Confused, Conalin released the sword. Anharat's taloned fingers curled round the hilt. But he made no attempt to draw it forth.
'Emsharas!' whispered the demon.
A black shadow moved alongside Conalin. He swung to see the armoured knight moving towards the queen.
407
'No!' he shouted. With no weapon he sprang at the knight. A mailed fist hit him with a back handed blow that spun him from his feet.
Bakilas struggled on, the Storm Sword still thrust deep in his belly. Clinging to life he raised his blade. Axiana backed away. 'Do not harm my son,' she pleaded. Twenty feet away Nogusta pushed himself to his knees and drew a knife. His arm snapped forward. The blade flashed through the air, plunging deep into Bakilas's left eye. The Krayakin staggered back, then dragged the knife clear, hurling it to the floor. Nogusta tried to draw another. Then he passed out.
The sound of galloping hoofs filled the air. Bakilas turned to see a horseman with a cloak of fire bearing down upon him. Desperately he swung towards the queen and made one last attempt to reach her. Antikas Karios lifted the Storm Sword high and threw it with all his strength. The blade scythed through the air and slammed through Bakilas's neck. The Krayakin crumpled and fell across the body of Anharat.
Casting aside the blazing cloak Antikas leapt from Starfire. The horse's mane was aflame and the warrior smothered the fire with his hands. The gelding was burned across the lower body, and his legs were blistered and bleeding. Antikas himself had injuries to his arms and hands, and the skin over his cheek bone showed a vivid red burn.
Upon the dais Anharat's body began to glow with a brilliant, blinding light which filled the temple. Temporarily blinded Antikas fell to his knees, his hands over his face.
Behind him he could hear the pounding of feet, and guessed the pillars of fire had vanished.
Hands grabbed him, hauling him upright. He opened
408
his eyes. At first he could see only vague shapes. But then he saw the face of the White Wolf swim into focus.
'That was a fine ride,' said Banelion. Antikas gazed upon the altar. There was no sign now of the Demon Lord, nor of the dead Krayakin. Both had vanished.
Conalin ran to where Nogusta lay, and knelt down beside him. 'I killed it,' he said. 'I killed the beast!'
Nogusta gave a weak smile. 'You did well, my friend. I ... am proud of you.' He took the boy's hand and lifted it to the talisman. 'What ... do ... you see?' he asked, his voice weak and fading.
Conalin closed his eyes. 'I see a strange land, with purple mountains. The Krayakin are there. They are bewildered.'
'What . . . else?'
'I see a woman. She is tall and black and beautiful.'
Nogusta leaned against the boy. 'I... see her too,' he said. Kebra ran forward and threw himself down by Nogusta's side.
'Don't you dare die on me!' he said.
Nogusta released Conalin's hand and gripped Kebra's arm. 'No . . . choice,' he whispered. 'Take Starfire . .. back to the mountains.'
'Ulmenetha!' shouted Kebra.
'I am here,' she said. Conalin moved back and allowed the priestess to kneel beside the dying man.
'You can heal him,' said Kebra. 'Lay your hands on him.'
'I cannot heal him,' she said. 'Not now.'
Kebra looked down into Nogusta's dead eyes. 'Oh no,' he said. 'You can't leave me like this! Nogusta!' Tears fell to his cheeks. 'Nogusta!' Ulmenetha leaned over and closed the bright blue eyes. Kebra hugged the body to him, cradling the head. Ulmenetha moved back, and, as
409
Conalin tried to reach Kebra she took hold of his arm and drew him away.
'Leave them together for a little while,' she said.
'I just wanted to tell him what I saw. He found his wife. On a world with two moons.'
'I know.' Ulmenetha walked to where Starfire was standing. The horse was shivering, and in great pain. She stroked his neck, then went to work on his wounds, healing the blisters and the burns. The worst of the wounds was in his right eye, which was almost blinded. But this too she healed.
Antikas approached her. 'He is a great horse,' he said. 'Nogusta was right.'
'Let me heal your burns,' she said, reaching up towards his blistered face. He shook his head.
'I will carry the pain. It will remind me of what we lost here today.'
She smiled up at him. 'That sounds dangerously like humility, Antikas Karios.'
He nodded. 'Yes it does. How depressing. Do you think it will wear off?'
'I hope not,' she told him.
'I will see that it does not,' he said. Offering her a bow he turned and walked back to the queen.
The White Wolf stood silently gazing down at Kebra and Nogusta, his expression unreadable. Then he moved to the queen's side. 'Where would you like to go, highness?' he asked, his voice weary.
'Back to Usa,' she said. 'And I would like you and your men to help me restore order in the city, and bring peace to the land. Will you do this for me, Banelion?'
'I will, highness.'
Stepping forward she summoned Antikas Karios. He
410
bowed deeply. 'Will you swear allegiance to me, and promise to defend the rights of my son?'
'With my life,' he told her.
'Then you will take command of the Ventrian army.'
Lastly she called Conalin to her. 'What is it I can do for you?' she asked. 'Name it and it is yours.'
'Kebra and I are going to Drenan,' he said. 'We are going to find Nogusta's horses and rebuild his house.'
'I shall see you have gold for the journey,' she said. Conalin bowed then walked to where Pharis was sitting with Sufia.
'Will you come with me to Drenan?' he asked them. Pharis took his hand.
'Where you are I will be,' she said. 'Always.'
'And me! And me!' said Sufia.
Kebra walked out into the night, grief overwhelming him. Ulmenetha stepped out of the shadows and took his arm. 'He knew he was to die,' she said. 'He saw it. But he saw something else, something incredible. He wanted me to tell you. He was descended from Emsharas, and that meant he was part Illohir. As was Ushuru, for they were cousins. He saw himself walking with her in a strange land, under a violet sky. The Krayakin were there, and Dryads and Fauns and many other Illohir. I think he saw it as some kind of paradise.'
Kebra said nothing, and gazed up at the bright stars. 'I know the pain you are feeling,' said Ulmenetha. 'I too have lost loved ones. But the three of you saved us all. None of you will ever be forgotten.'
Kebra turned on her. 'Do you think I care about fame? They were my family. I loved them. I feel their loss as if someone has cut them from me. I wish I had died with them.'
Ulmenetha was silent for a moment. Conalin came out
411
of the temple, holding hands with Pharis and little Sufia. The child broke away and ran to Kebra, who was weeping once more. She reached up and took his hand.
'Don't be sad,' she said. 'Please don't be sad.' Then she too began to cry. Kebra dropped down beside her.
'Sometimes,' he said, 'it is good to be sad.' He brushed her blond hair back from her eyes. Conalin came alongside him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
'You are not alone, Kebra,' said Ulmenetha. 'You have a family to raise. Conalin and Pharis and Sufia. And I shall come with you for a while, for I have an urge to run over mountain trails and see the wild flowers grow.'
'We will find Nogusta's horses,' said Conalin. 'And we will rebuild his house.'
Kebra smiled. 'He would like that.'
THE END
-o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Gemmell, David - Drenai 08 - Winter Warriors (v1.0) Page 36
