Pug pointed to the rift to the Academy. ‘I’ll need you there. Use that rift gate.’
Jommy glanced at his companions, who nodded. ‘We’ll stay, if you’re staying.’
Kaspar said, ‘Jommy, you’re a likeable enough lad, but you are a terrible officer. Go!’
Jommy hesitated for a moment, then turned and moved out, the others following.
At the entrance, Erik put out a restraining hand and held up Jim Dasher. ‘Tell your grandfather he has my best wishes, Jim. And tell him he has reason to be proud of you.’
Jim looked the old soldier in the eye. ‘Thank you, sir.’
Kaspar and Alenburga regarded Erik. Alenburga said, ‘Coming?’
Erik shook his head. ‘No. I think I’ll stay. If I can slow down one Deathknight for a minute or so, another dozen or two might get through the rift. I’ve been on borrowed time for a few years now, and I should return what I borrowed.’ He glanced at Pug and said, ‘If you see that annoying little gambler, tell him "thank you".’
Pug could only nod, for he had not told anyone yet of Nakor’s decision to stay on Omadrabar. Only Magnus knew. He could barely speak as he said, ‘I will, Erik.’
The old Knight-Marshall of Krondor drew his sword from its scabbard and moved purposefully towards the sound of battle. When he had vanished into the crowd, Kaspar said, ‘There goes a great man.’
Pug could only nod, unable to find words. Finally he forced himself to speak. ‘What of you two?’
Alenburga had his hand on the pommel of his sword and looked ready to follow Erik’s example. ‘It’s difficult to imagine going back,’ he said quietly, his voice still carrying despite the din outside. Panic was rising as those trying to reach the nearby rift gate could hear the sounds of battle coming from the rear. ‘Leaving all these people behind…’
Kaspar put his hand on the General’s shoulder. ‘It does them no good for you to die with them, Prakesh. You have a home.’
‘It’s going to be too quiet, Kaspar.’ He looked at his companion of this last few weeks. ‘After what we’ve done here, trying to conquer Okanala with a band of street urchins wouldn’t seem much of a challenge.’
It was Pug who answered. ‘Then go through that rift to the new world, General.’
‘What?’
‘The Tsurani are a people in shambles. They will need strong leadership.’
‘I don’t think they’re going to need a general any time soon,’ he responded, but already Pug could see the spark in his eyes.
‘Then you haven’t really come to know the Tsurani, General,’ said Pug. ‘Before dawn on the first day, there will be plots and intrigue enough to keep you jumping for the next century. War is nothing compared to the intrigue in the Game of the Council. Have the Emperor’s First Advisor tell you the story of the Riftwar from the Tsurani perspective: it was a ploy in the game, nothing more.’
Kaspar said, ‘Go, and lead. They will need you.’
Alenburga hesitated, then turned and put his arms around Kaspar, grasping him in a bear hug. ‘I will miss you, Kaspar of Olasko.’
‘I will miss you too, General.’
The General moved purposefully through the tent, and Pug said, ‘Kaspar?’
‘I have no desire to be anyone’s martyred hero, Pug. I will go with you.’
Pug motioned for Kaspar to follow and led him out the back of the tent towards the ancient rift gate. A trickle of people were still attempting to get through, but were being turned away by Tsurani guards who redirected them towards the larger gate to the new world. Seeing a Black Robe, the guards moved aside, and before he stepped through, Pug said, ‘Go, now. Your duty here is done.’
Both soldiers, wearing the armour of the House of Acoma, saluted and moved away, both drawing their swords and running towards the sound of fighting. ‘Damn, but they are an amazing bunch,’ said Kaspar admiringly.
‘Yes, they are,’ Pug agreed.
They entered the rift.
Varen looked over the edge of the pit and found himself both repelled and attracted by it. Part of him said that he should turn and run away, as fast as possible, yet another part felt the urge to jump in. He took a deep breath and looked around.
There used to be a city here, he thought. And around it were farms and valleys and hills and villages. Now there was just this pit. Hole. Tunnel. Whatever it was, it was massive, so big that the curve of it seemed to be almost a straight line when you stood on the rim.
The power! he thought. He was intoxicated with it. It represented a mastery of death so far beyond his dreams, and he had had some pretty incredible dreams over the ages. It was staggering. If he could somehow bring these Dasati to heel, have them serve him, he could conquer worlds.
The urge to jump became almost unbearable. If only I had a reason, he thought. Then he just jumped.
Pug appeared outside the cave, Kaspar at his side.