The group gathered in around Imada and Vena and continued down the corridor while Mark and the Americans fell in behind.
"Lucky guy," Walker said, coming up to Mark's side. "The kid must have been through hell, it's been months since he disappeared."
"Yeah, a long time," Mark replied quietly.
"Allic!"
The demigod strode into the lounge area, nodding good-naturedly at the enthusiastic greetings. He could not help but feel a ripple of pride at these warriors who had added so much to his power and prestige, besides proving themselves loyal friends as well.
Inwardly he stiil rankled at how his father had used both him and these men. Even gods can make mistakes, and his timing for the counterstrike had been a little too close for comfort; it was still a wonder to him that at least one of the men had not broken and poisoned himself the moment the shielding went down.
Mark strode forward, hand outstretched in greeting. Allic looked at him closely--yes, Mark had recovered from his fears, and inwardly the demigod felt a sense of relief. He would have always protected the man, out of memory of his service in the war against Sarnak, but a proud warrior, if broken, would have continued on as merely a shell.
Allic thought on that for a moment, and how too often of late he needed yet another drink to steady himself. It was just a phase, he kept telling himself. But for one who could live for thousands of years, he knew far too many such as he who lived out a long twilight hidden away, lost in memories of other ages, burdened by life from which escape came all too slowly.
The burden of life: one too many lovers gone old and dead, too many offspring aging before him, too many battles fought on the razor edge of terror. He sighed inwardly, chasing the dark thoughts away. Varma, his jester and counselor, was always good for these moments, but the little man was back at Landra.
"Enjoying the rest?" he asked.
"Delightful," Mark said, though his voice betrayed a certain restless edge.
The rest of the group came up behind Mark, eager for news.
"Jartan has agreed to let you investigate the copy of Stonehenge that Kochanski found," Allic said, trying to force a smile. "Perhaps there could be a link back to your home."
A delighted whoop went up from Smithie, Kraut, and several of the Japanese, the rest smiling with varying degrees of pleasure.
Allic carefully watched the shades of reaction occuring around him, and knew that his feelings about this project were mixed as well. It was the natural desire of all men to return to their homes, and for those with strong attachments and families it was only natural. Though honor-bound to help these men, Allic knew that if they were successful, and this strange druid somehow knew a way back, he would lose not only his friends, but the strongest contingent of sorcerers it had ever been his fortune to recruit. For these men had already been a team before they had come to him, and fought with a skill and remarkable innovation that was stunning to behold; without them, the war against Sarnak might have gone very differently.
He looked closely at Mark and Ikawa, who in turn exchanged an uneasy gaze. They were comrades here, and sworn enemies back in their old world. If a way was open for them to return, Allic knew they were honor bound to go back to serve their countries, though it would mean giving up their power, titles, the women they loved, and perhaps their friendship as well.
Allic wished inwardly that this chance had never come up. In fact, if it had been up to him, he might have been tempted to hold them to their three-year contracts. But Jartan had overruled that, stating that such exceptional service had to be exceptionally rewarded in turn.
"What's happening with Jartan?" Ikawa asked, breaking the painful silence.
"We move out in a couple of hours. Jartan sat down and had a little chat with several of the demons we captured and managed to persuade them to reveal the portal they used to gain Yuvin and how to break through it. From there we'll be inside Gorgon's outpost realms. Hopefully, the challenge will bring him up. If not, we'll consolidate on that world, then gain the next portal in. At the least we'll pull a half dozen worlds into our sphere of control, and with luck we might just gain a final confrontation."
"Sounds like a hell of a good fight to me," Walker said softly, looking wistfully at the floor.
"You sure you won't need us?" Ikawa chimed in.
Allic smiled at this display of loyalty. He could sense that more than one sorcerer on the expedition was wishing to be anywhere but on a drive into Gorgon's realm, but here these men were still offering to volunteer. He knew some of it was sheer naivete over what might still be faced, but on the whole they were a group that was confident, tough, and did not like being kept out of a fight.
