MIDNIGHT FALCON by David Gemmell

‘Why did you do that?’ she asked, blushing.

He shrugged. ‘It felt right.’ He looked into her dark eyes. ‘I shall miss you.’

‘You can always come back,’ she said softly. ‘I will be here.’

Bane leaned towards her and she did not move away. Their lips met, and the kiss lingered. He felt his heart beat faster. In his short life he had bedded a score of earth maidens, and yet this one kiss filled him with an awareness of life he had never before experienced. He drew back, aware that something magnificent was occurring, and yet frightened of its intensity. He rose from the seat, and kissed her hand once more. ‘I will come back,’ he said, his voice husky. ‘I promise you that. And I will take you to the Rigante mountains.’

‘I will be ready,’ she told him.

At that moment Banouin came out into the garden. The rain had eased, and the sky was clearing. ‘Time to go,’ he said. ‘The ship sails in an hour.’

Bane was torn. He was tempted to tell Banouin to sail without him, but he had made a promise to Vorna. One of the two house servants, an elderly man, came into sight beyond the gate, leading their horses. Banouin walked quickly along the path without a farewell to Lia. His rudeness annoyed Bane, but the feeling was momentary, for Lia threw her arms round his neck and kissed him again. The kiss was passionate and long, and when she pulled away she gave an impish smile. ‘That’s for you to remember me by,’ she said.

‘Oh, I will remember,’ he told her.

Appius stepped into view as they parted. Bane looked him in the eye, saw the disappointment there, but also the resignation. He offered his hand, and Appius took it. ‘Come back safely,’ said the old general. Bane walked along the path, reached his horse and vaulted to the saddle. Then he waved and rode after Banouin.

‘You didn’t even say good-bye,’ he said, as he drew alongside his friend. Banouin ignored him, and they rode through the town, then out onto the open stretch before the port.

Three riders were travelling in the opposite direction. Bane watched them approach. They wore black cloaks and helms of black-stained iron, embossed with silver. Banouin pulled his horse from the road to let them pass. Bane remained where he was. As the lead rider came alongside he glanced at Bane and their eyes met. Bane felt a thrill of fear as the pale gaze touched him. The man was tall, wide-shouldered, his bare arms powerfully muscled. He smiled as he rode by, and Bane felt his anger rise. In that moment both men had recognized the warrior in the other, and the smile had been one of contempt.

Then he was past. Bane swung in the saddle and watched them ride on. ‘Now that was an evil whoreson,’ he said.

‘We have to go!’ said Banouin. Bane looked at him. Banouin’s face was white with fear, and he was trembling.

‘What is wrong with you?’ said Bane. ‘I have never known you behave like this. You are beginning to unsettle me.’

‘We have to get away!’ said Banouin, urging his horse into a run.

Bane swore and heeled the grey after him. He caught him swiftly and leaned over, grabbing Banouin’s reins.

The horses slowed. ‘I’m sick of this behaviour,’ said Bane. ‘Now talk to me. What is wrong with you?’

‘We have to get to the ship. Once we are on the ship I’ll tell you everything. The ship!’

‘A pox on the ship. You tell me now.’

‘Please, Bane, trust me. I have had a vision. A terrible vision.’

‘You told me that. A demon stalking me.’

‘No, not that. Come with me, please . . . your life depends on it!’

‘My life? I have no enemies here.’

Banouin’s eyes flickered to the distant riders. ‘They are Knights of Stone,’ he said. ‘Former gladiators. Killers. You could not stand against them. Believe me.’

‘Why would I want to?’ Bane smiled. ‘I think you are a victim of bad dreams, my friend, not visions. They rode past. If they were looking for me they would have . . .’ He fell silent. ‘They were not looking for me, were they?’

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