At the Gates of Darkness

by Raymond E. Feist

  “Not yet.”

  Amirantha saw Magnus and Sandreena begin to rouse and said, “Speaking of Sidi…”

  “Yes,” said Belasco.

  “He’s dead.”

  “Pity,” said Belasco.

  “Why? You hated him.”

  “Because I wanted to be the one to kill him. Mother may have been an evil witch, but she was Mother.”

  Amirantha glanced at Kaspar, who said, “Now that I’ve met all three of you, I can only imagine what she must have been like.”

  “Who’s speaking?” asked Belasco. “I glimpsed him before, but he keeps moving where I can’t see.”

  “Kaspar, formerly Duke of Olasko, and now General of the Army in Muboya.”

  “I’d bid you welcome, but I suspect you’re not here to do me any good.”

  “Exactly. Unless there were exigent circumstances I can’t begin to imagine,” said Kaspar, “we came here to kill you.”

  “Ah, always murder in everyone’s heart.” That was followed by an evil chuckle.

  “Now what?” asked Kaspar of Amirantha.

  But it was Belasco who spoke. “We wait until I decide what’s in my best interest.”

  CHAPTER 18

  ATTACK

  Pug unleashed another spell.

  Demons in all forms and sizes were flung back, and Pug shouted, “Something is very wrong here.”

  Gulamendis shouted over the bellowing and shrieks, “What?”

  “I’m not sure, but I sense something….”

  Laromendis was nearly exhausted to the point of being unable to stand. He had conjured every conceivable illusion he had learned in the years of fighting the demons, and had used up every one. The unexpected arrival of a myriad of threats, other demons, Taredhel sentinels, animals and monsters of every stripe, all had distracted or delayed the onslaught of demons enough to give Pug the time to unleash his considerable power.

  A voice from behind said, “Could you use some help?”

  Pug turned and his face became alive with relief, as he beheld Magnus standing there. “Are you up to it?”

  Nodding, he said, “They used a spell-binding net on Sandreena and myself, but the effects have worn off.” Then his eyes narrowed and he said, “And I’m angry.”

  He moved to stand between Gulamendis and Pug and with his outstretched hand unlimbered a blast of crimson energy that moved like a thundering breaker on the beach. The demons to the last of them, irrespective of size and shape, were hurled backward. Those at the rear of the pack were cast down into the vast pit from which the green energy rose.

  A shout from behind caused the remaining demons to turn and see what new threat was coming. Into the green glow cast by the tower of emerald energy ran armored humans, each dressed in the garb of Roldem’s Royal Marines. Adept at battle on ship and land, they were the island kingdom’s toughest combat soldiers. Leading the charge was a familiar face, though the usual boyish grin was missing. Jommy Killaroo, now Knight of the King’s Court of Roldem and Captain of Special Services to the King, shouted orders as he raised his own sword and lashed out at a man-sized demon standing before him, rooted by surprise.

  Pug let out a long breath. “Three hundred marines from Roldem will keep them busy until the rest get here, which should only be minutes away.”

  As if to punctuate his words, another shout from outside was followed by the arrival of Tad, one of Pug’s adopted grandsons, leading a contingency of the Prince’s Own, crack troops from Krondor. Their orders were simple: kill every demon in sight.

  Pug said to Magnus, “Save your strength. We may need it soon.”

  Magnus nodded. “My tantrum was satisfying, but fatiguing.”

  “How’re Sandreena and Kaspar?”

  “Alive,” said Magnus. “Belasco is incapacitated and in a struggle with some sort of demon presence”—he held up his hand before his father could ask a question—“I’m sure Amirantha can explain it later, but for the moment what you need to know is that if Belasco loses this struggle with an entity named Dahun, then the demon lord will appear in this realm.”

  Gulamendis said, “Dahun! He’s one of the regional kings, and if he does get through intact, it’ll take all of us to contain him.” He shook his head in doubt. “I don’t know if Amirantha and I together could banish him back to the Fifth Circle.”

  “We should have another half dozen magicians here within a few more minutes,” said Pug.

