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hammer of the blow slammed him twenty feet across the stones.
Gorath ran toward him, and the last thing the dazed Tsurani magician saw was the towering figure of the dark elf above him, poised to strike. Then, with a single blow, Gorath killed the magician.
Owyn hurried to Pug’s side and saw the older magician was still suffering from the lingering effects of the spell cast on him. He shook, and his expression was agony, as his teeth were locked and his lips pulled back in a rictus grin.
‘‘What can you do?’’ asked Locklear.
‘‘I don’t know,’’ said Owyn. He reached out and touched Pug and his fingers exploded in pain. But rather than pull away, he turned his mind to the pain and felt the energy. He moved the energy and turned it to the floor, and suddenly it was gone.
Pug collapsed. Then he took a huge breath, almost a sob, and let it out with a sigh.
James said, ‘‘Pug! Can you understand me?’’
Weakly, Pug nodded. Speaking slowly, because the muscles of his face hurt, he said, ‘‘Help me up, please.’’
Standing with James’s arm around his waist, Pug’s legs trembled. ‘‘If I move, the effects should pass.’’
Owyn said, ‘‘I’m glad. That was more magic in a minute than I’ve seen in most of my life.’’
‘‘You did well. You trusted your instincts. If you continue to do that, the magic you have gained from me will serve us both.’’ Pug moved away from James and seemed to regain strength with every step. ‘‘That is four of them. At least one of those remaining will be maintaining the barrier spell, if not both. If we can find them, and disable them, the spell that blocks the Lifestone will fall, and we can get to Makala.’’
He looked around. The magician whom Locklear had shot had died from blood loss. ‘‘Through those doors there is another treasure chamber. It is one which has a blasted wall on the other side, stones destroyed by a mighty struggle years ago. Through that gap in the stones lies the chamber of the Lifestone.’’
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Gorath said, ‘‘Then we must assume the last two Tsurani guardians and Makala are through those doors.’’
‘‘Come,’’ said Pug. He walked slowly and as he approached the doors, he glanced at Zatapek’s companion, a young Great One he had not known. He must have been a trainee when I lived on Kelewan, he thought. Pity. With vacant eyes the dead magician stared up at ancient stones on an alien world. What a waste, thought Pug.
Near the door, Pug motioned for the others to stop. He chanced a glimpse and saw two figures waiting, though he didn’t think they had yet seen him. Their attentions were being directed toward two goals, being alert for Pug’s approach, and maintaining the barrier behind them. Pug knew that fatigue would be the price of such prolonged duty, but had no illusions as to the time allotted to them.
Delekhan and his own Spellweavers would be somewhere close by, trying to locate this cavern, either to free Murmandamus if they truly believed him here, or to claim the legacy of his powers. Either way either his arrival or Makala’s activating the Lifestone would prove an abrupt ending to all their efforts.
Pug stepped back and closed his eyes.
I called for you, but was unable to reach your mind, came a familiar voice in Pug’s mind.
He looked to Owyn, and said, ‘‘The Oracle.’’
Owyn nodded.
Pug sent, We must lower the barrier and free you.
The Black Robes stole in one night and filled the cavern with a mist that caused my servants to sleep and rendered me weak. Then they bound me with wards that even my powers could not break. It was my inability to know my own future that blinded me to such a possibility. In time I might win free, but so far I am but an echo of what I once was.
Pug considered the might of the Oracle of Aal and was impressed at Makala’s preparation. He must not underestimate Makala at any time.
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for a time. I think it unlikely you have suffered any permanent injury.
To Owyn Pug said, ‘‘We must quickly eliminate those two.’’
Owyn asked, ‘‘Are you able?’’
‘‘I must be.’’ He turned to James, Gorath, and Locklear. ‘‘If they are ready for magic, they may not be ready for a physical attack. As soon as we go through the door, hurry after us, but stay to the side in case we are struck.’’ To Gorath he said,
‘‘What you will see beyond the barrier will amaze and shock you, but do not be alarmed. It is a great dragon, but one unlike any on Midkemia before. She is the Oracle of Aal and must be protected from Delekhan or any other menace while she regains her strength. If I fail to overcome Makala, she is our only hope.’’
