Sir Kormak. If we succeed, we triumph. If we fail, we will kill it and there will be one less demon free in the world. Even you cannot object to that.”
“I need time to consider,” said Kormak.”
“Promise me you will think about what I have asked,” said Lord Tomas reaching out and clutching Kormak’s arm. His grip was surprisingly strong. His eyes glittered. Kormak realised there was more than just excitement in his manner. He was afraid. Given what he was contemplating, that was only natural. “But we have kept you too long. It is late and you must retire and regain your strength. You will need it soon.”
One way or another he was right, Kormak thought.
When he heard the strange knock, Kormak rose grasped the poker and walked over to the door. He unbarred the door and was not entirely surprised to see the Lady Kathea standing there. She had a night-light in her hand.
“May I come in?” she asked. Her hair was unbound. There were traces of cosmetics on her face. The pupils of her eyes seemed very large and reflected the light she held.
“This is your home.” She took that as an assent and walked by him, close enough so that he could smell her perfume. The fabric of her long dress brushed against him as she walked. She went over to the fire and stood beside it.
“So they have asked you to help them?” she said.
“Lady?”
She turned and looked at him over her shoulder. “They have asked you to help them with the ancient prison they have found. The one with the demon in it.”
Kormak just looked at her, not sure where this was going. She spoke to fill the silence as he had known she would.
“I am curious. Will you help them? Are you tempted?”
“How do you know what your husband seeks?”
“Because he is my husband. I know what he dwells upon. I know his obsessions. I know the books of poetry he reads. I know what he dreams of. He was not the sort of man who would seek glory on a battlefield but this represents glory of another sort.”
“You think he wants glory?”
“I think he dreams a dream that has been dreamt by others in the past, never to good effect.”
“You do not approve?”
“At first I thought it was a fancy, like many of his others. He has developed some obsessions in the past, Sir Kormak. With alchemy, with ancient books and lore. I can see now that all of those obsessions led him to this. I never really expected it to go anywhere. But then his agents located that flask and the wizard and he seems determined to go ahead with his plan.”
“And you think I should help him?”
“I think he will proceed whether you help him or not.”
“I sense you do not approve of this.”
“It is madness, Sir Kormak. Surely you can see this? The others, they do not. They are all caught up in it. Lord Tomas can be a very persuasive man. We are in a world where he commands everything and a long way from anywhere else. This place has its own deceptive reality. It swallows you up, devours all common sense if you stay long enough.”
“Except in your case, apparently.”
She smiled sadly. “You don’t believe me?”
“I am wondering why you have chosen to confide your doubts in me, so soon after the matter was discussed with your husband. It seems a trifle convenient.”
“You are a very suspicious man.”
“Being so has helped keep me alive.”
“I am sure that is the case, given the life you lead.”
“I will not be allowed to leave here alive if I do not aid your husband. Telling you I planned not to help him would undoubtedly shorten my life.”
“You think I will report what you say to my husband? Is that what you think?” There was anger in her voice. She moved closer to him, looked up into his eyes. Their bodies were almost touching.
“Won’t you?” She swallowed but her face was calm. Her lips were slightly parted. With her head held back he could not help but notice the way her hair tumbled down her back.
“I doubt it would make much difference. My husband has given his word not to harm you and I am sure he will keep it.”
“Telling me anything different would be foolish.”
“You do not know Tomas like I do. He is a man who keeps his word. Even if he was not, he fears the vengeance of your