David Gemmell – Rigante 4 – Stormrider

‘I need no such protection,’ said Winter Kay. ‘That man will be dead tomorrow as the dawn comes.’

‘You speak of Gaise Macon? We will see. I have waited centuries, mortal. I can wait a while longer. Though I will tell you now that when next you come to me I will punish you for your disobedience. It will be painful, Winter Kay. But then I will forgive you, and you will serve me loyally.’

Winter Kay did not sleep that night. Instead he entered a trance state and sent his spirit soaring out over the town of Shelding. There he saw the traitor telling Gaise Macon of the iron ring encircling him. He watched with silent fury as Macon gathered his riders and headed south.

Returning to his body Winter Kay wrote a hasty note to Macy, sealed it, and sent a rider galloping to intercept the cavalry column.

Late the following morning came news of the utter defeat of Luden Macks. The general had tried one desperate counter attack, and had been shot down as he rode with his troops. The Covenanters were now scattered and demoralized. Cavalry were hunting down the fleeing troops.

Winter Kay’s joy at this news was short-lived. Sir Sperring Dale had contacted Eris Velroy and relayed the grotesque events at Eldacre Castle. The Moidart had killed the Finance and his generals, and had appropriated his army. Seventeen thousand rebels were now at large in the north. Worse was to follow.

Gaise Macon had escaped the trap and killed Macy.

Winter Kay returned to his rooms and stood staring down at the black box. With trembling hands he opened the lid, and lifted out the velvet-covered skull. The cloth clung to the bone as he tried to remove it. Congealing blood had made it sticky. Winter Kay wrenched it clear, hurling the cloth to the floor. With the skull in his hands he sat down on the couch.

‘I need your help,’ he whispered.

‘Of course, my servant,’ came the answer. ‘But first the pain I promised you.’

Fire blazed through Winter Kay’s slender frame. His head arched back and he tried to scream. No sound came forth, and the agony grew. He began to shake. A huge vein began to swell and throb at the centre of his brow, and the muscles of his upper body spasmed into a fierce cramp. It was as if needles of fire were being pushed into his skin, rasping against his bones. And then it was gone. Winter Kay sagged back against the couch.

‘And now I forgive you, Winter Kay, for your impertinence. Here is a reward for your previous loyalty.’

This time Winter Kay did manage to cry out. Joy flooded his mind, and he experienced a feeling of ecstasy unparalleled by any event in his life. All his tensions and fears disappeared, replaced by an immense sense of well-being. Then this too faded, leaving him dazed and weak.

‘Will you disobey me again, Winter Kay?’

‘No, my lord. Never.’

In the days following the murder of the unarmed officer Mulgrave spoke little with Gaise Macon. The journey was fraught with danger, and no-one but Gaise knew which direction they would take following night camp. He had said to Mulgrave that they would journey north-west, but at dawn he led them north-east. Mulgrave understood this. Gaise was aware that the Redeemers could spy on them. This information was not relayed to the men, who became confused by the switching of trails, and the seemingly bewildering routes Gaise chose.

Able Pearce rode alongside Mulgrave as dusk approached on the fifth day of travel. ‘The men are worried about the Grey Ghost,’ he said.

‘He knows what he is doing, Pearce. Trust me on that.’ ‘I do, sir. But he’s changed. There’s talk he was in love with the general’s daughter.’

‘Not a subject we should be discussing. Let me merely say her death has hit him hard. So have the deaths of the Eldacre men he led south.’

‘I don’t understand any of this,’ said Able. ‘Why did our own troops think we were going to desert?’

‘They were lied to. I can offer little more than that. Lord Winterbourne wishes to see the Lord Gaise killed. Why? I cannot understand it myself.’

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