarified. “Gaea. She says to dally only long enough to pick up one soul.”

“Nature—the person? If she wants to talk to me, why doesn't she come herself, as the other Incarnations have?”

“She is the Green Mother,” Mortis neighed, and there was an undertone of equine respect. “She governs all living creatures. Do not annoy her, Death.”

“You had better go,” Luna said. “I don't know which of you Incarnations has the most power, but Nature surely is not to be trifled with. You can drop me off anywhere near Kilvarough, and—”

“Do not go near Kilvarough!” Mortis warned. “Operate from the ghost world.”

“But I can't leave Luna among the ghosts!” Zane protested.

“Bring her.”

“I'd like that,” Luna said. “Is it permitted?”

“I'll do it regardless,” Zane decided. “I'm not going to leave you in any strange place unprotected.” He turned on the Deathwatch countdown. It showed nine minutes. He oriented on the client, using the special gems of his bracelet. He nudged Mortis, aiming the stallion in the right direction. “Take us there,” he directed.

The horse leaped away from the carnival. Clouds wafted by, and the cosmos was inchoate. “Ooo, lovely!” Luna breathed, hugging Zane from behind.

Then Mortis landed in a great dance hall in the city of San Diego. Magic clothed the walls with royal trappings and made the floor resemble solid silver. It did not at all look like a place of death.

“So this is what your job is like,” Luna murmured. “You must enjoy it well.”

“It varies,” Zane said. “Parts of it are not fun.”

They dismounted, and Mortis stepped into the background. No one noticed that he was a horse, for he was protected by the magic of his own office.

The watch showed four minutes. Zane went to the spot indicated by the gems. It was a section of the dance floor. Dancers crossed it and moved on, doing the Squirm; he could not tell who was fated to be there when the time came.

There were two empty seats beside a young woman who was not dancing.

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