THE KING BEYOND THE GATE by David A. Gemmell

‘You had friends … a wife.’

‘Yes. It’s not easy to explain. There was a wise man once, in Ventria, near where I lived. I spoke with him often about life, and love, and friendship. He chided me, made me angry. He talked about clay diamonds.’ Tenaka shook his head and lapsed into silence.

‘Clay diamonds?’ she asked.

‘It doesn’t matter. Tell me about Aulin.’

‘I do not know what he planned to tell you.’

‘I accept that,’ he said. ‘Just tell me of the man.’ Using two sticks he lifted the pot from the flames and set it on the ground to cool. She leaned forward, adding fresh wood to the fire.

‘He was a peaceful man, a Source priest. But he was also an Arcanist and liked nothing better than to scour the land for relics of the Elders. He gained a name for his abilities. He told me that when Ceska first came to power he supported him, believed all the promises about a better future. But then the terror began. And the Joinings . . .’

‘Ceska always loved sorcery,’ said Tenaka.

‘You knew him?’

‘Yes. Go on.’

‘Aulin was one of the first to explore the Graven site. He found the hidden door below the forest and the machines that lay there. He told me his research proved the machines had been created to heal certain diseases suffered by the Elders. But instead of using them in this fashion, Ceska’s adepts created the Joinings. At first they were used only in the arenas, tearing each other to pieces to thrill the crowds; but soon they began appearing on the streets of Drenan wearing armour and the markings of Ceska’s guard.

‘Aulin blamed himself and journeyed to Delnoch, ostensibly to examine the Chamber of Light beneath the Keep. From there he bribed a sentry and tried to escape through Sathuli lands. But the chase began and we were forced south instead.’

‘Where do you come into the story?’ he asked.

‘You did not ask about me, but about Aulin.’

‘I am asking now.’

‘May I have some porridge?’

He nodded, tested the pot and handed it to her. She ate in silence and then passed the remains to Tenaka. Finishing the meal, the warrior leaned back against the cold rock.

‘There is a mystery around you, lady. But I will leave it lie. The world would be a sad place without mysteries.’

‘The world is a sad place,’ she said, ‘full of death and terror. Why is evil so much stronger than love?’

‘Who says that it is?’ he responded.

‘You have not been living among the Drenai. Men like Aulin are hunted down like criminals; farmers are butchered for failing to reach absurd crop levels; the arenas are packed with baying crowds who laugh while animals rip and tear women and children. It is vile! All of it.’

‘It will pass,’ he said gently. ‘And now it is time to sleep.’ He held out his hand to her, but she shrank back, her dark eyes suddenly fearful. ‘I will not harm you, but we must let the fire die. We will share warmth, but that is all we will share. Trust me.’

‘I can sleep alone,’ she said.

‘Very well.’ He untied the blanket and passed it to her, then wrapped himself in his cloak and leaned his head back to the rock, closing his eyes.

Renya stretched herself out on the cold ground, pillowing her head on her arm.

As the fire died so the night cold grew, seeping into her limbs. She awoke shivering uncontrollably and sat up, rubbing warmth into her numbed legs.

Tenaka opened his eyes and held out his hand. ‘Come,’ he said.

She moved to him and he opened his cloak, wrapping it around her and pulling her in to his chest before covering them both with the blanket. She nestled against him still shivering.

‘T-t-tell me about c-c-clay diamonds,’ she asked.

He smiled. ‘The wise man was called Kias. He said that too many people go through life without pausing to enjoy what they have and he told of a man who was given a clay jug by a friend. The friend said, “Examine it when you have the time.” But it was just a simple clay jug and the man put it aside and forged on with his life, spending his time acquiring riches. One day, when he was old, he took the jug and opened it. Within was a huge diamond.’