Demon Lord IV - Lord of Shadows Read Free

blue mage there would be in grave
danger, for they abhor magic."
    "They are at
Vorkon's mercy too, and plagued by demons as you are now."
    "Even so
-"
    "It must be
created there, whether they like it or not."
    Tygon wilted
under Bane's cold gaze. "Yes, My Lord. But the Rathgarian
Wastelands are many hundreds of leagues to the north; it will take
months to get there."
    "You will not
be walking."
    "Even on
horseback..."
    "I will take
you."
    Tygon looked
like he wanted to run. "Yes, My Lord."
    "Look." Shrea
indicated a spot on the map. "The seventh ward will be right here
in Avadorn."
    "That is
actually the first ward, but will be created last," Bane said. "The
seventh is the one that you will create, Tygon."
    The consort
looked puzzled. "But that will be the first."
    "They are
named in the order of their power, not of their creation. The most
powerful is the seventh."
    "This one
could be a problem," Shrea said, scrutinising the location of the
second ward. "It is in the middle of a river."
    "It does not
have to be exact."
    "Then the
third ward does not have to be in Ishkarad?" Tygon looked
relieved.
    "Moving a ward
location to avoid a river is one thing, but for a bunch of people?"
Bane shook his head. "That ward, which is actually the fifth, will
be in Ishkarad."
    "My Lord, they
are atheists. They will stone the mage to death."
    "I will not
let them."
    "Of course, My
Lord."
    Bane shot
Tygon an impatient look, irritated by the man's subservience. Shrea
distracted him, deliberately, he suspected.
    "Will you be
taking all four of us to our destinations, My Lord?"
    "Obviously."
    "Then I will
be going to the mountains of Millaran, and Bashir to Ishkarad.
Kimera will go to..." She glanced at the map. "Rith Forest."
    "What is your
mastery?"
    "Links, My
Lord."
    "And Bashir
and Kimera?"
    "Illusions and
Runes."
    Bane nodded
and turned to Tygon. "You have made your preparations?"
    He hesitated.
"I did not know where I was going."
    "Then you had
better find some warm clothes. I will Move Kimera first, then
Bashir and Shrea."
    Tygon headed
for the door, where he almost bumped into Bashir, who bowed and
stepped aside to allow the consort to pass, then entered, followed
by Kimera. They carried bundles of provisions and were dressed in
hardy, warm clothes, looking nervous and a little excited. Bane
turned to Kimera, who shrank from him when he held out his
hand.
    "Take my
hand."
    She glanced at
Bashir and swallowed. "Now?"
    "Yes."
    "Where are we
going?"
    "Rith
Forest."
    Kimera touched
his fingers as if expecting to be burnt. Bane took hold of her hand
and pulled her closer.
    "This will be
unpleasant for you."
    Kimera opened
her mouth, and he Moved. They reappeared in a forest of vast,
spreading dead trees hung with the rotting remnants of flowering
vines and withered orchids. The air had undoubtedly once been
filled with heady scents and birdsong, but now smoke and silence
tainted it. The mantle of ash covered a thick carpet of leaves that
crackled underfoot, and patches of black, shrivelled ferns thrust
through it, their dry leaves whispering in the slight breeze. The
web of bare branches overhead dulled the red glow from the clouds
further, making it even gloomier. He released Kimera, who fell to
her knees and vomited. The touch of the dark power was always worst
the first time, he mused, walking away to gaze around at the
scenery. It must have once been pretty, for a mid-realm, but lately
he had found himself longing for the dark caverns of the Underworld
again.
    Kimera took
several minutes to recover from the Move, drinking from a flask to
settle her stomach and wash the taste from her mouth. He waited
until she got shakily to her feet and looked around, clearly
dismayed.
    "Here? But
there is nothing here but trees. I need stone."
    "Then find
some. It does not have to be on this exact spot. Find what you need
and use it."
    She nodded,
and he turned away. "Wait!"
    Bane swung
back. "What is it?"
    "What if...
Vorkon finds me? Or his