Winter Warriors

by David Gemmell

  The young Drenai officer sat down, dipped his hand into the jar, pulling two leaves from it. They were a dark, lustrous green, and a heady scent filled the air. 'What are you doing?' asked Zani.

  For a moment Dagorian said nothing, then he looked up at the Ventrian. 'There is a force working here that is outside the realm of normal human senses. We could stumble around the city for days and never find the answer. Perhaps it is time to use the eyes of the spirit.'

  'Are you versed in these things?'

  'Not entirely. But I know the procedure.'

  Zani shook his head. 'I know nothing of sorcery - nor do I wish to. But there have been a lot of deaths, Drenai. I think the risk is too great for one who only - as you openly admit - knows the procedure. I think it might be wiser to take the problem to the Lord Kalizkan. There is no greater wizard than he.'

  'I have already set that in motion, Zani,' said the officer. 'But arrogance compels me to try to solve this mystery myself.'

  As he finished speaking he rolled the two leaves and placed them in his mouth.

  Bright colours flashed before his eyes, and a sharp pain lanced from his neck, down his arms and into his fingers. Calming himself Dagorian began to recite in his mind the Mantra of Dardalion, the simplest of the Three Levels. He felt as if he were floating inside his own body, twisting and turning. But there was no release, and he did not soar free as he had hoped. Slowly he opened his eyes. Zani's blue tunic was shining now with ethereal lights and dancing colours. A bright aura flickered around the man. Dagorian realized that it was not the tunic which was shining, but the man himself. Over his heart there was violet light, tinged with red, which deepened into maroon over his belly. This then was the aura mystics spoke of. How beautiful it was. He looked at Zani's round face. Honesty, loyalty and courage shone there, and he had a vision of the Ventrian sitting in a small room, three children playing at his feet. A young woman was close by, plump and raven haired. She was smiling.

  Transferring his gaze he glanced at the walls. Ward spells had been placed over the windows and the doors, and these he could see now, glowing faintly red. Turning in the chair he looked out of the east window at the shadowed garden. He blinked. A face was staring in, a ghost white face, with large dark, protruding eyes and a lipless mouth. The skin was scaled like a fish, the teeth sharp as needles. Other faces clustered around it, and a long skinny arm pushed into the room. The ward spell flared and the arm was hastily withdrawn.

  'There are demons at the window,' he said, huskily, his words echoing inside his head.

  'I see no demons,' said Zani, his voice trembling.

  'Yet they are there.'

  'It is getting cold in here,' said Zani. 'Can you feel it?'

  Dagorian did not answer. Rising from the desk he walked to the inner door and looked out into the library and the stairs beyond. White forms were floating close to the ceiling, others were huddled together away from the sunlight lancing through the western windows.

  Fear touched the officer. There were scores of them.

  They flew at him, their talons lashing out. The pain was great and he stumbled back. 'What is it?' shouted Zani.

  In panic Dagorian ran for the front door. The demons were covering him now, tearing at him. He screamed aloud, blundered into the door, then scrabbled for the handle. It was locked. He fell to his knees, the pain in­describable. Zani grabbed his arm, hauling him to the western window. Bright light bathed him, and the demons withdrew. Zani helped him climb out into the garden. Dagorian stumbled out to the grass, then fell and rolled to his back under the shadows of the trees.

  White, translucent forms dropped from the branches above, talons and teeth ripping at his face. Wildly he thrashed his arms at them, but his fingers passed through them.

  A shining sword of fire swept out. The demons fell back. A voice whispered to him. 'The Prayer of Light! Recite it you fool, or you will die here.'

  Pain and terror were blocking Dagorian's memory. The voice spoke again. 'Say it with me: Oh Lord of Light, Source of All Life, be with me now in this hour of peril and darkness . . . Say it aloud!'

  Dagorian began to recite the prayer. The demons with­drew, but hovered close by, their dark malevolent eyes glaring at him.

  Rising to his knees Dagorian watched them. Slowly the power of the lorassium began to fade, and with it his spirit sight. The demons became more and more trans­lucent, until, at last, they appeared no more than shape­less wisps of wood smoke. Then they were gone.