  “That should do it,” said an exhausted Laromendis.

  “Yes,” agreed his brother. “If you damage him enough, wear him down, then Amirantha and I should be able to banish him back to where he came from.”

  “It’s not like we’re going to have any choice,” said Pug. Looking at Magnus, he said, “We could use Amirantha and Sandreena up here.”

  “They’re trying to puzzle out what Belasco is doing.”

  “I thought you said he was incapacitated.”

  “It’s difficult to explain, Father, and I’m not sure I understand, but it appeared that Belasco is a host for the demon, and killing him will release Dahun into this realm. Belasco has kept him in check, but at the price of his own freedom.”

  Hearing this, Gulamendis said, “By the Ancestors, I need to get down there.” He left the struggle as more arriving human soldiers were bringing a vicious fight to the demons.

  “This should be over soon,” said Pug, as a company of Keshian dog soldiers and another of Royal soldiers from Muboya hove into view.

  Then a loud noise echoed from the pit accompanied by a company of flying demons, who seemed to erupt from within, and another host of monstrous creatures, who scrambled their way up over the edge of the pit and launched themselves into the fray.

  “Perhaps not,” said Magnus, as he sent a massive fire-ball into the midst of the fliers circling over the attacking human armies.

  Gulamendis found Amirantha and Kaspar hovering over the prone form of Belasco, while a disembodied voice bellowed: “My minions will be here shortly, humans! This cursed magician who confines me will perish, then shall I be set free and your deaths will be agonizing and prolonged! Set me free now and I will reward you, but my patience is nearing its end!”

  Jim Dasher stood ready with his dagger to end Belasco’s life if there was any need. He glanced at Amirantha with a questioning look.

  Amirantha shook his head in the negative, then looked at the elven Demon Master and asked, “Have you ever heard anything like that?”

  “I’ve never heard a demon use the word ‘patience,’ nor have I heard of anyone confining his power once he’s in possession of a mortal host.”

  Sandreena was fully recovered and said, “I’ve heard a lot of threats, but usually it was from a demon trying to rip out my throat, not from wanting to bargain.”

  “This is unique in my experience, as well,” said the Warlock. “And my brother, true to everything I know about him, refuses to cooperate.”

  “You’ve given me no reason to cooperate, dear brother.” Belasco’s voice hung in the air.

  “Give me a reason that will persuade you, Belasco.”

  “The conundrum is that for me to emerge victorious, I must first rid myself of my demon possessor, and the only means I know of is to perish.

  “Should I perish, however, Dahun reverts to his body, and soon that will be in this realm.”

  “Soon?” asked Gulamendis.

  “Perhaps now,” said Belasco with an evil laugh. “Had you killed me an hour ago, perhaps even minutes ago, he would have been cast back into the Fifth Circle of Hell, but now…? It may be too late.”

  “I could kill you and find out,” said Amirantha.

  “But if you do that, and if he appears, then what, dear brother?”

  “We may have enough strength to send him back?”

  “Ah, may. What if you don’t?”

  “What is the truth?” demanded Amirantha.

  Gulamendis said, “I may not be able to get the truth from your brother, but
I can compel the demon within him to speak truth, at least for a while.”

  “You have a compelling enchantment that powerful?”

  “I think so,” said Gulamendis. He looked at the point of exhaustion, but closed his eyes. “I will try.”

  Long minutes dragged by with the distant sounds of battle reaching them from time to time. Kaspar asked, “Can I safely leave you here?”

  Amirantha indicated the dagger in Jim’s hand that was mere inches from his brother’s throat. “I don’t think your being here makes much difference.”

  “Good,” said Kaspar as he turned to leave. “From the sound of things, they could use a general up there, or at least one more sword.”

  Jim looked at Kaspar, who said, “You stay here. Amirantha might hesitate, but I have no doubt you’ll quickly cut Belasco’s throat if needed.” Jim nodded.