Gorath nodded. ‘‘I understand.’’ He looked at Locklear and James. ‘‘These are worthy companions. We shall protect the dragon while you two dispose of the magicians.’’
Owyn was about to move to the door when Pug stopped him. ‘‘There is one spell that may give us the time we need to confront Makala. When the barrier falls, he will know his companions have failed.’’
‘‘What is it?’’
‘‘If they are as weakened by their labors as I suspect there is a mild spell that will stun them to senselessness.’’ Pug pointed. ‘‘If this works, they will continue to hold the barrier in place for a few moments, just long enough for us to cross the chamber to the great rent in the wall between this chamber and the next. We need the time, because to confront Makala, we must shift ourselves in time.’’
Owyn nodded. He closed his eyes a moment, then said, ‘‘I know the spell you speak of.’’ His eyes widened, and he said,
‘‘This seems simple.’’
Pug said, ‘‘If we survive this, remind me to tell you how long I researched this particular magic.’’ He nodded, and they stepped through the door. The two Tsurani Great Ones had obviously prepared, for both continued to hold the barrier in place, splitting their energies so that one attempted to defend against Pug, while the other tried to cast a spell of fire at him.
‘‘Look out!’’ shouted Owyn as he moved out of the way.
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The Tsurani may have been prepared for Pug alone, but they didn’t expect a second magician. Both Pug and Owyn cast their enchantments, spells which reached out and seized the Tsuranis’ fatigued minds, stunning them with a blow as effective as if they had been struck by a hammer.
Pug ran. Owyn was a step behind as the two Great Ones stood motionless, rooted and unable to do anything for a moment. Then they slumped to the floor.
As the barrier fell, the room beyond was revealed. Even knowing he was going to see a dragon didn’t prepare Owyn for the sight before him. The dragon was immense, easily the largest living creature he had ever seen. Its head rested on the stones, and was the size of a wagon. But what had Owyn wondering if his senses had fled was the creature’s hide: it was encrusted with gems. Thousands of diamonds covered the creature’s body, from nose to tail, including its massive wings.
But sprinkled throughout were enough rubies, emeralds, and sapphires to give the creature a scintillating, rainbow hue that seemed to dance across the surface of her body. Hooded lids covered her eyes, and white teeth the size of sword blades peeked from beneath lips set in a wolfish smile.
Thank you, magicians.
Pug saw a device of Tsurani manufacture that had generated the barrier. In it were tiny bits of crystal. He examined them, and said, ‘‘Now we know why Makala was so desperate to have that ruby.’’ He pointed to the machine. ‘‘Those stones of unusual property you mentioned, Owyn. They were used to power this device, and The Six were responsible for keeping it functioning. I knew there was no simple magic that could dis
able the Oracle.’’ To the dragon, Pug said, ‘‘Gorath and the others will stand guard while Owyn and I tend to Makala.’’
You must hurry. He acts rashly.
Pug and Owyn ran toward the gap in the wall, smashed out by the struggle that a dragon had undertaken with one of the most terrible creatures known, a Dreadlord, during the height of the battle that decided the Great Uprising and ended Murmandamus’s threat to the Kingdom.
Pug faltered. He had expected to see an empty room, in which he would have to shift Owyn and himself a moment in 358
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time to bring them into phase with the Lifestone. Instead he said, ‘‘Gods! Makala has brought the Lifestone here!’’
The Tsurani Great One stood before a large emerald-colored stone, as high as a man’s waist. From the top protruded a golden sword with a white hilt, which looked like ivory. On the hilt was embossed a golden dragon.
Then the Black Robe turned, and said, ‘‘Milamber, I am impressed. I didn’t think even you could win past all my defenses. I hope Zatapek and the others did not suffer unduly in trying to stop you?’’