  Safe now he stared down at his arms and hands, amazed that there was no blood. The talons had ripped into him so many times. He slumped back exhausted. 'What happened here?' whispered Zani. 'What were you struggling against?'

  Dagorian did not answer. The lorassium did not merely increase visual powers, but also enhanced per­ception and cognitive skills. As the effects faded he fought to hold to the impressions he had gained, even during his panicked flight.

  The demons were not sentient - at least not in a way any human could understand. They were . . . the word 'Feeders' came to his mind. Yes, that was it. Like a hungry pack they sought to devour . .. what? What was the source of his pain? It was not physical, and yet it would have killed him. The lorassium was almost gone now, and he struggled to hold to the knowledge he had gained.

  Though not sentient the creatures had a purpose that was beyond their own desires. Their violence was directed.

  The sun was setting behind the mountains. Soon the dark would come. Fear rose again in Dagorian. 'We must get away from here,' he said.

  Chapter Five

  Moonlight glistened on the outer skin of the White Wolf's tent, turning its flanks to silver. Inside the old man opened the map casket, and began searching through it. A brazier full of hot coals filled the tent with warmth, and two glowing lanterns cast flickering shadows on the inner walls.

  Finding the map he was looking for the old man straightened. His lower back ached, and he stretched his arms high, trying to loosen his muscles. The cold struck him then, bitter as a winter blizzard. With a groan he turned towards the brazier of coals. No heat came from them now. He sat on the pallet bed, suddenly weary, dropped the map upon the thin mattress and reached out his hands towards the fire. The hands were old and liver spotted, the knuckles large with rheumatism.

  Depression grew in him. Once I was young, he thought. He remembered his first battle in the old king's re-formed army. He had fought all day, with never a hint of fatigue. And that night he had bedded two of the camp women, one after the other. He glanced down at his thin, wrinkled legs, the loose skin slack over withered muscles. You should have died years ago, he said to himself.

  The cold grew more intense, but he had ceased to feel it.

  The depression deepened into a bleak despair, formed of regret for what had passed, and a chilling fear of all that was to come; incontinence and senility. What would he do back in Drenan? Hire servants to change his soiled bed linen, and to wipe away the drool that dripped from his mouth. Perhaps he would not see the disgust on their faces. Then again, perhaps in moments of clarity, he would.

  The old man drew his dagger and laid the blade upon his wrist. Clenching his fist he saw the arteries stand out. Swiftly he sliced the dagger blade across them. Even the blood that flowed was weak and thin, pumping out to stain the leather cavalry kilt, flowing on over his thighs and down into his boots.

  He sat very still, remembering the glory days, until at last he toppled from the bed.

  The fire flared, and heat began once more to permeate the tent.

  After some minutes the tent flap was opened and two men stepped inside.

  The first man ran to the body and knelt beside it. 'Sweet Heaven,' he whispered. 'Why? He was in good spirits when you sent him for the map, my lord. And he won heavily on the king's birthday. He was talking about his home near Dros Corteswain, and his plans for the farm. This makes no sense.'

  The White Wolf stood silently, his pale gaze scanning the interior of the tent.
Upon the folding table was a goblet and a jug, that had contained water. Now it was filled with melting ice. Condensation had also created a sheen of ice on the tent walls.

  Banelion masked his anger. The possibility of a sorcerous attack had not occurred to him, and he cursed himself for his stupidity.

  'I don't understand,' said the grey-bearded officer, kneeling by the corpse. 'Why would he kill himself?'

  'Why does anyone kill themselves?' countered Banelion. 'Have the body removed.'

  Dagorian and Zani stabled their mounts. The ride had been a silent one, and now, as they walked through the dusk shadowed streets, the little Ventrian moved in close to the taller officer. 'I think you should tell me what happened back there,' he said.

  The Drenai warrior nodded, then led Zani to a small tavern just off the Market Square. It was almost empty and they took a window table. Dagorian ordered wine, added a little water, then sipped the drink. There were demons,' he said, at last, keeping his voice low. 'Scores of them. Perhaps hundreds. They filled the house - all except for the room with the ward spell. They tore at me with talons and teeth. I thought my flesh was being ripped from my bones.'

