Skull Gate by Robin W Bailey

Author:Robin W Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Published: 1985-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

A gentle shaking woke her. Her neck throbbed with a dull pain; her back felt stiff. One arm tingled from loss of feeling where her head rested on it. She opened her eyes slowly ... to gaze directly into Onokratos's eyes.

She didn't flinch or look away. She'd had time to think; sleep had calmed her. Eyes are windows to the soul, her mother had taught her. She peered long and deeply, seeking for his soul, if he had one, searching for some insight into this strange old man, unable to ignore the expression of almost fatherly tenderness as he leaned over her. What she saw brought only confusion.

“I don't believe what you said about Kimon,” she said.

“I spoke out of anger last night,” he answered. “It's not important.” He turned to the table; he must have set it upright while she'd slept. There was a bottle of wine and two earthen cups. He poured careful measures. “That chair wasn't very comfortable, was it?” He smiled, passed her one of the vessels. “I should apologize for the lack of luxuries. I've never entertained guests here before."

She rose slowly from the hard chair and stretched, feeling joints pop, cramped muscles ease, sensation return gradually to her limbs. If only the ache in her neck would fade...

“I'd like to see my friends."

“Kimon and the old soldier?” He regarded her over the rim of his cup. “Of course. They're waiting for us at breakfast.” That smile flashed briefly again. “You're not prisoners here."

She sipped the cup of wine he offered her. It was sweet and very good, not a Korkyran vintage, though she couldn't place its origin. Mention of breakfast made her realize how hungry she was. But her host seemed in no hurry; he held the bottle to refill her cup.

“What are we, if not prisoners?"

“Guests, as I said,” he responded, setting the bottle aside. “I only acted at the gate to defend myself. You were understandably irate.” He winked. “That's behind us now I hope. We have business to discuss."

She arched an eyebrow. “Oh?"

He nodded. “I want to save Kalynda, and you want to rescue Aki. I think I can assume she's no good to you or her people in her present condition. So, let's work together for both children."

She felt her temper surge and forced it back down with another sip of wine. “You're responsible for Aki's condition,” she reminded him pointedly.

He dismissed that with a wave of his arm. “To help my daughter I'd sacrifice ten like Aki, or a hundred. I'll not pretend otherwise. I love my daughter that much. I nearly sacrificed you."

She set her cup aside and covered it with her hand when he offered again to replenish it. “Two nights ago on the forest edge,” she said. “The fireball. That was you?"

“Gel,” he answered bluntly, “acting on my orders. You were able to negate his power, and you knew how to waken your friends from the doom-sleep into which he cast them. That demonstrates to me that you have some small measure of power and knowledge yourself.

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