‘The chancellors of the Orders may notice that one or two Deathknights from the societies are absent at the muster but they will almost certainly conclude that they were killed or injured during the Great Culling. When this raiding party doesn’t return, they will conclude some of those missing from the muster were here, and were servants of the White, dead or in hiding.’ Valko’s eyes were almost alight with passion. ‘It is time! Send word that I am dead, Martuch, in a battle last night. Then muster our forces at the agreed place, and impress on our men the need for stealth and cunning. We will wait, like children in hiding, until the army has departed, and when the TeKarana is most certain of his invincibility, we shall strike!’
Those Deathknights who stood nearby raised a cheer of approval, even Hirea and Martuch. Pug realized that no matter how reasonable these men were compared to others of their race, they were still at heart Dasati and only a short step between being rational beings to becoming murderous warriors lacking any shred of compassion. But he also knew that there was some sort of prophecy involved that made it likely Valko would plunge ahead despite any advice anyone might give.
He turned to his son. ‘We can do nothing more here. We can only hope that your mother and those allied with her have prepared the Tsurani for what is to come, and that she has found and destroyed Leso Varen.’
Despite his respect for his mother and her single-minded ability to pursue a goal until it was achieved, Magnus had grave doubts that she would be able to find the necromancer and deal with him.
The cheering died down and Valko said, ‘What will you choose to do, human?’
Pug considered. He was becoming certain his time on this world was growing short ‘If you are moving against the TeKarana, then Nakor must decide quickly what to do with Bek.’ Pug was not convinced that Bek was the prophesied Godkiller, but he knew there were many things he didn’t yet understand, including the reasons why they were all in this realm. He didn’t know if Nakor could shed any light on these mysteries. He would not leave Nakor behind if he could avoid it, and if Bek was not fated to die here, then that strange young man as well had to be returned to Midkemia.
‘I hope you will be victorious against the TeKarana and unseat him and that the Dark One’s power is blunted, but I must return to my own realm for there will be many of your warriors overrunning a world that I once called home. I will go back with you.’
Valko weighed Pug’s words and nodded once. ‘Can you move us all by your magic?’
Pug looked to Magnus who said, ‘If you wish to return to the Grove, I can move perhaps four or five of us at a time. It will take several trips.’
Valko said, ‘One trip will be enough. You only need take your father, Martuch, Hirea, and myself.’ To the remaining Deathknights he shouted, ‘Accompany the Sisterhood to their new place of hiding. Protect them! If we fail, you are the seeds of the new White.’
The Deathknights who served the White saluted the young lord and departed, and Valko said, ‘Let us be away, for there is much to do and scant time.’
Pug nodded. Magnus motioned for the three Dasati to come close, bade them to take hold of one another, and suddenly they were gone.
Miranda asked, ‘Have I made it clear enough for you, Lord Erik?’
Erik von Darkmoor settled into the large chair in his private quarters and let out a long sigh. ‘Yes, Miranda, you have. Even if you hadn’t, Nakor wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of keeping me alive this long if he hadn’t judged the situation grave, and that alone would have convinced me that any warning from the Conclave should be treated with the utmost gravity.’ He shifted his weight and grimaced.
‘Are you all right?’
‘No, I’m dying… again.’ He looked out of the window of the palace, his favourite view, to watch the sun set over the harbour in Krondor. ‘I don’t mind being dead; it’s the getting there that’s aggravating.’ He motioned towards a large wooden chest at the foot of his bed. ‘Would you do me a favour, please, and fetch a small vial from that chest? It’s in a pouch of black velvet.’
Miranda opened the chest and fetched him the pouch. Erik carefully unknotted the two cords that kept it closed, and took out the vial. He pulled out a tiny stopper and tipped the contents of the vial to his mouth. Then he tossed the empty vial on to the table next to where he sat. ‘There. That’s the last of it. I’ve nursed along that elixir Nakor gave me and it’s kept me fairly fit… for a man pushing a hundred years old.’
‘I thought closer to ninety,’ said Miranda.
‘Well, never let the truth get in the way of a dramatic point,’ Erik countered with a smile. As she watched she could see lines beginning to fade from his face and the colour return.
‘How much time do you have?’
‘I don’t know. A few months perhaps.’ He sat back. ‘I’m tired.
Down to the core of my bones tired, Miranda. I’ve served the Crown for the last seventy years, and I deserve a rest.’