‘I will go with him,’ promised Talisman.
‘You? What are you? Just a child in a man’s body. How old are you, child? Seventeen? Twenty?’
‘I am nineteen. And I will walk with Oshikai across the Void, to the Gates of Giragast.’
‘No, it is not enough. I see that you are brave, Talisman. And you are quick and intelligent. But to pass those gates takes something more. You are asking me to risk my soul in everlasting darkness and torment, and the soul of the man I love. The mystic number is Three. Do you have a warrior here who could match Oshikai ? Is there one who would walk the Void with you?’
‘I will,’ said Gorkai, pushing himself to his feet. Her eyes fixed him, holding to Gorkai’s gaze. ‘Another brave one. But not skilled enough.’
Talisman strode to the window and leaned out over the sill. Below Druss, stripped of his jerkin, was washing himself at the well-side. The Nadir leader called out to him, beckoning him. Throwing his jerkin over his shoulder, Druss strolled to the building and climbed the stairs. As he entered, his pale blue eyes scanned the room. Gorkai was still upon his knees, and Nosta Khan was sitting below the window with a trickle of blood running from broken skin over his temple. He saw that Zhusai was tied, and said nothing.
‘This man has walked the Void,’ said Talisman, ‘in search of his wife. He found her.’
‘I can read his thoughts, Talisman. He has no loyalty to the Nadir. He is here seeking . . .’ She stared hard at Druss ‘ . . . healing stones for a dying friend. Why would he risk the terrors of the Giragast? He does not know me.’
Talisman swung to Druss. ‘This is not Zhusai,’ he said. ‘Her body is possessed by the spirit of Shul-sen. To free her, I must send my spirit into the Void. Will you travel with me?’
‘As she said, I came here to find the jewels the shaman spoke of,’ said Druss, ‘and he lied to me. Why should I do this?’
Talisman sighed. ‘There is no reason that I can offer you, save that the woman I love is now trapped in that dark and vile place. And Oshikai, our greatest hero, has been searching for a thousand years to find the spirit of his wife. He does not know where to look. I can tell him, but Shul-sen says the journey would see his soul extinguished. Two men cannot fight the demons there.’
‘And three can?’ asked Druss.
‘I cannot answer that,’ Talisman told him. ‘She will not release the spirit of Zhusai unless I can find a man to match Oshikai. You are the only one here who has built a legend. What more can I say?’
Druss eased past him and moved to the bound woman. ‘How did you die?’ he asked.
‘Chakata put golden spikes in . . .’ She hesitated and her eyes flared wide. ‘You! You and your friend released me. I see it now, back in the chamber. He came back and removed the spikes. He found my lon-tsia.’
Druss stood and looked Talisman in the eyes. ‘If I go with you, laddie, I want your word on something.’
‘Name it!’
‘You will let me use the jewels to save my friend.’
‘Is that not why you are here?’ hedged Talisman.
‘Not good enough,’ said Druss, making for the door.
‘Very well. You have my word. When we find the jewels, I will hand them to you and you may take them to Gulgothir.’
‘No!’ shouted Nosta Khan. ‘What are you saying?’
Talisman held up his hand. ‘But I want your pledge to return them as soon as your friend is healed.’
‘It will be done,’ said Druss.
‘Come to me, blackbeard,’ said Shul-sen, and Druss returned to the bed and sat. She looked deep into his eyes. ‘Everything I am, or could ever be, is in your hands now. Are you a man I can trust?’
‘I am,’ he said.
‘I believe you.’ Turning her gaze to Talisman she spoke again. ‘I shall return to the Dark Place, and free the soul of Zhusai. Do not fail me.’