Krondor the Betrayal (51 page)

The Tsurani Great One raised both hands, fingers pointing forward, and a cascade of blue energy lashed out, striking Pug hard. He felt every muscle try to contract at the same time, the effect of which was his going rigid and toppling over, striking the stone floor hard as he writhed in silent agony.

Owyn reacted. A large globe of fire erupted from his hand and sped toward Zatapek. But the Tsurani magician was ready, and with a spin of his left hand, he seemed to fashion a shield of energy upon which the fire splashed and flowed to the floor, winking out as it struck the stones.

The only benefit was that he lost control of the magic he had turned on Pug, and the energy vanished, leaving Pug trembling on the stones, still suffering from the pain of Zatapek’s magic.

Owyn could not think of what to do next, so he closed his eyes and let his reactions take over. He put out his hand and with a single word sent a column of compressed air hurtling at the Tsurani Great One. For an instant Zatapek couldn’t see anything and was preparing for another energy attack, then, when he realized what was occurring, he reacted too late. The 354

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hammer of the blow slammed him twenty feet across the stones.

Gorath ran toward him, and the last thing the dazed Tsurani magician saw was the towering figure of the dark elf above him, poised to strike. Then, with a single blow, Gorath killed the magician.

Owyn hurried to Pug’s side and saw the older magician was still suffering from the lingering effects of the spell cast on him. He shook, and his expression was agony, as his teeth were locked and his lips pulled back in a rictus grin.

‘‘What can you do?’’ asked Locklear.

‘‘I don’t know,’’ said Owyn. He reached out and touched Pug and his fingers exploded in pain. But rather than pull away, he turned his mind to the pain and felt the energy. He moved the energy and turned it to the floor, and suddenly it was gone.

Pug collapsed. Then he took a huge breath, almost a sob, and let it out with a sigh.

James said, ‘‘Pug! Can you understand me?’’

Weakly, Pug nodded. Speaking slowly, because the muscles of his face hurt, he said, ‘‘Help me up, please.’’

Standing with James’s arm around his waist, Pug’s legs trembled. ‘‘If I move, the effects should pass.’’

Owyn said, ‘‘I’m glad. That was more magic in a minute than I’ve seen in most of my life.’’

‘‘You did well. You trusted your instincts. If you continue to do that, the magic you have gained from me will serve us both.’’ Pug moved away from James and seemed to regain strength with every step. ‘‘That is four of them. At least one of those remaining will be maintaining the barrier spell, if not both. If we can find them, and disable them, the spell that blocks the Lifestone will fall, and we can get to Makala.’’

He looked around. The magician whom Locklear had shot had died from blood loss. ‘‘Through those doors there is another treasure chamber. It is one which has a blasted wall on the other side, stones destroyed by a mighty struggle years ago. Through that gap in the stones lies the chamber of the Lifestone.’’

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Gorath said, ‘‘Then we must assume the last two Tsurani guardians and Makala are through those doors.’’

‘‘Come,’’ said Pug. He walked slowly and as he approached the doors, he glanced at Zatapek’s companion, a young Great One he had not known. He must have been a trainee when I lived on Kelewan, he thought. Pity. With vacant eyes the dead magician stared up at ancient stones on an alien world. What a waste, thought Pug.

Near the door, Pug motioned for the others to stop. He chanced a glimpse and saw two figures waiting, though he didn’t think they had yet seen him. Their attentions were being directed toward two goals, being alert for Pug’s approach, and maintaining the barrier behind them. Pug knew that fatigue would be the price of such prolonged duty, but had no illusions as to the time allotted to them.

Delekhan and his own Spellweavers would be somewhere close by, trying to locate this cavern, either to free Murmandamus if they truly believed him here, or to claim the legacy of his powers. Either way either his arrival or Makala’s activating the Lifestone would prove an abrupt ending to all their efforts.

Pug stepped back and closed his eyes.

I called for you, but was unable to reach your mind,
came a familiar voice in Pug’s mind.

He looked to Owyn, and said, ‘‘The Oracle.’’

Owyn nodded.

Pug sent,
We must lower the barrier and free you.

