The darkness closed in around them, then Asta’s voice sounded. ‘Stand very still, and wait until you see the light once more. Then move swiftly, for I cannot hold the Gateway for long.’
Silence followed, broken only by the rustling of wings above and the stealthy padding of claws on the rocky ground beside the path. A shaft of dim grey light lit the scene, stretching, widening.
‘Now!’ yelled Asta and the little shaman ran through the opening. Chien, Oshi and Harokas ran after him. Chareos stumbled through, followed by Kiall. Tanaki ran forward, but her foot strayed from the path and instantly a hairy hand grabbed her ankle, tripping her. She rolled, drawing her sword and hacking at the limb. The hand slid away, but she saw the giant wolves bearing down on her. Bunching her legs beneath her, she hurled herself at the shrinking Gateway.
She hit the ground hard, rolled and came to her knees. The Gate had vanished, and she was kneeling on a ledge high above the city of Ulrickham.
Kiall helped her to her feet. ‘I would not wish to walk that path again,’ he said. Unable to speak, she merely nodded. Chareos was sitting by himself, staring down at the ground. He looked older, more weary than Kiall had ever seen him.
Kiall walked to him. ‘He was a strong man. A good friend,’ he said.
‘He was a fool. We are all fools,’ whispered Chareos. ‘But I will see out the game.’ He turned his gaze on the city. ‘What do you think, Kiall? Shall we surround it and demand they release Ravenna?’
‘Whatever you say, Chareos.’
Chareos rose and stretched his back. He smiled and clapped his hand to Kiall’s shoulder. ‘Life goes on, boy. Do not be too concerned for me.’
Asta Khan walked over to them, squatting to sit before Chareos. ‘There is an underground river, below Ulrick-ham. The great Tenaka knew of it, and linked the city’s sewers to it. He also strengthened the side tunnels so that there would be a means of escape if the city was surrounded.’
‘Is it guarded?’ Kiall asked.
‘Not by men. It would not be much of a secret if all the soldiers in Ulrickham knew of its existence. No, the prisoners who laboured to strengthen the tunnels were slain.’
‘But it is guarded by something,’ said Chareos and Asta looked up, his dark eyes hooded.
‘Yes, Blademaster. By something. The blood of the slain was used by me to weave a dark spell. I merged the tunnel with the Void.’
The Void?’ queried Kiall.
‘You have just passed through it,’ Asta told him. ‘Only below Ulrickham there is no Silver Path.’
‘We must pass through it again? I couldn’t!’ said Tanaki.
‘You can!’ hissed Asta. ‘It is not long – a mere twenty paces. I will lead you.’
‘And once we are through?’ asked Chareos. ‘How do we reach Ravenna?’
Tanaki stepped forward. ‘You cannot, Chareos. Asta knows this. No man could enter the Palace of Women – but I could.’
‘No,’ protested Kiall. ‘No, I won’t have that. It is . . .’
Tanaki chuckled. ‘Do not say too dangerous, Kiall. It is your only hope.’
‘She is right,’ said Asta, his eyes shining now. ‘She is truly of the blood of the Great Tenaka.’ Chien-tsu and Harokas joined the group, listening as Tanaki outlined her plan.
‘The question is when,’ said Chareos.
‘The time is now,’ declared Asta. ‘The journey through the Void took many weeks, though it felt like hours. Ravenna is only a few days from giving birth.’
‘Should we not wait until after the birth?’ Harokas asked.
‘No!’ said Asta. ‘Jungir will take the Queen and the heir around the kingdom. They will be surrounded by warriors, and there would be no way to approach them. No, it must be now. Tonight.’
Chien said nothing, but his eyes locked to the face of the shaman. There was much here that was not being said. He did not like Asta Khan, but this quest meant nothing to the Kiatze. He would aid the questors, and then demand his payment. He stood and moved back to Oshi. The old man’s face was grey, his eyes wide and staring. The walk through the Void had terrified him.