Rides a Dread Legion Free with Bonus Material

  We seek dominion over no one. The Moredhel to the north have declared us enemy, from time before remembering, and for reasons lost in antiquity, so we defend ourselves when they venture south, but those among them who choose to return to their ancestral home are welcome. Many among us spent their youth in the north. We welcomed the Ocedhel from across the sea, yet many remain in that land, unwilling to join us. We have no issue with them. And when we discovered the Anoredhel endured to the south, we also claimed no sovereignty over them.

  The Sun People? asked Gulamendis. I have not heard of these.

  The protectors of the Quor and Svenga-ri.

  Again, a questioning look. I should know these names, but I do not.

  A matter for another time, said Tomas. Very well, your position is clear. You seek our help but do not wish to serve. As we have no wish for your service, we are in accord. His expression was reinforced in his next utterance: But any attempt by your Clan of the Seven Stars to assume dominion over others of our people will be thwarted.

  Not only will I draw a sword, I have allies who will answer my call.

  Dwarves? Humans?

  Stout warriors and powerful sorcerers, Gulamendis. Do not let your past history blind you to this fact; they are your equal in many ways,he thought of Pugand some will prove your better.

  Consider this a caution. Midkemia may be your ancestral home, but it is home to many others, descendants of those who came here during the Chaos Wars, and their claim is perhaps even more enduring than yours. Your ancestors left, while theirs stayed.

  We understand one another. Any differences between our people must be put aside until after the Demon Legion has been dealt with.

  And keep in mind we will not trouble you so long as you do not trouble us, but should the day come when we are opposed, I will be without pity. His expression left no doubt in Gulamendiss mind it wasnt an idle threat. Is there anything else?

  The Demon Master said, I and some others understand this world will be different than what we might wish it to be. But the Regent Lord, and those priests, magicians, and soldiers who make up the Regents Meet, they will not so easily come to understand that accommodations must be reached. Were you to bring them here, as you had me come, they would see this as a challenge, a threat, one to be answered and swiftly.

  The Clans of the Seven Stars cannot endure here unless we make changes and come to different accommodations with the other races on this world. We need a change in leadership to achieve that goal.

  Treason, said Tomas.

  Reason, said Gulamendis. The strength of our race is also a weakness, for we have never been vanquished until we met the demons. It is inconceivable to us that another mortal race might be our equal, let alone our superior.

  It would be better for all of us if we had a different perspective when the time came for us to aid one another. He looked one more time at the grove. We must return here and take what lessons we have forgotten, Tomas. He then looked at Tomas and said, Just as some of your people must come and learn from us. Only that way can conflict be avoided.

  That sounds promising, said Tomas. Little else of what you said does.

  I understand.

  Come, said Tomas, we must travel.

  Where?

  There are others you must meet, humans, who are my friends, and, more important, who hold the safety of this world paramount. Perhaps after youve met Pug and his associates youll rethink your feelings of superiority.

  Gulamendis looked dubious but said nothing.

  Tomas closed his eyes and spoke softly, but the words were powerful and Gulamendis felt magic forming. For nearly five minutes they stood motionless, then the sound of gigantic wings came and a shadow passed over them. Gulamendis looked up and if his first sight of Tomas had visited a shock upon him, what he beheld now nearly forced him to his knees in awe and terror.

  A great golden dragon hovered above, lazy beats of its wings keeping it aloft. In some speech only Tomas could understand it seemed to question the human-turned-Dragon-Lord, and Tomas spoke aloud in the same language.

  Hes agreed to carry us.

  Carry us? said the Demon Master.

  As gently as a falling feather, the dragon touched down before them, lowering his head until it rested on the ground. Come, said Tomas, walking over to a portion of the neck where he could climb aboard. Sit behind me and behold more of this world you call Home.

  Gulamendis was mute. He could barely nod and it took all his resolve to meekly follow Tomas and climb aboard the dragon behind him.

  CHAPTER 15

  PLOTTING

  Sandreena awoke.

