The False House by James Stoddard

Author:James Stoddard
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9780692514764
Publisher: Ransom
Published: 1999-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

When the men had journeyed three hours, they abruptly descended into a series of canyons that blocked the False House from sight. It took an hour to cross to the far side, and when they reached it, the scouts reported an army waiting on the plain beyond the rim. Going to see for themselves, Carter and Nooncastle raised their heads above the ridge-line and found row upon row of the Transformed standing in the darkness without lantern or torch, rigid as scarecrows, silent as the dead.

“This must be where they go when they leave Moomuth Kethorvian,” Carter said.

“Look at ‘em!” Nooncastle exclaimed. “There must be at least thirty thousand. Probably the whole population of Moomuth. We can’t pass through them.”

They returned to the company and reported the situation.

“Why do they just stand there?” Howard McMurtry asked. “It’s inhuman.”

“But wouldn’t you say they were the perfect army?” Mr. Crane asked. “Willing to wait at attention for days on end. Do they even eat?”

“I wouldn’t call them perfect, Mr. Crane,” Mr. McMurtry said.

“Nor I,” Nooncastle said. “At least, not until I see them fight. As for why they’re out there, they’re probably a barrier only by chance; far easier to leave them encamped on the plain than in the house.”

“We have to get around them,” Carter said. “It won’t be long before someone on this side learns I sealed the docks. If they send that army to search for us, we won’t have a chance.”

After some discussion it was decided to circumvent the army by following the canyons. Not only would the company remain hidden, but the ravines appeared to circle behind the False House.

They went in silence, disheartened by the news. The air was warmer than the snowbound corridors of Evenmere, but filled the travelers with a chill that seeped into the soul rather than the body, making all seem hollow and insignificant. The men and the hours trudged on.

At last, when sheer exhaustion took them, they were forced to risk a few hours sleep. They encamped in the midst of a ring of mounds, lighting no fires, eating their meal in silence, throwing themselves into their bedrolls to cover their heads against the infinite, terrifying Night above them. In all his life, Carter had never known such quiet: no animals, no wind, no stirring of insects. When he closed his eyes he seemed to be falling forever into darkness, the lost Words of Power swirling away just beyond his grasp.

He woke two hours later and stumbled up, filled with anxiety, determined to check the sentries. He made a slow circle around the camp, speaking to each guard in turn, and came at last to Corporal Sandow. The soldier was sitting on a boulder, but rose at Carter’s approach.

“Keep your seat,” Carter said. “I’m just restless. I want to take a look above those rocks.” He gestured toward a knoll near the canyon wall.

“I’ll have someone accompany you, sir.”

“Unnecessary. I have my Lightning Sword. I’ll only be a moment.”

He made his way along the cold stones.

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