Read Online Into the Labyrinth by Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman - Free Book Online Page A

discovered in the old man’s cell—”
    “Yes, what about it?” Xar demanded impatiently.
    “Such creatures come from Pryan, Lord.” Sang-drax paused, then added in a low voice, “In the ancient days, Lord, these dragons were servants of the Sartan. It has occurred to me that perhaps the Sartan left something behind on Pryan that they wished to keep secret, well guarded, undisturbed … such as the Seventh Gate.”
    Xar’s anger cooled. He was suddenly thoughtful. He had just recalled where he’d heard about the citadels of Pryan. “I see. And you say these dragons exist only on this world?”
    “Haplo himself reported so, Lord. And it was there he ran into the crazed old Sartan. Undoubtedly the dragon and the old Sartan have returned to Pryan. And if they were able to travel here, to Chelestra, who knows but that next time they will return with an army of tytans?”
    Xar was not about to let the dragon-snake see his excitement. “Perhaps I will go to Pryan,” he said noncommittally. “We will discuss this later, Sang-drax. Know that I am displeased with you. You are dismissed.”
    Flinching beneath the lash of Xar’s anger, the dragon-snake slunk out of the lord’s presence.
    Xar was silent long moments after Sang-drax’s departure. Marit wondered if he had changed his mind about sending her to Arianus, since he’d heard what was happening from the dragon-snake. He was apparently thinking along the same lines, for he said to himself, “No, I do not trust him!”
    But was he, Marit wondered suddenly, speaking of Sang-drax … or of Haplo?
    He turned to her, decision made.
    “You will travel to Arianus, Daughter. You will learn the truth of the matter. Sang-drax kept this concealed from me for a reason, and I do not believe it was to save me from grief! Although,” he added in a softer tone, “the betrayal of one of my own people, particularly Haplo …”
    He paused a moment, thoughtful. “I have read that inthe ancient world, before the Sundering, we Patryns were a stern and cold people who did not love, who prided ourselves on never feeling affection, not even for each other. Lust was permissible, encouraged, for lust perpetuates our species. The Labyrinth taught us many hard lessons. I wonder if it didn’t teach us to love.” Xar sighed. “Haplo’s betrayal has inflicted a pain on me worse than any I have endured from the creatures of the Labyrinth.”
    “I do not believe he would betray you, Lord,” said Marit.
    “No?” Xar asked, gazing at her intently. “And why not? Is it possible that you love him, too?”
    Marit flushed. “That is not the reason. I do not believe any Patryn could be so disloyal.”
    He stared at her as if probing for some deeper meaning. She returned his gaze steadfastly, and he was satisfied.
    “That is because your heart is true, Daughter. And therefore you cannot conceive of one that is false.” He paused, then said, “If Haplo is proven a traitor—not only to me, but to our people—what punishment would he merit?”
    “Death, Lord,” said Marit calmly.
    Xar smiled, nodded. “Well spoken, Daughter. Tell me,” he added with that same piercing stare, “have you ever rune-joined with any man or woman, Marit?”
    “No, Lord.” She was at first startled by his question, then understood what he was truly asking. “You are mistaken, Lord, if you think that Haplo and I—”
    “No, no, Daughter,” Xar interrupted smoothly. “I do not ask because of that—although I am glad to hear it. I ask for another, more selfish reason.”
    Walking to his desk, Xar lifted a long bodkin that lay on it. Also on his desk was a jar of ink, so blue as to be almost black. He muttered over the ink several words of the rune-language used by the Patryns. Then he drew his hood back from his face and lifted the long hair that fell over his forehead to reveal a single blue sigil tattooed there.
    “Will you rune-join with me, Daughter?” he asked gently.
    Marit stared at him