  Amirantha was forced to smile. In the months since he had first come to know Kaspar, he had developed a genuine affection for him. Given Kaspar’s reputation Amirantha found it surprising that a former enemy of the Conclave and friend to his dead brother, Sidi, would prove such affable company, but then he knew what Sidi had been capable of, and judged that much of Kaspar’s villainy had been Sidi’s doing. Jim was also someone the Warlock found likable, despite having a hard and cold side to him.

  Gulamendis said, “It is done.” To Dahun he said, “To truth are you bound. What reason have you for this possession?”

  It was a question shared by all three of the demon experts in the room; possession was rarely employed by the more powerful demons of the Fifth Circle. It was against their nature; why trade a more powerful body for a weaker, more vulnerable one? Disguise was the only possible reason they could think of, but disguise was hardly necessary given the huge conflict above.

  Silence was their answer.

  After a long minute, Belasco chucked. “Your spell must have worked, elf.”

  “Why do you say that?” asked Jim.

  “Gulamendis compelled him to tell the truth, but not to answer. His silence tells you he cannot lie to you, so he elects to say nothing.”

  Gulamendis looked from Amirantha to Jim to Sandreena, an openly beseeching expression on his face. They all shook their heads.

  “What do we do now?” asked Sandreena.

  “Come up with a bargain for my brother,” Amirantha opined.

  “What do you propose?” asked Belasco.

  “Jim could cut your throat and we could deal with the demon when he gets in,” said Sandreena, and her tone left little doubt she considered that a viable option.

  Amirantha held up his hand and said, “Last resort.” To his brother he said, “We could banish the demon back to the Fifth Circle?”

  “An exorcism?” said Belasco incredulously. “You must be joking.”

  “Sandreena is the Mother-Bishop of the Order of the Shield of the Weak,” said the Warlock.

  “I think I liked her better when she just wished to bash my head with her mace,” said Belasco. “That would be quick and easy. An exorcism is as likely to get me killed, but a great deal more slowly and painfully.”

  Sandreena and the two Demon Masters exchanged knowing looks, and they conceded wordlessly that Belasco was right; the more powerful the demon when driven from the host, the more damage endured by the mortal. And no one in the record of any temple had successfully banished a demon king or prince.

  Amirantha said, “Your choice, brother. A quick death and we deal with your demon, or we can try to save you, and then we’ll most likely be forced to kill you.”

  “You know me well, brother.” There was a long silence, and Belasco said, “Give me your word that should I emerge from this intact you’ll grant me one day’s grace to find a safe haven.”

  “After all you’ve done?” said Sandreena.

  “That’s the bargain,” said Belasco.

  “I vote for a quick death,” said Sandreena.

  “I think we should try the exorcism,” said Gulamendis.

  Jim shrugged. “I really don’t know what’s best.”

  “That leaves it to you, brother,” said Belasco.

  Amirantha said, “Give me a reason to grant you any mercy. You’ve been trying to kill me for a century.”

  “Well, that’s a regret, really. I count it a bad habit. I just got so annoyed with you and Sidi…I didn’t really think things through.”

  Amirantha closed his eyes a moment, then opened them and said, “You may not be as mad as our brother was, but there’s nothing about you that resembles sanity.

  “Let me be clear; I’m leaning heavily toward ending this rapidly and clearly, which involves cutting your throat, unless you provide me with a persuasive reason why we should risk letting you live, and having to deal with a powerful demon anyway.”

  There was a long silence, then Belasco said, “I will tell you the truth.”

  Amirantha laughed. “That would be unusual.”

  “By the blood of the old woman of the moons, the nightmares of the child in the village, and the bones in the wicked man’s hidden grave,” said Belasco.

  Amirantha fell silent. He looked at Sandreena and Gulamendis and softly said, “When we were children it was a pact we made; we imitated a curse our mother used…” He shook his head. “It was as close as any of us got to anything sacred. Even Sidi never broke a promise or lied after making that oath.”

  “It’s the best I can do, brother.”

  Amirantha was silent. After a long moment, he said, “Very well. Begin.”

  Pug saw the demons before the doorway turn from attacking Pug’s group and answer the attack from Jommy’s marines. Kaspar arrived and said, “What’s the situation?”