  Before she was fully conscious she had her hand reaching for the haft of her mace and was about to attack whoever was standing above her. A strong hand grabbed her wrist and prevented her from finding her weapon, and she found herself too weak to break that grasp. A voice spoke softly: Now, none of that. Youre safe.

  She blinked and realized there was no mace next to her. It had been taken by thewhoever those Black Caps were. She had a sword, but now it was gone. She blinked again, trying to focus her eyes and remember where she was.

  She lay in a simple bed of wood, a straw-stuffed mattress suspended on a rope lattice, in a small monks cell. Memory returned. She was in the Temple in Ithra. She had arrived nearly dead on her feet, her horse in little better conditionshe didnt know when. She tried to speak, the face above her indistinct in the dim light of the room. How long? she managed to barely croak.

  Almost a day, said the voice; now she could tell it was a man. The hand released her wrist and a moment later slipped in behind her head, helping her sit up a little as a cup of cold, clean water touched her lips. She sipped and as moisture awoke her thirst, started to drink. After she drained the cup, she could speak clearly. More.

  The man stood up. He had been kneeling by her bedside, and she now got a good look at him. He was a dark-haired man, somewhere in his mid-thirties, she thought. Heavyset, but not fat. He wore a deep plumcolored tunic and black trousers, simple but of fine weave, and his boots were of fine craftsmanship. He appeared unarmed. His features were plain, even unremarkable, but there was something about his dark eyes that said he was not someone to be underestimated.

  Who are you? she asked weakly.

  Im Zane.

  After another drink of water, she said, Just Zane?

  He shrugged and smiled. It was a simple expression, but without guile. That made him either straightforward or dangerous. Shed assume the latter until the former proved out. Well, if you care, Ive a couple of titles that I never use, one from Roldem, another from the Kingdom of the Isles, and I may be entitled to some honorific from Kesh, but Im not entirely sure. Zane will do.

  He turned to indicate those outside the door. The monks tell me youre called Sandreena and you are a Knight-Adamant of the Order of the Shield of the Weak. Is that correct?

  Yes, said Sandreena. Im assuming youre harmless, else the Brothers would never have allowed you into my quarters while I was unconscious.

  He feigned a look of injury. Harmless? He shook his head slightly. Im no menace to you, certainly, but harmless? He sighed as he sat back down next to her. You need your rest, but before you fall asleep again, there are a couple of things I need to know.

  Feeling herself slipping back into unconsciousness, she said, That may have to wait

  When she awoke again, Zane was still there, but he was dressed in different fashion. She could see that the light from the high window above was different as wellgrey. Ah, there you are again, said Zane. He had been standing near the door, apparently watching her, and came to sit on the edge of the bed again.

  Water?

  Yes, thank you, she said and allowed him to help her drink. Gathering her thoughts, she asked, Who are you, again?

  Zane, he replied.

  I mean, who sent you?

  Ah, to that, he said, standing up as she appeared more lucid this time and able to drink without aid. I am presently a fr
iend of the Father-Bishop Creegan. Well, associate is perhaps a better choice of words.

  But you are not of the Temple? she asked.

  No, he said with what passed for a regretful smile. I tend to discover myself praying to Ban-ath or Ruthia more often than not. He looked at her. I try not to find myself on the side needing Dalas intervention.

  And as an associate of the good Father-Bishop, said Sandreena, elbowing herself upright, I assume youre here to ask me about what Ive uncovered.

  He reached under the bed and pulled out a folded blanket. He put it behind her as a makeshift pillow and said, Yes, to the heart of it. He added, If you feel up to talking.

  Im a little hungry, but I could talk before I eat.

  He nodded and stood, moved to the door, and spoke to someone outside. While sitting up, Sandreena took stock of herself. Someone had bathed her, for she was clean, and redressed her wounds, which now itched as they were almost fully healed. She was wearing a simple white shift of bleached linen, and her hair smelled clean to her.

  She had been nearly dead when she rode into town. She had endured a week on the road with no food and only what water she could find in creeks and one farmers well. She vaguely recalled finding a stand of berries along the way, but they had made her sick to her stomach.