Pug’s anger was barely held in check. ‘‘They died like loyal Tsurani, with honor and obedience, and completely ignorant of your murderous duplicity.’’
‘‘Do not speak to me of duplicity, Milamber! You swore an oath to serve the Empire, yet you hide the existence of this terrible lie from us!’’ Makala moved a step toward Pug and Owyn and shouted, ‘‘Ten years ago you engaged in a battle to bar the Enemy from our worlds, or so you told the Assembly.
Hochopepa and Shimone bore witness to that lie. Sons of great Tsurani houses died on this alien world to aid in that great cause. Yet you denied us any explanation as to why this city was important, why we had to spend Tsurani blood here.’’
He lowered his voice. ‘‘When I came to your world you deflected my questions and were evasive, and when at last I undertook to discover reasons myself, I discovered this place, with its traps and magic wards, and that great creature in the next hall. All here to keep me and anyone else not in your service from that!’’ His finger shot out, pointing to the Lifestone.
‘‘You did not bar this world to the Enemy! You trapped it in that stone, and harbor it against the day you feel the need to unleash it against your foes, perhaps against the Empire of Tsuranuanni!’’
‘‘You can’t believe that,’’ said Pug.
‘‘Not only do I believe it, I intend to make sure that day never comes. I have almost unlocked this thing, and when I fully understand its nature, I will take it to the Holy City and there it will wait until the Empire needs it for her defense.’’
Owyn said, ‘‘Pug, he’s mad.’’
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Makala said, ‘‘Boy, this conversation is not for children.’’ He made a dismissive motion with his hand and Owyn was flung backward, as if he had been struck. At the last instant he recognized the spell as a variant of the same one he had used to fell Zatapek and shielded himself from serious harm. But he still landed hard on the stones and had the wind knocked out of him for a moment.
Pug turned, and said, ‘‘You’re a murderous dog, Makala. I welcomed you into my household and you betrayed me and my trust. You treated my daughter as a pawn in a game and put her life at terrible risk. For that act alone you’ve earned death. But thousands have died for you to reach this point.’’
‘‘All the more reason it’s vital I succeed, Milamber. Else they died in vain. When this artifact is safe in the Imperial Palace, they will have died for the good of the Empire.’’
Pug gathered his depleted power to him, knowing he was facing one who was among the most gifted of the Assembly.
Makala stepped back. ‘‘I will not face you, Milamber. I was amongst those who was in attendance when you single-handedly destroyed the great arena in Kentosani. I have no delusions of being your equal, even in your weakened state.’’ He turned slightly and made a signaling motion with his hand.
From out of the shadows two figures appeared, large menacing grey figures with massive wings. Makala said, ‘‘One useful thing I gained when I discovered the world of Timirianya, was a staff belonging to an ancient priest named Rlynn Skrr. It allows me to command these creatures.’’ He said to the two elemental creatures, ‘‘Kill them.’’
Pug turned to Owyn, and said, ‘‘I can fight one, you the other, but we can’t fight them both and Makala. Blow the horn!’’
Owyn didn’t hesitate and raised the hunting horn to his lips.
He blew, and a long, plaintive note hung in the air, sounding as much like a dog’s howl as a hunting horn.
A chilling wind struck the hall, nothing natural, and a thing of ancient magic. Suddenly next to Owyn stood a pair of hunting hounds, massive in size with slavering jaws and fangs the size of daggers. Their eyes were red, and around their necks they wore studded collars of iron spikes. They stood waiting.
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‘‘Command them, Owyn,’’ shouted Pug.
‘‘What do I do?’’
Pug turned to face Owyn, and in his eyes the young magician saw anger and hate. ‘‘Makala!’’ he shouted.
Owyn stood and pointed at the suddenly unsettled Tsurani magician. ‘‘Attack!’’ he commanded.
The hounds leaped forward. Pug turned as the first of the Wind Elementals neared him and, reaching deep within, employed the spell he had used on them before on Timirianya.
