Kulgan stretched, for the ship’s quarters had been cramped, and he enjoyed the sensation of dry land under his feet again. “I would have been surprised to find it otherwise. Macros was one to keep his house in order, I wager.”
Arutha turned and said, “You six will stay here. If you hear our call, come quickly.” The Prince started toward the path up the hill, and the others fell in without comment. They reached the place where the path forked, and Arutha said, “We come as guests. I thought it best not to appear invaders.”
Kulgan said nothing, being occupied with observing the castle they were approaching. The strange blue light that had been so visible when they had last visited the island was absent from the window of the high tower. The castle had the look of a place deserted, without movement or sound. The drawbridge was down and the portcullis raised. Meecham observed, “At least we won’t have to storm the place.”
When they reached the edge of the drawbridge, they halted. The castle rose above them, its high walls, and taller towers, forbidding. It was built of dark stone, unfamiliar to them. Around the great arch over the bridge, strange carvings of alien creatures regarded them with fixed gazes. Horned and winged beasts sat perched atop ledges, seemingly frozen in an instant, so cleverly were they fashioned.
They stepped on the bridge and crossed the deep ravine that separated the castle from the rest of the island Meecham looked down, seeing the rock walls of the crevice fall away to the level of the sea, where waves crashed through the passage between. “It serves better than most moats I’ve seen. You’d think twice before trying to cross this while someone was shooting at you from the walls.”
They entered the court and looked about, as if expecting to see someone appear at one of the many doors in the walls at any moment. Nowhere was there sign of any living creature, yet the grounds about the central keep were well tended and in order.
When no one was forthcoming, Pug said, “I imagine we’ll find what we’re after in the keep.” The others moved with him toward the broad stairs that led to the main doors. As they mounted the steps, the large doors began to swing open, until they could all see a figure standing in the darkness beyond. As the doors finished their movement with a loud thump against the keep walls, the figure stepped forward into the sunlight.
Meecham’s sword was in his hand without thinking, for the creature before them bore a strong resemblance to a goblin. After a brief examination, Meecham put up his weapon; the creature had made no threatening gesture, but simply stood waiting for them at the top of the stairs.
It was taller than the average goblin, being nearly Meecham’s height. Thick ridges dominated its forehead, and a large nose was the focus of its face, but it was nobler in features than a goblin. Two black, twinkling eyes regarded them as they resumed their climb. As they came up to it, the creature gave a toothy grin. Its head was covered with a thick mat of black hair, and its skin was tinged with the faint green of the goblin tribe, but it lacked the hunched-shouldered posture of a goblin, instead standing erect much like a man. It wore a finely fashioned tunic and trousers, both bright green. Upon its feet were a pair of polished black boots, reaching nearly to its knees.
The creature said, grinning, “Welcome, masters, welcome. I am Gathis, and I have the honor of acting as your host in my master’s absence.” There was a slight hiss to its speech.
Kulgan said, “Your master is Macros the Black?”
“Of course. It has been ever thus. Please enter.”
The four men accompanied Gathis into the large entry hall and stopped to look about. Except for the absence of people and of the usual heraldic banners, this hall looked much like the one in Castle Crydee.
“My master has left explicit instructions for your visit, as much as was possible to anticipate, so I have prepared the castle for your arrival. Would you care for some refreshments? There are food and wine ready.”
Kulgan shook his head. He was unsure of what this creature was, but he was not overly comfortable with anything that so resembled a servant of the Dark Brotherhood. “Macros said there would be a message. I would see it at once.”
Gathis bowed slightly. “As you will. Please come with me.”
He led them along a series of corridors to a flight of stairs that spiraled up into the large tower. They mounted the steps and soon came to a locked door. “My master said you would be able to open this door. Should you fail, you are impostors, and I am to deal with you harshly.”