"It's not the fight to get yourselves tangled up in. Jartan wants people a little more seasoned in demon lore for this one."
"In other words, we're not good enough?" Ikawa asked.
Allic shoke his head. "In other words, you're too valuable to waste in this type of fighting. You've done your part; let the others do theirs. We need some reliable backups down here anyhow to keep an eye on things. Jartan feels your expedition can provide a valuable service just by checking out an area he has had no contact with or ventured to in quite some time. Besides being a reward, your trip will serve the broader plan as well."
He saw that this comment placated them, and provided an honorable way to be out of the next fight. If only they really knew how terrifying going into the demon dimensions would be. Just once before had he penetrated into the outer reaches of Gorgon's realms. It had been a travail of horrors. The human inhabitants, if they could be called such, were demented creatures who seemed to live merely for the slavery and sport of the demons. One could not move, drink, eat, or it seemed, even breathe without fear of a trap cunningly laid to catch the unsuspecting. Over everything there hovered a dread, a dark coiling fear that crept into the soul...
Noticing a carafe of wine on the table, Allic strode over and poured himself a drink. Taking a long pull, he finally turned back to face his comrades, forcing a smile.
"It'll be a picnic, so don't think you're missing anything we can't handle," he said evenly, clapping Walker on the shoulder. "Besides, the way you fly, you might be a danger to the rest of us."
"Ah, go on, sir, I can out-fly any of the old geezers you've got with you," Walker shot back.
"That's just the problem. They might want to burn your ass for your arrogance."
Walker broke into a grin at the compliment.
"How soon can you leave?" Allic asked, turning to Mark.
"We could be on our way as early as tomorrow. Leti has already gone over the route with us. I'm curious to see these floating islands that I've been hearing so much about."
"They sound like aircraft carriers from back home," Ikawa interjected.
"Aircraft carriers?"
"Large ships that we used back on Earth to carry and launch the airplanes that we told you about," Ikawa replied quietly, looking over at Mark.
"In the war your people were fighting with each other?" Allic inquired.
"They were proud ships," Shigeru said. "I had an uncle on the Kaga."
"You never told us that," Smithie said cautiously. "That was one of the ships that hit Pearl Harbor."
"And was lost at Midway," Ikawa added quickly.
"It's in the past now," Mark responded sharply, looking at Smithie.
The group fell silent, and Allic could sense that with even a remote prospect of returning home, old memories and possibly old antagonisms could again be stirred. He had warned Jartan of this but the god had insisted that it was a risk that had to be taken if the offworlders were to be fairly rewarded.
"It should be a pleasant enough trip," Allic went on. "The floating islands should make your journey an interesting and pleasant jaunt. Some of them date back to the Great War, when they were built so we could quickly move sorcerers from one continent to another. They are now a chain of free city states, so remember you will be outside both my jurisdict
ion and Jartan's."
"I don't want you cracking any heads in tavern brawls the way you did last month," Allic said with a smile, slapping Shigeru on the shoulder. "I won't be able to bail you out if you do."
The wrestler broke into a shy smile. "They started it," he whispered.
"Five to one odds against you hardly seems fair, though," Allic replied, his visage suddenly grim though his eyes betrayed a certain pride and amusement.
"I'll try to stay out of trouble, sir," Shigeru replied uncertainly, apparently unsure if Allic was angry with him or not.
"Come on," Allic laughed, "I'm going to miss you scoundrels. Let's have a couple of drinks and then I'll be on my way."
The crowd gathered around Allic, in front of a long table which was already strewn with half-empty bottles. They were soon laughing uproariously at Walker's latest round of crude jokes, but stopped to cheer enthusastically when Leti came in.
"Having a night with the boys?" she asked, coming up and putting her arm around Allic.
He looked at her and forced a smile. He knew that she was fully aware of what could be faced on Gorgon's outpost worlds in just a matter of hours, and knew as well that his sister, if anyone, could see through the forced bravado.
"Just a couple of quick ones to see you folks off on your expedition."
