Read Online Journey into the Void by Margaret Weis - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Margaret Weis
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magic hadnât worked. He couldnât think about that. Turning his shoulder, he ran at top speed straight for the wall.
Wincing, anticipating the impact, Ulaf smashed through the wall with ease, creating a gaping hole in the wood and plaster. His momentum carried him out into the street, where he nearly collided with a startled battle magus.
Seeing a ghostly apparition (Ulaf was covered head to toe in plaster dust) come bursting through the wall, the battle mage brandished his sword, the words of a spell crackled on his lips.
âFriend!â cried Ulaf, raising his dusty hands into the air. âDonât harm us! We were caught in there with these children! We just want to get away from here!â
Keeping his hands raised, he jerked his head toward Jessan, carrying Bashae. The Grandmother stumbled along at Jessanâs side, clutching Bashaeâs hand.
What with the darkness, the smoke, and the flames, the battle magus would not be able to see clearly. As it was, he barely cast them a glance.
Ulaf caught hold of the Grandmother and, ignoring her outraged protests, hoisted her onto his back.
âWe have to run for it, Grandmother, and you wonât be able to keep up. Put your arms around my neck!â
The Grandmother obeyed, clasping her arms around his neck with a grip that nearly strangled him. Ulaf broke into a run, heading for the tavern where Jessan had told him they could find Shadamehr. Fortunately, the battle magi had illuminated the surrounding area in order to provide a clear field of vision in case the Vrykyl managed to escape. Their spells had lit up half the city, filling the streets and alleys around the Tubby Tabby with a cold, white radiance. Battle magi, stationed at every street corner, could be heard chanting the spell.
The streets were empty. City guardsmen were posted nearby to keep order. The streets around the tavern had been cordoned off, but that didnât stop the citizenry from trying to find out what was going on. People stood in doorways, craning their necks, or peering out the upper-story windows of their houses, trying to see what was happening.
No one stopped Ulaf or the Trevinici, carrying the âchildrenâ to safety. One guardsman asked if they needed help. Ulaf shook his head and kept running.
Bashae moaned in pain, his head rocking from side to side.
âHow much farther?â Jessan demanded anxiously.
âOnly a block or two,â said Ulaf. âHow is he doing?â
âHeâs going to be fine,â said Jessan.
Ulaf looked at the small, deathly white figure Jessan held so easily in his strong arms, then glanced over his shoulder at the Grandmother, who clung to him tightly. She didnât make a sound, but Ulaf could feel the wetness of her tears soaking through the fabric of his shirt.
Â
Five battle magi had the Vrykyl surrounded. Moving cautiously, they backed him into a corner, all the while chanting the words to a powerful spell. Jedash was still holding his own. He still kept them at bay, but he was growing weaker. The wound made by the Blood-knife had done its damage. He could feel it draining him, siphoning off his energy.
The magi came at him from all directions, half-blinding him with their foul, dazzling light. Jedash retreated. He would have surrendered to them if he could have. He didnât want to fight. Heâd never been much of a fighter when he was alive. The armor of the Void could keep his rotting corpse intact, but it had no effect on what he was. The Void could not grant him courage. Jedash might appear ferocious on the outside, but inside the black helm, his eyes darted about the room, searching for a way out. A craven coward in life, Jedash was a craven coward still.
Trampling furniture beneath his feet, Jedash fumbled for his own Blood-knife, which he wore at his side. He closed his hand over it.
âShakur!â he wailed. âFive battle magi have me surrounded! I am able to hold them
Wincing, anticipating the impact, Ulaf smashed through the wall with ease, creating a gaping hole in the wood and plaster. His momentum carried him out into the street, where he nearly collided with a startled battle magus.
Seeing a ghostly apparition (Ulaf was covered head to toe in plaster dust) come bursting through the wall, the battle mage brandished his sword, the words of a spell crackled on his lips.
âFriend!â cried Ulaf, raising his dusty hands into the air. âDonât harm us! We were caught in there with these children! We just want to get away from here!â
Keeping his hands raised, he jerked his head toward Jessan, carrying Bashae. The Grandmother stumbled along at Jessanâs side, clutching Bashaeâs hand.
What with the darkness, the smoke, and the flames, the battle magus would not be able to see clearly. As it was, he barely cast them a glance.
Ulaf caught hold of the Grandmother and, ignoring her outraged protests, hoisted her onto his back.
âWe have to run for it, Grandmother, and you wonât be able to keep up. Put your arms around my neck!â
The Grandmother obeyed, clasping her arms around his neck with a grip that nearly strangled him. Ulaf broke into a run, heading for the tavern where Jessan had told him they could find Shadamehr. Fortunately, the battle magi had illuminated the surrounding area in order to provide a clear field of vision in case the Vrykyl managed to escape. Their spells had lit up half the city, filling the streets and alleys around the Tubby Tabby with a cold, white radiance. Battle magi, stationed at every street corner, could be heard chanting the spell.
The streets were empty. City guardsmen were posted nearby to keep order. The streets around the tavern had been cordoned off, but that didnât stop the citizenry from trying to find out what was going on. People stood in doorways, craning their necks, or peering out the upper-story windows of their houses, trying to see what was happening.
No one stopped Ulaf or the Trevinici, carrying the âchildrenâ to safety. One guardsman asked if they needed help. Ulaf shook his head and kept running.
Bashae moaned in pain, his head rocking from side to side.
âHow much farther?â Jessan demanded anxiously.
âOnly a block or two,â said Ulaf. âHow is he doing?â
âHeâs going to be fine,â said Jessan.
Ulaf looked at the small, deathly white figure Jessan held so easily in his strong arms, then glanced over his shoulder at the Grandmother, who clung to him tightly. She didnât make a sound, but Ulaf could feel the wetness of her tears soaking through the fabric of his shirt.
Â
Five battle magi had the Vrykyl surrounded. Moving cautiously, they backed him into a corner, all the while chanting the words to a powerful spell. Jedash was still holding his own. He still kept them at bay, but he was growing weaker. The wound made by the Blood-knife had done its damage. He could feel it draining him, siphoning off his energy.
The magi came at him from all directions, half-blinding him with their foul, dazzling light. Jedash retreated. He would have surrendered to them if he could have. He didnât want to fight. Heâd never been much of a fighter when he was alive. The armor of the Void could keep his rotting corpse intact, but it had no effect on what he was. The Void could not grant him courage. Jedash might appear ferocious on the outside, but inside the black helm, his eyes darted about the room, searching for a way out. A craven coward in life, Jedash was a craven coward still.
Trampling furniture beneath his feet, Jedash fumbled for his own Blood-knife, which he wore at his side. He closed his hand over it.
âShakur!â he wailed. âFive battle magi have me surrounded! I am able to hold them
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