  'But there were no wounds. Perhaps it was just the drug.'

  Dagorian shook his head. 'There were wounds, Zani. I can still feel them. They were tearing at my spirit - my soul, if you like. They were even outside, in the trees. Worse, I sensed they were everywhere. They are prob­ably here even now, in the shadows of the ceiling, by the walls.'

  Zani glanced around nervously. But he could see nothing. 'What were they like?' Dagorian described them, their bone-white faces and bulging eyes, their sharp teeth and talons. Zani shivered. It sounded like the ravings of a madman - which Zani would have in­finitely preferred to be true. But they were investigating more than a score of bizarre murders, and everything Dagorian described had the ring of truth to it. Even so it was wildly beyond Zani's understanding. The Drenai officer fell silent. Zani spoke again, keeping his voice low. 'What does all this mean, Drenai?'

  'I do not know. It is far beyond what I was taught. But there was something else. I was rescued by a shining figure with a sword of fire. He it was who made me recite the holy verses.'

  'A shining figure,' repeated Zani. 'An angel, you mean?'

  Dagorian saw scepticism swell once more in the Ventrian's expression. 'I am sorry, Zani. Were I you I would also be deeply suspicious. Is the man mad? Did the lorassium merely swell his delusions?' Zani relaxed and smiled. 'Well, the man is not mad. But he is fright­ened. And he does have a theory, of sorts.'

  'That, at least, sounds promising,' said Zani.

  'All the people killed - or fled - were seers. They could see the demons.'

  'Which means?'

  'Think of an army on the march in enemy territory. The scouts are the eyes. Therefore the first objective is to kill the scouts. The army is now blind.'

  'But these demons cannot kill. They did not aicack me. And once the drug wore off you were also safe.'

  'They cannot kill directly. But they can influence emotions. That much I was taught back at the Temple. If their malevolence is directed by a power magus they can inspire great malice and hatred. That is the key to the killings. The boy who killed his mother, the dogs who attacked their master. All of them.'

  'I know little of demons - and I wish I knew less,' said Zani. 'But what I do know is that this is far beyond my talents. We must consult Kalizkan.'

  'Before this morning I would have agreed with you,' said Dagorian. 'I will think on it.'

  'What is there to think about? He is the greatest sor­cerer in the empire.'

  'I know. That is what worries me.'

  'You make no sense.'

  'I have read stories about sorcerers summoning demons. In ones or twos. Here we have hundreds. Only the greatest of the magi could even consider such a spell. A sorcerer of such power would not be unknown. He would be famous, rich and powerful. Is there another such sorcerer in Usa?'

  Zani's face darkened. 'I have met Kalizkan many times,' he said, coldly. 'He is a fine man, and much admired. He rescues children from the streets. He is kind and greatly loved. To speak of him summoning demons is a slander. And I'll hear no more of it. I think the drug addled your senses, Drenai. I suggest you return to the barracks and rest. Perhaps tomorrow you will be clear headed again.'

  The Ventrian pushed back his chair and strode for the door. Dagorian made no attempt to call him back. If the situation were reversed he too would be sceptical. Zani reached the door, pulled it open and stepped out­side. Dagorian heard him scream. The Ventrian officer stumbled back into the tavern, blood pumping from a terrible wound in his throat. Three dark-clad warriors moved inside. They were hooded and masked. The first thrust a sword deep into Zani's belly. The other two ran at Dagorian. The Drenai warrior up-ended the table in their path, slowing them, then drew his own blade. A sword lunged for his throat. Dagorian swayed aside and launched an overhand cut that chopped deep into his opponent's neck, slicing through the bone beneath. He was dead before he hit the floor. As his sabre came clear Dagorian leapt backwards. The second assassin's sword sliced air. Bringing up his sabre in a reverse cut Dagorian slashed the blade into the assassin's arm. It cut deep. The man screamed and dropped his sword. The killer who had stabbed Zani threw a knife, which missed Dagorian and clattered against the far wall.

  The man with the wounded arm scrambled back and ran for the door. His companion hesitated - then joined him, and the two escaped into the night. Dagorian ran to Zani, but the little Ventrian, lying in a spreading pool of blood, was dead.

