looked like, back when.” The tree from which the goddess had picked the apple lay at Heris’s feet, rotted. Without a termite.
Like the power, insects were not returning to the Realm of the Gods, if only because the gateway was in the middle of a freezing sea. Though all the recent comings and goings probably meant that fleas and lice had become reestablished.
Heris said, “It’s sad, all this having to go. It was magnificent.”
“Have you forgotten what lived here?”
“No. But I bet they weren’t worse than any other Instrumentalities from their era. Were they big on human sacrifices?”
“They demanded it. But not often. The victims were usually condemned men, cripples, or people about to die from disease anyway. Or, after the Chaldarean cult reached the northern world, missionaries. But when times were extreme the gods sometimes demanded a real sacrifice.”
“Did you enjoy your time with Cloven Februaren?” Heris stepped back out of the orchard, strolled toward the entrance to the “keep” of the Great Sky Fortress. Keep was appropriate based on design but a deep understatement by the standards of middle-world fortifications. The structure sprawled to left and right and rose up and up and up.
“I did. The man has a unique mind. Most of what you’re looking at is an illusion. The real fortress goes more back into the flesh of the mountain than it goes up.”
“Not the answer I was looking for.”
The ascendant frowned. He took a moment, as though trying to craft a response that would be approved. “I’m sorry you were disappointed. I’m never sure how things are done. Nor why I do what I do. The Walker and the Banished were powerful personalities. Even as ghosts they sometimes work some wicked magic.”
Heris started to say that that was not what she was looking for, either, but stopped herself.
Asgrimmur continued, “I do enjoy time spent with the old man. My stay at Fea was a pleasant interlude. I enjoyed him even more, here, while you were away. He has an insatiable curiosity. But he likes to start arguments. He squabbled with the Bastard constantly.”
“I’d say he has an infinite capacity for making mischief. What did he get up to when I wasn’t watching?”
Asgrimmur gave her a blank look. Again, she had trouble connecting him with the brute raiders who had come out of Andoray centuries ago. Then she recalled the Ninth Unknown suggesting that he might have absorbed knowledge from the people he had killed during his mad seasons.
She asked, “So what do we do now?” Trying to distract herself.
That old man with the insatiable curiosity would have been up here countless times while she was away. Maybe she could get Asgrimmur to let her in on what they had learned. Maybe she could get him to explain how he had become such a changed man.
“Come.”
She followed.
He showed her a place she refused to visit again.
“This is where my brother and I and our boyhood friends were kept while the Instrumentalities waited to turn us loose. This is where the heroes of the north, scavenged from battlefields by the Choosers of the Slain, awaited their destiny. This is where those who served the Old Ones well in life hoped to spend eternity. The Hall of Heroes. A paradise that has a lot in common with your Chaldarean Hell.”
Despite countless years gone on the smell of death remained.
There was little light back there, inside the mountain. For which Heris was thankful. In the area she could see there were scattered limbs and bodies so terribly mutilated that they had not been able to answer the call to battle when the Walker summoned them to save the Night.
Before the Old Gods went, there had been no corruption in the Hall of Heroes. Just a stink of fresh death. But, now, corruption had found its way into the Great Sky Fortress. Slow, slow corruption, constrained by cold and alien physical law.
“How did you trap them?” Heris asked.
“Clever. Trying to catch me by surprise. But no help. I must have been inspired. But I was too mad to remember. I ripped the necessary knowledge out of the All-Father and the Banished like tearing out their lungs, I expect.”
Heris suppressed a gag reflex. “The smell is too much. How did you stand that for a couple hundred years?”
“It wasn’t that short. Time differences, remember? But we were lucky. We were unconscious. Though that was bad enough. There were dreams. My brother … No point tormenting myself with that.”
“I understand.” Recalling what
Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 1 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 2 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 3 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 4 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 5 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 6 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 7 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 8 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 9 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 10 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 11 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 12 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 13 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 14 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 15 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 16 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 17 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 18 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 19 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 20 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 21 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 22 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 23 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 24 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 25 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 26 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 27 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 28 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 29 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 30 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 31 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 32 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 33 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 34 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 35 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 36 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 37 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 38 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 39 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 40 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 41 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 42 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 43 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 44 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 45 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 46 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 47 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 48 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 49 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 50 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 51 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 52 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 53 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 54 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 55 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 56 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 57 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 58 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 59 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 60 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 61 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 62 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 63 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 64 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 65 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 66 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 67 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 68 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 69 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 70 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 71 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 72 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 73 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 74 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 75 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 76 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 77 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 78 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 79 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 80 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 81 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 82 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 83 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 84 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 85 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 86 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 87 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 88 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 89 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 90 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 91 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 92 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 93 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 94 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 95 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 96 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 97 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 98 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 99 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 100 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 101 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 102 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 103 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 104 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 105 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 106 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 107 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 108 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 109 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 110 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 111 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 112 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 113 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 114 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 115 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 116 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 117 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 118 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 119 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 120 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 121 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 122 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 123 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 124 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 125 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 126 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 127 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 128 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 129 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 130 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 131 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 132 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 133 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 134 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 135 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 136 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 137 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 138 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 139 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 140 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 141 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 142 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 143 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 144 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 145 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 146 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 147 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 148 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 149 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 150 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 151 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 152 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 153 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 154 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 155 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 156 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 157 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 158 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 159 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 160 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 161 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 162 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 163 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 164 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 165 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 166 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 167 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 168 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 169 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 170 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 171 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 172 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 173 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 174 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 175 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 176 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 177 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 178 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 179 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 180 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 181 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 182 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 183 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 184 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 185 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 186 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 187 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 188 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 189 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 190 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 191 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 192 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 193 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 194 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 195 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 196 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 197 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 198 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 199 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 200 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 201 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 202 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 203 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 204 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 205 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 206 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 207 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 208 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 209 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 210 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 211 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 212 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 213 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 214 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 215 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 216 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 217 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 218 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 219 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 220 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 221 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 222 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 223 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 224 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 225 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 226 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 227 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 228 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 229 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 230 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 231 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 232 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 233 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 234 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 235 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 236 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 237 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 238 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 239 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 240 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 241 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 242 Surrender to the Will of the Night - By Glen Cook - Page 243