Saberhagen, Fred - Empire of the East 04 - Ardneh's Sword by Saberhagen Fred

Author:Saberhagen, Fred [Saberhagen, Fred]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765312105
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2006-05-16T05:00:00+00:00

most intriguing of all remained the idea, the legend, of Ardneh's Sword.

Most of those who focused on that name for the treasure believed that the Sword must take the form of some fantastic Old World weaponry, whose power would enable its wielder to defeat any opponent, win any war, perhaps claim mastery of the world.

The novice Benambra said to Chance: "We have all heard the legend of what was called the Elephant, discovered by your famous ancestor. That device was named for an animal though it had never been alive. Ardneh's Sword is named for a simple weapon, but..."

It was Jervase who answered. "...but it may not be a weapon at all. Is that what you mean? Well, there are many imaginable forms of treasure, and weapons are only one."

"I must admit, sir, that my own imagination runs to a different sort."

"May I ask you, young man—do you come from a wealthy family?"

"Once they were, sir—but no longer."

There came a new roar from outside the cave, a blending of many voices, not all of them human. Other forms of life were adding noise to the tumult that went up from the demon's human servants preparing for a sacrifice. The Scholar was distracted. Turning aside, he muttered: "Folk whose lives offer them nothing... will try to find hope somewhere. Even in a demon's promises."

Chance thought that must be true. Gokard had evidently promised his people some mighty payoff for success, and had doubtless threatened them with some terrible doom in case of failure. Or perhaps the threats and promises had come directly from Avenarius, the great demon! He to whom the sacrifice of children was the most acceptable—the great infernal demon, whose terrible name those roaring voices were speaking now, chanting it over and over, as if they would never stop.

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