The Crystal Sorcerers

The Crystal Sorcerers Read Free Page B

Book: The Crystal Sorcerers Read Free
Author: William R. Forstchen
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Fantasy
Ads: Link
their lord passing overhead would have been cause for jovial shouts and comments. Here his passage was met by stony silence. Mark kept a watchful eye for the slightest threatening sign.
    "Can't expect them to like me yet," Allic said evenly, falling back to fly beside Mark.
    They passed over a bevy of Sarnak's captured demons hard at work repairing a blown bridge that spanned a narrow chasm. Mark had already had several encounters with the ten-foot monsters and knew that they were fearsome opponents. Brought by Sarnak from their own worlds into this dimension, as guards and warriors they endured years of service to earn their freedom. Of course, these had been forced to sign allegiance to Allic, so they were theoretically harmless. Still, Mark noted that most of this group were winged, and he increased the strength of his shield slightly. The frightening creatures looked heavenward and glowered darkly, while their guards shouted a friendly greeting as Allic raced by.
    Continuing across the plain, Mark could at last see their destination, the high mountains and river valley that marked Sarnak's castle and capital city.
    "Red Leader, you are on final approach," a voice whispered through the communications crystal. "Do not deviate from your flight path unless ordered to do so."
    Mark could see that Allic was tempted to announce his presence and wander about a bit, but decided against it. The wall crystal mounted atop the entry gate would have been brought instantly into play and a scramble of all sorcerers in the city would have come swarming out as a result. It was tight discipline, but Mark had suggested it be set up that way, until such time as every last corner of Sarnak's realm and hidden corridor of his castle had been explored and secured. Only the week before, half a dozen renegade demons had been flushed not five miles away from this spot. More than twenty soldiers had been killed, and a sorcerer injured, before they had been eliminated. Without the tight system of checks and controlled airspace it could have been a lot worse.
    Rising again, they crested the city wall and headed for the twin towers of the main gate into the castle. Before them stood the hidden fortress of Sarnak. Half a hundred steel-grey towers encircled the keep, and in the center stood a single monolith of rock and iron.
    Atop the tower fluttered the blue and white pennant of Allic, and the demigod smiled as the banner arched and snapped in the breeze.
    Circling about the tower, the three swung in to alight on the arrival platform. From the shadows of the battlement wall a delegation came forward to meet the new arrivals. Allic was immediately surrounded by his sorcerers and servants, while Mark and Ikawa were the center of attention as their old comrades rushed out to greet them.
    The outlanders split into two parties momentarily as the Japanese lined up to formally exchange bows with Ikawa, while the Americans simply crowded around Mark, exchanging handshakes and good-natured insults.
    Mark easily entered into the clamor. Almost all his old friends and comrades were here. Only Kochanski was away, still up in the capital city, Asmara, working on a special assignment with the god Jartan.
    Younger and Giorgini he simply did not think about anymore, and as for the others... How few we are, he thought sadly. He looked over at Ikawa and their gazes locked for a second. Too many of their original companions were already gone, and those who still lived seemed to cherish each other all the more.
    Sergeant Saito broke away from Ikawa, and coming up to Mark, he saluted and smiled. He pulled a slender white cylinder from his pocket and offered it.
    "A Lucky Strike." Mark laughed and accepted the treasured gift.
    "Bucking for promotion, Saito?" Walker shot good-naturedly.
    "It's just you are so decidedly poor at gambling," Saito replied. "Having won it from you, and not being addicted to the filthy habit, I thought the Captain would appreciate a smoke."
    Mark

Similar Books

Step Across This Line

Salman Rushdie

Flood

Stephen Baxter

The Peace War

Vernor Vinge

Tiger

William Richter

Captive

Aishling Morgan

Nightshades

Melissa F. Olson

Brighton

Michael Harvey

Shenandoah

Everette Morgan

Kid vs. Squid

Greg van Eekhout