Possessing the Grimstone - By John Grover Page 0,38
swords. Every movement of theirs was hostile. Pim was glad they were on their side, at least for now. He had a feeling that if things were different, Drith wouldn’t tolerate his presence for more than a minute. The people of the desert were known to be very angry, and inhospitable. Their customs were strange. Their blood boiled; they were known to pick fights over the slightest things.
“Where is the mage?” Drith asked. “Where is our protection?”
Before Tolan could answer, a dust devil spun into the courtyard. Wind howled, and the devil spun into the middle of the group. The dust and sand subsided, and Sooth-Malesh stood in their wake.
“Impatience can get one killed,” the mage said. “In any event, you shall wait no longer.”
King Enrille stepped into the courtyard, stretching, and yawned. “Splendid, splendid. Such an exciting day! The saviors of Cardoon!”
“Of Athora,” Tolan corrected.
“Of course,” the King agreed.
“The protection?” Drith reminded.
Sooth-Malesh grumbled something under his breath, and then reached into his robes. He pulled out yet another crystal, but this one was black. He stepped to each of the volunteers, and placed it against their foreheads.
Drith flinched as the crystal touched his head. Pim wanted to laugh, but he held it in.
The crystal glowed with gold light each time it touched someone. After the mage recited some arcane words, a glittering light flickered over each of them, and then evaporated.
“It is done, but know this: it is not all powerful. No magic is forever. The further you are away from Cardoon, the weaker the spell, and some enemies will be immune to it.”
“Wonderful,” Drith said. “So we’re still on our own.”
“Belief, Southerner, belief. It will serve you well from time to time.”
Drith shook his head.
King Enrille opened his arms. “It is time. Go, and serve us well. Bring us back the other pieces of the stone.”
With the decree, stable boys led the group’s horses down the cobblestone roads, directly into the courtyard. Pim saw that he had his own horse this time. Excitement surged through him.
As they mounted their steeds, Pim looked over at Tolan. “Have you ever been to the Graywing Mountains?”
“No, no one in Cardoon has. It’s a sacred place. The remnants of our ancestors are there. Our people believed it best not to disturb them out of honor. The great Thet would want it that way.”
“So no one knows what may wait there?”
“We’ll be the first to find out.”
“You won’t be the first,” Drith said. “Many creatures have walked the mountains, even some of my people. Of course, some of them went mad after going there.”
Tolan rolled his eyes. Pim swallowed air. “Don’t let him scare you,” Tolan said.
“He didn’t.”
“Let us make our leave,” Tolan called, and the six riders headed for the gates.
“I will place a barrier around Cardoon to hold the Neshing at bay,” Sooth-Malesh called as they galloped. “If it still stands when you return, touch your foreheads where the black crystal imbued you, and a passage will open!”
Tolan waved as he approached the city gates. They opened with a great bellow.
“Thet be with you!” The King called as they rounded the corner.
They headed toward the rear of the city, through the farmlands, and to the Blackberry bogs. Pim turned to look behind him, and watched a red veil fall over the city. Sooth-Malesh’s magic was at work. He wondered how it would stand. He wondered how long they would last, as well. Thet only knows what lies ahead.
###
The stark peaks of the Graywing Mountains came into view as Pim and the group crossed the covered bridges of the Low lands—a region of valleys connected and formed by dry stream beds. Many indigenous people lived in the valleys, having built the bridges to cross from one valley to the other, and circumvent the gaping stream beds, some of which collapsed into dark chasms.
The air smelled of cooking fires and roasting meat. Painted stones marked the territory between the different villages and tribes. The people were among the poorest in Athora. There were no cities or castles, no government, or money. There were wise men and women, superstitions, hunting and gathering, dancing, bonfires, and sacrifice.
The scent in the air made Pim hungry, but the bread, cheese, and water in his pack would have to suffice, especially in the wild.
“Do not stop for anyone,” Tolan told the group. “Beggars and the lame are not what they seem. They are thieves and swindlers.”
“The most uncivilized people in all of Athora,” Drith said.
Pim couldn’t believe the