As before the creature was engulfed in spinning colored beads of energy, and stood rooted, wailing a ghostly cry.
Owyn cast his spell at the other, and it, too, stood rooted.
Then they turned their attention to Makala. The Tsurani Great One had erected a protective shield against the great beasts which stalked him and prodded against it, trying to find a way around it. He retreated, and as they closed on him he was prevented from employing any magic against Pug or Owyn.
Pug moved around the Lifestone and took a moment to glance at it, seeing if it had been endangered in any perceivable way. He said a momentary prayer of thanks; apparently Makala hadn’t yet begun to physically interact with the gem.
Pug then turned to Makala, who sought to avoid the lunges of the hounds. They couldn’t reach him, but their attacks were unsettling.
Pug came to stand beside one of the huge dogs, and shouted,
‘‘Makala, you have betrayed me, my family, and your own brotherhood in this mindless adherence to a blind Tsurani credo. You did not even bother to determine what was ‘the Good of the Empire.’ Had you even begun to understand, you would know that what you propose to do places the Empire in the greatest risk it has known since the Enemy drove the Nations across the Golden Bridge. Thousands have died for your arrogance and vanity. For all of this, you are condemmed to death.’’
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a spell and, with it, he peeled back the protective enchantment Makala had raised. The older magician realized at the last instant what Pug 361
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had done, and screamed, ‘‘No!’’ Then the hounds leaped on him and began tearing him to shreds.
He died quickly. The dogs continued tearing at his corpse, rending it to pieces they scattered around the hall.
Owyn approached as the two Wind Elementals faded from view, and said, ‘‘He deserved no less.’’
‘‘Call off the hounds,’’ said Pug.
Owyn shouted, ‘‘Stop,’’ and the hounds stopped. He turned to Pug, and said, ‘‘What do I do with them?’’
Pug shook his head. ‘‘I think you just need to tell them to go back where they came from.’’
Owyn turned and did so, and the two hounds vanished from sight.
He took off the horn and put it down. ‘‘This is a terrible power to have.’’
Pug put his hand on Owyn’s shoulder. ‘‘All power is terrible if not used wisely.’’ He glanced at the mangled corpse, and said, �
�‘That was once a man of great power and position. He abused both. Never forget that.’’
Owyn said, ‘‘I never will. I don’t think I’m cut out for a magician’s life.’’
Pug actually managed to laugh. ‘‘Cut out or not, I don’t think you can avoid it. You’re a young man of great power, Owyn.’’
‘‘Me? I’m just a youngster who learned some things from Patrus and from you.’’
‘‘More,’’ said Pug. He put his hand on Owyn’s shoulder, and said, ‘‘When we linked minds, you were given much of my knowledge. You will find that some of it will lie dormant for years, but other parts will come to you unbidden. Whatever you choose to do with your life when you return to your father’s court, you are going to be one of the more gifted practitioners of magic in the world.’’
Owyn said, ‘‘That will take some getting used to. I—’’
Further conversation was interrupted by the sound of swords clashing and shouts from the next chamber.
Magician, came the dragon’s thoughts, I cannot stop them. I am still too weak.
Pug turned toward the gap between the chambers and saw 362
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someone hurrying through it. For a moment he thought it was Gorath, but too late he recognized it was a different moredhel.
This one was carrying a staff which he leveled at Pug and Owyn. A blast of energy smashed them both across the room.
Pug hit the wall hard enough that lights danced before his eyes, and Owyn again had the wind knocked from him.
He saw the moredhel Spellweaver struck from behind by someone, and saw Locklear stumble into the chamber, then turning to barely avoid the sword blow of another moredhel, a warrior who had vainly tried to prevent Locklear from reaching the Spellweaver.
Suddenly the room filled with combatants. Locklear fought a moredhel warrior, while James attempted to keep close to another Spellweaver, who tried to fend him off with a staff like the one used to hurt Pug and Owyn.
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