The Black Robes stole in one night and filled the cavern with a
mist that caused my servants to sleep and rendered me weak. Then
they bound me with wards that even my powers could not break. It
was my inability to know my own future that blinded me to such a
possibility. In time I might win free, but so far I am but an echo of
what I once was.

Pug considered the might of the Oracle of Aal and was impressed at Makala’s preparation. He must not underestimate Makala at any time.

Makala is reckless, and single-minded, but he is not cruel by the
standards of his people; had he wished you dead, he would have taken
your life already. He is most likely content to have you incapacitated
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for a time. I think it unlikely you have suffered any permanent
injury.

To Owyn Pug said, ‘‘We must quickly eliminate those two.’’

Owyn asked, ‘‘Are you able?’’

‘‘I must be.’’ He turned to James, Gorath, and Locklear. ‘‘If they are ready for magic, they may not be ready for a physical attack. As soon as we go through the door, hurry after us, but stay to the side in case we are struck.’’ To Gorath he said,

‘‘What you will see beyond the barrier will amaze and shock you, but do not be alarmed. It is a great dragon, but one unlike any on Midkemia before. She is the Oracle of Aal and must be protected from Delekhan or any other menace while she regains her strength. If I fail to overcome Makala, she is our only hope.’’

Gorath nodded. ‘‘I understand.’’ He looked at Locklear and James. ‘‘These are worthy companions. We shall protect the dragon while you two dispose of the magicians.’’

Owyn was about to move to the door when Pug stopped him. ‘‘There is one spell that may give us the time we need to confront Makala. When the barrier falls, he will know his companions have failed.’’

‘‘What is it?’’

‘‘If they are as weakened by their labors as I suspect there is a mild spell that will stun them to senselessness.’’ Pug pointed. ‘‘If this works, they will continue to hold the barrier in place for a few moments, just long enough for us to cross the chamber to the great rent in the wall between this chamber and the next. We need the time, because to confront Makala, we must shift ourselves in time.’’

Owyn nodded. He closed his eyes a moment, then said, ‘‘I know the spell you speak of.’’ His eyes widened, and he said,

‘‘This seems simple.’’

Pug said, ‘‘If we survive this, remind me to tell you how long I researched this particular magic.’’ He nodded, and they stepped through the door. The two Tsurani Great Ones had obviously prepared, for both continued to hold the barrier in place, splitting their energies so that one attempted to defend against Pug, while the other tried to cast a spell of fire at him.

‘‘Look out!’’ shouted Owyn as he moved out of the way.

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The Tsurani may have been prepared for Pug alone, but they didn’t expect a second magician. Both Pug and Owyn cast their enchantments, spells which reached out and seized the Tsuranis’ fatigued minds, stunning them with a blow as effective as if they had been struck by a hammer.

Pug ran. Owyn was a step behind as the two Great Ones stood motionless, rooted and unable to do anything for a moment. Then they slumped to the floor.

As the barrier fell, the room beyond was revealed. Even knowing he was going to see a dragon didn’t prepare Owyn for the sight before him. The dragon was immense, easily the largest living creature he had ever seen. Its head rested on the stones, and was the size of a wagon. But what had Owyn wondering if his senses had fled was the creature’s hide: it was encrusted with gems. Thousands of diamonds covered the creature’s body, from nose to tail, including its massive wings.

But sprinkled throughout were enough rubies, emeralds, and sapphires to give the creature a scintillating, rainbow hue that seemed to dance across the surface of her body. Hooded lids covered her eyes, and white teeth the size of sword blades peeked from beneath lips set in a wolfish smile.

Thank you, magicians.

Pug saw a device of Tsurani manufacture that had generated the barrier. In it were tiny bits of crystal. He examined them, and said, ‘‘Now we know why Makala was so desperate to have that ruby.’’ He pointed to the machine. ‘‘Those stones of unusual property you mentioned, Owyn. They were used to power this device, and The Six were responsible for keeping it functioning. I knew there was no simple magic that could disable the Oracle.’’ To the dragon, Pug said, ‘‘Gorath and the others will stand guard while Owyn and I tend to Makala.’’

You must hurry. He acts rashly.

Pug and Owyn ran toward the gap in the wall, smashed out by the struggle that a dragon had undertaken with one of the most terrible creatures known, a Dreadlord, during the height of the battle that decided the Great Uprising and ended Murmandamus’s threat to the Kingdom.

