The Name Of The Sword (Book 4) (38 page)

Roland picked Rhianne up as if she weighed nothing, turned and sprinted for the door. Nicki helped AnnaRail with DaNoel and they followed, the intense heat behind them growing with every step.

When they reached the drawbridges over the two motes they were slowed by hundreds of others swarming across them, with many in the water swimming desperately. Nicki looked back, saw that the central keep had collapsed in upon itself. It didn’t really burn, it just appeared to melt, turning the stone of the building into molten lava.

They ran on horses and on foot, shouting for all the residents to evacuate the city. By the time they staggered out through a gate in the city’s wall, Nicki could barely put one foot in front of the other. They didn’t stop until they had put several hundred paces between them and the city walls. Then they succumbed to exhaustion and sat down unceremoniously on the ground.

They watched thousands boil out through the many gates of the city. Among them loped a lot of odd-looking little dogs. Each had a sharp snout, large pointed ears that stood erect, and a long, bushy tail like that of a fox. Nicki realized she was looking at jackals, not jackal warriors, for without the Dark God’s power to sustain them, they had reverted to their natural shape.

Stragglers continued to trickle through the city’s gates, but tens of thousands did not make it. They spent the afternoon watching Durin consumed by the death of a god.

38
Forever and a Day

Seated on a large rock that JohnEngine had found for her, Rhianne warmed her hands by the fire and listened to the sounds of the Elhiyne army camped around them at the Lake of Sorrows. Across the fire AnnaRail sat with DaNoel’s head in her lap, stroking his brow. Roland sat beside her, his arms around her shoulders. NickoLot sat next to them, wringing her hands. All three of them had tears in their eyes.

DaNoel started and tried to sit up. “In my head, in my head, in my head . . .”

AnnaRail said, “There, there, son, it’s all right.” She soothed him and he slowly calmed, though he’d lost control of his bowels again and the smell drifted on the night air.

Without Morgin to send them back through his shadows, the armies of the Lesser Clans had gone south down the Gods Road to return to their homes. They were equipped to travel, and had used very little of their supplies going north to Durin, so they didn’t go hungry. They’d even decided to leave behind a modest force of armsmen drawn from all four of the Lesser Clans. AnnaRail and Theandrin were adamant that someone had to organize and police the survivors of Durin, who were homeless and without food. Their bellies would complain, but Olivia claimed she could make Rastanna and Vodah contribute some supplies, so no one would starve, or fall prey to the inevitable banditry that would arise.

In the middle of the third day of travel Penda and Tosk had split off to cross the Worshipers at Methula, while the rest continued to the Lake of Sorrows. Tomorrow, those of Elhiyne would turn east to Kallun’s Gorge, while Inetka headed south and the Benesh’ere stayed at the lake. There was much debate among the whitefaces about what they’d do in the future.

Rhianne chewed on a piece of jerky and longed for a hot meal of roast pheasant, anything but journeycake, water, and dried or heavily salted meat.

Limping badly, JohnEngine walked into the light of the fire and sat down next to her. He stuck his hands out to warm them and said, “The jerky does get rather tiresome, doesn’t it? Now you know what it’s like to eat it day after day.”

She wasn’t going to complain. “It’ll do until we get home.”

“How’s your arm?”

AnnaRail had reset the bone in Rhianne’s arm, sealed the wound, splinted it and wrapped it, and created a charm to kill the pain. “It no longer throbs; the pain is manageable.”

Brandon stepped into the light, the stump of his left arm heavily bandaged. When the wall of the throne room had come down a heavy block of stone had crushed his hand, but it was his off-hand, so it could have been worse. He would make a good clan leader. “How is Morgin?” he asked.

For two days she’d had only a strong sense of Rat, but no Morgin, and that had frightened her, had frightened them all. Then in the early hours of yesterday her sense of Morgin had returned, and Rat had gone. “He’s okay,” she said. “I think he was hurt badly, but Rat healed him.” She didn’t say it, but she thought Rat might never return.

Only AnnaRail had come away from that throne room with nothing beyond minor cuts and bruises. She assured them all that JohnEngine’s limp would heal, but there was nothing more she could do about Brandon’s hand. Roland now had back pains that AnnaRail treated regularly, Nicki had a nasty gash on her shoulder, stitches holding it closed. Olivia had taken to walking with a cane, though she remained as imperious as ever. And then there was DaNoel.

Olivia marched into the light of the fire, leaning on her cane, but with her head held high. Rhianne suspected she leaned a bit more heavily on that cane when no one was present. “How is DaNoel?” she asked.

