Book 1 - The Tyranny of the Night Read Free Page A

the Kaif say. The
Rhûn, the Arnhander princes, and the Kaif of Qasr al-Zed claim it, too. Their
presence is more concrete. We have several unfriendly fortresses within a half
day's travel. Even those mad Unbelievers from the west have their Masters of
Ghosts. Anyone who owns a horse is going to head this way. The destruction of a
bogon is a major event. You don't dare ignore it."
    "You're right, Az. Every word true. And every faction in the Holy Lands has
heard that a band of foreigners is skulking around." You could evade men's eyes
but only the most powerful sorcerers could avoid being noticed by the
Instrumentalities of the Night. Else had no means of keeping his force
concealed. His tools were speed and deception.
    His band had drawn little attention so far. They had collected what they had
gone after. They were well on their way home again.
    Az continued, "There might even be wild tribesmen around."
    "There might be. They'd have to be stupid to think that we're an easy chance."
    That could not be denied. Particularly if Else ordered the Sha-lug standard
revealed. The wild tribes showed the slave soldiers great respect. Gordimer the
Lion, the warrior slave so great that he mastered the mighty and ancient kingdom
of, Dreanger, would have it no other way. That lesson had been bloodily taught
several times.
    Else did not want to reveal the band's allegiance. Too many questions would be
asked. Once those started it would not be long before someone unfriendly put
answers together. Who knew what evil would come of that?
    Else asked, "Do we have any reason to worry again tonight? Will there be another
monster?"
    "I think not."
    "Then let's stand down. Get some rest. Bone. I want to be ready to move out as
soon as we have enough light. Even if we don't go right away. Az, have you
checked our cargo?"
    "I haven't, personally. The job is being done. Falaq!"
    Of course the job was being done. Else's companions were the best of the
Sha-lug. He did not need to mother them.

    AS SOON AS THERE WAS LIGHT SUFFICIENT TO INTIMIDATE THE
Night, Else sent scouts out, posted sentries at the wood's edge, and had men
start collecting the coins that had killed the bogon. He did not expect to
recover many. There would be no time. Az was right. Soldiers from the Arnhander
city-states, and everyone else interested in the Wells of Ihrian, would head for
Esther's Wood the moment their Masters of Ghosts told them it was safe.
    Else observed, "This land could see some blood spilled before the Tyranny of the
Night reclaims it."
    Someone suggested, "Suppose we check in with God? We could ask Him to make sure
we don't do any of the bleeding."

    ELSE STARED AT THE SPOT WHERE THE BOGON HAD FALLEN. The earth was burned barren,
the soil cooked to dust, across a fifteen-foot circle. That formed a shallow
bowl a foot deep in the middle. What looked like an obsidian egg six inches on
its longer axis lay there. It still radiated heat. Likewise, occasional
streamers of mist curled away. You could see into the egg. Which, Else decided,
was more kidney-shaped than egg-shaped. Silver coins remained trapped there. The
coin nearest the egg's surface had melted around its rim. The inscriptions upon
it were illegible.
    Else asked, "The bogon can't pull itself back together here, can it, Az? It
can't hatch out of this egg? It isn't some kind of phoenix?"
    "No. A bogon is really strong. It's a king of spirits. But it's as simple as
it's strong. Easy to kill in its manifest form, apparently. If you have a
falcon, forewarning, and some silver shot Not to mention the assistance of a
Master of Ghosts who
    doesn't get rattled." The unshakable Master of Ghosts collected the egg using
a pair of heavy sticks. He wrapped it in rags, being careful not to touch it.
    "I see. Good to know." Else was not reassured. Sorcerers, sorcery, and the
Tyranny of the Night were beyond his simple understanding. He did not believe
them capable of being