Pug faltered. He had expected to see an empty room, in which he would have to shift Owyn and himself a moment in 358

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time to bring them into phase with the Lifestone. Instead he said, ‘‘Gods! Makala has brought the Lifestone here!’’

The Tsurani Great One stood before a large emerald-colored stone, as high as a man’s waist. From the top protruded a golden sword with a white hilt, which looked like ivory. On the hilt was embossed a golden dragon.

Then the Black Robe turned, and said, ‘‘Milamber, I am impressed. I didn’t think even you could win past all my defenses. I hope Zatapek and the others did not suffer unduly in trying to stop you?’’

Pug’s anger was barely held in check. ‘‘They died like loyal Tsurani, with honor and obedience, and completely ignorant of your murderous duplicity.’’

‘‘Do not speak to me of duplicity, Milamber! You swore an oath to serve the Empire, yet you hide the existence of this terrible lie from us!’’ Makala moved a step toward Pug and Owyn and shouted, ‘‘Ten years ago you engaged in a battle to bar the Enemy from our worlds, or so you told the Assembly.

Hochopepa and Shimone bore witness to that lie. Sons of great Tsurani houses died on this alien world to aid in that great cause. Yet you denied us any explanation as to why this city was important, why we had to spend Tsurani blood here.’’

He lowered his voice. ‘‘When I came to your world you deflected my questions and were evasive, and when at last I undertook to discover reasons myself, I discovered this place, with its traps and magic wards, and that great creature in the next hall. All here to keep me and anyone else not in your service from that!’’ His finger shot out, pointing to the Lifestone.

‘‘You did not bar this world to the Enemy! You trapped it in that stone, and harbor it against the day you feel the need to unleash it against your foes, perhaps against the Empire of Tsuranuanni!’’

‘‘You can’t believe that,’’ said Pug.

‘‘Not only do I believe it, I intend to make sure that day never comes. I have almost unlocked this thing, and when I fully understand its nature, I will take it to the Holy City and there it will wait until the Empire needs it for her defense.’’

Owyn said, ‘‘Pug, he’s mad.’’

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Makala said, ‘‘Boy, this conversation is not for children.’’ He made a dismissive motion with his hand and Owyn was flung backward, as if he had been struck. At the last instant he recognized the spell as a variant of the same one he had used to fell Zatapek and shielded himself from serious harm. But he still landed hard on the stones and had the wind knocked out of him for a moment.

Pug turned, and said, ‘‘You’re a murderous dog, Makala. I welcomed you into my household and you betrayed me and my trust. You treated my daughter as a pawn in a game and put her life at terrible risk. For that act alone you’ve earned death. But thousands have died for you to reach this point.’’

‘‘All the more reason it’s vital I succeed, Milamber. Else they died in vain. When this artifact is safe in the Imperial Palace, they will have died for the good of the Empire.’’

Pug gathered his depleted power to him, knowing he was facing one who was among the most gifted of the Assembly.

Makala stepped back. ‘‘I will not face you, Milamber. I was amongst those who was in attendance when you single-handedly destroyed the great arena in Kentosani. I have no delusions of being your equal, even in your weakened state.’’ He turned slightly and made a signaling motion with his hand.

From out of the shadows two figures appeared, large menacing grey figures with massive wings. Makala said, ‘‘One useful thing I gained when I discovered the world of Timirianya, was a staff belonging to an ancient priest named Rlynn Skrr. It allows me to command these creatures.’’ He said to the two elemental creatures, ‘‘Kill them.’’

Pug turned to Owyn, and said, ‘‘I can fight one, you the other, but we can’t fight them both and Makala. Blow the horn!’’

Owyn didn’t hesitate and raised the hunting horn to his lips.

He blew, and a long, plaintive note hung in the air, sounding as much like a dog’s howl as a hunting horn.

A chilling wind struck the hall, nothing natural, and a thing of ancient magic. Suddenly next to Owyn stood a pair of hunting hounds, massive in size with slavering jaws and fangs the size of daggers. Their eyes were red, and around their necks they wore studded collars of iron spikes. They stood waiting.

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‘‘Command them, Owyn,’’ shouted Pug.

‘‘What do I do?’’