AnnaRail looked up and said, “We can no longer get any food into him, though if we could I’m not sure it would be right. I doubt he’ll last more than two or three more days.”

Olivia took a breath and looked down at DaNoel, who lay in AnnaRail’s lap, drooling like a child. “We’ll be back at Elhiyne in two days. We’ll bury him there.”

Rhianne saw an odd look pass between Olivia and NickoLot, almost as if they shared a sense of relief. They too probably believed it was better to let DaNoel go, rather than extend his suffering. That was kind of them.

France stepped into the light beside Olivia, and in the accent of a refined nobleman he said, “Your Ladyship. A private word?”

Olivia’s brows rose. “Certainly, swordsman.” She glanced at those seated around the fire. “But you can speak openly here. We’re all family.”

“About my wages, Your Ladyship. I hadn’t contracted for such hazardous duty, so I think a substantial increase is in order. And of course, it should be retroactive.”

Olivia’s eyes turned calculating. “But you’ll no longer need to give my grandson lessons in swordsmanship, so that’s a substantial decrease in your duties.”

“Oh no, Your Ladyship. He is still an exceedingly poor swordsman . . .”

As France and Olivia haggled over his pay, Rhianne thought,
Two more days to Elhiyne. Will Morgin be there waiting for her? Will she ever see him again?

••••

Rhianne dreamed that Morgin’s lips touched her cheek with a feather-light kiss. Once they’d returned to Elhiyne she’d had similar dreams, and it always hurt to awake and find he wasn’t really there. She kept her eyes closed and lay there, thankful for the comfort of a real bed after so many nights sleeping in a blanket on the dirt near a campfire.

She must have drifted off, for again she dreamed that Morgin’s lips touched her cheek.

“It’s not a dream,” he whispered in her ear.

She started, rolled over, tangled her legs in her sheets, and there he was leaning over her. He’d lit a candle so she could see, and he bent down and touched his lips lightly to hers. He didn’t pull away from her, and with their lips barely touching she asked, “Why didn’t they tell me you’d returned?”

“Because they don’t know. I came in a shadow.”

“Where have you been?”

He frowned as if recalling something painful. “I was Rat for a while. It’s not easy killing a god, and I needed to heal for a bit.”

The frown disappeared and he smiled. “And then I had to find a place for us, a very special place.”

He lowered his head and kissed her on the neck, lowered it further and kissed her on the chest just above her breast, lowered it further and kissed her breast, sending a thrill through her. “Come with me now,” he said, and with her heart pounding she was ready to go anywhere he wanted. “I’ll take you to the place I’ve found. It’s a beautiful little cottage by a babbling brook. It needs a bit of work, but nothing a powerful wizard and witch can’t handle.”

She asked, “I hope it’s far from the old woman.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not far. We can ride there in less than a day, or step there in less than a shadow.”

She didn’t do a good job of hiding her disappointment as she said, “You know, she wants to have you crowned king of all the clans.”

He gave her a mischievous grin. “She has to find me first. And that she can’t do unless I want her to. My family and yours will only be a shadow away when we want to see them, but those same shadows can hide us from her just as well.”

He kissed her, not a soft kiss but a hot passionate one. “Come with me now,” he said. “That cottage is waiting for us.”

A thought hit her. “Does it have a nice, soft, comfortable feather bed like this?”

He frowned. “No, not yet. But if that’s what you want I’ll get one soon.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him down and kissed him again with even more passion. She gasped as his hand touched her breast. “Soon is not soon enough,” she said. “We’re finally
not
in a dream, so perhaps tonight we can make good use of
this
feather bed.”

He ran a finger down her neck, then across her chest above the top of her nightgown. “You’re right,” he said, brushing his lips across hers. “The cottage can wait.”

The End

Here ends
The Gods Within
, in which Morgin and Rhianne have found each other, forever and a day.

