"But how? Maybe he can cave in these walls, but that doesn't mean he can wave his hand and turn us all into beasts. We're tougher than that."
"Don't count on it. He will start with fear, his favorite weapon. It brings out the best in some, but in most by far it brings out the worst. War, hate, jealousy, racism—what are they but manifestations of fear?"
Carol lifted her head from Bill's shoulder.
"And nothing can stop him?" she said. "You stopped him before. Can't you—?"
"I'm not quite the same as the last time Rasalom and I met," Glaeken said with a sad smile. "The opposing power was tricked into going elsewhere."
"Then there's no hope?" Bill said.
He'd already been down where there was no hope. He didn't want to go back there again.
"I didn't say that," Glaeken said, his blue eyes focusing on Bill again. "We may be able to find someone to draw the power back. I'll need help. I think it would be quite fitting if you joined me. And you, Mrs. Treece? Will you sign up for our little army?"
Carol seemed to be in shock, but she managed a nod.
"Yes. Yes, I will."
"Excellent." Glaeken turned toward the door. "Let's go then."
"What about… them?" Bill said, glancing toward the bedroom door.
"We'll have to leave them."
Lisl… Renny… lying there like slaughtered cattle.
"They deserve better than that."
"I don't disagree, but we can't afford to become involved with the police who are undoubtedly on their way as we speak. They'll detain us, perhaps even jail us, and we haven't a moment to lose."
Reluctantly, Bill was forced to accept the old man's logic. He and Carol followed Glaeken outside into the rain. He shivered with the chill of it.
"When will he begin?"
"I don't know," Glaeken said. "But I believe it will start in the heavens. That's his way. He may start subtly, so we must keep watching the skies so we won't miss his opening shot. We want to know when the war begins, and we have to be ready."
Bill glanced up and saw only the low, gray lid of clouds pressing down on them.
In the heavens… what would happen up there? He had a feeling that looking up would become a reflex in the weeks to come.
"But what can we do against a power like his?"
"There are a few things we can try." The old man's eyes narrowed with anger as he tapped the tip of his cane on the pavement. "He called me helpless," Glaeken said in a low voice, his blue eyes blazing for an instant. "No one has ever called me that. We'll see how helpless I am."
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Reprisal ac-5 Page 36