Read Online What Lies Within (Book 5) by Martin Ash - Free Book Online Page A

more than a couple of heartbeats. They came together and were torn apart, reforming into other semblances.
       She drew away reflexively, jumping to her feet, though the monster seemed securely confined behind the mesh. It prowled, a shadow. It paused as though watching her, though she perceived no eyes. Then in a spasm of rage it flung itself once more against the mesh. And the strangest thing: it made absolutely no sound.
       'This is the Reach Rider,' Orbelon said, and she realized that he stood at her shoulder, Triune a little way off to one side.
       Issul still clutched the blue casket. She could not take her eyes off the creature. 'This is what will bring chaos to my land?'
       'If it is released, yes.'
       'It seems only half-here, without real substance.'
       'That is precisely what it is. Drawn from Enchantment, the Reach Rider is genuinely the projection of a higher-dimensional life form. In effect what we are witnessing is analogous to its shadow, cast in three dimensions. The creature itself requires a minimum of eleven dimensions in which to fully manifest. We should perhaps be thankful that three, or at most four, are the best that can be achieved on this plane of existence. Still, the shadow is adequate as far as its purpose here is concerned.'
       'And its purpose is purely to destroy?'
       'Inasmuch as it is controlled by a denizen of this plane of reality, yes. Essentially the Reach Rider is formed here of the energies of Potentia, plus something from the person or persons responsible for invoking its presence here - in this case Strymnia. When it passes into the formed world its energies become automatically corrupting, dis-forming all it comes into contact with. The formed world simply cannot contain it, even in shadow form.'
      'The formed world is returned to the instability of Enchantment,' Issul murmured.
       'In essence, yes,' Orbelon replied. 'As an example, were the Reach Rider to pass through a village, you would notice little out of the ordinary for a few hours. But then the village inhabitants would begin to evince unusual behaviour. They would turn upon one another, with no provocation. Man against woman, husband against wife, mother against child. Similarly with animals, be they domestic, livestock or wild. In short order none would be left alive. Over the ensuing days the landscape would alter: leaves would turn brown and fall from trees, the wood would rapidly decay. Fruits and vegetables also. The soil would turn sour and lifeless. The formed world would be reduced, destabilized. Nothing of your kind could live there. Eventually the earth and the air itself would rupture, would fall into formlessness and instability. Where the Rider has passed and done its work Enchantment could again hold uncontested sway.'
       Issul stared again at the Reach Rider, a psychic chill penetrating to her bones. 'And you are prepared to allow that to happen?'
       'The matter is not entirely in my hands,' Orbelon said. 'Still, Triune and I have had a useful discussion. We have each learned things that we were not previously fully aware of, and I think we understand that our individual aims need not bring us into disharmony. Quite the opposite, in fact. I would say that we are close to an accommodation. Furthermore, Triune has made a rather intriguing discovery.' Orbelon motioned to a door behind Issul. 'If you would step this way. . .'
       'You have left Shenwolf alone.' said Issul sharply. 'That may not be a good idea.'
       She felt that Orbelon rested his gaze upon her as she said this. Her cheeks grew warm and, no matter the other thoughts and emotions that welled in her breast and clamoured in her mind, she felt herself grow piqued.
       'We will bring him to us in due course,' Orbelon said, 'but in view of what we have to show you, now is not the best time.'
       'He has changed on the journey here. He suffers, fearing what may lie within him. Alone now, in such a strange