Dramatis Personae
The Name of the Sword

Personae Decouix

• Valso—only living son of Illalla and Merriketh, and King of the Greater Clans
  
• Illalla—former King of the Greater Clans (deceased)
  
• Merriketh Alaella—wife to Illalla and mother of his children
  
• Mikal—Valso’s older brother, murdered by Valso
  
• GregorDan—Valso’s older brother, murdered by Valso
  
• Tarran—Valso’s younger brother, murdered by Valso
  
• Haleen—only living daughter of Illalla and Merriketh, called
  The Mad Whore
  by some
  
• Andra—minor Decouix nobleman
  
• Thandin—an emissary to Elhiyne
  
• Degla—minor Decouix nobleman
  
• GeorgeAll—minor Decouix nobleman
  
• Carsaris—an advisor to Valso and one of his most powerful sorcerors
  
• Geanna—a handmaiden to Rhianne
  

Personae Rastanna

• Oubba—Commander of Tharsk, the fortress at Methula
  
• Carri—Oubba’s wife
  
• Tarkiss—Oubba’s son
  
• Andrew—an old country nobleman
  
• Stetha—Andrew’s son
  

Personae Vodah

• Xenya—a young noblewoman with a rebelious attitude regarding Valso
  
• Alta—Xenya’s brother
  

Personae Kullish

• Salula—Captain and commander of all Kulls
  
• Verk—a Kull captain, subordinate to Salula
  
• Mook—a simple Kullish guardsman
  
• Brakke—Kull officer in command of the Kullish forces at Tharsk
  
• Salya—a Kull lieutenant in Durin
  
• Qartan—the Kull lieutenant that kidnaps Felina
  

Personae Elhiyne

• Olivia—Head of Clan Elhiyne
  
• Bertak—Olivia’s father (deceased)
  
• Hillell—Olivia’s mother (deceased)
  
• Karlane—Olivia’s husband (deceased)
  
• Malka—Olivia’s oldest son and heir to the leadership of Elhiyne (deceased)
  
• Marjinell—Malka’s wife
  
• MichaelOff—oldest son of Malka and Marjinell (deceased)
  
• Brandon—youngest son of Malka and Marjinell
  
• Jinella—born Tosk, now Brandon’s wife
  
• Roland—Olivia’s youngest son
  
• AnnaRail—Roland’s wife
  
• DaNoel—1st child of Roland and AnnaRail
  
• Annaline—2nd child of Roland and AnnaRail
  
• JohnEngine—3rd child of Roland and AnnaRail
  
• NickoLot—4th child of Roland and AnnaRail
  
• Morgin—adopted child of Roland and AnnaRail
  
• Rhianne—the 4th of Edtoall and Matill’s four daughters, and now Morgin’s wife
  
• Hellis—Olivia’s younger sister, took her own life in suicide (deceased)
  
• Tulellcoe—Hellis’ only son, conceived by Illalla in an act of rape
  
• Vergis Caladan—an alias used by Tulellcoe
  
• Alcoa—Marchlord of the western reaches that border on Penda
  
• Eglahan—Marchlord of Yestmark, sworn to Elhiyne
  
• Packwill—a scout, sworn to Eglahan of Yestmark
  
• Annen—bastard son of Eglahan
  
• Abileen—a sergeant of men
  
• Dannasul—a childhood friend of Morgin and JohnEngine
  
• Durado—an old man who maintains the waystation at Kallun’s Gorge
  
• Samull—Durado’s son
  
• Gorguh—Elhiyne stable master
  
• Erlin—Elhiyne stable boy
  
• Valken Surriot—a
  twoname
  who fought with Eglahan at the battle of Yestmark
  
• Seurrak Aldwith—an alias used by the Surriot
  
• Cortien Balenda—a
  twoname
  who fought with Eglahan at the battle of Yestmark
  
• Thenda Sa—an alias used by the Balenda
  
• Hwatok Tulalane—a
  twoname
  advisor to Olivia (deceased)
  