  Anger rose in the Drenai officer, and he ran from the tavern, trying to catch the killers.

  The streets were dark now, and there was no sign of them. Sheathing his sabre he returned to where the bodies lay. The tavern keeper approached him. 'I have sent for the Watch,' he said. Dagorian nodded and moved to the rear of the room, where the dead assassin lay. Flipping the body with his foot he knelt down and wrenched away the mask and hood. The man was unknown to him. He heard a soft curse from the tavern keeper and swung round.

  'You know this man?'

  The tavern keeper nodded dumbly. 'He has been in here several times - usually in uniform.'

  'Who is he?'

  'I don't know his name. But he's an aide to Antikas Karios.'

  For the third time that afternoon Nogusta signalled a halt to rest the horses. The two mares ridden by Kebra and Bison did not need rest, but Nogusta's huge black gelding was breathing heavily and sweat bathed its flanks. Nogusta stroked its sleek neck. 'Do not be down­hearted, Great One,' he whispered, soothingly. 'You have been ill, and you need time to regain your strength.' The black man led him through the stand of pine and up the last rise. On the crest he paused and gazed down at the verdant valley below.

  'I still can't believe it,' said Bison, moving alongside Nogusta. 'Sold for his hide! There must have been a mistake.'

  'No mistake. He has a lung infection, and the king decided he was no longer of use.'

  'But this is Starfire. He's been the king's warhorse for years. The king loves this horse.'

  'Beware the love of kings,' said Nogusta, coldly. 'Starfire is like us, Bison. He's at least eighteen years old, and not as strong and fleet as once he was. Skanda had no more use for him. So he was sold for hide and meat and glue.'

  'If he's useless why did you buy him?'

  'He deserved better.'

  'Maybe he did, but what will you do when he drops dead?' argued Bison. 'I mean . . . look at the state he's in! Horses don't survive lung rot.'

  'The diagnosis is wrong. There is no wasting of the muscles. It is just an infection and he will improve in the mountain air. But if he does die it will be under the sky, free and proud, among friends who care for him.'

  'He's just a horse,' persisted Bison. 'Do you really think he cares?'

  'I care.' Taking up the reins Nogusta started the long walk down into the valley. Bison and Kebra rode ahead and by the ti
me the black warrior led the warhorse to level ground his two companions had made camp beside a stream. Bison had collected dry wood for a fire and Kebra had unpacked pots and plates for the evening meal.

  Nogusta unsaddled the black gelding, let him roll, then groomed him. The horse was huge, almost eighteen hands, with a strong, arched neck and a beautiful back. A white blaze, in the shape of a star, adorned his brow. 'Rest now, my friend,' said Nogusta. 'The grass here is good.' The weary gelding plodded onto the meadow and began to crop grass.

  'This is a fine place,' said Kebra. 'Good farming land. If I was twenty years younger I'd build here.'

  As dusk deepened jack rabbits began to appear. Kebra shot two, skinned and cleaned them, adding the fresh meat to the broth.

  Nogusta wrapped himself in his cloak and sat with his back to a tree. It was peaceful here, and the view was majestic. Snow-crested mountains broke the line of the horizon, and folds of hills and valleys lay before them. Away to the east he could see a deep forest part bathed in mist. To the west a lake glimmered blood red in the dying sunlight. Kebra was right. It was a place to build on, and he imagined a wide, low house, with windows that looked out on the mountains. Horses and cattle would prosper here. He gazed lovingly upon the moun­tains. What were the works of Man, when set against these giants of nature, he wondered? Man's evil seemed small here, tiny and insubstantial. The mountains cared nothing for the whims of kings and princes. They were here before Man, and they would outlast him, surviving perhaps even when the sun failed and eternal darkness fell upon the planet.

  Kebra brought him a plate of food and the two men sat in companionable silence, eating their meal. Bison finished his swiftly, then took a flat pan and headed off upstream to search for gold.

  'He'll find nothing,' said Kebra. 'There is no gold here.'

  'It will keep him occupied,' said Nogusta, sadness in his voice.

  'You still expect us to be followed?'

  Nogusta nodded. 'Malikada is not a forgiving man. He will send men, and I will kill them. And for what? One man's arrogance.'