Read Online Demon Lord IV - Lord of Shadows by T C Southwell - Free Book Online

tent.
Moments later he entered it, hurrying to the cot to stare down at
Bane.
    "Him? She was
talking about him?"
    "Of course,"
Shevra said.
    "But he is
just a human being."
    "A mortal
god."
    "That is not
possible."
    She lifted
Bane's head and trickled the medicine between his lips, but most of
it ran out again. The doctor ran a hand through his hair.
    "Perhaps you
should not give him that."
    "Why not?"
    "If he's a
god... who knows?"
    "He's still a
man, as you said, no different from you. Well, perhaps a little
different."
    The doctor
looked flummoxed. "But how could a god... He was hit on the head
with a stone!"
    "He wasn't
looking, nor was he expecting to be attacked by the people he had
just saved." She lowered Bane's head onto the pillow. "He is a god.
Look at him."
    "All right, I
believe you. But you should go now, with the others."
    She shook her
head. "I'm not leaving him."
    "You heard
what that..."
    "Angel."
    "Yes, she said
we must flee."
    "And I'm sure
she meant it, so you should go. But I'm staying here. Another god
is coming to save him, so he can save me too."
    The doctor
hesitated, irresolute. "Then I'm staying too, he's my patient."
    "A minute ago
you told me he was dying and walked off."
    "He is."
    Shevra
frowned. "He won't. I have a right to stay. I prayed to him and he
came. I've stayed with him from the moment he was hurt, and
protected him from the soldiers. You did nothing."
    "There was
nothing I could do. If there had been, I would have done it."
    "So what use
are you?"
    "I might be
able to help."
    "A god? I
doubt that."
    He sat on the
edge of the cot, staring at Bane. "No one has ever seen a mortal
god, or any other for that matter. We take so much on faith... I've
heard that Drayshina sometimes visits churches, but I never really
believed it. I thought it was just visions, superstitions. Now I
see one, and he's just a man. You have to admit, it's hard to
believe."
    "He destroyed
the foul horde. Believe me, he's not just a man."
    "But he is,
physically, or he appears to be. And even if this other god can
save him, he might need tending until he's fully recovered."
    "I can tend to
him."
    The doctor
glanced around, listening to the silence outside. "Everyone has
gone."
    "Only a fool
would ignore the warning of an angel."
    "Like us."
    "Yes."
    Shevra tensed
as she sensed a power enter the tent. The air seemed to thrum with
it, and shifting silvery sparkles danced around them. The warm,
benign power filled her with joy and awe. Blue fire flared around
Bane, and he rose from the cot as if someone had scooped him up in
their arms. Fearing that he would be lost to her, she cried out and
grabbed his hand. The doctor lunged for her and caught hold of her
shawl, then a blinding white light and tingling warmth engulfed
them.
    Shevra
sprawled on a cold stone floor, and levered herself up, blinking
spots from her eyes. Nearby, the doctor was similarly occupied,
looking dazed and confused. A cry of joy made her turn. A girl in a
white gown ran to kneel beside a cot where Bane lay, taking his
limp hand and pressing it to her tear-stained cheek. Shevra glanced
around at a bare cell lighted by a brilliant, tiny white flame that
hovered near the ceiling. A window let in dull red light, and a
crude table and chair stood next to the wall. A grey-clad man sat
beside Bane, and Shevra stared at his strange, shimmering clothes
and silver eyes.
    "A Grey God,"
she whispered.
    The god
frowned at her. "Why is it that Bane collects so many
admirers?"
    The doctor
gaped at him, dumbstruck.
    Shevra gulped.
"Are you Kayos?"
    "Yes. Now be
quiet, I must heal him."
    The doctor
struggled to his feet. "He has a depressed skull fracture."
    Kayos shot him
a scathing look. "It does not matter what it is called."
    "But there may
be bleeding on the brain, and swelling."
    Shevra rose
and grabbed his arm, dragging him away. "Leave him be, he knows
what he's doing."
    "Yes, of
course." He still looked dazed. "He's a real god, isn't he?"
    "They both
are,