• France—a common swordsman
  
• Rindal—an alias frequently used by France
  

Personae Aud

• Aiergain—Queen of the free port city, aka the Queen of Thieves
  
• Pandorin—a lieutenant in Aiergain’s guard
  
• Sacress—Aiergain’s physician
  
• Terrikle—a manservant provided to Morgin
  

Personae Penda

• BlakeDown—Head of Clan Penda
  
• Theandrin—BlakeDown’s wife and first lady of Penda
  
• Doagla—an alias used by BlakeDown when he meets Valso at Tharsk
  
• ErrinCastle—Blakedown’s oldest son and heir to the leadership of Penda
  
• Anja—a very young girl of minor status
  
• Tarare—a nobleman known to be a mouthpiece for BlakeDown
  
• Chrisainne—born Vodah, married minor Penda lord, seduces BlakeDown for Valso
  
• Perrinsall—ErrinCastle’s cousin, and trusted to keep a calm head
  
• Lewendis—distant relative of BlakeDown’s and a bit of a hothead
  
• Erlander—a sergeant of men
  

Personae Inetka

• Wylow—Head of Clan Inetka
  
• Carmet—Wylow’s wife
  
• SandoFall—Wylow’s oldest son and heir to the leadership of Inetka
  
• Edtoall—a minor Inetka lord and father of Rhianne
  
• Matill—Edtoall’s wife and mother of Rhianne
  

Personae Tosk

• PaulStaff—Head of Clan Tosk
  
• Torthan—heir to the House of Tosk
  
• Silaya—a very young noblewoman
  

Personae Benesh’ere

• Angerah—ruler of the Black Council
  
• Merella—Angerah’s wife
  
• Jerst—WarMaster of the Benesh’ere tribe
  
• Blesset—Jerst’s daughter
  
• Jack the Lesser—a bowman and scout
  
• Harriok—Jerst’s oldest son
  
• Branaugh—Harriok’s wife
  
• LillianToc—Jerst’s youngest son
  
• Jack the Greater—Jack the Lesser’s twin brother
  
• Delaga—a common swordsman
  
• Fantose—a common pikeman
  
• Chagarin—the Master Smith
  
• Baldrak—a smith
  
• Felina—Baldrak’s daughter
  
• Surnarra—a smith
  
• Yim—an impressionable young girl
  
• Tamlea—a young girl
  
• Tallik—a young bully
  
• Satcha—the cook for Jerst’s extended household
  

Personae Celestial

• Augis—a mythical goddess, guardian of all that once was
  
• Attun—a mythical god, guardian of all that is now
  
• Unnamed King—knows all names but his own
  
• Erithnae—god-queen and consort to the Unnamed King
  
• Aethon—the last Shahotma King
  

Personae Angelicus

• Metadan—an archangel, commander of the first legion, and The Fallen One
  
• Ellowyn—an archangel, commander of the second legion
  
• Laelith—a faerie
  
• Cynaban—Metadan’s senior lieutenant
  

Personae Common

• Raffin—a merchant, also known as Fatpurse
  
• Mathal—a fruit vendor
  
• Ott—a peasant
  
• Gulk—Ott’s wife
  
• Ikth—Ott and Gulk’s son
  
• Darma—captain of the
  Far Wind
  
• Bakart—first mate of the
  Far Wind
  
• Braunye—a peasant girl sold to Rhianne in exchange for healing her father’s cow
  
• Chiren Tesha—guardmaster of a merchant caravan out of Anistigh
  
• Katha—leader of the scouts reporting to Chiren Tesha
  
• Jokath—a common thief that preys on travellers on the Gods Road
  
• Mistress Syllith—Rhianne’s alias in Norlakton
  

Personae Nether

• Beayaegoath—the Dark God and ruler of the ninth hell of the netherworld
  
• Bayellgae—the venomousss demon flying sssnake
  
• ElkenSkul—the demon
  namegiver
  
• Mortiss—Morgin’s unusual horse, also known as the DeathWalker
  
• Soann’Daeth’Daeye—a shadowwraith that Morddon meets outside Kathbeyanne
  
• Shebasha—a great sand cat whose soul is haunted by a demon
  

Personae Ancient

• Morddon—a bitter and angry Benesh’ere warrior, and Morgin’s alter ego
  
• AnneRhianne—a Benesh’ere princess and Rhianne’s alter ego
  
• WindHollow—a young Benesh’ere boy and AnneRhianne’s nephew
  
• Gilguard—warmaster of the Benesh’ere
  
• Sarker—a Benesh’ere scout
  
• Takit—a Benesh’ere scout
  
• Bendaw—a Benesh’ere scout
  
• Binth—the pipist, Morddon’s father
  
• Eisla—the SteelMistress, last of the SteelMasters, and Morddon’s mother
  
• Jander—a Benesh’ere warrior, one of Gilguard’s senior lieutenants
  
• Magwa—the jackal queen, aka the bitch queen, and queen of the jackal court
  
• TarnThane—the griffin lord
  
• SheelThane—the griffin queen
  
• AuelThane—a griffin warrior
  
• TearThane—a griffin warrior
  
• WolfDane—the hellhound king
  
• KarlDane—a hellhound lord
  
• Perrik—a nobleman with a flawed blade
  

Personae Kingdom of Dreams

• Sabian—the castle and seat of power of the Unnamed King
  
• Kinardin—Lord Chamberlain of Sabian
  
• Rhiannead—a young witch, betrothed to the Unnamed King
  
• Rafaellen—the captain of Rhiannead’s escort
  
• Tasmian—a young lieutenant of the Unnamed King