  “Chaos!” shouted Magnus. “Our forces arrived, then a horde of demons appeared out of that pit!”

  “It’s a summoning pit, massive beyond anything I’ve heard of; even Amirantha and Gulamendis didn’t recognize it for what it was: a Demon Gate.”

  “We have to shut it down!” said Kaspar.

  “The problem,” replied Pug, “is that it might take a while.”

  Kaspar looked out at the battle raging beyond the door while Magnus sent another blast of searing energy at a demon charging in their direction. “Keep discouraging them,” said Kaspar, “while I get a better look.” He tapped Laromendis on the shoulder and said, “You up to giving me a boost up to the roof?”

  “Certainly,” said the elf. They stepped sidewise out the door and Laromendis made a stirrup with his hands. Kaspar stepped up and the tall elf boosted him high enough to allow the General to clamber onto the tiles of the building.

  Magnus stepped outside in time to destroy a flier who saw Kaspar as an easy target, and the General shouted, “Thanks!”

  Kaspar saw that activity from the pit had ceased and shouted down, “I think that’s all of them!”

  He looked around the fight and cursed himself for not having had a better notion of how this struggle might unfold. He had made one poor assumption, that a quick strike by overwhelming forces would obliterate a disorganized band of cultists and a few demons.

  What he hadn’t expected was that the demons would be armed, organized, and getting reinforcements. Still, his forces were gaining the upper hand through sheer numbers. Which was a good thing, he considered, as it seemed to take three or four human soldiers to best the larger demons.

  The stench from demon blood was making his eyes water and another flier came hurling out of the night sky and almost took his head. He felt the heat from its flaming body as Magnus dispatched it.

  Kaspar sat on the eaves and then dropped to the ground with an audible grunt. “I’m too old and tired to be doing this,” he said to no one in particular.

  Pug and the others had come out of the small building as the ebb and flow of the struggle had taken the combatants to the other side of the large fortress. Kaspar said, “We’ve got the upper hand if something doesn’t change unexpectedly.” He nodded. “I’ve got to find my comm
anders and see if we can coordinate this a little better.”

  He hurried off and Pug turned to Laromendis. “Why don’t you see what your brother and Amirantha are up to down there. Magnus and I will protect this building.”

  Laromendis said, “Of course,” and ran back into the building.

  “There’s a new war under way,” said Belasco. “It’s been under way for centuries. The five demon kings have been battling for supremacy since time began, this endless Demon War. But this new war is something different.”

  Amirantha said, “How is it different?”

  The sound of laughter filled the room, both Belasco’s and the demon’s. The demon’s was hate-filled and bitter, while Belasco’s was genuine amusement. “I don’t really know,” said the motionless magic-user. “Lying is as much a part of the demon nature as it is mine, dear brother.

  “When I first began to dabble with summoning it was for the usual reason; I wanted to better you. I tried to kill Sidi once by creating a litch, did you know?”

  “No,” said Amirantha.

  “It wasn’t well conceived, really. Too much emphasis on irony and not enough on learning the craft. Sidi quickly disposed of the monster and I spent the better part of a year living in a very cold cave up in the Northlands, surrounded by ice bears, snow leopards, dark elves, and not a lot to eat.” He sighed, more an emotional footnote than any real exhalation of breath. “You’d think I might have learned, but I really didn’t.

  “With you I decided to not just conjure up a random demon and turn him loose on you, as I knew you’d easily better it, but I thought I could subvert one of your spells so that you would summon in something you didn’t expect. I thought that was very clever.”

  “It almost worked,” said Amirantha.

  “Almost?”

  “I had help. Had I been alone, I would have perished.”

  “Well, that’s some sort of consolation.” He paused, then said, “To learn enough to do that I began studying demon lore, much of it familiar to you I assume. But I did find a few odds and ends, a scroll here and a book there that made it clear that there was far more to the demon realm than you suspected. I wasn’t doing this for scholarship, really. I was looking for a very clever way to kill my brothers.”