"I wish you were going with us, my lord," Ikawa said, coming up to stand next to Leti.
So do I, Allic thought.
Scanning the faces of his men, he noticed that Imada, unlike the others, was not into his cups and sat quietly to one side. Taking Leti's arm and putting it onto Ikawa's shoulder, he broke away from the group and went over to the corner of the room. Nervously, the young offworlder came to his feet.
"It's a pleasure to have you back with me," Allic said cheerfully, looking straight into the boy's eyes.
"Thank you, sir." The boy fell quiet.
"I only had a couple of minutes to scan the report from Valdez and Pina. You went through a tough time, but you seem to have handled yourself quite well."
"If it hadn't been for Vena, I would never have made it back."
Allic was silent. At the mere mention of the girl's name he could see the wistful light in Imada's eyes. It was a remarkable story, and he knew Valdez to be thorough, but still he wished he had time to sit down and talk to this miraculous girl. One did not long survive as a demigod without being suspicious of anything that seemed to be too good.
"Sir, if it's all the same to you," Imada ventured quietly, "I'd rather not go on this expedition."
A little surprised, Allic looked closely at the boy.
"Not afraid of a little adventure are you?" he asked, feigning annoyance.
"No, it's not that at all," Imada replied, with a touch of indignation.
Allic smiled knowingly. "It's the girl--is that it?"
Imada smiled bashfully.
"I'm still ordering you to go on the trip, though," Allic said sternly.
Imada started to say something, thought better of it, and came to attention. "As you wish, sir. I'm sorry to have troubled you with it."
Allic started to turn away. Then, looking back at Imada, he felt himself soften. The boy was the youngest of all the offworlders, not even eighteen years old, yet if the reports were true his actions were those of a seasoned veteran. He hesitated, then called, "Leti, could you come over here for a moment?"
She broke away from the raucous crowd, Ikawa by her side.
"I think we have a little problem here," Allic said evenly, still looking at Imada.
"What is this about?" Ikawa said quickly, gazing at Imada, who now stood rigid.
"Leti, we've got ten of our older sorcerers going out with the group to handle the equipment and baggage, don't we?"
"There's a lot going with us," she replied, her voice edged with curiosity over why her brother was concerned about such a detail. "There's our personal equipment, clothing, some trade items, gifts for the island rulers and for this druid character. It's quite a load."
"Think they can handle another hundred pounds or so?"
"I guess so. Why do you ask?"
"I heard she's nearly as slight as you are," Allic said, still looking at Imada and breaking into a smile. "I think a hundred pounds or so would be just about right--though don't ask her. Women are all so damn sensitive about their weight."
Confused, Imada could not reply.
"Damn it, lad, the girl goes with you, if that's the problem. I think you deserve this little reward. In fact, I'm ordering her to go along to keep you out of trouble."
Unable to contain himself, Imada let out an exuberant whoop.
"Hey, what's going on?" Walker shouted, coming over to join the group.
"She's going with me. Vena's going with me!"
"I heard you like this woman called Watan," Leti said, looking at Walker with a mischevious grin. "Shall we bring her too?"
A look of mock horror lit Walker's features.
"Like hell, your ladyship. But if you could arrange for Rita Hayworth..."
"Or Suda Codi," Mark suggested.
"One is enough," Allic replied. "This is supposed to be a military reconnaisance, not a floating love trip."
"Now go tell this remarkable girl of yours that I'm ordering her to look out for your health during the trip--and damn it, the two of you better get a good night's sleep. Now, get out of here."
"Thank you, sir, thank you," Imada said, bowing low. Turning, he dashed from the room, followed by the delighted catcalls of his comrades.
Ailic turned away and started for the door.
"My lord, forgive me for asking, but why?" Ikawa said, coming up beside him.