  Her exact recollection of things was hazy after she had started on her journey south. She remembered reaching a hillside overlooking the town of Ithra, and then nothing until she was spoken to by someone at the town gate, perhaps a warden or town watchman. Then she was at the entrance to the temple and trying to speak to someone, a monk perhaps, then awaking today.

  The last week on the road had been a blur of hazy memories. Her wounds had stiffened, as she suspected they would, since she hardly had the best time recuperating in that damp cave, and she was woefully malnourished. Somewhere along the way time became meaningless. Training had evidently taken hold, for she had somehow managed to keep her horse watered and find grazing along the way. Perhaps she had slept while the animal had cropped grass. In any event, it was clear to Sandreena the Goddess had been watching over her.

  She vaguely recalled finding her way past the city watch, who regarded the ragged woman with some suspicion, but she had said something about finding the temple, and slightly crazy pilgrims and mystics were hardly unusual, even in as out-of-the-way a place as Ithraand even if they rode a fine horse.

  So, you work for Creegan, she said as she pushed herself upright. Every part of her ached and she felt shockingly weak. It was a feeling she didnt like.

  Work with him is more the case, said Zane. He looked over his shoulder at her as they waited for food to arrive. Or rather, I work for people who work with him. He saw a monk approaching and said nothing while a tray was brought into the room, placed on Sandreenas lap, and the monk departed. While she ate, Zane said, Your Orders resources are spread out right now, and you were the only high-level temple knight around, apparently. So the Father-Bishop asked us to keep an eye out for you.

  You just happened to be in Ithra?

  This was where they sent me. We have other people in Dosra, Min, and Pointers Head just in case you showed up there. If none of us heard from you in another week, someone else would have been sent north. Theres a strong suspicion something important is taking place in that very isolated village you went to

  Akrakon, she supplied. She said nothing more, concentrating on eating the vegetable soup and coarse bread, which comprised her meal. She didnt think this man would be standing around in the middle of the monastery if he were any sort of risk, but his claim to affiliation with the temple in Krondor didnt make it a fact. As he observed, there were no other highly placed members of the Order nearby; the monks and lay Brothers of the Order in this little temple were far removed from Temple politics and intrigue.

  When she said nothing for a while, Zane smiled and said, Fair enough. You can report directly to the Father-Bishop if you wish. I was given no instructions about learning what you know, just to see you got safely home, or, failing that, that whoever followed you had a better chance of getting the intelligencewe need.

  She wondered which we he spoke ofthe Temple, the Father-Bishop and himself, or whoever his masters were. Good, she said. You going to ride with me to Krondor? she asked between mouthfuls of soup and chewy bread.

  Something like that, he said with a smile. Ill wait until youre done.

  She said nothing while she finished, then watched him take away her tray. When he returned, she was standing on wobbly legs and needed a moment. Im weak as a kitten, she supplied.

  A monk arrived with some clothing, and Sandreena was annoyed to see it was a dress. Seeing her expression, Zane shrugged. It was the best we could do on short notice. I had to buy it off one of the shopkeepers wives. Lowering his voice as the monk departed, he said, And I think the Brothers never considered you might prefer tunic and trousers. I think you may have been the first Knight-Adamant theyve seen in recent memory. Lowering his voice even more, he added, or ever. Looking over his shoulder as he handed her the dress, he said, Certainly the first woman.

  She pulled off the shift and donned the dress, ignoring Zanes presence. There arent many of us, she acknowledged, and her tone was grudging. Its thankless work and not for those of weak constitution. It doesnt appeal to many, man or woman. She held out the sides of the dress, which was obviously a size or two too large for her, and said, Am I supposed to ride in this?

  Ah, no, said Zane. He drew an object from his belt pouch and said, Stand next to me.

  She moved a step closer and he said, This is a bit faster.

  Suddenly they were in a room somewhere else. It was earlier in the day, from the brightness of the light, and noticeably warmer. There was a trio of men in the room as they appeared.

