The Sworn Knight by Robert Ryan (novels to read txt) 📕

around, for the vantage of the pinnacle of the tower offeredhim a view of the entire city.

Something was wrong, and he waited.

But not for long. There was a mighty crash that came fromnearby, somewhere in the People’s Square. There was a commotion there, and heknew by instinct, or magic, that it was the work of rebels.

With his mind he summoned the elù-draks that he had sorecently spoken to. Two of them came and alighted before him, ignoring eachother. The third was some distance away, but he sensed her speeding toward him.

He pointed to the square. “There is trouble there,” he said.“Kill our enemies! And when you are done, spread terror through the city. Letthe people, let all who dwell here, know fear!”

The creatures dove from the top of the tower and sped intothe dark. They would see his will done, and he would watch and listen.

Yet still it disturbed him. How could there be rebels? Andgreatest of them Caludreth who had escaped. He was a threat, if ever there wasone.

Anger burned through him. Fury even. He had thought himselfabove emotions, but perhaps this night would subdue the city once and for all.

20. Like His Own Shadow

The middle reaches of the night had passed, andSavanest sat alone in thought.

He had much to think about, for much had happened.

His mind turned to the girl. He was fascinated by her. Howhad she learned the magic she had in such a short time? It was clear that shehad talent, but that was not enough. Nor did she have the Morleth Stone tonurture her, as did he.

It was a problem that he could not solve. Far better to justaccept, however it was done, that she had learned swiftly what it had taken hima lifetime to discover. What had taken him decades had taken her just thepassing of a few seasons.

So it was also with her skill at fighting. That, he had notseen himself yet. But he had seen Lindercroft’s grave. That was proof enough.

But her skills, however acquired, were not really an issue.Still less a problem. Her, and her ragtag group of followers were not a matchfor his force. If it had been necessary, he would have summoned more aid beforehe moved on her. But it was not necessary, and doing so would have carriedrisks.

He did not know exactly where Sofanil was. But he would notshare credit for the girl’s capture with him. It was possible other knights hadbeen sent also. He could not be sure, but he did not think so.

No. The girl would be his, and he would take her in fettersbefore the king. He would be rewarded for that, though certainly it would be rewardenough to see her taken to the holy presence of the Morleth Stone, and lookinto her eyes as she was transformed against her will. The moment of herbreaking would be exquisite.

He could barely wait for that moment, and that it was somewhile away only enhanced his expectations. But her capture was not that faroff. It would be soon, and he had already placed his mark upon her. Feargripped her, and like a leash he would pull that and control her. When the timecame she would be powerless against him.

His was the greater power, and she knew that now. She hadseen, perhaps, the Morleth Stone. It was always on his mind, and even as he hadgazed into her eyes he had felt the stone stir and reach toward her. She knew whatwas coming, and against that she could not prevail.

Or maybe it was just his fancy that she had seen the stone throughhis gaze. He himself saw it all the time now, so it was only natural that hewould assume she saw it too. But he had not imagined its stirring.

For a moment, he felt uneasy. Why should he see the stone atall times? He was a knight, after all, and he was in charge of his own destiny.He did not need the stone.

Even as he thought that, the image of the stone roseunbidden in his mind. Black it was, mysterious as the midnight sky. What forcesdid it contain, hidden? What powers that could change the world?

It was a thing of beauty, too. Black, polished to asmoothness like glass, yet harder than diamond. He laughed then, rememberinghow they had beat at him with hammers, cast him from the heights onto thestones below, buried him in the depths of furnaces and smote him with magic.Yet he still lived, as he always would. Life eternal was his.

Savanest swayed and felt a roar in his ears. No, that wasnot him. That was the Morleth Stone. That was what they had done to it in agespast to destroy it. And they had failed.

The wave of dizziness faded. He was himself again, but thestone remained on his mind. It was with him always, like his own heartbeat,breath or shadow.

He bestirred himself. Too long he had thought. It was timefor action, and he knew what needed doing. Dawn was creeping over the land, andhis men would be awake. For them, it would be a day like no other.

The camp was astir when he walked into it. The men had eaten,or were just finishing their meal. There were campfires, and these were beingput out. They were not great soldiers, but they were organized. He could saythat much for them, but they needed to be more, and they would be.

He waited until they were done, and the captain approachedhim.

“What orders, my lord.”

“We will continue the hunt. While you slept, I have communedwith our quarry.”

“You found her camp?” the captain asked.

“She found ours,” Savanest replied, and he knew all the menhad gathered close and were listening intently.

“She was here, while we slept?”

“In a manner of speaking. But do not fear, she could do youno harm. I was here to protect you.”

“And you spoke with her?”

“Indeed I did, and it was a pleasant conversation. At leastfor me. She, on the other hand, would not be so pleased. I put fear upon hersuch as she has never felt before.”

The captain