Why indeed? Allic wondered. He wasn't quite sure himself. If anything, the boy probably needed to be separated from her for awhile to reestablish his own sense of independence. Yet something in the back of his mind had whispered for him to do this. There was no logical reason, but Allic had found through long experience that at times his intuition could take what appeared to be the most inconsequential of events and turn them into a path that would later be more significant than he had ever anticipated. Doubtless this was only an indulgent whim, though, and smiling, he let the thought drop.
"Let's just say I can half remember a time when I was seventeen," he told Ikawa. "Anyhow, it's best that I be going. Take care of yourselves, and we'll see each other again shortly."
Allic was surprised when Ikawa suddenly extended his hand and grasped him by the forearm.
"Take good care of yourself, my lord. Our thoughts will be with you." Then, pulling back, Ikawa bowed.
Unable to reply, Allic merely nodded. Looking up, he caught Mark's gaze, and the outworlder, as if understanding something, wordlessly saluted.
"Take care, beloved brother." The thought whispered through his mind and he glanced over to see Leti staring anxiously at him.
"I always do," Allic thought in reply. She tried to smile, but didn't quite manage it.
Before the rest of the group had even realized it, Allic had slipped through the doorway and started down the corridor. Passing through the high-columned chambers of Jartan's audience halls, he looked about. All was silent and empty. With his father gone, followed by nearly all the sorcerers of his realm, Asmara seemed empty and still, like a tomb. The comparison troubled him as he continued on.
The few aging sorcerers who had been left behind to manage the portal nodded a wordless greeting as he entered the chamber. The glowing gateway shimmered before him.
"Any word?" he asked.
"The advance team hit through several hours ago, and gained a foothold inside one of Gorgon's dimensions," a white-haired sorcerer whispered. "We've taken some casualties, and Qubathin, Minar's youngest son, was killed."
"Damn it," Allic sighed, desperately wanting a drink. His hand drifted up to his tunic, and then he remembered that he had left his flask back at the party. The thought made him nervous.
He hesitated, tempted to go back and retrieve h
is talisman, but to do so now would look rather foolish.
"Are you ready, my lord?" the sorcerer murmured, nodding toward the portal.
He looked at the old woman and tried to smile.
"No," he whispered, "this time I'm not ready at all." Closing his eyes, he stepped forward and disappeared into the light.
Chapter 10
Overwhelmed with the sheer pleasure of flying, Mark dove ahead of the formation, banking in a tight downward spiral. The coastline of Jartan's realm had long since dropped astern, and for several hours they had made their way eastward, flying high to catch a strong tail wind. Kochanski had already reported sensing the first artificial island just beyond the horizon, and all were eager for the first view.
"Hey Captain, wait up!"
Mark looked over his shoulder to see Walker dodging in behind him, like a fighter rolling in to wax his tail. Laughing, he cut a sharp split S to the left, and Walker, catching on to the game, held tight, closing the range.
"Behind you, Walker!"
Saito swooped down, cutting a tight arc, and reached out to slap Walker's feet.
"I'll be damned!" Walker roared, his pride wounded. Jack-knifing over, he went into a vertical dive, with Saito hot on his heels.
The pair dropped away.
Mark watched the mock combat with interest. Saito had obviously been practicing. Walker continued his dive toward the ocean, and Mark felt a faint tipple of concern as his young tail gunner pulled out at the last second. Saito dropped below him, and a faint line of spray kicked up as he skimmed the water, wobbled, and then finally recovered to cut up and slap Walker's feet again. The action was greeted with a shout of delight from the Japanese.
Walker, not to be outdone, went into a vertical climb and finally his superior skill allowed him to pull ahead. Coming up nearly to Mark's height he flipped over and dove straight back down on Saito. Mark held his breath as the two closed with terrifying speed. At the last possible second Walker broke left, rolled, and snapped in behind Saito. There was a faint crack of light and a yelp from Saito as the gentle bolt brushed his backside.
Slowing, Mark looked back at Ikawa, and for a moment he felt the tension again, unsure of how the group would react. He could see the concern in Ikawa's eyes as well. There had been an undercurrent of nervousness between the two groups now that the prospect of a way back home had been offered.
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