  Sandreena looked around, then her eyes widened. She took one step toward one of the men and drew back her fist. Before anyone could react, she unloaded a punishing blow to the jaw of a man wearing a white robe with purple trim. He went backward, skidding across the floor, slamming into the wall.

  Shaking his head and blinking his eyes for a moment, Amirantha looked up and said, Why, Sandreena. Good to see you again, too.

  Pug stood dumbfounded. Few things could surprise him at his age and with his experience, but the sudden appearance of Zane and the woman, who immediately knocked Amirantha across the room, succeeded.

  Brandos grinned. Youre looking a little off, girl. Normally, you would have broken his jaw.

  Seeing the old fighter, she returned his smile and came to hug him. You old fraud. How are you?

  He hugged her back and said, Well enough. I had wondered how you were, from time to time.

  Pug said, Obviously, I dont need to make any introductions.

  Sandreena said, Only who you are.

  My name is Pug and this is my island.

  She frowned. The Black Sorcerer?

  He smiled slightly. Its a long story. Lets say for the moment we all represent interests that have a common goal.

  Which is?

  Getting off the floor, rubbing his sore jaw, Amirantha said, Discovering where some unwelcome demons are coming from.

  She fixed him with a baleful look. This another of your confidences?

  He held up his hands, palms outward. No. In fact, an unexpected demon nearly gutted me a few weeks ago.

  Too bad, she said.

  Brandos grinned. He knew she meant too bad the demon hadnt succeeded. Ive missed you, girl.

  She gave him a dubious expression. Youre a good enough man, Brandos, but I cant say much for the company you keep.

  If we can put aside the personal animosity for a while, we have others coming to meet with us, Pug said.

  Who are you? asked Sandreena again. I mean, who are you to bring me here?

  Pug knew an exasperated tone when he heard one. Father-Bishop Creegan will be here shortly. I think Ill leave it to him to explain your role in this. However, before he arrives, perhaps youd care to give u
s a brief idea of what it was you encountered up in the Peaks of the Quor.

  No, she said. I wouldnt care to.

  Pug shook his head slightly and said, Zane, if you would show Sandreena to her quarters, well wait for the rest of our guests.

  Yes, Grandfather, he said. He motioned for Sandreena to follow him. She cast another baleful glance at Amirantha as she followed Zane out of the room.

  As they walked down the hallway, she took notice of her surroundings. The building was low and had doors that opened on gardens. She said, Grandfather? He doesnt look more than ten years older than you.

  Appearances can be deceiving, said Zane. Pug is my stepfathers father and hes old enough to be He shrugged. Youll see. He led her to a room and said, You can rest here and if you get hungry, just pick up that bell and ring it. Someone will escort you to the dining hall. He pointed to a small, tulip-shaped bell that rested on a table next to a bed. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?

  Reaching down, she tugged at the ill-fitting dress and said, Yes, if you could find me clothes that fit, Id be grateful. Trousers and a tunic, please?

  He said, Ill see what I can do. Ill be back shortly.

  She sat on the bed after he left, and put her elbows on her knees, burying her face in her hands. Oh, Goddess, she said softly. What have I done to deserve this? Amirantha, again?

  By the time Zane returned with clean clothing, she was asleep again, curled up on the bed like a child, and he could tell from the dried tracks on her face she had been weeping.

  Pug sat near the door to the kitchen, dining with his wife, two sons, and Amirantha and Brandos at a table large enough to accommodate twice the number. A large kettle of stew sat steaming in the middle, with platters of hot bread, cheeses, meats, fruits, and vegetables placed around it.

  The Warlock observed, This is afascinating place. I always assumed your students were, and work was done, at Stardock.

  Pug inclined his head slightly as he said, Thats what we want people to think. My predecessor here on this island, Macros, created the legend of the Black Sorcerer to maintain privacy. We have continued the illusion to keep that privacy. Moreover, the Academy at Stardock is a busy place, and much is accomplished there, but this is where the real work, research, and education of the exceptional students take place.