The Seventh Gate by Margaret Weis

Author:Margaret Weis [Weis, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Published: 2011-11-12T17:59:19+00:00

CHAPTER 20

SAFE HARBOR ABARRACH

ACROSS THE FIRE SEA, XAR, LORD OF THE NEXUS, SAW HIS carefully conceived plans sucked down into chaos, like chunks of broken rock caught in the maelstrom.

The Sartan ship had appeared out of nowhere, materializing above the Fire Sea in a shimmering blaze of blue sigla. An enormous construction, long and sleek, with a swanlike shape, it hovered over the magma river as if loath to touch it. Those people aboard it dropped ladders of magic from the sides, rune-constructs that carried them down to the docks below.

Xar heard Ramu's words through Mark's ears, heard them as clearly as if he had been standing beside her. We will close the Final Gate. We will make certain— once and for all—that our enemy never again escapes.

The Sartan ship was visible to the Patryns waiting on board their own iron dragon ship, floating above the molten lava in the bay below. A group of them were now scaling the rocks, hastening to join their lord.

Xar remained standing, silent, unmoving.

Several Patryns, arriving on the promontory, prepared for action, came up against the high, chill wall of Xar's silence. He paid no attention to them, to their arrival. They glanced at each other, uncertain. Eventually, one of them—the eldest—moved forward.

"Sartan, My Lord!" he ventured.

Xar did not reply aloud. He nodded grimly, thought, We are outnumbered almost four to one.

"We will fight, Lord," said the Patryn eagerly. "Give us the word . . ."

Fight! Battle! Revenge at last on the ancient enemy. The anticipation, the desire clenched Xar's stomach, burned the breath from his lungs, nearly burst his heart. It was like being young again and waiting to meet a lover.

The fire was doused swiftly by the icy waters of logic.

"Ramu is lying," Xar said to himself. "This talk of going to the Labyrinth is a ruse, a diversion. He's hoping we'll abandon Abarrach. He wants this world for his own. He came here to find the Seventh Gate."

"My Lord!" cried the Patryn, peering across the Fire Sea. "They have captured Marit! They're taking her prisoner!"

"What is your command, Lord?" His people clamored for, yearned for blood.

Outnumbered four to one. Yet my people are strong. If I was with them . . .

"No." Xar spoke harshly. "Keep watch on the Sartan. See what they do, where they go. They claim they are bound for the Labyrinth."

"The Labyrinth, Lord!" His people must have heard rumors of the fighting there.

"They plan to finish us for good this time," one said.

"Over my dead body," said another.

Over many, many dead bodies, Xar thought. "I don't trust them," he said aloud. "I don't believe they really plan to go to the Labyrinth. However, it is well to be prepared. Don't interfere with them here. Make ready to sail. If they actually enter Death's Gate, follow them."

"Do we take all our people, Lord?"

Xar pondered a moment. "Yes," he said at last. If Ramu was sending his forces into the Labyrinth, the Patryns would need all the manpower they could muster.

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