David Gemmell. Winter Warriors

Dagorian and Zani stabled their mounts. The ride had been a silent one, and now, as they walked through the dusk shadowed streets, the little Ventrian moved in close to the taller officer. ‘I think you should tell me what happened back there,’ he said.

The Drenai warrior nodded, then led Zani to a small tavern just off the Market Square. It was almost empty and they took a window table. Dagorian ordered wine, added a little water, then sipped the drink. There were demons,’ he said, at last, keeping his voice low. ‘Scores of them. Perhaps hundreds. They filled the house – all except for the room with the ward spell. They tore at me with talons and teeth. I thought my flesh was being ripped from my bones.’

‘But there were no wounds. Perhaps it was just the drug.’

Dagorian shook his head. ‘There were wounds, Zani. I can still feel them. They were tearing at my spirit – my soul, if you like. They were even outside, in the trees. Worse, I sensed they were everywhere. They are prob­ably here even now, in the shadows of the ceiling, by the walls.’

Zani glanced around nervously. But he could see nothing. ‘What were they like?’ Dagorian described them, their bone-white faces and bulging eyes, their sharp teeth and talons. Zani shivered. It sounded like the ravings of a madman – which Zani would have in­finitely preferred to be true. But they were investigating more than a score of bizarre murders, and everything Dagorian described had the ring of truth to it. Even so

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it was wildly beyond Zani’s understanding. The Drenai officer fell silent. Zani spoke again, keeping his voice low. ‘What does all this mean, Drenai?’

‘I do not know. It is far beyond what I was taught. But there was something else. I was rescued by a shining figure with a sword of fire. He it was who made me recite the holy verses.’

‘A shining figure,’ repeated Zani. ‘An angel, you mean?’

Dagorian saw scepticism swell once more in the Ventrian’s expression. ‘I am sorry, Zani. Were I you I would also be deeply suspicious. Is the man mad? Did the lorassium merely swell his delusions?’ Zani relaxed and smiled. ‘Well, the man is not mad. But he is fright­ened. And he does have a theory, of sorts.’

‘That, at least, sounds promising,’ said Zani.

‘All the people killed – or fled – were seers. They could see the demons.’

‘Which means?’

‘Think of an army on the march in enemy territory. The scouts are the eyes. Therefore the first objective is to kill the scouts. The army is now blind.’

‘But these demons cannot kill. They did not aicack me. And once the drug wore off you were also safe.’

‘They cannot kill directly. But they can influence emotions. That much I was taught back at the Temple. If their malevolence is directed by a power magus they can inspire great malice and hatred. That is the key to the killings. The boy who killed his mother, the dogs who attacked their master. All of them.’

‘I know little of demons – and I wish I knew less,’ said Zani. ‘But what I do know is that this is far beyond my talents. We must consult Kalizkan.’

‘Before this morning I would have agreed with you,’ said Dagorian. ‘I will think on it.’

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‘What is there to think about? He is the greatest sor­cerer in the empire.’

‘I know. That is what worries me.’

‘You make no sense.’

‘I have read stories about sorcerers summoning demons. In ones or twos. Here we have hundreds. Only the greatest of the magi could even consider such a spell. A sorcerer of such power would not be unknown. He would be famous, rich and powerful. Is there another such sorcerer in Usa?’

Zani’s face darkened. ‘I have met Kalizkan many times,’ he said, coldly. ‘He is a fine man, and much admired. He rescues children from the streets. He is kind and greatly loved. To speak of him summoning demons is a slander. And I’ll hear no more of it. I think the drug addled your senses, Drenai. I suggest you return to the barracks and rest. Perhaps tomorrow you will be clear headed again.’